Olivia Munn Opens Up About a Rough Patch on The Newsroom That Almost Cost Her a Big Role
Olivia Munn isn’t just known for her roles in Office Christmas Party or Ocean’s Eight — she’s also been through some serious challenges behind the scenes, especially during her time on the Emmy-winning HBO series The Newsroom. In a candid chat on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, Munn revealed how creative clashes on set almost tanked another major opportunity for her.
The Clash Over Sloan Sabbith’s Love Story
Munn played Sloan Sabbith, a smart and driven financial reporter, on The Newsroom — a show created by Aaron Sorkin that aired from 2012 to 2014. The series gave viewers a peek inside the chaotic, high-stakes world of a cable news network, featuring a strong ensemble cast like Jeff Daniels, Emily Mortimer, and Sam Waterston.
But things behind the camera weren’t always smooth sailing for Munn. She shared that one particular director kept pushing her to take a very specific approach to her character’s romantic storyline with Don Keefer, played by Tom Sadoski.
"There was this one director who kept coming back," Munn said. "He wanted me to play my scenes so that all the focus was on my love interest. Like, he’d say, 'Can you look at him and smile more?' or, 'Why don’t you stop what you’re doing and snuggle up to him?' I was like, ‘Wait, that doesn’t fit with what Sloan is actually doing here.’”
This wasn’t just a small disagreement. Munn felt that this director wanted her character to put romance above everything else — even when it didn’t make sense for the scene or for Sloan’s personality.
Why It Didn’t Sit Right
Olivia explained why she pushed back: Sloan was a complex, career-driven woman. Her focus wasn’t on endlessly flirting or doting on her boyfriend. Instead, Sloan was busy with her job, juggling the intense demands of a newsroom during some of the biggest news stories of the decade.
"She’s in the middle of working," Munn said. "Why would she just stop and give him a kiss in the middle of a serious moment? It just felt forced and wrong for the character."
This creative difference led to tension, with Munn feeling frustrated about having to carry the romantic storyline “only on my side,” as she put it.
When On-Set Drama Becomes Real Career Trouble
Fast forward a bit, and the conflict escalated beyond just creative disagreements. Olivia revealed that this tension nearly cost her a major movie role.
"I was on the one-yard-line for a movie role," she shared, "and then my manager calls me with bad news. They said some director from The Newsroom was telling people I was always late and combative on set."
Munn was shocked. She firmly denied the accusations, pointing out that she lived just seven minutes from the studio and was never late to work.
*"I was like, ‘I know exactly who this is,’” she said. “He was trying to sabotage me because we didn’t see eye to eye on how to play Sloan."
Olivia’s reps stood by her and cleared up the misunderstanding, and thankfully, she still landed the role. But the experience left a sour taste, knowing that behind-the-scenes drama almost blocked her from moving forward.
What This Says About Hollywood
This story highlights something that a lot of actors — even rising stars — have to face in Hollywood. The creative process can sometimes get messy, especially when different personalities and visions collide. And occasionally, those conflicts can spill over into professional consequences.
Olivia’s experience also sheds light on how important it is for actors to stick to their artistic instincts. She trusted her understanding of Sloan’s character rather than simply giving in to pressure, even when it got tough.
Olivia’s Career After The Newsroom
Despite the bumps on The Newsroom set, Olivia Munn has certainly kept busy and successful since then. She’s starred in a range of films, from the wild and raunchy comedy Office Christmas Party to the slick heist flick Ocean’s Eight, and even joined the superhero genre with X-Men: Apocalypse.
Each project has helped Munn show off her range — from comedy to action to drama — proving that she’s much more than just her early TV roles.
Key Takeaways from Olivia’s Story
-
Stick to Your Vision: Munn’s refusal to compromise on Sloan’s authentic character shows how important it is for actors to advocate for their roles.
-
Behind-the-Scenes Conflicts Can Affect Careers: Creative clashes aren’t just about the work; they can impact professional opportunities.
-
Resilience Matters: Despite the near setback, Munn kept her head up and continued to build a solid career in Hollywood.
-
The Importance of Supportive Reps: Having people who believe in you and stand up to false claims can make a huge difference.
Final Thoughts
Olivia Munn’s story from The Newsroom is a real reminder that the entertainment industry isn’t always glamorous. There are tough moments behind the curtain, conflicts that can almost derail careers, and the constant need to balance artistic integrity with collaborative work.
But Olivia’s journey also shows that staying true to yourself and having a strong support system can help you overcome those hurdles — leading to even bigger and better opportunities down the road.
Login