In the ever-shifting landscape of Hollywood, where careers are defined by choices made and opportunities missed, few roles carry the weight of Unfaithful. The 2002 thriller, directed by Adrian Lyne, not only captivated audiences but also cemented the legendary status of its star, Diane Lane, earning her a career-defining Oscar nomination.

Yet, as the years have passed, the film has gained an additional layer of intrigue, thanks to a revelation from another icon. Jennifer Lopez recently disclosed that turning down the lead role in Unfaithful was the biggest regret of her career, admitting she felt the script wasn’t good enough at the time.

Diane Lane, informed of this regret during a recent conversation, took the news with grace and a distinct sense of Hollywood destiny. “I’m glad to hear it. I mean, how great,” Lane responded, adding a philosophical touch to the twist of fate. “It was somebody’s moment, and I’m It was my turn.”

Her perspective underscored a key element of the industry: sometimes, a role finds the actor, regardless of who else was considered.

When pressed on the role—what exactly she saw in the character that J.Lo missed—Lane offered high praise for the man behind the camera. She credited her confidence entirely to director Adrian Lyne, stating, “I knew that we were in good hands with All State [Adrian Lyne].” The sly reference to the insurance company’s slogan, You’re in good hands, speaks volumes about the trust she placed in the visionary director’s ability to navigate the complex, emotionally charged material.

Lane acknowledges the universal nature of career missteps. When asked if she harbors similar regrets over roles she might have passed up, she admitted, “there’s plenty of that going around.” However, her approach to disappointment is decidedly forward-looking, rooted in resilience and learning.

“I don’t mind making mistakes as long as I don’t lose the lesson,” she shared. It’s a powerful mantra, particularly for actors whose “mistakes are on film forever.” For Lane, every decision, successful or not, becomes an indelible part of her cinematic tapestry, offering lessons that extend far beyond the box office.

As Lane prepares to accept a prestigious award recognizing her impact, the conversation naturally turned to the weight of being called an “icon.” She admitted to still “pausing” and feeling uncertain about what she would say upon receiving the accolade.

Yet, in discussing the concept of leadership, Lane delivered a profound “gem” of wisdom, as the interviewer described it. She offered an unexpected definition of what it truly means to lead: “to be a leader, you have to have been a good server in the in the cause of whatever you’re doing.”

This philosophy suggests that true leadership is rooted in service, humility, and dedication to the craft, rather than in ego or mere visibility. It’s a perspective that resonates deeply with her decades-long career, defined by consistency, versatility, and depth.

Reflecting on the roles that significantly altered her professional trajectory, Lane pointed to the blockbuster disaster film, The Perfect Storm. She highlighted that this massive production was her first experience with a “blockbuster” of that scale.

“It made so much money,” she recalled sweetly, describing the experience as a thrilling new dimension in her career. “I haven’t done that color in my tapestry,” she noted, emphasizing the value of tackling new genres and scales of production to continuously enrich an actor’s experience. The Perfect Storm not only brought her immense visibility but also proved her ability to command the screen in a high-octane Hollywood production.

The discussion also touched on her upcoming work and poignant memories from the past. Lane expressed enthusiasm for her upcoming thriller, Anniversary, which she described as a relatable story centered on family conversations and coping with change.

A particularly moving moment came when she reflected on the 30th anniversary of the film Jack, starring the late, great Robin Williams. She remembered Williams fondly as “a breath of more than just fresh air” and someone who “set the bar so high in terms of good energy.”

She shared a cherished final gift from Williams: a signed Shakespeare book he gave her as a wrap gift. Lane spoke with admiration about his ability to embody “all of it,” comparing his genius to being both the “court jester and King Lear” simultaneously—a perfect description of Williams’s unique blend of comedy and dramatic depth.

The conversation concluded with Lane offering poignant advice for the next generation of actors, contrasting her early career with the realities of today’s digital landscape.

Lane confessed that she actively avoids the relentless pressure cooker of social media, admitting, “I can’t take the heat so I don’t go in the kitchen.” For the veteran star, avoiding reviews, which she dismissively refers to as “bird cage liner,” is key to staying grounded and protecting her creative process.

Her primary concern lies with the younger actors forced to navigate the “extra obstacle course” created by social media algorithms and the expectation of constant digital presence. She believes her era was a “kinder, gentler version” of Hollywood, one that allowed for more focus on the craft without the need for constant, curated self-promotion.

Furthermore, Lane mourns the shifting nature of the cinematic experience itself. She expresses concern that the “communal experience” of film—the shared journey of viewers and the vigorous “debates” that used to follow a great movie—are fading. In a world saturated with content, where people consume media in isolation, she feels that now “everybody’s kind of in a silo,” impacting the shared cultural conversation that film once provided. Her final advice is a quiet endorsement of self-preservation in an industry that now demands everything, both on and off the screen.