He Wanted An Older Woman
Costner wanted to take a different approach than most films, which feature an older man falling in love with a younger woman. He was looking for a mature and older actress to play Stands With a Fist, the white Sioux woman who helps Dunbar assimilate into the culture while falling in love with him. Finally, Mary McDonnell, 37, won the part after nailing her Lakota lines and convincingly relearning English in the film. She was nominated for an Academy Award and received considerable praise for her performance.
He Wanted An Older Woman
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