The now-celebrity-status Bullock managed to grab the role of Annie Porter in the action-thriller movie film ‘Speed’, even when up against far more established names in the business. The studio initially considered hiring Halle Berry or Ellen DeGeneres as Annie, but eventually went with Sandra Bullock, due to her great chemistry with Keanu Reeves.
This was no ordinary audition either. The film included many action scenes and the chemistry between the leads had to feel real. Sandra recalls that they had to do “all these really physical scenes together, rolling around on the floor and stuff.” just to get the part.
Her First Big Acting Gig
She went on to star in several independent films. She impressed Director Alan J. Levi with her performance and he offered her a part in the made-for-television film 'Bionic Showdown: The Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman'. Sandra finally got her chance to play the lead role in the NBC television version of the movie 'Working Girl'.
This was just the beginning of her amazing rise to stardom. She landed the role of Lieutenant Lenina Huxley in 1993’s sci-fi action film 'Demolition Man', starring Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes.
The Bionic Woman
After she got herself an agent and appeared in a few low-budget movies and television shows, she landed a part in the 1989 made-for-television film 'Bionic Showdown: The Six Million Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman' which then led her to play Tess McGill in the short-lived NBC television adaptation of the film Working Girl.
From there on, she would appear in several films before rising to early prominence with a supporting role in 1993's 'Demolition Man'. She was now playing in the big league.
A Real Real Bus Driver
The film proved to be a huge success, earning around $350 million worldwide. Her role as Annie Porter was critically acclaimed by Rotten Tomatoes, saying it was a “terrific popcorn thriller [with] outstanding performances from Keanu Reeves ... and Sandra Bullock".
For the movie, Bullock had to learn how to drive a bus. There was no room for stunts or staging a vehicle in motion and she drove the real thing. She later went on to reprise her role in the 1997 sequel, Speed 2: Cruise Control.
Everyone Told Bullock to Avoid Acting in Speed
During a 1995 report from People magazine, Bullock told the story of how she almost didn’t take up the role of Annie in Speed, “Everyone told me not to do Speed. I mean, it looked like I’d be just ‘the girl,’ but I’ve learned to do things by instinct.”
The role ended up being the catalyst that put her in the spotlight with major Hollywood actors, so it’s a good thing she ended up trusting her instincts or we may not have seen her rise to her level of stardom.