Los Angeles, May 1 (IANS): Albert Magnoli, who directed the 1984 semi-autobiographical film "Purple Rain" inspired by Prince's life, has revealed that the makers originally wanted actor John Travolta to star in the film rather than the late pop icon.

Magnoli told the Rolling Stone magazine that Prince, who passed away last month, and his management team first only planned to finance the movie.

After Warner Bros. expressed interest, the then-recent film school graduate had a sit-down with the studio's executives, who asked during the meeting if they could cast a big name actor for the lead role, reports aceshowbiz.com.

“'Is it possible to ask if John Travolta can play Prince?'," Magnoli recalled the executives asking him at that time.

"I looked at (Prince's managers) and thought, 'This is what I'm talking about. Welcome to this world'," he added.

Magnoli refused the idea and said: "I said to the Warners guys, 'Guys, this is not going to happen. This is unacceptable. What we have going for us is authenticity.' They were shocked. I said, 'Next question'".