Rosanna Arquette, the iconic actress known for her role in Desperately Seeking Susan, recently opened up about her enduring desire to revisit the film in a sequel. In a candid conversation, Arquette shared her thoughts on a potential follow-up alongside Madonna and reflected on her experiences working with director Susan Seidelman. The discussion revealed both her affection for the film and the challenges she faced on set, offering fans a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of this beloved 1985 classic.
All these sequels lately have her dreaming of a reunion with Madonna
Rosanna Arquette has never let go of the idea of a sequel to Desperately Seeking Susan. In a conversation with film critic and journalist Anna Smith on the Girls On Film podcast, she revealed that the thought of returning to the feature has lingered in her mind, especially given the recent trend of producing sequels. “I always had a fantasy about what happened to them?” she mused, referring to her character Roberta and Madonna‘s character Susan.
Arquette’s nostalgia for the film is palpable, especially considering that it marked Madonna’s first major screen role. She elaborated on her vision for a sequel, saying, “Who are they now? It would be so great to make that movie. And see where everybody ends up. Do Dez [Aidan Quinn’s character] and her stay together? What happens to them?”
For those who may not remember, Desperately Seeking Susan tells the story of Roberta, a bored suburban housewife played by Arquette, who becomes fascinated with a free-spirited woman named Susan, portrayed by Madonna. Susan’s partner, Jim (Robert Joy), leaves her messages in the personal ads section of the newspaper, which Roberta follows obsessively. Roberta then begins to emulate Susan’s style and is eventually mistaken for her, leading to a series of chaotic events.
Working with director Susan Seidelman
Reflecting on her experience working with director Susan Seidelman, Arquette recalled some challenging moments on the set of the film. It served as Seidelman’s second feature, following her 1982 debut with Smithereens. According to Arquette, there were instances of tension between the director and the actors.
“I remember specifically her saying ‘That sucked.’ It was harmful to me at that time because I didn’t know where it was coming from,” Arquette said of Seidelman’s directorial style. She contrasted this with her experience working with Martin Scorsese on After Hours. “He was the ultimate director of life and loved his actors and would nurture them… you don’t talk to actors that way because you can get more out of them if you don’t do that.”
Arquette reflected on how both she and Seidelman have grown since then, noting, “She [Seidelman] didn’t know that at the time. Since then, I have understood her and I think she understands me. And that’s growing up in life.”
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Despite these early tensions, it is clear that Arquette holds a deep appreciation for her time on Desperately Seeking Susan. Perhaps we will see a sequel to the film with Arquette reunited with Madonna soon.
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