Maggie Gyllenhaal "Too Old" To Play 37-Year-Old Lover To 55-Year-Old Male Lead

Maggie Gyllenhaal was told 37 was too old to play the lover of a 55-year-old male character. The Honourable Woman actress was turned down for a part in a film because she was considered past her prime, according to one film's casting executives. Gyllenhaal described the humiliation and anger she felt after receiving such poor treatment and, in a recent interview, called the casting community, and Hollywood at large, out on their ageism and hypocrisy.

Read More: Ahead Of US Release, Quirky Musical Comedy Frank Strikes The Right Chord With Critics.

Gyllenhaal was interviewed by The Wrap and explained that one of the things she finds so disturbing about Hollywood is the inherent ageism and sexism evident within the culture.

"There are things that are really disappointing about being an actress in Hollywood that surprise me all the time," Gyllenhaal said in the interview. "I'm 37 and I was told recently I was too old to play the lover of a man who was 55. It was astonishing to me. It made me feel bad, and then it made feel angry, and then it made me laugh."

Gyllenhaal's interview comes only days after rumours surrounding actress Rebel Wilson's age circulated. The Pitch Perfect 2 actress reportedly claimed to be 29 but paperwork, obtained by an Australian tabloid, claimed the actress was actually 35. Considering Gyllenhaal's revelation, it's not surprising Wilson attempted to keep her true age under wraps.

However, despite her comments, Gyllenhaal is not one to despair and revealed that there is still hope for actresses out there.

"A lot of actresses are doing incredible work right now, playing real women, complicated women," Gyllenhaal added. "I don't feel despairing at all. And I'm more looking with hope for something fascinating."

Read More: Frank, Starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, Review.