Film investors are looking to make the widest profit margins possible and build upon "brands" (such as actors or franchises) that can "keep the industry going," explains the "Foxy Brown" screen siren.

And if they do invest in a marginalized brand, the budget will likely be small and sometimes the target audience won't even support it, she notes.

"We have conservative African-Americans who will not see certain films, will only see Tyler Perry but will not see Spike Lee," Grier, 62, said in an interview ahead of her appearance at the Canadian Film Centre's celebration of Black History Month in Toronto.

"I know a lot of African-American women that didn't want to see 'The Help' because they had lived it as little girls and it was a circumstance that shouldn't have been and it was so problematic for them. It brought back horrible memories and they couldn't see it, nor will they read the book."

Grier, of course, has helped blaze a trail for African-American women in Hollywood by portraying a slew of fearless female characters, from the voluptuous villain hunter in "Foxy Brown," to the private detective in "Sheba, Baby," to the vigilante in "Coffy." In 1998, she was nominated for the best-actress Golden Globe for playing a fierce flight attendant in "Jackie Brown" - a role Quentin Tarantino wrote with Grier in mind.

Though she's often referred to as an icon of the '70s classic blaxploitation films, Grier isn't comfortable with the title.

"It was just basically a moniker that described a black action film," said the age-defying Grier, looking stunning in a black pantsuit and scarf, her hair in an elegant updo.