10 Times Iconic Movie Roles Were TERRIBLY Cast

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at iconic characters who were played by the worst possible choices.

#10: Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor

“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016)

On paper, modernizing this villain isn't a bad idea. Jesse Eisenberg, after all, had already played an arrogant tech mogul in “The Social Network”. But the performance was far too bizarre even for a superhero movie. This take on Lex Luthor was awkward and strangely frantic. His monologues also weren't deliciously evil, just flat out annoying. Even Superman seemed thrown off by how weird he was acting. It didn't help that DC fans had hoped to see the Luthor from the comics– who was a tougher and much more cunning villain. Instead we're left with an entitled nerd who never seemed like a threat to Superman.

#9: Johnny Depp as Tonto

“The Lone Ranger” (2013)

This Gore Verbinski western could have rivaled “Pirates of the Caribbean”. However, it was bogged down by a boring plot, flat characters, and terrible casting. Armie Hammer is forgettable in the title role, but Johnny Depp's Tonto was doomed from the start.He played the Comanche warrior even though there's no confirmation other than Depp's own personal belief - of his being a member of a Native American tribe. Disney seemed to care more about getting a big name than casting someone of Comanche ancestry. The bizarre choice didn't pay off in the end, as Depp was extremely dull as the sidekick– who came off as a poor man's Jack Sparrow.

#8: Topher Grace as Eddie Brock/Venom

“Spider-Man 3” (2007)

This Raimi threequel had a lot to live up to. After the success of Green Goblin and Doc Ock, Venom seemed like the perfect villain to end the trilogy on. Sadly, he didn't live up to the hype. Instead of being a muscle bound rage monster, this Venom was more of an arrogant frat boy. He does deserve some credit as Peter Parker's rival at the Daily Bugle. But Topher Grace just wasn't cut out to play Spider-Man's scariest villain. Not once did he seem intimidating, nor was he fun to watch on screen. And did he really have to peel back his mask to show his face that many times?

#7: Tom Holland as Nathan Drake

“Uncharted” (2022)

The “Prince of Persia” movie got flak for casting Jake Gyllenhaal, but that was nowhere near as egregious as this. Nathan Drake is supposed to be a dryly funny, self-aware thief. More importantly, he always seems out of his depth. But in the “Uncharted” movie, we never believe that Tom Holland is in danger. He survives every action scene unscathed. That might be because Tom's trying a bit too hard to look cool. Even his fight scenes feel more Spider-Man than Indiana Jones. We could forgive all that if he was charismatic and witty. But even when he's given dialogue straight out of the games, he can't deliver. It's like he's playing dress-up instead of embodying the character.

#6: Kevin Costner as Robin Hood

“Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” (1991)

This actor is no stranger to epic period pieces. Given his experience in the genre, you'd expect him to commit to a more grounded Robin Hood. Instead he gave a performance that's not only laughably bad, but downright confusing. He acted the part of the English folk hero with an American accent, and the results are unintentionally hilarious. His delivery seemed strangely amateur and had absolutely no charm to it. Director Kevin Reynolds thought giving Costner an accent would be too distracting for viewers. He might have been right, but going this route didn't pay off either.

#5: Russell Crowe as Javert

“Les Misérables” (2012)

Despite an unconventional production, this film got great performances out of its cast. Hugh Jackman and Samantha Barks brought their theater chops to the big screen. Even non-musical actors Eddie Redmayne and Anne Hathaway held their own. However, Russell Crowe, as police inspector Javert, could not keep up. He gave it his all but from the start it was clear that he couldn't carry a tune. He's a good actor but his inexperience makes us wonder why he was cast at all. He wouldn't have stood out as much if he didn't share screentime with Broadway level vocalists.

#4: Emma Watson as Belle

“Beauty and the Beast” (2017)

In the era of Disney's lackluster remakes, this one stands out for having one of the weakest leads. Although Emma Watson is a talented actor, the decision to cast her as Belle was baffling. Her performance lacked the warmth, enthusiasm, and wonder that define the character. But perhaps the worst aspect of this take was the singing. Paige O'Hara's voice in the original is iconic – rich, expressive, and unforgettable. Hearing that get replaced with flat, auto-tuned vocals was a travesty. At least Disney learned their lesson and cast actual singers in their later remakes. Still, this one remains a low point.

#3: Keanu Reeves as Jonathan Harker

“Bram Stoker's Dracula” (1992)

One of the reasons this horror became a classic is its memorable cast. Gary Oldman was iconic as the titular vampire, delivering a haunting performance. Keanu Reeves, on the other hand, was memorable for entirely different reasons. As Jonathan Harker, he struggled with how dramatically demanding the character was. Compared to the exceptional Anthony Hopkins and Winona Ryder, Reeves looked stiff and out of place. His attempt at an English accent is also one of the most infamous in cinema history. Fortunately he later found his stride in roles that played to his strengths. Big theatrical drama just wasn't his thing.

#2: Zoe Saldaña as Nina Simone

“Nina” (2016)

It's hard to believe this casting choice was made in the 2010s. This biopic tells the story of Nina Simone– a legendary musician and civil rights icon. Simone was celebrated for her powerful voice, activism, and unapologetic Black identity. She faced discrimination for her dark skin and broad nose– features that defined her message of pride. Zoe Saldaña didn't have such traits, so she used makeup and prosthetics to alter her appearance. We can't fathom how anyone thought this was a good idea. It was offensive, not only to audiences, but to Simone's own daughter, Simone Kelly, who refused to endorse the movie. Zoe has since said she regrets the role, saying “I should have tried everything in my power to cast a Black woman to play an exceptionally perfect Black woman”.

#1: John Wayne as Genghis Khan

“The Conqueror” (1956)

Do we even need to explain how bad this is? Released in 1956, “The Conqueror” stars John Wayne as the Mongolian warlord. The acclaimed actor, of course, is not of Mongol descent. Even by 1950s standards, this was one of the worst castings of all time. Wayne donned yellow makeup and offensive hairstyles to look the part. That coupled with his lazy acting, made for a hilariously bad performance. We'd criticize him for not even trying an accent, but that would've probably made the film even worse than it already is. It's so bad that it's nearly impossible to get through any of his scenes without laughing.

If you had the chance, which one of those roles would you recast? Alan Ritchson as Eddie Brock? Fantasia Barrino as Nina Simone? Nathan Fillion as Nathan Drake? Tell us about your fan cast down below.