Another Top 10 Worst Casting Choices

Most of us didn’t take much issue with Terrence Howard’s casting as Rhodey, but there was certainly a noticeable difference in quality when the role was re-cast for the sequel. In hindsight, Howard’s Rhodes came off as whiny and reactive, easily letting Stark’s antics get under his skin – and he didn’t really come off as a decorated military colonel. By contrast, Don Cheadle plays the role with confidence, seeming like a caring friend, but not a pushover. With War Machine as your alter ego, chances are you’re all about business - but that’s exactly what we didn’t get from Howard in the first “Iron Man.”

#9: Kevin Costner as Robin Hood “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” (1991)

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“Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” surprised audiences when it was released, with its solemn tone and level of violence. Though the actors aren’t to blame for this tonal misfire, casting Kevin Costner as Robin Hood is one decision that still boggles moviegoers to this day. This is due to his missing British accent, and his lack of attempt to replicate one. Also gone were the smart quips and fantastic sense of fun Robin Hood was known for. In its a place was a hero that took himself too seriously and took away all the playfulness that often accompanies stories of Robin Hood and his merry band of thieves.

Based on the successful book series, the character Alex Cross is no stranger to the big screen. Morgan Freeman played the role with gravitas in previous films like 1997’s “Kiss the Girls,” but the same can’t be said for Tyler Perry when he took a stab at the psychologist and police lieutenant in 2012. Though his performance isn’t the worst we’ve ever seen, his “too serious attitude” is so laughably bad that it hurts. Of course, having his “Madea” role follow him certainly didn’t help sell him as an action star either.

#7: Colin Farrell as Alexander “Alexander” (2004)

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Undefeated in battle, Alexander the Great is one of history’s most accomplished military commanders, building one of the largest ancient world empires during his reign. Colin Farrell, although an accomplished actor, lacked the presence and charisma needed to portray the historical figure. With the 2004 epic historical drama already lagging from a less than interesting story and painful narration, Farrell tries his best, but fails to evoke even the slightest response from audiences struggling to sit through this nearly 3-hour film. This is one history lesson that we’d all like to forget.

There’s no denying that Adrien Brody is one fine actor, having won an Academy award for his performance in “The Pianist.” However, casting him in a franchise that was made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger was a bit of a stretch. Despite his beefed up physique, Brody’s Royce just wasn’t believable as an action hero. Using a dark Batman-like voice and forced one-liners certainly didn’t help his cause either. The movie was a moderate hit, but unlike the original, it’s not remembered for its likeable lead.

Despite being a satire, the casting of Marlon Brando as Okinawan villager Sakini in “The Teahouse of the August Moon” was a strange choice. Brando spent months prepping for the role and had make-up applied to make him look Asian. Although the actor was the major selling point, the “yellowface” distracts from the movie and makes you wonder why they wouldn’t just cast an actor who already looked the part ethnically, which would have left Brando to play the role opposite Sakini instead. Although the comedy was a success, it definitely paved the way for more odd casting decisions to come.

#4: Keanu Reeves as Jonathan Harker “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” (1992)

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Keanu Reeves has had a very successful career, but is definitely no stranger to being miscast, such as in 2008’s “The Day the Earth Stood Still.” In “Dracula,” he plays Jonathan Harker, a solicitor helping with the title Count’s estate acquisition. Acting alongside juggernauts like Gary Oldman and Anthony Hopkins, it’s clear from the get-go that Reeves is out of his element and depth. His performance is hard to watch, with his dreadful accent standing out as one of the worst ever put to film. Truly horrifying indeed!

If someone told you that you can never have too many puns, then they surely haven’t seen this disaster-piece. Without question, 1997’s “Batman & Robin” is the lowest point in Batman’s big screen career as director Joel Schumacher lays on the cheese by casting Arnold Schwarzenegger as the cold and pun-filled Mr. Freeze. Arnold physically looks the part, but unfortunately all believability is lost the second he opens his mouth. The actor made a name for himself with his charisma and token one-liners, but what’s on display here is too unbearable to watch.

Despite prompting some laughs when “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” was originally released, casting Mickey Rooney in the role of Mr. Yunioshi caused quite the stir in later years. Many feel that there’s nothing funny about this offensive caricature of the Japanese people. Of course, casting a Japanese actor instead probably wouldn’t have made the situation any better either, considering the role. Today’s world is a lot more sensitive to portrayals such as this and this casting proved that we should be more mindful when populating such roles. Before we unveil our top pick, here are few honorable mentions: - Dakota Johnson as Anastasia ‘Ana’ Steele & Jamie Dornan as Christian Grey “Fifty Shades of Grey” (2015) - Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane “Superman Returns” (2006) - Matthew Broderick as John ‘Inspector Gadget’ Brown “Inspector Gadget” (1999) - Sean Connery as Captain 1st Rank Marko Aleksandrovich Ramius “The Hunt for Red October” (1990)

#1: The Whole Cast “The Last Airbender” (2010)

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M. Night Shyamalan’s take on the much beloved animated series will go down in history as one the most awful film adaptations ever made. Aside from its completely unforgivable visual effects and the fact that it stripped the fun out of the story, he decided to change up all the ethnicities of the show's characters on a whim. This was compounded by acting that can only be described as mind-numbingly bad across the board. The “Avatar” actors awkwardly fumble through each scene, and are either numb or too emotional, as if acting were a completely second language to them. It’s just too much of a shame to bear. Why Shyamalan, why? Do you agree with our list? What do you think is the worst casting decision ever made? For more well-cast top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.