Top 10 Big Swing Auditions That Went Wrong
#10: Bradley Cooper
“Green Lantern” (2011)
Before joining the MCU as Rocket Raccoon, Bradley Cooper was among the top choices to play Hal Jordan in 2011’s “Green Lantern.” At his audition, Cooper drew inspiration from Christian Bale’s Batman. Just because both are DC superheroes doesn’t mean they have anything in common. Yet, for whatever reason, Cooper instinctively put on a raspy Batman voice, which some would argue was already pretty silly when Bale did it. Even when the director asked him to talk regularly, Cooper channeled the Caped Crusader. Cooper knew he wasn’t getting the role, acknowledging it wasn’t even a good Batman impression. Considering how the film turned out, though, we bet Ryan Reynolds wishes that he botched his audition, too.
#9: Cole & Dylan Sprouse
“The Cat in the Hat” (2003)
Between “Big Daddy” and “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody,” the Sprouse twins nearly co-starred in the live-action “Cat in the Hat” movie. The brothers were considered for Thing 1 and Thing 2, the mischievous helpers that the Cat lets loose. They arrived at a dance studio, dressed for the roles. It wasn’t enough to look like Thing 1 and Thing 2, however. The casting directors wanted to see just how wild they could be. The brothers showed them, breaking a mirror and finishing in a fistfight. In all fairness, the boys were only seven years old, and they were told to “go wild.” So really, the casting directors should’ve thought twice about their instructions. Regardless, the Sprouses were too wild even for the Cat.
#8: Josh Brolin “The Fly II” (1989)
Where David Cronenberg’s “The Fly” is a body horror classic, few remember its trashy sequel. As such, Josh Brolin probably went harder at his audition than “The Fly II” deserved. Since the film is about a guy morphing into a bug, Brolin wanted to bring a sense of realism to his audition. After leaving the audition, Brolin received a call from his agent, who asked what he had done. Brolin’s agent didn’t mince words in giving him insight on the casting team’s impression. Eric Stoltz booked the gig while Brolin eventually did another insect movie with “Mimic.”
#7: Eddie Redmayne
“The Hobbit” trilogy (2012-14) & “Star Wars” sequel trilogy (2015-19)
Years after a failed Tom Riddle audition, Eddie Redmayne finally joined the Wizarding World as Newt Scamander. Redmayne could’ve been part of two other major franchises if only his auditions hadn’t backfired. Up for the role of Bilbo Baggins in “The Hobbit” trilogy, Redmayne took his preparation seriously. Unfortunately, he decided the right move was to present an over-the-top impression of his predecessor, Ian Holm. After not getting a callback for that, Redmayne tried out for the “Star Wars” sequel trilogy. Since the plot was kept under wraps, Redmayne was given dialogue from “Pride & Prejudice” to read. If you think that sounds weird, Redmayne made it even stranger by doing a Darth Vader voice. Again, Redmayne’s vocal choices didn’t help.
#6: Anthony Anderson
“Def Jam’s How to Be a Player” (1997)
Anthony Anderson’s worst audition technically wasn’t even his. He followed a friend to an audition for the 1997 comedy, “How to Be a Player.” Since a scene partner was required, Anderson was allowed to read opposite him. The thing is, Anderson was reading for a female character. Anderson decided to show how far he was willing to go, dressing as a woman. He didn’t just put on a dress and wig. Anderson completed the ensemble with lipstick and high heels. Initially, Anderson thought the audition went well, hopeful that the filmmakers might go for the drag approach. Looking back, Anderson isn’t exactly surprised that they didn’t cast him or his buddy. We suppose the experience at least prepped Anderson for his “Ally McBeal” arc.
#5: Chris Klein
“Mamma Mia!” (2008)
Critics might’ve been kinder toward Pierce Brosnan’s singing voice if Chris Klein had also been cast in “Mamma Mia!” Klein didn’t just read for the role of Sky. He “sang” as well. We put that in quotation marks because whatever Klein did in his audition tape, it’s not singing. We wouldn’t even call it talk singing. Klein only made the experience more uncomfortable by looking directly into the camera with bug eyes. Despite his nonexistent vocal range, Klein is clearly going for it, but even he seems to know that this is a waste of everyone’s time. He later confessed, “I took a chance. I can’t sing!” When the audition tape was leaked, Klein figured he’d poke fun at himself, teaming with Funny or Die.
#4: Martin Short
Tang Commercial
Martin Short has never been afraid to show off his eccentric nature. While this has led to some one-of-a-kind comedic performances, some people don’t always get his humor. Auditioning for a Tang commercial, Short noticed that everyone else in the waiting room looked just like him. So Short made a quick change to his headshot to stand out. Going one step further, Short gave himself matching Sharpie facial hair in the bathroom. The straight-faced executive looked at Short’s eight-by-ten, then looked at Short. Alas, Short was not destined to become a big-time Tang spokesperson. Their loss.
#3: Henry Zebrowski
“Saturday Night Live” (1975-)
Like many other comedians who auditioned for “SNL,” Henry Zebrowski didn’t make the cut. Yet, he did gain a reputation as “the naked guy,” as producer Lindsay Shookus called him. A few minutes into his audition, Zebrowski suddenly emerged from the shadows in nothing but his shoes and socks. Zebrowski was optimistic about the audition, claiming that Lorne Michaels “loved the naked monologue.” Shookus, however, couldn’t provide much insight into where he went wrong. According to Zebrowski, he was told, “We don’t do you anymore.” Zebrowski said the style of the show had changed. A “sloppy clown” like himself was no longer the right fit. Even if he didn’t land the gig, Zebrowski doesn’t feel any ill will towards SNL.
#2: Matthew McConaughey
“Mulholland Falls” (1996)
In a 2013 Hollywood Reporter roundtable, Matthew McConaughey opened up about an ill-fated audition for the 1996 Lee Tamahori film, “Mulholland Falls.” McConaughey read for the role that ultimately went to Chris Penn. And at first he wasn’t satisfied with his audition performance. Although he was already on the road, McConaughey did a U-turn and drove back, ready to deliver 100%. But he might have overcompensated a little. While McConaughey proved he could play a tough guy, he probably came off as too aggressive. He didn’t hear back, but at least McConaughey knew he gave his all.
#1: Sean Young
“Batman Returns” (1992)
Sean Young was originally set to play Vicki Vale in 1989’s “Batman.” Due to a horse-riding injury, she had to drop out, with Kim Basinger filling in. As a sequel entered development, Young pursued the role of Catwoman, but her agent couldn’t book a meeting. So, Young rented a jet to L.A., giving herself a catty makeover on the flight over. She made it past security on the Warner Bros. lot, and managed to run into Michael Keaton and producer Mark Canton, but director Tim Burton proved more elusive. Burton instead went with Michelle Pfeiffer, but that didn’t stop Young from going on “The Joan Rivers Show” in a homemade Catwoman suit. This “audition” of sorts didn’t change Burton’s mind.
What’s the craziest audition story you’ve ever heard? Let us know in the comments.