Top 20 Actors Who Were TERRIBLE For the Role

#20: James Corden as Barry Glickman

“The Prom” (2020)

When a Broadway narcissist is meant to be lovable, the performance can’t feel like a talk show sketch. The character Barry Glickman is meant to be a washed-up star with bravado that covers for a hidden insecurity. This trait is made clear as he recounts his own coming-out story in the film. Unfortunately James Corden leans so hard into stereotypes that it’s impossible to feel the heart that he's going for. It’s especially noticeable in his scenes with Meryl Streep. Many critics and fans of the stage musical find his casting farcical for similar reasons, and agree that the role should’ve gone to a gay actor, not someone who has a shallow understanding of the queer experience.

#19: Kate Capshaw as Willie Scott

“Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” (1984)

As the polar opposite to Indy’s last love interest, Marion Ravenwood, we can see what they were trying to do with Willie Scott. A pampered scream queen caught in a pulpy adventure is an interesting idea on paper. However, Kate Capshaw plays into hysteria so much that the nightclub singer quickly becomes more grating. Her constant whining and attempts at comic relief don’t add to the action or enhance her story. It’s not a great look when your character is being grossly outshined by the twelve-year old sidekick in every department. If she toned down just a bit she’d probably be a more endearing supporting character.

#18: Ezra Miller as Barry Allen AKA The Flash

“Justice League” (2017) & “The Flash” (2023)

The Scarlet Speedster is known as an earnest and confident superhero. If you don’t think Ezra Miller fits that description, you’d be right. Their first big appearance in “Justice League” made it apparent that they weren’t right for the role. Miller portrayed Barry as socially awkward and neurotic, often spewing out quips ad nauseam. Even Snyder couldn’t do much to make their performance seem less annoying. Miller’s solo “Flash” film eventually came and basically sank any chance of seeing this Flash ever again. The slapstick comedy and uncanny facial expressions were so cringey for audiences, and although Barry Allen is supposed to be a little corny, we’re not meant to feel second hand embarrassment from the character. You’re better off watching the CW TV show.

#17: Denise Richards as Christmas Jones

“The World is Not Enough” (1999)

The James Bond films weren't averse to casting women solely for their looks. One of its most egregious cases was casting model Denise Richards as a nuclear scientist. Often ranked among the worst Bond Girls of all time, it’s hard to argue against her being in the number one spot. Absolutely no one was convinced that she was a capable physicist, and that’s because Richards’ acting was just flat-out bad. She lacked chemistry with Pierce Brosnan, had wooden expressions, and delivered lines that were supposed to make her seem smart and spunky in a way that just didn’t. Her Razzie Award was sadly pretty well-deserved.

#16: Vince Vaughn as Norman Bates

“Psycho” (1998)

If you thought a near shot-for-shot remake of the horror classic was unnecessary, you'll probably find this casting hilarious. Director Gus Van Sant essentially had Vince Vaughn mimic the original 1960 Norman Bates. What Van Sant didn't account for was that his lead actor didn't possess Anthony Perkins’ eeriness, or child-like fragility. Vaughn tried to channel the unsettling and repressed nature of the character, but his signature fast-talking swagger kept bleeding through. At best he was a pale imitation of a pitch-perfect slasher. At worst, his acting was bordering on parody. Just watch his rendition of “Psycho's” final twist and see if you can hold in your laughter.

#15: Keanu Reeves as Jonathan Harker

“Bram Stoker's Dracula” (1992)

This Gothic tale needed a Victorian everyman to anchor the horror, and for some reason Coppola decided that Keanu Reeves was the man for the job. From the start you can hear him use one of the most egregious accents in cinema history. Reeves gave it his all to sound convincing, but even if he had pulled off the voice, he would still be overshadowed by the likes of Gary Oldman and Anthony Hopkins. His efforts to sound perfectly English ended up stilting his own line readings, undercutting any sense of terror in his character. That’s kind of an essential quality for a vampire movie, so when you don’t have that, the whole performance falls apart.

#14: Jessica Simpson as Daisy Duke

“The Dukes of Hazzard” (2005)

When an entire character rests on attitude, charm, and a convincing accent, there really is no room for mistakes. Unfortunately, Jessica Simpson never found her footing in this action-comedy. Despite her Texan roots, her Southern drawl comes off cartoonishly thick, even by this movie's tongue-in-cheek standards. The role also called for a sly and feisty personality, but her delivery was stiff and self-conscious, undercutting the easygoing confidence that many expect from her character. Her performance was so poor that it earned her a worst supporting actress nomination at the Razzies. It's no surprise that Simpson's acting career didn't exactly take off after this.

#13: Kevin Hart as Roland

“Borderlands” (2024)

This casting reminds us that studios can still miss the mark when it comes to video game adaptations. Fans of the “Borderlands” games know that Roland is a grizzled, seasoned soldier who can sometimes crack a joke. There are many sides to him that can be hard to nail in live-action, but Kevin Hart and the filmmakers didn’t even try. The actor’s stature and high-energy comedy never gelled with the strong-man image of Roland. Hart instead comes off as your annoying cosplay buddy more than a tactical leader who’s loyal to his team. Even that could’ve been forgiven if he’d had any bit of chemistry with the rest of the cast, but here we are.

#12: Colin Farrell as Alexander the Great

“Alexander” (2004)

Casting a blond, boyish heart-throb as the world’s most mythologized conqueror seemed like a gamble long before the movie hit theaters. As the Macedonian king who forged an empire by thirty, Farrell plays him less like an inspiring strategist and more like a petulant prince. His Irish accent and modern persona clashed with the sweeping, classical epic that was promised. The fierce ambition of the heroic figure just never comes through despite Oliver Stone’s operatic direction. Add to that a poor box office and controversies surrounding its accuracy, and you have one of the biggest Hollywood blunders of the twenty-first century.

#11: Jared Leto as The Joker

“Suicide Squad” (2016)

Caesar Romero’s Joker was an icon in the cult-classic “Batman” TV show. Jack Nicholson was a right mix of disturbing and silly, and Heath Ledger’s gritty delivery was award-worthy. So what did the next Joker actor have to offer? A poor impression of Jim Carrey’s “The Mask”, a wardrobe straight out of Hot Topic, and a performance that could only be described as “try-hard”. We just don’t know what Jared Leto was going for. One minute he’s trying to unnerve his victims with weird noises, the next he’s making pseudo-intellectual speeches. He could’ve come out of “Suicide Squad” with some dignity if he was just even a little bit scary or funny. In the end all he managed to do was leave us confused and upset.

#10: Jai Courtney as Kyle Reese

“Terminator Genisys” (2015)

It’s difficult for actors to step into a role that was performed so well in the past. The pressure was on for Jai Courney’s Kyle Reese to be as memorable as the 1984 version played by Michael Biehn. But, in this 2015 star-studded film, Courtney falls flat. Fans remember Reese as being brave, intense, and interesting to watch, especially in the original. When he comes back in “Terminator Genisys,” Courtney’s performance is stale, his chemistry with Sarah Connor just isn’t there, and we never buy that this was the same character we saw all those years ago. The bar was set high, and he unfortunately didn’t quite reach it.

#9: Cameron Diaz as Jenny Everdeane

“Gangs of New York” (2002)

Cameron Diaz is an undeniably talented actress, but when she performs in a sea of talent like “Gangs of New York,” it’s hard to make a lasting impression. Her character is the forgettable, one-dimensional, and inconsistent Jenny, who has weak chemistry with her co-stars and comes off as less dynamic than those around her. What’s more, she also has to act alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Daniel Day-Lewis, who give exceptional performances. Diaz is perfectly suited for the fun rom-coms we normally see her in, and even for the heartbreaking dramas, but working with Martin Scorsese just might not be for her.

#8: Julia Roberts as Mary Reilly

“Mary Reilly” (1996)

The year is 1996. Julia Roberts is well-established as a credible actress and a leading lady who can steal the screen. She’s already been in “Steel Magnolias” and “Pretty Woman.” So, it’s pretty shocking to see her in the titular role in this gothic horror film. Many find she’s unconvincing at best and completely wrong for the part at worst. Her Irish accent leaves something to be desired and she isn’t able to convey the somberness or moral complexities that are clearly needed for this role. To be fair, the entire film bombed both critically and at the box office. We don’t think you can blame that entirely on her.

#7: Russell Crowe as Javert

“Les Misérables” (2012)

This isn’t Russell Crowe’s first time playing the bad guy. Whether he’s the hero or the villain, he’s usually completely convincing. But, his role in this musical flick is an odd choice. There are a few problems that contribute to him being a terrible fit. The musical performances in “Les Mis” are breathtaking. Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman completely steal the show in that regard. Crowe’s musical ability, however, can’t measure up. Moreover, the character of Javert is infamously stern and authoritarian, which motivates Jean Valjean to elude him. Crowe’s performance lacks the intensity needed for this tension to be convincing, ultimately affecting the dynamic between two of the most important characters in the movie.

#6: Mark Wahlberg as Victor “Sully” Sullivan

“Uncharted” (2022)

We all know that Mark Wahlberg is a great choice for a lead in an action movie, but he doesn’t fit the bill here. Ruben Fleischer’s adaptation of the popular video game had players everywhere excited, but the casting left everyone feeling confused and disappointed. In the video games, Sully is much older than Mark Wahlberg, and is portrayed as a wise mentor to the young Nathan Drake. Wahlberg’s performance is more of that of an older brother who Drake is not sure if he can trust, and is not nearly as endearing as the video game character. With a sequel on the horizon, we’ll see if Wahlberg improves at embodying the characteristics we expect to see in Sully.

#5: Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor

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

Jesse Eisenberg is best known for roles like Mark Zuckerberg in “The Social Network” and J. Daniel Atlas in the “Now You See Me” franchise. In these roles, he’s normally quite soft-spoken and witty, which is why seeing him play a supervillain is jarring, to say the least. His demeanor is not exactly scary or villain-like, as Lex Luthor is more toned down, power-hungry, and charming. While Eisenberg as Luthor could’ve been a fresh spin on a well-known character, it just comes off as baffling. He’s not considered threatening or off-putting enough to leave a lasting impression. Overall, this casting was a swing and a miss.

#4: Mila Kunis as Theodora/The Wicked Witch of the West

“Oz the Great and Powerful” (2013)

Mila Kunis is known mostly for her comedic roles, getting her start in “That ‘70s Show” before appearing in films like “Ted” and the “Bad Moms” franchise. She’s perfect for light-hearted, fun, or romantic roles. So, seeing her as a villain is a bit surprising. She doesn’t exactly match the look of this infamous witch, and her demeanor is not nearly as terrifying as Margaret Hamilton in “The Wizard of Oz.” Also, her make-up and prosthetics are just not convincing. Her ‘witch-like’ voice is definitely lacking too. For such an iconic role, casting is crucial, and they missed the mark with Kunis.

#3: Dane DeHaan as Valerian & Cara Delevingne as Laureline

“Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” (2017)

Considering this is the most expensive independent movie ever made, you’d think that they would work extra hard to ensure the casting is just right. However, not only is the male lead miscast, but the female lead also falls short. Both actors fail to reach the emotional depth needed for Valerian and Laureline. Since this film is based on a comic book series, fans knew what they wanted to see from the two leads. Not only do they not match the physical descriptions. They lack chemistry, and ultimately, this leads to this film’s downfall. For DeHaan, the problem is his lack of charisma and charm. For Delevingne, it’s her lack of experience in roles like this one.

#2: Topher Grace as Edward “Eddie” Brock Jr./Venom

“Spider-Man 3” (2007)

Again, he was a main character in “That ‘70s Show.” Why is he playing a villain? The third film in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy is filled with memorable characters. In a collection of talented actors who are aptly cast, Topher Grace certainly stands out, and not in a good way. Physically, he is not built for the role, and his acting isn’t as edgy as we’d like. He normally plays easygoing, funny characters. To say this casting is an odd choice is a gross understatement. In a later iteration of the character, Tom Hardy tackles the role with the right amount of intensity and terror needed to be believable. We’re happy the character has been redeemed.

#1: Sofia Coppola as Mary Corleone

“The Godfather Part III” (1990)

After both Julia Roberts and Winona Ryder dropped out, Francis Ford Coppola asked his daughter Sofia to play Mary Corleone. Even before the internet turned “nepo baby” into a meme, this casting choice was infamously considered a mistake. The two actresses that were originally cast are powerhouses in the world of cinema. Needless to say, Coppola had some big shoes to fill. At the time, she barely had any acting experience, which really showed in a film of this magnitude. Her presence ultimately brought down the film’s quality. We think that, much like her father, she is better off behind the camera than in front of it.

Who would you recast in these roles? Sebastian Stan as Kyle Reese? Nathan Lane as Barry Glickman? Jennifer Connelly as Christmas Jones? Tell us your recasts in the comments.