10 Movies Almost Ruined By Bad Casting
This is why a film's or television program's casting is crucial.
Some movies don’t just miss the mark, they trip over the casting like it’s a banana peel. One minute you’re watching a performance that should feel effortless, the next minute it feels like the whole thing is being held together with makeup, CGI, or sheer stubbornness.
In The Irishman, Robert De Niro is Frank Sheehan in name only, because no amount of digital de-aging can make that youthful movement click. And then there’s Les Misérables, where Russell Crowe’s Javert hits a sour note against Hugh Jackman’s stage-honed energy, like two different musicals got mixed up.
By the time you reach Suicide Squad and Valerian, you start to see a pattern, bad casting doesn’t just ruin scenes, it wrecks the whole vibe.
1. Robert De Niro in The Irishman
No amount of high-tech CGI or elaborate makeup can make Robert De Niro move and act like the youthful Frank Sheehan. It was simply excessive to use the gimmick throughout the entire film.
There were other young performers with talent who could have nailed the part. The director could have chosen one of them instead of relying on cosmetics and CGI.
Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection2. Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson in Fifty Shades
The entire Fifty Shades series is awful. They were difficult to watch in part due to the absence of chemistry between the two lead performers.
Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson didn't appear to be genuinely in love; rather, they seemed to be tolerating one another. Viewers anticipated passionate scenes, but all we got were chaotic, painful-to-watch moments.
Universal / Courtesy Everett Collection3. Russell Crowe in Les Misérables
The musical Les Misérables was excellent and received eight Academy Award nominations. Russell Crowe was miscast as police inspector Javert, which led to significant backlash against the film.
Although Crowe is a fantastic actor, his voice is simply inappropriate for the role of Javert. To make matters worse, Hugh Jackman, who has had success as a musical actor on stage, played his opposite in the film.
Javert, as portrayed by Russell Crowe, simply had no chance.
Universal / Courtesy Everett Collection
4. Jared Leto in Suicide Squad
He utterly failed at playing The Joker, a challenging character. Choosing him to portray the famous villain in Suicide Squad has to be one of the worst casting choices ever.
He did a terrible job, I tell you! It also didn't help that he overstepped his "method acting" boundaries by sending his co-stars dead rats and used condoms.
Warner Bros / Everett Collection
5. Cara Delevingne and Dane DeHaan in Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
Both actors lacked chemistry in Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. We didn't expect Dane DeHaan to play a charming, captivating rogue in this film, but he did.
Additionally, the actors appeared much too young for their roles.
STX Entertainment / Courtesy Everett Collection
It’s the same messy setup as the friend-crush match, where history you didn’t know nearly backfired.
6. Jesse Eisenberg in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Lex Luthor's role in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is one that he simply doesn't match. Part of it is because the actor doesn't look like an evil mastermind but rather like a 19-year-old college student.
Additionally, Eisenberg's interpretation of his character differed significantly from Lex Luthor's appearance in comic books.
Warner Bros / Everett Collection
7. Dick Van Dyke – Mary Poppins
One of the most recognizable musical films in Hollywood history is Mary Poppins. However, Dick Van Dyke's cockney accent is awful.
But it's not entirely his fault. His English co-stars were silent about how terrible his accent was, and his accent coach was even worse.
Buena Vista Pictures/ Everett Collection
8. Keanu Reeves in Bram Stoker’s Dracula
It's possible that Bram Stoker's Dracula is the best and most accurate adaptation of Dracula. However, the choice to cast Keanu Reeves as Jonathan Harker rendered the entire film a ridiculous farce.
In this film, his English accent is atrocious. Between scenes, Keanu simply switches between his American accent and a terrible British one.
There is no denying Keanu's talent as an actor, in addition to his attractiveness and charm. However, he had no chance against great actors like Anthony Hopkins and Gary Oldman.
Columbia Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection
9. Cameron Diaz in Gangs of New York
Thanks to outstanding performances from recognizable performers like Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day-Lewis, and Liam Neeson, Gangs of New York is a fantastic movie. Although she wasn't as good as the other actresses in the film, Cameron Diaz did okay.
Her performance was what made the whole event lackluster. The role of Jenny Everdeane was far too intricate for her, and she had a terrible Irish accent.
Miramax / Everett Collection
10. Julia Roberts in Michael Collins
Speaking of poor Irish accents, Julia Roberts' performance in the film Michael Collins wasn't any better. She didn't appear to be someone who had lived through the Irish Civil War either.
Without a doubt, Julia Roberts is a fantastic actress, but she was the wrong fit for the role. Instead, they should have chosen an Irish actress.
Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection
That’s when Robert De Niro’s “young Frank Sheehan” routine turns from impressive to distracting, because the gimmick never lets the character breathe.
Then <em>Les Misérables</em> swings in with Russell Crowe’s Javert, and the movie already has the perfect musical opposite in Hugh Jackman, so the contrast stings.
For many viewers, a small mistake can wreak havoc on the entire experience. It's unfortunate that these renowned actors may struggle so much in these roles.
In contrast, there are actors who, although not the original casting choice, nailed their roles. Share your thoughts about this list in the comments below.
Nobody’s asking for miracles, they just needed the right faces for the job.
For more “partner ditched the trip” drama, see what Reddit said about going solo after Europe plans fell apart.
