15+ Side By Side Photos Of Actors Vs How Would They Have Looked If They Were The Age Of Their Characters
Remember Moaning Myrtle?
A 28-year-old woman refused to get old gracefully, at least on screen. This Reddit-style photo comparison rabbit hole is all about actors sitting side by side with their younger character selves, and the results are weirdly emotional, sometimes hilarious, and always a little unsettling.
Take Emma Thompson as Elinor Dashwood, where the actress was actually 35, but the character is 19 and meant to feel sharp, composed, and way ahead of the room. Then you’ve got Zelah Clarke as Jane Eyre, starting as a ten-year-old on the page while the actress clocks in at 30 when the character is 18. And just when you think you’ve adjusted, Moaning Myrtle pops up, with Shirley Henderson at 37 while Myrtle is 14 in the story.
Once you start counting the age gaps, you realize the real twist is how you react to the character, not the face.
1. Emma Thompson — Elinor Dashwood (Sense and Sensibility)
Elinor is depicted as a 19-year-old who possesses a coolness of judgment and strength of intellect in "Sense and Sensibility." Emma Thompson, who was actually 35, did a good job playing a young woman in the role.
East News2. Zelah Clarke — Jane Eyre (Jane Eyre)
Zelah Clarke portrayed the character Jane Eyre, who is aged ten at the start of the book. The actress turned 30 years old when the character was 18 years old.
Jane Eyre / BBC3. Shirley Henderson — Moaning Myrtle (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets)
In "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," Moaning Myrtle—the ghost of Myrtle Warren, a 14-year-old student of Hogwarts—suddenly emerged. The actress was 37 years old when the movie was still in production.
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As actors age, the transformation into their characters becomes a complex interplay of perception and reality, particularly when we consider the side-by-side photos illustrating how they would appear at the age of their roles. The article highlights that while physical representation is significant, the underlying psychology of aging plays a crucial part in how audiences connect with these characters.
Older viewers may find themselves resonating more with the emotional depth of a character rather than focusing on the technical details of an actor's portrayal. This shift in perspective can lead to diverse experiences of the same film, as younger audiences might prioritize accuracy in age representation while their older counterparts seek emotional validation in the storytelling. The juxtaposition of actors alongside their younger selves prompts a deeper discussion on how age impacts our viewing experiences, adding a rich layer of complexity to the appreciation of cinematic art.
4. Geraldine Somerville — Lily Potter (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II)
Geraldine Somerville, who was 44 at the time, played the role of Lily Potter when she was 21 years old. The age difference between them is 23 years!
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5. Adrian Rawlins — James Potter (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II)
Even older, at 43 years old when the movies began and 53 years old when they were finished, was Adrian Rawlins, who played the main character’s father: James Potter. His character is 32 years younger than him.
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6. Orlando Bloom — Will Turner (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of The Black Pearl)
Orlando Bloom was twice as old as his character Will when "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" was being shot. Will Turner is supposed to be 18 years old!
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Emma Thompson as Elinor Dashwood looks like she stepped into a younger skin, even though she was 35 playing a 19-year-old with that cool, controlled energy.
This phenomenon underscores the importance of considering audience demographics when creating films, as different age groups may engage with content in unique ways.
Understanding these differences can help filmmakers tailor their narratives to resonate with diverse audiences.
Emphasizing themes of connection and nostalgia can create a more inclusive viewing experience.
7. Jennifer Lawrence — Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games)
The 74th Hunger Games were held when Katniss Everdeen was just 16 years old. Jennifer Lawrence, who was 24 years old at the time, took on the role.
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8. Gary Oldman — Sirius Black (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban)
In "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," in which he plays the titular prisoner and serves as Harry Potter's godfather, Sirius Black assumes a key role. Gary Oldman, 46, portrayed the character while Black was supposedly 34.
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9. Alan Rickman — Severus Snape (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone)
One of the most adored characters in the "Harry Potter" movie series is Severus Snape. Alan Rickman, who played the part, turned 55 while filming the first movie "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," when Snape is 31 years old.
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Then Zelah Clarke as Jane Eyre flips the whole thing, because the story starts her at ten, but the actress is 30 when the character is 18, and the math gets distracting fast.
Like the loyalty clash between a sisters graduation party and a friends wedding, the choice gets personal fast.
Memory and Film Experience
Research indicates that memory plays a crucial role in how viewers experience films, with past experiences shaping perceptions and interpretations.
When viewers recall past interactions with a film, they may be influenced by their emotional attachments, leading to unique perspectives on continuity and detail.
This highlights the importance of emotional engagement in media consumption.
10. Tom Holland — Peter Parker (Spider-Man: Homecoming)
In "Spider-Man: Homecoming," Tom Holland portrayed high school student Peter Parker. Tom was actually 21 years old when the character was only 15 years old.
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11. Dane DeHaan — Jason Glanton (The Place Beyond the Pines)
Young actor Dane DeHaan is talented and adept at portraying teen characters with a high level of authenticity. Despite being 27 years old, the actor was able to inhabit teen roles like Jason Glanton, a high school student.
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12. Audrey Hepburn — Holly Golightly (Breakfast at Tiffany’s)
When Holly Golightly meets Paul in the scene, she should only be nineteen years old. When Audrey Hepburn played Holly, she was thirty-one years old.
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Right after that, Shirley Henderson as Moaning Myrtle shows up like a jump-scare, with Myrtle at 14 while Henderson was 37 during production.
To enhance viewer engagement, filmmakers might consider incorporating elements that evoke emotional responses and resonate with audience memories.
13. Leonardo DiCaprio — Frank Abagnale (Catch Me If You Can)
When playing the con artist Frank Abagnale Jr. in "Catch Me If You Can," DiCaprio appearing younger than his actual age proved quite useful. The actor played a 17-year-old when he was 28.
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14. Emilia Clarke — Daenerys Targaryen (Game of Thrones)
When Emilia Clarke was 24 years old, she made her acting debut in the "Game of Thrones" series premiere “Winter is Coming.” Daenerys' age when the show premiered was intended to be around 17 in the series.
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15. Michael J. Fox — Marty McFly (Back to the Future)
Michael J. Fox was 23 in "Back to the Future" when he took on the role. When Michael played a 17-year-old high school student, he was already 23 years old.
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Cognitive Dissonance in Viewing
When viewers encounter discrepancies in a film, they may experience cognitive dissonance, leading to discomfort and a reevaluation of their perceptions.
This psychological response can motivate viewers to seek coherence, either by rationalizing the error or adjusting their enjoyment of the film.
Understanding this process can help filmmakers appreciate the complexities of audience engagement.
16. Vivien Leigh — Scarlett O’Hara (Gone With the Wind)
In recognition of her outstanding work as Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone With the Wind," Vivien Leigh received the Academy Award for Best Actress. The character is sixteen when the book begins, and Vivien was 26 when she took on the role.
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17. John Travolta — Danny Zuko (Grease)
When "Grease" was filmed in 1977, John Travolta was 23 years old. Travolta was several years older than his character, Danny, who had supposedly just turned 18.
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18. Meryem Uzerli — Hurrem Sultan (Muhteşem Yüzyıl)
Turkish-German actress Meryem Uzerli gained notoriety for her role as Hürrem Sultan in the Turkish TV series "Muhteşem Yüzyıl." When the actress was 28 years old, the character she was portraying was about 17 years old.
imago stock&people / East News
And by the time Geraldine Somerville is Lily Potter, 44 playing a 21-year-old, the side-by-side photos hit differently, because the gap is 23 years and the stakes feel personal.
Encouraging discussions about film details can promote a culture where viewers feel comfortable sharing their experiences and perceptions.
19. Verónica Castro — Rosa García (Rosa salvaje)
When the 1987 television series "Rosa Salvaje" relaunched the acting career of Mexican actress Verónica Castro, she was 35 years old. She took on the persona of Rosa García, a young woman.
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It can be quite mind-blowing to find out that the film characters we see on the screen are played by actors who are older than them. Achieving this much younger image is only possible through the help of the director, the casting crew, the stylists, and of course, none other than the movie stars themselves.
What are your thoughts on this? Are the edited photos much better, or do the original actors fit the role of the character just the way they are?
Comment on what you think in the section below. And find out the reactions of your friends if they guessed the ages of these actors correctly by sending them this article!
The juxtaposition of actors' real ages against the ages of their characters invites a fascinating exploration of how we perceive age in cinema. This unique perspective challenges the audience's cognitive dissonance as they reconcile the actors’ actual appearances with the roles they embody. By showcasing side-by-side photos, the article prompts viewers to reflect on their own memories and associations with these characters, enriching their viewing experience.
This analysis highlights the potential for filmmakers to leverage these psychological nuances to create more compelling and relatable stories. Engaging the audience with discussions about these contrasts can deepen their appreciation for the craft and encourage critical engagement with the narrative, ultimately fostering a more dynamic media environment.
The photos don’t just show age, they show how badly you want the character to stay the same.
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