In Hollywood, a single bad film can dramatically alter an actor’s career path, and while some manage to rebound, others face prolonged struggles. Here, we delve into movies that significantly impacted the careers of various actors, offering a cautionary tale about the film industry’s unpredictability.
Gigli
The romantic comedy Gigli, starring Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, was a disaster at the box office and with critics. This flop was a major setback for Affleck, whose career took years to recover. He later found success behind the camera, notably with Argo.
Waterworld
Waterworld, a post-apocalyptic adventure, was notorious for its enormous budget and troubled production. Kevin Costner’s career took a significant hit after this film’s failure and almost spelled the end of his career. Despite this, he continued to work and found enough success in television and film to become a household name.
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Jake Lloyd’s portrayal of young Anakin Skywalker brought intense criticism, overwhelming the child actor. In fact, the backlash was so severe that it drove Lloyd away from acting entirely, underscoring the harsh realities of fame for young actors.
Batman & Robin
Batman & Robin, with Chris O’Donnell as Robin, is often ridiculed for its over-the-top campiness and cringeworthy scenes. Despite its big budget and promising cast, O’Donnell’s burgeoning film career was derailed, though he later found stability on TV, particularly with NCIS: Los Angeles.
The Love Guru
Previously buoyed by hits like Austin Powers, Mike Myers’ career nosedived after The Love Guru was released. With savage efficiency, the film was critically and commercially panned, causing a significant decline in Myers’ once-thriving career and making him more selective with his roles.
Battlefield Earth
John Travolta’s passion project, Battlefield Earth, was one of the biggest cinematic failures. Its poor reception negatively impacted Travolta’s career, although he managed to land a few notable roles subsequently.
I Know Who Killed Me
Unfortunately, Lindsey Lohan, a child actress placed in the spotlight from a young age, couldn’t protect her budding career. I Know Who Killed Me was a turning point for Lohan, marking a steep decline from her earlier successes. The film’s failure and Lohan’s personal issues severely impacted her career, making it difficult for her to regain her former stature.
Soul Man
Soul Man, a comedy featuring blackface, sparked immediate controversy and called for its banning entirely. As you can imagine, C. The backlash deeply affected Thomas Howell’s career, relegating him to less prominent roles and impacting his long-term acting prospects.
Catwoman
Despite Halle Berry’s star power, Catwoman was a critical and commercial flop. The film’s failure damaged her career, though Berry has continued to work on various projects, attempting to distance herself from this infamous role.
Basic Instinct 2
Sharon Stone’s return in Basic Instinct 2 failed to replicate the original’s success. The sequel’s poor performance, critically and commercially, led to a downturn in Stone’s career, overshadowing her previous achievements.
The Adventures of Pluto Nash
Eddie Murphy’s comedy The Adventures of Pluto Nash was a monumental flop. This failure marked a significant low in Murphy’s career, which saw fewer successes in subsequent years despite his earlier hits.
Superman Returns
Despite global anticipation, Brandon Routh’s portrayal of Superman in Superman Returns didn’t connect with audiences. The film’s underwhelming reception hindered Routh’s career, although he later found success on television with roles like the Atom on Legends of Tomorrow.
Showgirls
Elizabeth Berkley’s bold role in Showgirls was intended to be a breakthrough but became a career nightmare. The film’s poor reception significantly damaged Berkley’s reputation, relegating her to obscurity for years.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
After a successful career, Sean Connery’s last film, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, was a disappointment, to say the least. Its failure contributed to Connery’s decision to retire from acting, marking an ungraceful end to a storied career.
Norbit
Eddie Murphy, known for his comedic brilliance, faced another setback with Norbit. The film’s failure added to a series of flops, further tarnishing his once stellar reputation, though he has had a few successes since.
Glitter
While it wasn’t the first time a pop star had ventured into film, it would certainly be the last for Mariah Carey. Glitter’s critical and commercial failure affected her career beyond music, though she eventually regained her standing in the music industry.
Swept Away
Madonna’s attempt to transition into acting with Swept Away, directed by her then-husband Guy Ritchie, was a significant misstep. The film’s poor reception reinforced the perception that Madonna couldn’t successfully cross over into acting.
Love Ranch
After a lengthy intermission, Joe Pesci’s return to acting in Love Ranch didn’t fare well. The film’s failure did little to revive Pesci’s career, keeping him largely out of the spotlight since.
Inchon
Laurence Olivier’s role in Inchon was a rare misstep in his illustrious career. The subsequently disastrous reception and poor box office performance of Inchon tarnished Olivier’s later years in the industry.
Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot
Sylvester Stallone’s comedic attempt with Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot was a critical failure. This misstep negatively impacted his career, though he managed to bounce back in action roles over time.
The Postman
Reeling from previous acting missteps, Kevin Costner’s career faced another blow with The Postman, a flopped post-apocalyptic drama. Following Waterworld, this film further damaged Costner’s career, although he eventually succeeded in other genres and television.
Green Lantern
Green Lantern was a significant setback for Ryan Reynolds, who was forced to work hard and restore his credibility following its poor reception. Luckily, he was put back on the radar and eventually achieved success with the Deadpool franchise.
John Carter
John Carter, a big-budget sci-fi film, was a major blow to Taylor Kitsch’s promising career. This box-office flop had lasting consequences for the actor, making it difficult for Kitsch to secure leading roles, although he continues to work in the industry.
Collateral Beauty
Despite its star-studded cast, Collateral Beauty was heavily criticized and marked a downturn in Will Smith’s career. The film’s poor performance was a rare misstep for Smith, who continues to be a major Hollywood figure.
