An actor can make or break a movie. Occasionally, we can’t understand why a certain actor has been cast in a role that is far beyond anything we’ve seen them in previously. Sometimes, we get it wrong, and they end up killing it.
Let’s look at 18 actors we thought had been miscast but nailed it.
Charlize Theron, Aileen Wuornos in Monster
When whispers circulated about the supermodel-worthy actress playing America’s first female serial killer, we balked. We fell silent when she collected her Best Actress Academy Award for her awe-inspiring commitment to the role. It was pure brilliance.
Mads Mikkelson, Hannibal Lecter in Hannibal
We thought no living soul was worthy of playing Hannibal; the role made famous by the great Anthony Hopkins. A blonde Danish actor couldn’t possibly work, we said. His portrayal was comparable, and many felt he outshone his predecessor.
Robert Pattinson, Batman
Robert Pattinson? The vampire? His uncharismatic, 2D character made him the ideal fit for Edward Cullen, but no one ever had him down as Batman. We ate our words. He was fantastic.
Liam Neeson, Bryan Mills in Taken.
Best known for his good-guy roles as humanitarian Oskar Schindler in the multiple award-winning Schindler’s List and the heartbroken widow, Daniel, in Love Actually – an action hero was the farthest thing from our minds. He adapted like he’d been doing it for years, and it was a box-office hit. He’s now a fully established action hero.
John Travolta, Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction
In one of the biggest shockers of the Century, when up-and-coming director Quentin Tarantino cast the 80s all-dancing, all-smiling Grease star John Travolta in his new gritty action movie, it was destined to be a flop. He knew precisely what he was doing in true Tarantino style, and both Pulp Fiction and Travolta went down in history.
Ryan Gosling, Ken in Barbie
He worked hard to prove himself as a solid acting force, which was no easy feat in Hollywood. Why would he take on the role of Ken in Barbie? Two hours later, we realized he was born to wear pink and dance with abandon.
Bill Skarsgård, Pennywise in IT
His otherworldly quirks won us over in Hemlock Grove, and his acting talent was worthy of his family name. Pennywise seemed a bridge too far, and while he couldn’t replicate Tim Curry, his smile was perfect. That’s all it took.
Matthew McConaughey, Rustin Cohle in True Detective
The blonde-haired, all-American romantic comedy favorite seemed impossibly cast in a dark, grimy cop drama. He nailed it between his disheveled appearance and the absence of that disembodied Texan drawl.
Cher, Dolly Pelliker in Silkwood
Casting a pop star icon in a movie with a celebrated actress like Meryl Streep was risky and could have gone south quickly. Cher played the role of Dolly Pelliker with vitality, humor, and depth, proving that she was a solid actress.
Heath Ledger, The Joker in Batman
He was the perfect gentleman in Ten Things I Hate About You and a victor with a heart in A Knight’s Tale. We doubted his dark side and questioned his portrayal of The Joker. His performance has been voted one of the best of all time, and he has posthumously won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Melissa McCarthy, Ursula in The Little Mermaid
With a wit as natural as hers, there was no way she would pull off an evil character like Ursula. It turned out that she was the best part of the movie.
Andrew Lincoln, Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead
The Brits recognized him as a reliable, strait-laced actor. He was likable, but he hadn’t done anything earth-shattering. We were hooked when we saw him in this AMC’s primetime zombie show. There’s only one Rick Grimes.
Tom Cruise, Lestat in Interview with a Vampire
Tom Cruise, an action icon, has always played big, so the vampire role seemed too small for him. He disappeared into the role and gave us 100% Lestat in body and soul. His performance was mesmerizing.
Matt Damon, Jason Bourne in The Bourne Identity
Having written and starred in a movie showcasing his magnificent brain and straight-acting talent, he was the last person we envisioned turning to action. He stumbled upon the role of Jason Bourne, a renegade operative with a shaky memory and lethal skills, and the rest is history.
Michael Keaton, Batman
As a leading Hollywood actor, his talent was never in question. More debatable was his transition to a world-famous superhero, a move that could undermine his predefined success. He wasn’t just brilliant; he was one of the few Batman actors who delivered both Batman and Bruce Wayne in a performance deemed the best to date.
Angelina Jolie, Maleficent
With a portfolio of emotionally charged characters behind her, Angelina Jolie seemed the least likely actress to play a Disney role. Her Maleficent gave us pain and anguish, which are often lacking in Disney villains. It’s a shock that we ever doubted her.
Daniel Craig, James Bond
He was too blonde, too beefy, and in no way gritty enough to play Ian Fleming’s James Bond. Blow us down; he proved critics wrong by humanizing Bond, bringing him into the 21st Century, and breaking box office records.
Bryan Cranston, Walter White in Breaking Bad
When we realized that Hal from Malcolm In The Middle had been cast as a meth dealer, we weren’t buying it. Jump forward five seasons, and no one else could have come close to playing Walter White.
