Bad casting choices can ruin a movie's chances before it's released, so it's worth celebrating success stories when they come. Some casting choices have gone down in film history as perfect. Whether recreating book characters, real people, or old characters, the right actor can get a movie off to a great start. It's important to consider the most important aspect of the character an actor needs, whether it's physical appearance, voice, or something else.
It's hard to please everyone when casting pre-existing characters or real-life people, as fans will usually have their own opinions and ideas. That's why casting news is scrutinized long before any other information about the project becomes available. Some people may choose whether or not they want to watch something based on which actors are playing their favorite characters. In some cases, casting directors see things on the spot by portraying favorite characters.
10 Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Roald Dahl famously resisted the casting of Gene Wilder as Willy Wonkahowever, fan response has been overwhelmingly positive over the years. Dahl was a hard man to like in terms of adapting children's books. Just because he doesn't like it doesn't mean the audience will react the same way. Wilder added a few flourishes to the role of Willy Wonka to make the character his own.
From the moment he is introduced to the theatrical somersault, Wilder shows his Wonka is fun.
From the moment he is introduced to the theatrical somersault, Wilder shows his Wonka is fun. Johnny Depp took this element of the character to a new level in Tim Burton's 2005 remake, but there are many differences between the two. Willy Wonka Films that slightly favor Wilder. His Wonka is more grounded and charismatic, and more believable when his character has moments of sadness.
9 Sean Connery as James Bond
Dr No (1962)
Sean Connery almost didn't play Bond because so many big names were considered for the role Dr. No. Cary Grant and Richard Burton both turned down the opportunity, and it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Dr. No not the best Bond film, but Connery's take on the character is an instant hit. It's possible that the franchise wouldn't be anything like it without Connery's solid performance as 007.
More than 60 years later, many believe Connery is still the best James Bond the franchise has ever produced.
Connery is the epitome of cool as James Bond. She always dresses to impress and carries herself with appropriate elegance. His Bond is more than just looks, as he also nails the spy's wry sense of humor and his tireless charm. More than 60 years later, many believe Connery is still the best James Bond the franchise has ever produced.
8 Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins (1964)
Walt Disney lobbied PL Travers for years for the right to adapt the popular children's book series, which he backed down in the 1960s. The next big challenge Disney faced was finding an actor to play Mary Poppins, and Julie Andrews proved to be the perfect choice. She has an angelic voice befitting a magical nanny, as well as the beauty and charm of such an icon.
She has an angelic voice befitting a magical nanny, as well as the beauty and charm of such an icon.
Mary Poppins introduces the Banks children to a world of wonder and fun, but she also has a tough side. Andrews shows every dimension of the character and it becomes more than just a whimsical dream. Her incredible singing is a perfect character detail that doesn't appear in the books, and it's not the only one. There's a reason why Emily Blunt's performance in the sequel has been compared more to Andrews than the books.
7 Matthew Lillard as Shaggy
Scooby-Doo (2002)
Scooby-Doo and Mystery Inc. made their debut way back in 1969, before Matthew Lillard was even born, but he is arguably the actor most associated with the character Shaggy Rogers. He played Shaggy with them Scooby-Doo TV shows and movies starting with the 2002 live-action movie. The film is generally elegantly shot, but Lillard's casting is particularly inspired.
One of the standout elements of Lillard's performance was his voice.
2002 years Scooby-Doo was the first live-action interpretation of the classic cartoonso the casting was under a lot of scrutiny. One of the standout elements of Lillard's performance was his voice. It's similar to Casey Kasem's voice from the original animated series, but it's still distinctive and original enough for Lillard to bring his own style to the character. This reflects his entire approach to Shaggy. Years later, his mastery of the character seems unlikely.
6 Robert Downey Jr. As Tony Stark/Iron Man
Iron Man (2008)
Iron Man was popular among Marvel fans before the MCU, but he wasn't popular with more casual fans. Thanks to his portrayal of Robert Downey Jr., he became an A-list hero alongside the likes of Spider-Man and Fantastic Four. Downey Jr. It was an instant hit on its first appearance iron man and he quickly became one of the MCU's leading lights.
Robert Downey Jr. It has the perfect comedic sensibility for Tony Stark's wry, sarcastic humor.
Robert Downey Jr. It has the perfect comedic sensibility for Tony Stark's wry, sarcastic humor. He also manages to embody the ideal sense of insolence befitting a genius billionaire philanthropist who spends his spare time fighting crime in a mechanized flying suit. In addition to his eye-catching humor, Downey Jr. also shows he's a skilled dramatic actor, perfect for the more emotional moments in Iron Man's arc. His Dr. It remains to be seen if he can bring the same sense of vitality to Doom.
5 Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
Quentin Tarantino's Once upon a time in Hollywood It celebrates the glory days of Old Hollywood. Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt are arguably two of the biggest movie stars of today, so they play a duo that represents the old way of life. Sharon Tate's character represents New Hollywood, the wife of Roman Polanski and an exciting young talent about to hit the stage.
Margot Robbie fits the role perfectly as she is also a young actor who embodies glamor and the changing of the guard in Hollywood.
Margot Robbie fits the role perfectly as she is also a young actor who embodies glamor and the changing of the guard in Hollywood. After his success Barbie, this casting choice only feels more advanced. Once upon a time in Hollywood It features extensive scenes of Sharon Tate walking around Los Angeles, watching a movie or hanging out with friends. Robbie manages to keep these scenes interesting in a way that few other actors can.
4 Marlon Brando as Stanley Kowalski
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
Stanley Kowalski is a defining character in 20th-century American literature, and since the 1951 film adaptation of Elia Kazan, he has been synonymous with Marlon Brando. A tram called Desire depicts the conflict between a traumatized young woman and the violent brutality of her brother-in-law. When she needs comfort and peace the most, she encounters an abusive drunk who quickly sniffs out her weakness.
One of the best actors of the era gave life to one of the most influential characters of the era.
Brando embodies Stanley's brand of twisted masculinity. He stands and screams like a monkey, asserting his rule over his kingdom. Beneath the surface, Brando also understands the tragic undertones of Stanley's character. Tennessee Williams writes Stanley as a victim of his own skewed perspective and inability to give and receive love. Brando points out that Stanley has his own damage. One of the best actors of the era gave life to one of the most influential characters of the era.
3 Alan Rickman as Severus Snape
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
The Harry Potter has delighted fans of the franchise with most of its casting choices. Robbie Coltrane's Hagrid, Helena Bonham Carter's Bellatrix and Maggie Smith's Professor McGonagall were all inspired and perfectly executed casting decisions. Casting Alan Rickman as Severus Snape might be the best choice of all. Rickman's sarcastic expression fits Snape's character.
Alan Rickman's slow, thoughtful manner makes him a natural fit for the head of Slytherin.
Alan Rickman's slow, thoughtful manner makes him a natural fit for the head of Slytherin. His nonchalant manner seems to hide some dark malice. As Snape, Rickman only moves his face or body when absolutely necessary. This gives him the appearance of being in complete control and shocks him even more when he does act. HBO channels Harry Potter the show has a lot of difficult casting decisions.
2 Christina Ricci as Wednesday Addams
The Addams Family (1991)
At that time, Christina Ricci was only 11 years old The Addams Family was releasedbut his performance on Wednesday was praised by critics and fans alike. The sweet girl from The Addams Family is characterized by her pale skin and black pigtails, as well as her love of the macabre. Ricci certainly had a perfect childhood look, and her commitment to maintaining her stoic facade is admirable.
Ricci delivers a surprisingly intelligent performance for such a young actor
The Addams Family
and its continuation.
Ricci delivers a surprisingly intelligent performance for such a young actor The Addams Family and its continuation. He understands what makes Wednesday so attractive and how to communicate with his family. She faced a difficult task taking on such an iconic role, but she refused to live in Lisa Loring's shadow. Now, decades later, Jenna Ortega has put her spin on Wednesday Addams. Her portrayal of the elderly Wednesday Addams was a hit.
1 Cillian Murphy as C. Robert Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer (2023)
Cillian Murphy didn't immediately seem like the obvious choice to play J. Robert Oppenheimer. The Irish actor had shown enough talent, but casting an Irish actor as a Jewish American was an odd choice. Of course, this wasn't the first unexpected casting choice in Christopher Nolan's career, but in Heath Ledger's Joker The Dark Knight and David Bowie's Nikola Tesla Prestige both were surprisingly effective.
This wasn't the first unexpected casting choice in Christopher Nolan's career.
He won an Oscar for Murphy Oppenheimer emphasizes how successful his casting was. He may not share the same ancestry as the father of the atomic bomb, but he's perfected the art of the thousand-yard stare, and his lanky features give him the look of shell shock when he needs it. Murphy also nails Oppenheimer's cadence with his soft poetic inflection as he speaks.