Avatar
Added by Stehako

on 31 Oct 2009 01:52

 
26

2394 Views   11 Comments

Worst Casting Decisions

Sort by: Showing 1-50 of 58
Next » 1« Prev
People who added this item 489  Average listal rating (313 ratings) 6.7  IMDB Rating 6.9 
1. Green Zone (2010)

Brendan Gleeson



He was very out of place in this role. He looked like he was trying so hard to feel comfortable; but he looked more out of place than Damon did in the Green Zone among Middle Easterns.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 3058  Average listal rating (2055 ratings) 6  IMDB Rating 6.2 
2. The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997)

Julianne Moore



Like many of these selections, there could be an argument for the writing; but what I got from this performance was awful timing, forced wittiness, melodrama at the wrong times, and a grating voice.

The film had potential to be a grand sequel, but it failed and this was due in large part to Moore.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 229  Average listal rating (145 ratings) 5.5  IMDB Rating 5.7 
3. The Ringer (2005)

Johnny Knoxville



I blame this disappointing movie completely on him, because every Farrelly Brother film beforehand was pure hilarious fun. He made it so uncomfortable to watch, and I never knew if he was trying to be funny or just trying to act enough to make it microscopically believable.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 338  Average listal rating (222 ratings) 6.7  IMDB Rating 6.8 
4. Appaloosa (2008)

Renee Zellwegger




This could have been one of the best westerns in the last 30 years, seriously. There was one problem: The horrid, unbearably annoying Zellwegger made me cringe and want to fast forward through every one of her scenes, which to the film's demise, covered a rather large portion of screen time.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 1762  Average listal rating (993 ratings) 7.7  IMDB Rating 7.8 
5. Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

Micky Rooney



An extremely distasteful portrayal of a Japanese landlord in what is otherwise a very tasteful film. It's mind boggling how out-of-place this role was.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 2983  Average listal rating (2027 ratings) 6.7  IMDB Rating 7.2 
6. Transformers (2007)

Anthony Anderson
Julie White
John Turturro



This film had fantastic potential, but it only left me agitated. Not because of Megan Fox's acting, but because of the three listed above. I like Turturro when he's with the Coen Brothers or Spike Lee, otherwise he makes terrible decisions and is not funny. Who's less funny? Anderson, who's horrible dumb-guy computer geek portrayal displaced any remaining interest I had in the film, and Julie White (the mom) succeeded in forcing me to walk out of the theatre for a few moments because I was so annoyed with her and the 3-story robots playing hide-and-seek with her in their neighborhood.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 4981  Average listal rating (3405 ratings) 7.5  IMDB Rating 8.3 
7. Batman Begins (2005)

Katie Holmes



In one of the most believable superhero films ever, Holmes managed to be the opposite, with every moment she's one screen. I felt embarrassment for Liam Neeson, being in the same film as she.

Casting-decision redemption: Maggie Gyllenhaal in "The Dark Knight" - Thank God!
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 4145  Average listal rating (2821 ratings) 6.1  IMDB Rating 6.4 
8. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

Jake Lloyd




It's hard to say who ruined this disappointing prequel more, the kid or Jar-Jar Binks. Since the latter isn't an actor, we'll choose the kid. With the thousands of kids trying out for this most-prestigious role (for a kid) how on earth (or Tatooine) did they think Jake Lloyd could play the role correctly? I was embarrassed for Liam Neeson, being in the same film as he.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 3709  Average listal rating (2523 ratings) 6.1  IMDB Rating 6.7 
9. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)

Hayden Christensen




Maybe since they made such a horrible decision with the first one, they needed to top it off with a winy, chalk-board-scratching, abundantly untalented actor like Christiansen.
Now I know why Liam Neeson wasn't in this one.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 3824  Average listal rating (2590 ratings) 6.8  IMDB Rating 7.7 
10. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Hayden Christensen




The only good thing about this guy is the fact that he's so horrible to watch we really do want to hate Darth Vader and want him to die, unfortunately it's for unintended reasons.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 851  Average listal rating (564 ratings) 5.7  IMDB Rating 6.4 
11. Blades of Glory (2007)

Jon Heder




Maybe it's Will Ferrell's, Amy Poehler's, and everyone else who's hilarious in this movie's fault, because Jon Heder was completely out of place and managed to stay away from uttering a single comedic line as the co-lead in a comedy film. Imagine how much funnier this film would have been with Ben Stiller or Owen Wilson, or even someone who's never done a comedy in his life, like Russell Crowe - he probably could have been funnier!
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 528  Average listal rating (280 ratings) 5.7  IMDB Rating 6.3 
12. The Producers (2005)

Matt Broderick




He's basically ruined any film he's done in the 90's and 00's (with the exception of 'The Lion King' and he nearly did there, too. But that's probably because he went up against one of the greatest voices in cinema - Jeremy Irons)
This one could top all of them, because not only does he ruin every scene he's in, he ruins other people's performances while they're on-screen with him. I saw absolutely no chemistry with any of the actors and felt uncomfortable throughout.

Should have stopped with 'WarGames', buddy.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 282  Average listal rating (177 ratings) 6.4  IMDB Rating 6.8 
13. An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)

David Keith




I realize he was supposed to be unfit for the Army, in the end. But he was truly unfit for this film. I felt like Gere probably yelled, "What the FUCK are you doing to this movie!" after every cut.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 1943  Average listal rating (1288 ratings) 6.7  IMDB Rating 6.9 
14. The Italian Job (2003)

Mark Wahlberg



I could probably say this about every one of his films, but most of them would probably have been average even without him (except for the brilliant "Boogie Nights", not even he could harm that film). I just felt like he was struggling with his lines in every scene and his poor acting really jumped out of the screen when going up against such a quality ensemble.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 2212  Average listal rating (1450 ratings) 7.2  IMDB Rating 7.3 
15. Dracula (1992)

Keanu Reeves



Who's worse than Wahlberg at getting hooked up with awesome roles in movies they don't deserve to be in? Keanu!! What the hell were the producers thinking with this?? This film had everything going for it, and then Keanu showed up.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 2431  Average listal rating (1594 ratings) 5.7  IMDB Rating 5.6 
16. Pearl Harbor (2001)

Josh Hartnet




I may be in the minority when I discuss how I like this film. It's when I first fell in love with Beckinsale and it covers one of the more intriguing WWII stories. I also really enjoy sweeping epics. What I don't enjoy is having to sit and watch a mumbling, pretty-faced, mimbo, try and make us believe a word of what he's saying and actually care at all about his character. He was so bad that for the only time in my life I actually felt sorry for Affleck.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 443  Average listal rating (272 ratings) 6.2  IMDB Rating 6.4 
17. Ladder 49 (2004)

Joaquin Phoenix



I really enjoy firefighting films and TV shows (Rescue Me) so I was pretty excited about this one, but then... the Phoenix dropped by and left a disgustingly putrid bag of worthless overwrought shit that will be undoubtably impossible to ever replicate such a dubious achievement. I almost went bald after watching this film, from pulling my hair out in every disheartening scene he was in. He brought it down from a potential 4/5 to a 1/5 stars.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 1012  Average listal rating (578 ratings) 5.7  IMDB Rating 5.9 
18. The Tourist (2010)

Johnny Depp



Basically he is too good for the role. The chemistry was off and the script was bad. Perhaps he did the best he could; but it looks like he just wanted to get this project over with from day one.

People who added this item 268  Average listal rating (181 ratings) 6.4  IMDB Rating
19. Bull Durham (1988)

Susan Surandon



I have a very hard time believing anyone could possibly find Susan Surandon sexy in the very least. I would rather hook-up with Charlize Theron in 'Monster'.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 2296  Average listal rating (1518 ratings) 6.3  IMDB Rating 6.8 
20. Panic Room (2002)

Forest Whitaker




How he won a Best Actor Oscar will remain one of the greatest mysteries of film. He looks completely lost in every one of his roles, but I choose this one because most of his films have no potential to begin with. I was hoping his character would get shot or get truly lost, anything really, throughout the entire film.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 1413  Average listal rating (833 ratings) 6.7  IMDB Rating 7.2 
21. Cold Mountain (2003)

Renee Zellwegger

button when she's on screen.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 313  Average listal rating (203 ratings) 5  IMDB Rating 5.7 
22. Saving Silverman (2001)

Jason Biggs




I couldn't figure out what to think of his character. He was an enormous hole in a comedy with such great talents surrounding him.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 1204  Average listal rating (787 ratings) 5.9  IMDB Rating 6.3 
23. The World Is Not Enough (1999)

Denise Richards



There has never been and hopefully never will be a worse 'Bond Girl' in the franchise's history.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 2983  Average listal rating (2053 ratings) 7.5  IMDB Rating 7.9 
24. Iron Man (2008)

Terrence Howard




Reportedly the highest paid actor in this film, was easily the worst (ok, only bad) thing about it.

Casting-Decision Redemption: Don Cheadle!
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 1258  Average listal rating (785 ratings) 6.9  IMDB Rating 7.7 
25. Sideways (2004)

Sandra Oh




I find it hard to believe any man would cheat on his fiance with Sandra Oh. That's all.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 1517  Average listal rating (1015 ratings) 5.8  IMDB Rating 5.9 
26. Jumper (2008)

Hayden Christiansen




This guy should really go in the Hall of Fame of the wrongly-cast, if there were one. And if there were, maybe that would mean, to the delight of most of us, that actor is forever banned from the silver screen.

You could make the case that the acting in this film is quite poor all around, but he's at the heart of this film that had such potential before hiring one of the most gag-inducing actors of his generation.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 344  Average listal rating (206 ratings) 5.4  IMDB Rating 5.8 
27. My Best Friend's Girl (2008)

Jason Biggs




Did the hiring director for this film owe Biggs a favor, because that is honestly the only reason why he could have possibly been chosen to play this part. What an absolute waste.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 1409  Average listal rating (880 ratings) 6.3  IMDB Rating 6.7 
28. Something's Gotta Give (2003)

Keanu Reeves




"Uh, yeah I'm a doctor, dude."

There isn't one ounce of believability in his performance.

"Keanu, read this line"
"This line"
"Fuck it, pefrect!"
(a likely example of one of the many unsuccessful takes during the making of this film"
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 899  Average listal rating (618 ratings) 5.8  IMDB Rating 6.4 
29. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006)

Amy Adams



I love Amy Adams, but I have absolutely no idea what she's doing in this film! She was a big part in the severe falling-apart of this film's second-half.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 1661  Average listal rating (1104 ratings) 5.4  IMDB Rating 5.9 
30. The Cable Guy (1996)

Matt Broderick




I have never wanted to punch someone in the face so much, not even Mark Wahlberg in "The Happening"... ok, I take that back; but at least that was a disaster with or without Wahlberg.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 1203  Average listal rating (771 ratings) 5.1  IMDB Rating 5.4 
31. Evan Almighty (2007)

Wanda Sykes



A dull comedy with a terribly annoying supporting actress. Words cannot describe her pure annoyance she brings to the screen.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 1787  Average listal rating (1127 ratings) 7.1  IMDB Rating 7.7 
32. Thank You for Smoking (2005)

Katie Holmes




2005 was her year to ruin awesome films (see "Batman Begins" above). At no point did I even slightly enjoy her performance in this.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 2355  Average listal rating (1531 ratings) 5.9  IMDB Rating 6.4 
33. Me, Myself & Irene (2000)

Renee Zellwegger




What in the heeeeeell did the Farrelly Brothers and Jim Carrey see in this retched haggard impossibly annoying woman? I love this film, and can only bare watching it multiple times because Carrey is awesome and I just imagine deep into my mind that's Sienna Miller on screen instead.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 1669  Average listal rating (1126 ratings) 6.7  IMDB Rating 7.4 
34. Live Free or Die Hard (2007)

Tim Olyphant




I'm pretty sure we weren't supposed to laugh at every one of his lines in this film, but I did. Just plain horrible.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 2900  Average listal rating (1843 ratings) 7.2  IMDB Rating 7.8 
35. Love Actually (2003)

Rodrigo Santoro




In one of the greatest ensemble casts in cinema history, Santoro stands out as the most inane, unlikable, annoying without trying to be, character.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 357  Average listal rating (188 ratings) 6.6  IMDB Rating
36. Bobby (2006)

Demi Moore
Laurence Fishbourne
Nick Cannnon




Another ensemble cast, but they missed more marks in this one. Cannon's unbelievably over-dramatic-and-not-an-ounce-of-believability performance at the end, Fishbourne's horrible version of a mentor/chef, and Moore's lazy effort to portray a woman with feeling, are the dubious stand outs.

Redeeming character in this ensemble cast: Surprisingly, Ashton Kutchar.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 1724  Average listal rating (1097 ratings) 6.4  IMDB Rating 7.1 
37. Kingdom of Heaven (2005)

Orlando Bloom




Does Liam Neeson have a clause in his contract that he must work with at least one terrible miscast talent? He must be aglutton for acting ineptitude, because Bloom is nothing but bad in this.

I'm sorry, Liam.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 46  Average listal rating (22 ratings) 7  IMDB Rating 6.7 
38. Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967)

Carol Channing



This film wasn't ever great, but at least it had Mary Tyler Moore and Julie Andrews, who are always a delight. Halfway through this movie, the entertainment value took a dive when Carol Channing showed up and proceeded to irritate every nerve in my body. "Raspberries!"
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 3176  Average listal rating (2161 ratings) 6.6  IMDB Rating 7.1 
39. School of Rock (2003)

Mike White




Is this guy a nerdy stoner/doofus? I wanted to punch him as much as Sarah Silverman; while still being on Black's side. It tugged at my emotions but all in the wrong way.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 623  Average listal rating (402 ratings) 6.3  IMDB Rating 6.6 
40. Vantage Point (2008)

Matt Fox
Dennis Quaid
Forrest Whitaker




The producers had a great idea for this film, then they decided to ruin the shit out of it when it came to casting. Whitaker looking lost as usual, with his hand=held camera, Fox trying desperately, and Quaid showing up for the paycheck and putting in minimal effort.
Never again, please.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 2540  Average listal rating (1659 ratings) 7.3  IMDB Rating
41. Crash (2004)

Matt Dillon
Brendan Fraser





Another ensemble cast and another couple of duds. In this dynamic film that easily moved me in many ways, I found it unbearably hard to feel anything for their two characters. They seemed out of place and forced into any emotion.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 364  Average listal rating (233 ratings) 5.2  IMDB Rating 5.9 
42. Observe and Report (2009)

Anna Faris



She is usually very likable but not in this film. Maybe she played the roll how she was supposed to; but either way I had no interest in her character and it lowered my interest in the film.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 824  Average listal rating (485 ratings) 6.6  IMDB Rating 7.1 
43. Flags of Our Fathers (2006)

Paul Walker




I had to stick Walker on this list because he's one of my favorite horrible actors. The thing is, he's only in bad movies, and I didn't include him in his only other good movie, "Varsity Blues", because it was the first movie I had seen him in and it was a high school movie, he wasn't exactly acting in a field of high-brow actors.

While this is a small role, he still managed to stick out like a birch branch. It was like he got time warped from the 90's to the 40's.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 4675  Average listal rating (3205 ratings) 6.3  IMDB Rating 6.7 
44. The Mask (1994)

Amy Yasbeck




She made me hate her before we were supposed to hate her. She represents the a group of actors who have absolutely no talent, and online Cameron Diaz (at the time), her looks don't make up for it.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 3324  Average listal rating (2333 ratings) 7  IMDB Rating 7.6 
45. X2: X-Men United (2003)

Shawn Ashmore




He seemed more appropriate for a lesser film like, "Fantastic Four"
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 866  Average listal rating (476 ratings) 6.3  IMDB Rating 6.8 
46. The Good Shepherd (2006)

Angelina Jolie





I stopped finding Jolie attractive for several years now, so with her relying on her looks caused her performance to be about as dull as shit, and even shit at a molecular level would boast more exciting energy.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 2110  Average listal rating (1440 ratings) 6.4  IMDB Rating 7.1 
47. Phone Booth (2002)

Forest Whitaker



The film was slowly getting interesting and then the cinematic destroyer came along and did his job.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 4701  Average listal rating (3106 ratings) 6.4  IMDB Rating 7.1 
48. The Matrix Reloaded (2003)

Harry J. Lennix





Worst.Commander.Ever.

Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 202  Average listal rating (116 ratings) 6.1  IMDB Rating 6.9 
49. The Upside of Anger (2005)

Mike Binder




Made me angry and there has been no upside to it.... until now.
Stehako's rating:

People who added this item 458  Average listal rating (268 ratings) 6.9  IMDB Rating 7.3 
50. Much Ado About Nothing (1993)

Keanu Reeves




Keanu in a Shakespeare film?? Who's idea was this?
Stehako's rating:



UPDATED MARCH 2011

Maybe it was the writing or the director, but I have many reasons to believe the following actors were wrongly put into roles that eventually ruined a potentially great film.

Luckily some of these films are so good they still didn't matter.


Suggestions welcome, enjoy!

Related lists

Marauders Casting
19 item list by Costa
4 votes
Death Eaters Casting
27 item list by Costa
12 votes 2 comments
Worst Horror Films of 2011
10 item list by Dan
39 votes 12 comments
CASTING TRIVIA (MOVIES,THE 1980'S)
12 item list by chris schnepp
1 votes
Best Horror Films of 2011
10 item list by Dan
17 votes 2 comments
Pixar: Best to Worst
10 item list by Lerschy
6 votes
Listal's Casting Lists
102 item list by matchbox
12 votes
CASTING TRIVIA (MOVIES)
20 item list by chris schnepp
1 votes
The Worst of the Worst
20 item list by VierasTalo
34 votes 21 comments
Casting the Net Part IV
28 item list by TrekMedic
12 votes

View more top voted lists
Join listal and create your own lists and much more

People who voted for this also voted for

Films with best direction...
The Worst Songs Ever
Top 10 acting perfomances in the last 20 years
The bottom directors
If movies followed their original casting...
Best of 90's
"If Movie Posters Told The Truth"
Biggest Disappointments in Film History


Comments

Posted: 2 years, 1 month ago at Mar 27 13:08
You've really done your research, great work! I thought the Jurassic Park sequel was actually scarier than the original. One more you might want to look at: Adrien Brody in Cadillac Records. He seems so out of place and gets out-acted by everyone in the movie, especially by all the black musician actors and even Beyonce.
Posted: 2 years, 1 month ago at Apr 15 19:13
There was nothing wrong with the casting of Sand Man. You say he's underused... but why hold that against him?
Posted: 2 years ago at May 8 13:23
Nice list though I don't understand how anyone can think that Forest Whitaker is a bad actor.

By the way, it's Forest (only one R) and Hayden ChrisTENSEN.
Posted: 1 year, 11 months ago at Jun 22 0:43
It's nice to see when people share my hatred for Katie Holmes!
Posted: 1 year, 11 months ago at Jun 22 1:08
so can an actor/actresss be wrongly cast but still give a good performance(zellweger in cold mountain and moore in the hours)??
Posted: 1 year, 11 months ago at Jun 22 11:41
i thought renee zellweger gave an impressive performance in cold mountain--just think of her varied roles--bridget jones-- nurse betty---miss potter---novalene price in 'the whole wide world'--- she is an excellent actress
Posted: 1 year, 8 months ago at Sep 16 8:45
nice work but forest is a very good actor
Posted: 1 year, 8 months ago at Sep 16 8:45
nice work but forest is a very good actor
and renee too
Posted: 1 year, 1 month ago at Apr 9 4:51
You made some interesting points...but I can't agree with you on Susan Sarandon in Bull Durham...I found her extremely sexy in that film...in fact it was that performance that made me take notice of her
Posted: 12 months ago at May 25 5:51
Hey, Matt Dillon made the movie... Without him Crash would not have been possible but anyways, a great list!
Posted: 2 months ago at Mar 23 7:03
I think you typed this list too fast, but it worths. I still can't understand why Keanu Reeves could act many bad roles after 'The Matrix', totally agree about him. But Forrest Whitaker is not that bad.

Login or Signup to post a comment