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Sometimes, even the most brilliant script can't overcome a casting disaster. We've all experienced that disappointment—settling in for what promises to be a great film or show, only to watch a miscast actor struggle through a role that clearly belongs to someone else. These casting missteps happen for all sorts of reasons: studio pressure to hire a big name, directors blinded by star power, or sometimes just plain bad judgment.

What makes these misfires especially frustrating is imagining what might have been with the right performer in place. From wooden deliveries in emotional scenes to accents that wander across continents, these 30 performances remind us that casting truly is an art form. When it fails, even the most promising projects can collapse under the weight of an actor who simply doesn't fit the part they've been given.

#1

Actor in a warehouse wearing a leather jacket, highlighting casting mistakes in Hollywood.

Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher.

RoutineResort8802 , Paramount Pictures Report

Corwin 02
Community Member
7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

a 5'4 pip-squeak impersonating a 6'5 guy build like a house, yeah that did not look awkward at all

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    #2

    Hollywood regrets casting: A horse in a stable setting, monochrome image.

    Mr. Ed. The role required a horse that could talk. The horse they hired couldn't talk so they had to dub all his lines

    FatuousOocephalus , MGM Television Report

    Tucker Cahooter
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    However for the dubbed releases in the international market, they managed to get horses that could speak the native language

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    #3

    A character in a cat costume peering through a window, representing casting mistakes in Hollywood films.

    Cats.

    reddit.com , Universal Pictures Report

    #4

    Two actors in an intense scene, showcasing one of Hollywood's casting mistakes.

    Shia Leboeuf in Crystal Skull. That part should've been Short Round as an adult.

    darkdent , Paramount Pictures Report

    DennyS (denzoren)
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I didn't really mind Shia in the role, they just could have utilized him better but I do agree on if it was Short Round it would have been a good choice.

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    #5

    Actor in a period costume with a red headscarf, related to casting mistakes in Hollywood films.

    John Wayne as Genghis Khan.

    TrailerParkPrepper , RKO Radio Pictures Report

    Libstak
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That was a joke of a film. Fun fact my dearly departed dad loved John Wayne, even walked just like him....he hated this movie. No I do not like John Wayne but I love my Dada, rest well.

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    #6

    Two actors in medieval costumes stand face to face in a forest, highlighting Hollywood casting mistakes.

    Obvious, but necessary mention of Kevin Costner is Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. I'd say most of the starring roles were miscast, but none as offensively bad as "Kevin Costner plays....Kevin Costner".

    BlackLetterLies , Warner Bros Report

    UKDeek
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Although Alan Rickman definitely stole every scene he was in

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    #7

    Actor in a classroom setting, wearing a blue shirt, portraying a casting mistake in Hollywood films.

    Any movie that takes place in high school, but all the actors are in their 20s or 30s.

    symphonicrox , Netflix Report

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    #8

    Actor in historical film role against a muted background, highlighting a notable Hollywood casting mistake.

    Colin Farrell as Alexander The Great. As one of my old University professors once said, "I wouldn't follow that guy to the end of my DRIVEWAY".

    thecyberbard , Intermedia Films Report

    Libstak
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That wig, I swear I laughed at it thru nearly every scene.

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    #9

    Actress in a dramatic forest scene with fire, representing a Hollywood casting mistake.

    I'm bending the question a bit here, because The World is Not Enough still wouldn't be a good movie, but: Denise Richards as a nuclear physicist is just the worst, y'all

    mrbadxampl , MGM Distribution Co. Report

    Libstak
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's true to the misogynistic franchise though

    #10

    Actor in military uniform plays mandolin, representing casting mistakes in Hollywood's past decisions.

    Captain Correli's Mandolin could be a beautiful movie, if it wasn't for Nick Cage.

    Wobbly-Dongle , Universal Pictures Report

    Brittania Kelli
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's such a good book...And he's such a bad actor.

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    #11

    Man with a goatee and glasses, appearing tense, reflecting on Hollywood casting mistakes.

    Steven Seagal as a person who can kick a**.

    tmadik , Lionsgate Report

    Libstak
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pay close attention, every scene is either chest up or a careful side view where his paunch is covered by a vest and/or leather jacket...it's at least 90% of the time IN EVERY ONE OF HIS MOVIES.

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    #12

    Actress in a dramatic scene with wet hair, expressing emotion, symbolizing casting regret in Hollywood films.

    Kristen Stewart in Snow White and the Huntsman.

    Apprehensive_Try8663 , Universal Studios Report

    The Other Guest
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To be fair, the movie in and of itself sucked. I don't think casting a different actress would have helped it in the slightest.

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    #13

    Actress in a white suit in an office setting, representing a casting mistake in Hollywood.

    I always felt Gwenyth Paltrow as Pepper Potts didn't fit. I don't know what Pepper was like in the comics, but she seemed to have very little chemistry with RDJ in my opinion. Maybe I just hate her for all the voodoo she tries to sell tho.

    justophicles , Marvel Studios Report

    PeepPeep the duck
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The only role she did well was play the star in stardust 😂 I love that movie

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    #14

    Actors in a tense scene from a historical action film, demonstrating one of Hollywood's casting mistakes.

    How has no one said jake gyllenhall in prince of P E R S I A.

    im_alliterate , Walt Disney Pictures Report

    martymcmatrix
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I thought we had clearly agreed to never talk about this abomination ever again‽ 🤨

    #15

    A person with long hair and a patterned shirt holds a drink, illustrating casting mistakes Hollywood regrets.

    Batman vs Supeeman wasn’t a very good movie but it is nothing compared to the casting of Lex Luthor in the movie. Jesse Eisenberg can be a good actor but the chosen direction on Lex is a complete oposite of where Jesse shines as an actor. I have a hard time thinking about a worse actor for the role. Maybe Michael Cera.

    johanerik , Warner Bros. Pictures Report

    #16

    Batman character in costume, representing Hollywood casting mistakes.

    George Clooney as batman

    Whisky_Wolf , Warner Bros Report

    Dread Pirate Roberts
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If I'm not mistaken, he actually apologized for this 😂

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    #17

    Man outdoors near plants and ocean, expressing surprise; a representation of Hollywood casting mistakes.

    Schwarzenegger in Twins. He looks nothing like Danny De Vito...

    sebadc , Universal Studios Report

    #18

    Man in a sparkling blue suit and bow tie in a dimly lit room, involved in a conversation. Hollywood casting regrets.

    James Corden, in anything and everything he's ever been in.

    anon , Netflix Report

    Cinda Slate
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    However, he was terrific as Paul Potts in One Chance (true story).

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    #19

    Actor with green hair and tattoos portraying a controversial Hollywood casting choice.

    Jared Leto as Joker. Absolute waste.

    Wazula23 , Warner Bros. Pictures Report

    JB
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Heath Ledger kinda spoiled the role for everyone coming after by being utterly brilliant then dying as a real person. Even Jack Nicholson has had the courtesy to remain alive so we don’t feel guilty criticizing his acting.

    #20

    Actor in period suit, related to notable Hollywood casting decisions, in an elegantly furnished room.

    Absolutely Keanu Reeves in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. I love the man, but that accent is something else. If he hadn’t been in the film I’m almost certain there’d be no debate that this was the best and most faithful Dracula adaptation.

    YoureNotExactlyLone , Columbia Pictures Report

    #21

    Man in futuristic armor outdoors, symbolizing casting mistakes in Hollywood films.

    I know people here LOVE Adam Driver, but I found him to be extremely distracting in SW. he looks nothing like Ford or Fisher. More importantly he just looks weird (or unique depending on your perspective). I know it’s probably taboo to say this, but his nose was really distracting to look at, especially in RoS, where there’s a lot of his profile shots. I know I’ll be downvotes, but I thought I’d share anyway.

    nightmaretenant002 , Disney Entertainment Report

    Earonn -
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Stop your martyr-jerkfest. It's not 'taboo', one just wonders why guys like you can't handle actors / actresses that don't all look the same.

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    #22

    Elderly man in a dark setting, discussing casting mistakes in Hollywood.

    Two that come to mind but weren't cast were in Lord of the Rings. Sean Connery was offered the role of Gandalf but turned it down because he couldn't understand the script. Could you imagine how bad of a casting decision that would have been now that we've seen Sir Ian McKellen in the role? Or Nicolas Cage as Aragorn?

    joshuabeebe , Reddit Report

    Dread Pirate Roberts
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nicholas Cage as Aragorn? Don't give me nightmares, please >_<

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    #23

    Actor in a colorful costume with a dark hat, showcasing a casting choice that Hollywood regrets.

    This one is more Tim Burton's fault, but Johnny Depp made an *awful* Wonka.

    bbwildfire , Warner Bros. Pictures Report

    UKDeek
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have to disagree with this one, as I thought he played a great Wonka. Unfortunately, whoever plays Wonka in any production will always be compared to Gene Wilder, who was fantastic in the role.

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #24

    Actress with glowing cracks on her face, a notable Hollywood casting mistake.

    Maybe an unpopular opinion, but Sophie Turner as Jean Gray. I like her as an actress, but I just couldn’t get into it. I felt like she struggled with hiding her accent.

    mmacaluso915 , 20th Century Fox Report

    #25

    Actress in a period costume with a contemplative expression, highlighting a significant casting mistake in Hollywood history.

    Emma Watson as Belle in Beauty and the Beast. She's got the looks down, but her singing is meh to the point they had to autotune it and it sounds weird. Her acting is also stiff and fretful and she doesn't have any chemistry with any of the other actors, let alone Beast. There were better choices for the role.

    Allfunandgaymes , Walt Disney Studios Report

    Ellinor
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Trust me and watch the French version of this movie. The songs are amazing.

    #26

    Older character in sci-fi film, highlighting Hollywood casting regrets.

    Guy Pearce in Prometheus. Like good god why didn’t they just cast an older actor??

    marblerye69 , 20th Century Fox Report

    #27

    Photographer surrounded by cameras, highlighting a casting mistake Hollywood regrets.

    Topher Grace as Venom.

    destro23 , Columbia Pictures Report

    #28

    Man in sunglasses and a blue shirt on a film set, linked to Hollywood casting mistakes.

    Did you guys forgot Ben Afflek in Daredevil?

    Rais93 , 20th Century Studios Report

    #29

    Two actors in a classroom setting, highlighting casting mistakes in Hollywood films.

    Recently finished Queen’s Gambit and thought it was great but I could not take the baby cowboy seriously

    Netflix Report

    James016
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He is still the kid from Love Actually. I refuse to believe he is an adult and married now

    #30

    White-haired character with a magical wand, related to Hollywood casting mistakes.

    Johnny Depp in the Fantastic Beasts Franchise. He just doesn't belong there. His acting is good, he nailed his speech in the second film. But no Potter World Material.

    Gaathe , Warner Bros Report

    Luke Branwen
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    we should just let this IP die. I get it, it was my childhood, too, but like... did you know JKR pushed the upcoming TV reboot of HP specifically to cut off royalties of Radcliffe, Watson and Grint, who openly challenged her bigoted views?

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