What makes a certain role iconic? For us, it’s when an actor’s portrayal of a character becomes so well-known and recognizable that the actor and the character are linked forever, setting a standard that is often impossible to overcome. Just think of Meryl Streep as the fierce Miranda Priestly or Arnold Schwarzenegger as Terminator. For the public audience, they’ll always be remembered for these legendary roles, and any possible remake would struggle to find a worthy successor that wouldn’t be met with skepticism. (But let’s be real, who would be so crazy to mess with perfection?)
It’s not just the actor’s skills that elevate a movie’s story, though. The chemistry with their co-stars and their ability to make a character believable and relatable can really make or break a movie and turn an average film into a cinematic masterpiece. It’s no wonder these perfectly cast actors ended up with award nominations and wins, as they’ve been able to bring a level of authenticity to the role that is hard to match. Spot-on casting can be a tricky business for directors and producers, but when they get it right, it can lead to some of the most memorable performances in film history.
With that in mind, let’s look at the movies with the best casting, as shared in this online thread. From Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump to Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, these great actors embodied their characters so perfectly, it’s hard to imagine anyone else in the role. This list of legendary casting choices is sure to take both film buffs and casual moviegoers on a journey through some of the most unforgettable performances on the big screen!
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Pirates Of The Caribbean - Johnny Depp
Hannibal - Anthony Hopkins
"Definitely Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal."
Robert De Niro was offered the part of Hannibal first, I can imagine the whole 'you talking to me Clarice' conversation instead :D
The Dark Knight - Heath Ledger
imariaprime replied: "I remember the outcry when he was cast; it was unimaginable that such a pretty boy could be the Joker.
That was the role that taught me to shut my mouth and give people a chance; he obliterated all opposition. I still can't actually see any of Heath Ledger in that role; I only see the Joker."
Who remembers the absolute hate when Michael Keaton was cast as Batman? That was some real, across the globe, pre-internet hate for someone who turned to be one of the best Dark Knight's.
House - Hugh Laurie
"Hugh Laurie as Dr. House. I know it's not a movie, but that casting is so good. I knew him from 'Blackadder' before and was amazed at how perfect he was as House."
All he did before House was play upper-class twits. Then suddenly he was in House, and it turned out he's amazing.
Harry Potter - Robbie Coltrane
"Robbie Coltrane as Rubeus Hagrid."
manic_laugh wrote: "JK Rowling really wanted Coltrane for Hagrid. She has said in interviews that when the books were being adapted, he had to be the first person they approached for the role."
Iron Man - Robert Downey Jr
Darkmaster666666 replied: "Stan lee himself said that RDJ is exactly how he imagined Iron-man to be. Very touching IMO."
As a comic collector kid back in the 70s/80s most people have no idea how third tier their favourite heroes were back in the day. If a time traveller came back and told me there were incredibly popular movies based on Iron Man, Thor, The Avenger's, AntMan, GotG, Black Widow, Black Panther in the future, I'd laugh & laugh! It was just Spider-Man & X-Men back then, but don't get me wrong, I loved those comics & characters, but they weren't very popular. Iron Man the movie, that remains one of the best superhero movies of all time. Kevin Feige should call Jon Favreau on a daily basis & thank him.
Misery - Kathy Bates
romeowmontague replied: "Stephen King was quite impressed with Kathy Bates' performance in this film, so much so that he later wrote two more roles for her. The title role in his novel "Dolores Claiborne" was written with Bates in mind. King also wrote the script for The Stand (1994). His original novel featured a (male) character named Ray Flowers; upon hearing that Bates wanted to be involved in the miniseries, King re-wrote the part as a woman (Rae Flowers) just so Bates could play the part."
Deadpool - Ryan Reynolds
Dude.... I don't think there is another actor that could play this part, not as well as Ryan Reynolds, i mean dude oozes a certain type of charisma that makes him perfect for these types of roles, kind of " the kind hearted a*****e " his cameo in " Hobs and Shaw " perfect, his role in " the Assassin's bodyguard ", same for " red notice " dude is hilarious, plus i love his trade mark line lolol, " they're pressious aren't they "
The Lord Of The Rings - Ian Mckellen
stormcrow2112 replied: "I remember early rumors of Sean Connery in the role. I’d be curious to look at that alternate reality if that would have been true or came to fruition."
I've been a fan of the book since 4th grade. I believed Ian McKellen's Gandalf.
Die Hard, Harry Potter, Galaxy Quest - Alan Rickman
"Alan Rickman as Hans Gurber in 'Die Hard.'"
PeevesPoltergist wrote: "Alan Rickman - Severus Snape."
Gogo726 wrote: "Alan Rickman in 'Galaxy Quest.' Though I could have posted just Alan Rickman and the post would have still answered the question."
Hugh Jackman - Wolverine
Quasar_Cross replied: "In terms of appearance, Wolverine has always been super short, super hairy, not very attractive, and bulkier. Stout. In that sense Jackman didnt resemble the comicbook character. His attitude/personality? 1000% Wolverine. That's a mark a fantastic actor."
He's gonna be back and this time in a rated R movie, better yet he's not coming alone lol, he's bringing Ryan Reynolds with him.
Game Of Thrones - Peter Dinklage
The Terminator - Arnold Schwarzenegger
The Fifth Element - Chris Tucker
"Chris Tucker as Ruby Rhod from 'The Fifth Element.' I heard they wanted Prince, but Chris was perfect. No one was ready for that."
The Lord Of The Rings - Viggo Mortensen
Soo perfect! Also check him out in Hidalgo, The Road, The Green Book and more I can't recall off the top of my head. But Aragorn...he's the character I've been carrying around in my head for decades. (Hidalgo wasn't based on a real race, there never was one.)
The Princess Bride - Andre Roussimoffas
"Anyone other than Andre the Giant as Fezzik would be inconceivable. If only he could have played the Mountain That Rides."
Even with Andre the Giant AS Fezzik, the character was almost inconceivable!
Back To The Future - Christopher Lloyd And Marty Mcffy
"Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly and of course Christopher Lloyd as Dr. Emmett Brown."
Clue - Tim Curry
"Tim Curry in 'Clue', 'Rocky Horror', 'Muppet Treasure Island', 'Ferngully', etc..."
Tim Curry is the BESt in ALL his movies, including Legend. And I didn't like that movie, especially Tom Cruise.
Aliens - Sigourney Weaver
A commenter replied: "Greatest action hero if all time."
Ellen Ripley was the first female action hero I'd ever seen on the big screen. She is so bad a*s!!!
Indiana Jones - Harrison Ford
And yet Tom Selleck would have had the role if Magnum PI had let him out of his contract.
Jurassic Park - Jeff Goldblum
"Jeff Goldblum as Malcolm in 'Jurassic Park.' On second thought all of the actors in "'Jurassic Park.'"
Jeff Goldblum fits everything he touches lol, since a horror movie like " the fly " an action movie like " Jurássic Park " or even a comedy like " Thor Ragnarock " ( which by the way lol, its my favorit Jeff Goldblum role, dude was really having fun in that movie )
The Shawshank Redemption - Morgan Freeman
"The whole cast of 'The Shawshank Redemption.' Special mention to Morgan Freeman. Made Morgan's voice iconic."
The Wizard Of Oz - Judy Garland
AsYooouWish replied: "Fun fact: originally they wanted Shirley Temple as Dorothy"
Temple might have been a good little actress, but as Dorothy? Nope. Would not have become the classic it is. I still cry at the scene where Toto escapes. Especially since I got my own little dog. Not being snarky here, I really do have a little dog.
Scooby-Doo - Matthew Lillard
Mr. Bean - Rowan Atkinson
I wouldn't say it's perfect casting as Rowan Atkinson created the character
Breaking Bad - Bryan Cranston
I never imagined I would ever see him as anyone other than Hal, but wow I was hooked from the first 10 minutes into watching Breaking Bad, excellent acting I can't see anyone else ever playing his part as Walter and the 'one who knocks'
Fight Club - Brad Pitt And Edward Norton
"I'd have to say Edward Norton as Narrator and Brad Pitt as Tyler Durden in 'Fight Club.' But that entire cast was solid. They embodied the characters flawlessly from the book."
I refused, REFUSED, to watch this as I had not heard of the book, and thought the VHS/DVD box art looked dumb. In an act of divine intervention I rented The Matrix and they gave me Fight Club by accident. Within 30 seconds of the film, I knew I was going to love it. How often do you recognize a classic while you're watching it for the first time?
Constantine - Tilda Swinton
Yes. The film is utter bollocks, but Swinton is glorious in it. "Look how well you're doing!"
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective - Jim Carrey
Uncle Buck - John Candy
Gladiator - Russell Crowe
"Russell Crowe as Maximus in 'Gladiator.' The speech once he takes off the mask is goosebump-inducing epic. Quiet strength."
Inglourious Basterds - Christoph Waltz
No Country For Old Men - Javier Bardem
So the barman said "See that man over there? He was the baddie in Skyfall." "Javier Bardem?" "No, he's allowed in." I can only apologise.
Star Wars - Ewan Mcgregor
"Ewan McGregor as Obi Wan Kenobi. I’m glad he’ll be returning again."
Walk The Line - Joaquin Phoenix
"Joaquin Phoenix in 'Walk the Line.' A super Johnny Cash."
Joaquim Phoenix is an amazing actor, dude had an amazing punchable face in Gladiador ( as he should ), hás the creepiest Jocker laught, not even Mark Hamill is that creepy, and i absolutely loved the movie he falls in love by Siri/Cortana/Alexa ( Scarlett Johanson ) voice acting ( funny story during the movie there is a sex scene, and wen i say sex scene, i mean Scarlett Johanson moaning and and talking dirty lol, now poor guy had to stop mid scene to get " some air ", because Scarlett went above and beyond in that scene )
Django Unchained - Jamie Foxx And Christoph Waltz
"I really liked Jamie Fox as Django. Christoph Waltz was also really good."
Parks And Recreation - Nick Offerman
Spider-Man - J.K Simmons
The Godfather - Al Pacino
Threat Level Midnight: The Movie - Steve Carell
"Michael Scarn - played by Michael Scott. The best protagonist in the whole film industry."
American Psycho - Christian Bale
I love Christian Bale. I would say, the Mechanic, was more of a role that couldn't have been played by anyone else
The Big Lebowski
"Pretty much everyone in 'The Big Lebowski.'"
Breaking Bad - Aaron Paul
He was going to be killed off after Season 1, but after filming the second episode, the writers knew he had to stay.
Full Metal Jacket - R. Lee Ermey
"Gny Sgt. Hartman is the truest character in the film."
Pulp Fiction - Uma Thurman
Gone Girl - Rosamund Pike
"Rosamund Pike as Amy Dunne in 'Gone Girl.' She perfectly embodied the Amy of the book and somehow added even more depth to the character. She was truly excellent and deserved the oscar."
Ahhhhhhh Rosamund Pike ( insert that Homer Simpson drooling meme here )
Superman - Henry Cavill
"I know they botched the overall franchise but I thought Henry Cavill was the perfect Superman."
Christopher Reeves will ALWAYS be the best Superman. Nobody else can compare, prosthetics and makeup regardless.
Leonardo DiCaprio - The Wolf Of Wall Street
Tombstone - Doc Holliday
Constantine - Peter Stormare
"Let's not forget Peter Stormare as Satan."
He also had a great cameo in Minority Report as the snot-riddled eye surgeon.
School Of Rock - Jack Black
Im sorry, best part that Jack Black ever did was the part of " Bethany " in Jumanji welcome to the jungle, dude went from a fat middle aged guy, to a cheerleader teen girl, and he was FRIKKING AMAZING.
The Office - Rainn Wilson
Portrayed an insanely ionic Dwight - could see it accomplished by none other...
Whiplash - J.K Simmons
"J.K Simmons as Fletcher in 'Whiplash.' The dude was intense in that film, couldn't imagine anyone else in that role now."
Training Day - Denzel Washington
Dude.... Tell me a movie where Denzel Washington wasn't a perfect Cast, i'l wait lol. I think if they ever remade " the wizzard of Oz " and casted Denzel to the part of Dorothy, it would be wierd, but he would also be an amazing Dorothy lol.
There Will Be Blood - Daniel Day-Lewis
Yup. I couldn't watch most of that movie. It just freaked me out.
Load More Replies... For me a perfect Cast is an actor that plays a role in a way that no other actor could do it, for instances Johnny Depp in Pirates, who else could play that Jack Sparow? Or Jim Carrey in Ace Ventura, actors with specific querks that make them unique, and who's querks preety much make the movie, yes there are a lot of good actors in this list, but only a few are perfect for the role.
Yup. I couldn't watch most of that movie. It just freaked me out.
Load More Replies... For me a perfect Cast is an actor that plays a role in a way that no other actor could do it, for instances Johnny Depp in Pirates, who else could play that Jack Sparow? Or Jim Carrey in Ace Ventura, actors with specific querks that make them unique, and who's querks preety much make the movie, yes there are a lot of good actors in this list, but only a few are perfect for the role.
