Bad casting choices can ruin a movie’s chances before it is even released, so it’s worth celebrating the success stories when they come along. Some casting choices have gone down in film history as perfect. Whether casting book characters, real people, or recasting old characters, the right actor can get a movie off to a great start. It’s important to consider the most important aspect of a character that an actor needs, whether that’s their physical appearance, their voice or something else.
It’s difficult to please everyone when casting pre-existing characters or real-life people, since fans will usually have their own opinions and ideas. This is why casting news is scrutinized long before any other information about a project becomes available. Some people can choose whether they want to watch something or not based on which actors are set to play their favorite characters. In some cases, the casting directors get things spot-on, bringing beloved characters to life.
Related 10 “What If” Movie Castings That Would Have Completely Changed Hollywood
If Hollywood’s most famous actors had not landed their most iconic roles, the movie’s impact and the actor’s career path would be very different.
10 Gene Wilder As Willy Wonka
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
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Director Mel Stuart Release Date June 30, 1971 Cast Jack Albertson , gene wilder , Peter Ostrum , Denise Nickerson , Julie Dawn Cole
Roald Dahl famously resisted the casting of Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka, but the response from fans has been overwhelmingly positive throughout the years. Dahl was a tough man to please in terms of adaptations of his children’s books. Not gaining his approval doesn’t necessarily mean that audiences will respond the same way. Wilder brought a few flourished to the role of Willy Wonka to make the character his own.
From the moment he is introduced with a theatrical somersault, Wilder shows that his Wonka is an entertainer.
From the moment he is introduced with a theatrical somersault, Wilder shows that his Wonka is an entertainer. Johnny Depp took this element of the character to a new level in Tim Burton’s 2005 remake, but there are plenty of differences between the two Willy Wonka movies that give Wilder a slight edge. His Wonka is more grounded and charismatic, and he is more believable when his character has a somber moment.
9 Sean Connery As James Bond
Dr. No (1962)
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Director Terence Young Release Date October 2, 1962 Cast Sean Connery , Joseph Wiseman
Sean Connery almost didn’t play Bond, since plenty of big names were considered for the role in Dr. No. Cary Grant and Richard Burton both declined the opportunity, and this turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Dr. No isn’t the best Bond movie, but Connery’s take on the character is an immediate hit. It’s possible that the franchise wouldn’t have been such a sure thing without Connery’s assured performance as 007.
Over 60 years later, many believe that Connery is still the best James Bond that the franchise has ever produced.
Connery is the epitome of cool as James Bond. He is always dressed to impress, and he carries himself with the requisite elegance. His Bond is about more than just looks, however, since he also nails the spy’s wry sense of humor and his indefatigable charms. Over 60 years later, many believe that Connery is still the best James Bond that the franchise has ever produced.
8 Julie Andrews As Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins (1964)
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Director Robert Stevenson Release Date June 18, 1965 Cast Karen Dotrice , Glynis Johns , Dick Van Dyke , David Tomlinson , Julie Andrews , Matthew Garber
Walt Disney lobbied P. L. Travers for years for the right to adapt her series of popular children’s books, and she eventually relented in the 1960s. The next big problem facing Disney was finding an actor to play Mary Poppins, and Julie Andrews proved to be the perfect choice. She has the angelic voice to suit the magical nanny, as well as the beauty and charm of such an iconic character.
She has the angelic voice to suit the magical nanny, as well as the beauty and charm of such an iconic character.
Mary Poppins introduces the Banks children to a world of wonder and fun, but she also has a firm side. Andrews shows every dimension of the character, and she becomes far more than just a whimsical dream. Her incredible singing is a perfect character detail that doesn’t appear in the books, and it isn’t the only one. There’s a reason that Emily Blunt’s performance in the sequel was compared to Andrews more than the books.
7 Matthew Lillard As Shaggy
Scooby-Doo (2002)
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Director Raja Gosnell Release Date June 14, 2002 Cast Freddie Prinze Jr. , Sarah Michelle Gellar , matthew lillard , Linda Cardellini , Rowan Atkinson , Isla Fisher , Miguel A. Núñez Jr. , Steven Grives
Scooby-Doo and Mystery Inc. made their debuts back in 1969, before Matthew Lillard was even born, but he is undoubtedly the actor who has become most associated with the character of Shaggy Rogers. He has played Shaggy in dozens of Scooby-Doo TV shows and movies, starting with the 2002 live-action movie. The movie is smartly cast in general, but Lillard’s casting is particularly inspired.
One element of Lillard’s performance that hit the mark was his voice.
2002’s Scooby-Doo was the first live-action interpretation of the classic cartoon, so the casting was under a lot of scrutiny. One element of Lillard’s performance that hit the mark was his voice. It sounds like Casey Kasem’s voice from the original cartoon series, but it’s still distinct and original enough for Lillard to bring his own style to the character. This reflects his entire approach to Shaggy. Years later, his take on the character seems hard to beat.
6 Robert Downey Jr. As Tony Stark/ Iron Man
Iron Man (2008)
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Director Jon Favreau Release Date May 2, 2008 Cast Robert Downey Jr. , Jeff Bridges , Gwyneth Paltrow , Terrence Howard , Leslie Bibb , Shaun Toub , Clark Gregg , Paul Bettany
Iron Man was popular among Marvel fans before the MCU, but he wasn’t a household name for more casual fans. Thanks to Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal, he has become an A-list hero alongside the likes of Spider-Man and The Fantastic Four. Downey Jr. was an immediate hit upon his first appearance as Iron Man, and he quickly became one of the leading lights of the MCU.
Robert Downey Jr. has the perfect comedic sensibilities for Tony Stark’s quippy, sarcastic humor.
Robert Downey Jr. has the perfect comedic sensibilities for Tony Stark’s quippy, sarcastic humor. He can also conjure the ideal feeling of deadpan ennui befitting of a genius billionaire philanthropist who spends his spare time fighting crime in a mechanized flying suit. Beyond his eye-catching humor, Downey Jr. also shows that he’s a capable dramatic actor too, and this is perfect for the more emotional moments in Iron Man’s arc. Whether he can bring the same sense of vitality to Dr. Doom remains to be seen.
5 Margot Robbie As Sharon Tate
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)
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Director Quentin Tarantino Release Date July 26, 2019 Cast Tim Roth , Margot Robbie , Mike Moh , Timothy Olyphant , Al Pacino , Kurt Russell , Leonardo DiCaprio , Dakota Fanning , James Marsden , Brad Pitt , Luke Perry , Bruce Dern , Scoot McNairy , Michael Madsen , Margaret Qualley , Emile Hirsch Expand
Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood pays tribute to the glory days of Old Hollywood. Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt are arguably the two biggest movie stars around today, so they play the duo representing the old way of life. Sharon Tate’s character represents New Hollywood, as the wife of Roman Polanski and an exciting young talent about to burst onto the scene.
Margot Robbie is the perfect fit for this role, as she is also a young actor who embodies glamour and a changing of the guard in Hollywood.
Margot Robbie is the perfect fit for this role, as she is also a young actor who embodies glamour and a changing of the guard in Hollywood. After the success of Barbie, this casting choice only feels more prescient. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood features extended scenes of Sharon Tate strolling around Los Angeles, watching a movie, or having fun with her friends. Robbie manages to keep these scenes interesting in a way few other actors could.
4 Marlon Brando As Stanley Kowalski
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
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Director Elia Kazan Release Date September 19, 1951 Cast Vivien Leigh , Marlon Brando , Kim Hunter , Karl Malden , Peg Hillias , Nick Dennis
Stanley Kowalski is a defining character in 20th century American literature, and he has been synonymous with Marlon Brando ever since Elia Kazan’s movie adaptation in 1951. A Streetcar Named Desire charts the conflict between a traumatized young woman and her violent brute of a brother-in-law. When she most needs comfort and peace, she meets an abusive drunk who quickly sniffs out her vulnerability.
One of the era’s best actors breathed life into one of the era’s most influential characters.
Brando embodies Stanley’s twisted brand of masculinity. He postures and hollers like an ape, asserting his dominance over his kingdom. Beneath the surface, Brando also shows a keen understanding of the tragic undertones in Stanley’s character. Tennessee Williams writes Stanley as a victim of his own warped perspective and his inability to give and receive love. Brando highlights the way that Stanley has his own damage. One of the era’s best actors breathed life into one of the era’s most influential characters.
3 Alan Rickman As Severus Snape
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
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Director Chris Columbus Release Date November 16, 2001 Cast Daniel Radcliffe , Rupert Grint , Emma Watson , John Cleese , Robbie Coltrane , Warwick Davis , Richard Griffiths , Ian Hart , John Hurt , Alan Rickman , Fiona Shaw , Maggie Smith
The Harry Potter franchise pleased fans with most of the casting choices. Robbie Coltrane’s Hagrid, Helena Bonham Carter’s Bellatrix and Maggie Smith’s Professor McGonagall were all inspired casting decisions that turned out brilliantly. Casting Alan Rickman as Severus Snape may have been the best choice of all. Rickman’s sneering expression suits Snape’s character.
Alan Rickman’s slow, deliberate manner of speaking makes him a natural fit for the head of Slytherin.
Alan Rickman’s slow, deliberate manner of speaking makes him a natural fit for the head of Slytherin. His languid style seems to conceal some darkly malevolent intent. As Snape, Rickman only moves his face or body when completely necessary. This gives him the appearance of being in total control, and it makes it even more shocking when he does leap into action. HBO’s Harry Potter show has plenty of tough casting decisions to make.
2 Christina Ricci As Wednesday Addams
The Addams Family (1991)
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Director Barry Sonnenfeld Release Date November 22, 1991 Cast Anjelica Huston , Raul Julia , Christopher Lloyd , Christina Ricci , Jimmy Workman , Judith Malina , Carel Struycken , Christopher Hart , John Franklin
Christina Ricci was just 11 years old when The Addams Family was released, but her performance as Wednesday was praised by critics and fans. The morose daughter of the Addams Family is characterized by her pale complexion and black pigtails, as well as her love for the macabre. Ricci certainly had the perfect look as a child, and her commitment to maintaining her stoic facade is admirable.
Ricci delivers a surprisingly intelligent performance for such a young actor in
The Addams Family
and its sequel.
Ricci delivers a surprisingly intelligent performance for such a young actor in The Addams Family and its sequel. She shows a keen understanding of what makes Wednesday so appealing, and how she ought to interact with her family. She faced a tough 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 own spin on Wednesday Addams. Her casting as an older Wednesday Addams has been a hit.
1 Cillian Murphy As J. Robert Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer (2023)
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Director Christopher Nolan Release Date July 21, 2023 Cast Cillian Murphy , Emily Blunt , Matt Damon , Robert Downey Jr. , Rami Malek , Florence Pugh
Cillian Murphy didn’t immediately seem like an obvious choice to play J. Robert Oppenheimer. The Irish actor had shown his considerable talents, but having an Irish actor playing a Jewish American was an odd choice. Of course, this wasn’t the first unexpected casting choice of Christopher Nolan’s career, but Heath Ledger’s Joker in The Dark Knight and David Bowie’s Nikola Tesla in The Prestige were both surprisingly effective.
This wasn’t the first unexpected casting choice of Christopher Nolan’s career.
Murphy’s Oscar win for Oppenheimer underlines how successful his casting was. He may not share the same background as the father of the atomic bomb, but he has perfected the art of the thousand-yard stare, and his gaunt features give him the appearance of shell-shock when needed. Murphy also nails Oppenheimer’s cadence when speaking, with his soft poetic lilt.