When a true acting legend has already become associated with a certain role in the public’s imagination, it will always be a tough act to follow for the new actor who steps into that part. In many instances, recasting movie legends with new actors can be poorly received, although there have been occasions where the stars aligned just right, and the replacement was perfect for the role. From franchise films to beloved works of literature, it’s inevitable that characters will be played by multiple actors, although the new performers must find a way to make the role their own.
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The best character replacements add something new and interesting to the part, with actors not only carving out their own legacy for the role but even surpassing the expectations set by the original. When characters have already been portrayed by some of the greatest actors of all time, reviving the role with somebody new will always feel daunting. Although sometimes replacements have been built into the very nature of the franchise, such as James Bond, other times it can feel like blasphemy to be recasting such a legendary movie star’s role.
10 James Bond
Daniel Craig replaced Sean Connery
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The world was introduced to the most iconic portrayal of the secret agent known as 007 when Sean Connery first took up the moniker of James Bond in 1962’s Dr. No. Connery’s performance as the suave, womanizing MI6 agent helped popularize the spy genre, and even after he was replaced by several other actors, it was still Connery that most people thought of when they heard the name Bond. With subsequent movies from the likes of Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, and Pierce Brosnan, later iterations of Bond were successful, but Daniel Craig helped update the character for the 21st century.
Craig’s Bond debuted in Casino Royale in 2006, which reimagined and rebooted the character with a darker, gritty tone that was more aligned with his characterization in the original novels by Ian Fleming. While 007 had devolved into a parody of himself throughout the years as his gadgets got more ridiculous and his adventures more absurd, Craig took Bond back to basics and gave him a more morally ambiguous energy than in previous installments. It remains to be seen if whoever plays the next James Bond can outdo Craig’s incredible work, but it will be a tough act to follow.
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7.3/10 Casino Royale PG-13ActionAdventureCrimeThriller
The twenty-first film in Eon’s James Bond franchise, Casino Royale, stars Daniel Craig as secret agent 007. Introducing Craig to the role with an origin story, Casino Royale shows Bond earning his MI6 codename before being tasked with infiltrating a casino in Montenegro in order to bankrupt a terrorist financier known as Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen). However, Bond’s assignment is more complicated than it seems, as Le Chiffre seems to have inside knowledge of the MI6 agent’s plan.
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*Availability in US Director Martin Campbell Release Date November 14, 2006 Studio(s) Sony Distributor(s) Sony Writers Neal Purvis , Robert Wade , Paul Haggis , Ian Fleming Cast Daniel Craig , Eva Green , Mads Mikkelsen , judi dench , Jeffrey Wright , Giancarlo Giannini Runtime 144 minutes Budget $150 million Expand
9 Albus Dumbledore
Michael Gambon replaced Richard Harris
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The Hogwarts headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, was one of the most important characters in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter book series. Considering this, an actor of great skill was needed to take up the role and act as a wise mentor for Harry as he faced the challenges of the wizarding world and learned of his connection to Lord Voldemort. This was expertly achieved by Richard Harris in the first two Harry Potter movies, as he captured the same intensity he brought to his previous Oscar-nominated roles in This Sporting Life and The Field in his portrayal of Dumbledore.
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However, Harris passed away in 2002, leaving the Harry Potter in need of a Dumbledore, and he was replaced by Michael Gambon for the final six movies. This transition was seamless as Gambon mimicked much of Harris’s performance style while also making the character his own. As a talented Shakespearian actor, it’s no surprise that Gambon was so powerfully able to tap into the complex vulnerability and aged wisdom of one of the greatest wizards the non-muggle world had ever seen.
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8.3/10 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban pg-13AdventureFamilyFantasyMystery
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) is the third film in the Harry Potter film series. Based on the 1999 novel of the same name by J.K. Rowling, the film was directed by Alfonso Cuarón, with a screenplay by Steve Kloves. The movie stars Daniel Radcliffe in the title role, alongside Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, who play his best friends, Ron and Hermione. The film follows Harry’s third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and his attempt to solve the mystery of his connection to Sirius Black, played by Gary Oldman, who recently escaped from Azkaban prison.
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*Availability in US Director Alfonso Cuarón Release Date May 31, 2004 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures , Heyday Films , 1492 Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers J.K. Rowling , Steve Kloves Cast Gary Oldman , David Thewlis , Daniel Radcliffe , Emma Watson , Rupert Grint , Robbie Coltrane , Timothy Spall , Maggie Smith , Michael Gambon , Richard Griffiths , Fiona Shaw , Alan Rickman Runtime 144 Minutes Sequel(s) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire , Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix , Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince , Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 , Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 prequel(s) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets , Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Budget $130 Million Expand
8 Captain Kirk
Chris Pine replaced William Shatner
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James Tiberius Kirk was the captain of the Starship Enterprise and was a character first made famous during the 1960s on Star Trek. However, the series endured through syndication, and in 1979, William Shatner reprised his role in Star Trek: The Motion Picture, which began a long-running film series that included classic releases like The Wrath of Khan. Shatner’s distinctive speaking style and powerful onscreen presence meant that his role as Kirk felt totally individual and was a part that it seemed no other actor could play as effectively.
While Shatner was undoubtedly a tough act to follow, J. J. Abrams’ franchise reboot in 2009 found a way to restart the story of Star Trek without trading the incredible legacy of Shatner and the rest of the cast’s performance. While Chris Pine was cast as a younger Kirk, Star Trek took place in an alternate reality, allowing actors from the original series to reprise their roles. Although viewers sadly never got to witness Pine and Shatner acting opposite one another, it was thrilling to see Leonard Nimoy reprise his role as the second-in-command Spock.
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12 6.9/10 Star Trek PG-13 Sci-FiActionAdventure
J.J. Abrams’ 2009 movie Star Trek rebooted the iconic sci-fi franchise in a totally new timeline. When a Romulan ship travels back in time and alters the past, the lives of James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto), and the future crew of the USS Enterprise are drastically changed. In this new timeline, the Romulan Nero (Eric Bana) sets out for revenge on Spock, setting off a chain of events that reshape the entire universe.
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*Availability in US Director J.J. Abrams Release Date May 8, 2009 Studio(s) Paramount Pictures Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures Writers Roberto Orci , Alex Kurtzman , Gene Roddenberry Cast Chris Pine , Zachary Quinto , Zoe Saldana , Simon Pegg , Anton Yelchin , John Cho , Eric Bana , Leonard Nimoy Runtime 127 Minutes Franchise(s) Star Trek Sequel(s) Star Trek Into Darkness , Star Trek Beyond Budget $150 million Main Genre Sci-Fi Where To Stream Paramount+ Expand
7 Mad Max
Tom Hardy replaced Mel Gibson
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Australian actor Mel Gibson’s breakout role came as the title character in George Miller’s Mad Max. This thrilling dystopian action movie served as the basis for an entire franchise, focusing on a world in a total societal collapse. Gibson played Max Rockatansky in three movies as the series explored his role as an anti-hero and savior traveling the desolate wasteland as he encountered the political tensions and strange philosophies of the last remnants of society. Miller planned for Gibson to return for the fourth installment in the series, Fury Road, but behind-the-scenes controversies put this in jeopardy.
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Rather than have Gibson continue playing Max, Tom Hardy was recast as the character. Coming 30 years after the previous installment, Beyond Thunderdome, Fury Road saw the franchise triumphantly return to commercial and critical acclaim. Not only did Hardy successfully pull off the iconic role, but Fury Road became the highest-grossing film in the franchise and was lauded as Miller’s masterpiece. Hardy’s incredible performance ignited interest in the long-dormant franchise, and a prequel titled Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga was released in 2024.
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18 9.3/10 Mad Max: Fury Road RActionAdventureThrillerFantasy
Mad Max: Fury Road is the fourth film in George Miller’s long-running sci-fi franchise, with Tom Hardy starring as Max Rockstansky, a vagabond who lives on the road in an apocalyptic wasteland. When Max comes across a cult group that keeps its people in fear and under control with a monopoly on water and other crucial supplies, he joins up with Imperator Furiosa, a warrior woman leading a rebellion against the cult’s leader, Immortan Joe.
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*Availability in US Director George Miller Release Date May 14, 2015 Studio(s) Village Roadshow Pictures , RatPac-Dune Entertainment , Kennedy Miller Mitchell Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers George Miller , Brendan McCarthy , Nick Lathouris Cast Tom Hardy , Charlize Theron , Nicholas Hoult , Zoë Kravitz , Hugh Keays-Byrne , Riley Keough , Courtney Eaton , Abbey Lee , Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Runtime 120 Minutes Franchise(s) Mad Max Sequel(s) Mad Max: The Wasteland prequel(s) Mad Max , Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior , Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome , Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga Budget $154-185 Million Expand
6 Obi-Wan Kenobi
Ewan McGregor replaced Alec Guinness
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The Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi was an essential figure in the Star Wars original trilogy who helped train Luke Skywalker in the ways of the Force. As a wise old mentor with a strong connection to Luke’s father, Anakin Skywalker, it was important that Kenobi was played by an actor whose status could match his enigmatic presence. For this, acting legend Alec Guinness, known for iconic roles such as in David Lean’s The Bridge on the River Kwai, was cast as Kenobi and even earned an Academy Award nomination for his role.
Guinness’s status as a true icon of cinema meant it was important that when he was recast for the prequel trilogy, it was with an actor who could honor his enormous talent. Luckily, Ewan McGregor was cast in the role, and he truly made his younger version of Obi-Wan his own. In fact, McGregor’s portrayal was so popular that Star Wars fans consistently expressed their desire to see him return to the role. This dream finally came true in 2022 when McGregor reprised his role in the live-action Disney+ miniseries Obi-Wan Kenobi.
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11 8.6/10 Obi-Wan Kenobi Sci-FiActionAdventure
Obi-Wan Kenobi takes place 10 years after the events of Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, which showed Anakin’s fall to the dark side and the rise of Darth Vader. Obi-Wan is hiding on Tatooine and watching over Luke Skywalker before Bail Organa recruits him to save a kidnapped Leia. With a confrontation with Darth Vader inevitable, Obi-Wan Kenobi tells the story of a man of a destroyed alliance fighting to protect the future. Ewan McGregor returns as his fan-favorite Star Wars character, as does Hayden Christensen as Darth Vader.
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*Availability in US Cast Bonnie Piesse , Hayden Christensen , Moses Ingram , O’Shea Jackson Jr. , Simone Kessell , Ewan McGregor , Grant Feely , Joel Edgerton , Maya Erskine , Benny Safdie , Indira Varma , Marisé Álvarez , Sung Kang , Rupert Friend , Kumail Nanjiani Release Date May 27, 2022 Seasons 1 Network Disney Channel Streaming Service(s) Disney Franchise(s) Star Wars Writers Joby Harold , Hossein Amini , Stuart Beattie , Hannah Friedman , Andrew Stanton Directors Deborah Chow Showrunner Joby Harold Expand
5 Dr. Hannibal Lecter
Anthony Hopkins replaced Brian Cox
While most people will think of Anthony Hopkins’s Academy Award-winning performance in The Silence of the Lambs when they hear the name Dr. Hannibal Lecter, another acting legend actually played this part before him. Brian Cox, in Michael Mann’s stylish adaptation of Thomas Harris’ Manhunter, gave the world their first glimpse of the cannibalistic serial killer on film. This was a very different kind of performance from Hopkins, yet it was just as compelling, with Manhunter earning a reputation as an underappreciated cult classic in recent years.
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Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen also had an impressive turn as Hannibal Lecter in the psychological horror TV series Hannibal.
As a trained Shakespearean actor, Cox earned accolades long before he gained the role of Logan Roy on the HBO drama Succession. While Hopkins was well-known before playing Lecter, this role truly made him a household name and has remained an essential part of his unmatched legacy. As two of the most impressive actors working today, it’s interesting that Cox and Hopkins played the same iconic role.
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8.3/10 The Silence of the Lambs RCrimeDramaThriller
The Silence of the Lambs follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling, portrayed by Jodie Foster, as she seeks the help of imprisoned Dr. Hannibal Lecter, played by Anthony Hopkins, to solve a series of gruesome murders. Directed by Jonathan Demme, this 1991 psychological thriller delves into the dark world of criminal profiling and the complex relationship between a young investigator and a brilliant, but dangerous, psychopath.
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*Availability in US Director jonathan demme Release Date February 14, 1991 Writers Thomas Harris , Ted Tally Cast Jodie Foster , Anthony Hopkins , Scott Glenn , Ted Levine , Anthony Heald , Brooke Smith , Diane Baker , Kasi Lemmons Character(s) Clarice Sterling , Dr. Hannibal Lecter , Jack Crawford , Jame Gumb , Dr. Frederick Chilton , Catherine Martin , Senator Ruth Martin , Ardelia Mapp Runtime 118 Minutes Main Genre Thriller Expand
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4 Rooster Cogburn
Jeff Bridges replaced John Wayne
Rooster Cogburn was the eye-patch-wearing Civil War veteran first seen in the novel True Grit by Charles Portis. As a rough and tough US Marshall, John Wayne won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Cogburn in the 1969 adaptation and even reprised his iconic role in the sequel Rooster Cogburn in 1975. As a true Western classic, remaking True Grit almost felt sacrilegious, yet this was exactly what the Coen brothers decided to do to great effect in 2010.
The Coen brothers version of this beloved story recast Cogburn with Jeff Bridges, who, although he couldn’t repeat Wayne’s Oscar win, was nominated for an Academy Award for his role. True Grit was an extraordinary success that proved the relevance of the Western genre in the 21st century as it combined classic genre stylings with Coen’s unique sensibilities. While Wayne’s performance was one of his greatest in a career full of classic characters, Bridges successfully carried the torch and provided a compelling updated take on Cogburn’s character.
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10/10 True Grit PG-13WesternDrama
An adaptation of Charles Portis’ 1968 novel of the same name, True Grit tells the story of 14-year-old Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld), who enlists the help of morally-questionable lawman Rooster Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) in order to avenge the death of her father by apprehending the criminal Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin). They are joined by a cocksure Texas Ranger named Labeouf (Matt Damon), who insists upon collecting the bounty on Chaney’s head. The three travel across the Arkansas plains in pursuit of Chaney, risking life and limb against outlaws and wild animals in pursuit of justice.
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*Availability in US Director Ethan Coen , Joel Coen Release Date December 22, 2010 Studio(s) Paramount Pictures Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures Writers Joel Coen , Ethan Coen Cast Jeff Bridges , Barry Pepper , Josh Brolin , Matt Damon , Hailee Steinfeld Runtime 110 minutes Budget $38 million Main Genre Western Expand
3 Jay Gatsby
Leonardo DiCaprio replaced Robert Redford
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There have been several cinematic adaptations of Scott Fitzgerald’s defining novel, The Great Gatsby, the first of which came just one year after the novel’s release in 1925. However, it was Robert Redford who truly made the character of Jay Gatsby his own in 1974 as he starred opposite Mia Farrow as Daisy Buchanan. This stylish take on an ill-fated love story of extreme wealth and excess was a hit at the box office and an enjoyable depiction of what many consider the Great American Novel.
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However, Redford’s performance was arguably bested when Leonardo DiCaprio stepped into the role of Jay Gatsby for Baz Luhrmann’s bombastic and over-the-top version in 2013. DiCaprio’s Gatsby was grander and more frivolous than anything seen in the previous version, as the excess with which he flaunted his wealth truly captured the novel’s themes around how money can never buy happiness. As a perfect casting choice, DiCaprio’s good looks and innate charisma made him one of the few performers who could live up to Redford’s suave style.
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7.3/10 The Great Gatsby PG-13DramaRomance
The Great Gatsby is a 2013 drama romance film based on the book of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The movie is one of many adaptations of the iconic 1925 novel, this time starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby and Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway. The film received a polarizing reception upon release but won two Oscars at the 2014 Academy Awards.
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*Availability in US Director Baz Luhrmann Release Date May 10, 2013 Studio(s) Village Roadshow Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Baz Luhrmann , Craig Pearce Cast Leonardo DiCaprio , Carey Mulligan , Joel Edgerton , Tobey Maguire , Jason Clarke , Elizabeth Debicki , Isla Fisher Runtime 143 Minutes Budget $105–190 million Expand
2 Max Cady
Robert De Niro replaced Robert Mitchum
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Robert Mitchum was truly one of Hollywood’s most iconic stars as he excelled across countless genres, particularly film noir and Western movies. One of Mitchum’s greatest roles came as Max Cady in the dark psychological thriller Cape Fear in 1962. As a truly sinister killer, Mitchum played the violent ex-con and psychopath to perfection in a role that was far more gritty than viewers at the time had come to expect and had such menacing undertones it’s been remembered as a true classic all these decades later.
While Mitchum’s performance was a tough act to follow, Robert De Niro successfully updated the character in Martin Scorsese’s 1991 remake of Cape Fear. With modern sensibilities, Scorsese’s remake was able to lean even more heavily into Cady’s violent nature and explicitly reveal the terrifying sexual abuse that was merely hinted at in the original. In a career that was full of violent gangster roles, De Niro reached a new level of intimidation with his characterization of Cady, a performance that stood out as one of the darkest and most ominous in his entire filmography.
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9/10 Cape Fear RCrimeThriller
A remake of the 1962 movie of the same name, which itself was based on a John D. MacDonald novel, Cape Fear tells the story of a convicted rapist who is looking to get even with the lawyer who helped to put him away for 14 years. Many of the cast of the original movies make cameo appearances, including both Martin Balsam and Gregory Peck.
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*Availability in US Director Martin Scorsese Release Date November 15, 1991 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers John D. MacDonald , James R. Webb , Wesley Strick Cast Robert De Niro , Nick Nolte , Jessica Lange , Joe Don Baker , Robert Mitchum , gregory peck Runtime 128 minutes Budget $35 million Main Genre Thriller Expand
1 The Joker
Heath Ledger replaced Jack Nicholson
As the arch-enemy of Batman, the Joker has been a character that has consistently reappeared in cinema since the superhero genre exploded in popularity in recent decades. An insane egomaniac with no empathy and a love of pure chaos, the role of the Joker can be a real showcase of an actor’s talent. One of the most iconic characterizations was Jack Nicholson’s take on the character in Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman movie. This performance helped lay the groundwork for every subsequent take on the character, as Nicholson’s menacing laugh and over-the-top energy made him the perfect candidate for the role.
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As a true cinema legend, Nicholson’s portrayal received widespread acclaim. However, it was in 2008, when Heath Ledger took over the part in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, that the world was given the greatest cinematic portrayal of this character. Ledger received overwhelming praise for his performance and even earned a posthumous Academy Award for the role. While actors like Jared Leto, Joaquin Phoenix, and Barry Keoghan have since shown off their takes on the Joker, Ledger’s performance has remained the benchmark by which all others are judged.
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24 9.5/10 The Dark Knight PG-13ActionThrillerDramaCrimeSuperhero
Christian Bale once again embodies the man behind the mask in The Dark Knight, reuniting Bale with Batman Begins director Christopher Nolan. With the help of Lieutenant Jim Gordon and District Attorney Harvey Dent, Batman has been making headway against local crime—until a rising criminal mastermind known as The Joker unleashes a fresh reign of chaos across Gotham City. To stop this devious new menace—Batman’s most personal and vicious enemy yet—he will have to use every high-tech weapon in his arsenal and confront his beliefs if he hopes to stand a chance against the Clown Prince of Crime.
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*Availability in US Director Christopher Nolan Release Date July 18, 2008 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Christopher Nolan , Jonathan Nolan , David S. Goyer Cast Christian Bale , Heath Ledger , Michael Caine , Morgan Freeman , Nestor Carbonell , Ritchie Coster , Cillian Murphy , Chin Han , Gary Oldman , Eric Roberts , William Fichtner , Aaron Eckhart , Maggie Gyllenhaal , David Dastmalchian , Anthony Michael Hall Runtime 152 Minutes Franchise(s) Batman Sequel(s) The Dark Knight Rises prequel(s) Batman Begins Budget 185 Million Main Genre Crime Expand