Bad casting choices can ruin a movie’s chances before it’s even released, so it’s worth celebrating the success stories when they come along. Few 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 is important to consider the most important aspect of a character that an actor needs, whether it is their physical appearance, their voice or something else.
It’s hard to please everyone when casting real-life people or pre-existing characters, because fans usually have their own opinions and ideas. This is why casting news is scrutinized long before any other information about a project is available. The fact of the matter is, however, that nailing the casting can turn good movies into some of the greatest movies of all time.
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Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Roald Dahl famously opposed the casting of Gene Wilder as Willy WonkaBut the response from fans has been overwhelmingly positive over the years. Dahl was a tough man to please in terms of adaptations of his children’s books. Not getting his approval doesn’t necessarily mean the audience will respond the same way. Wilder brought a bit of flair to the role of Willy Wonka to make the character his own.
- Director
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Mel Stuart
- Release date
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30, 1971
- Figure
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Jack Albertson, Gene Wilder, Peter Ostrom, Denise Nickerson, Julie Dawn Cole
From the moment he is introduced to a theater summersal, 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 many differences between the two. Willy Wonka Movies that give Wilder a slight edge. His Wonka is more grounded and charismatic, and he’s more believable when his character has a somber moment.
9
Sean Connery as James Bond
Dr. No (1962)
Sean Connery almost did not play Bond, because many big names were considered for the role in Dr. No. Cary Grant and Richard Burton both turned down the opportunity, and it was a blessing in disguise. Dr. No Not the best Bond movie, but Connery’s take on the character is an instant hit. It is possible that the franchise would not have been such a sure thing without Connery’s assured performance as 007.
- Director
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Terence Young
- Release date
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October 2, 1962
Connery is the epitome of cool as James Bond. He is always dressed to impress, and he carries himself with the required elegance. His bond is about more than just looks, however, since he also nails the spy’s whacky sense of humor and his indefatigable charms. Over 60 years later, many believe that Connery is still the best James Bond the franchise has ever produced.
8
Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins (1964)
Walt Disney lobbied PL 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 was 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.
- Director
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Robert Stevenson
- Release date
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June 18, 1965
- Figure
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Karen Dotrice, Glynis Johns, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, Julie Andrews, Matthew Garber
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 much more than just a whimsical dream. Her incredible singing is a perfect character detail that doesn’t appear in the books, and it’s not the only one. There is a reason that Emily Blunt’s performance in the sequel has been compared to Andrews more than the books.
7
Matthew Lillard as Shaggy
Scooby-Doo (2002)
Scooby-Doo and Mystery Inc. Made their debut back in 1969, before Matthew Lillard was even born, but he is undoubtedly the actor who became most associated with the character of Shaggy Rogers. He 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.
- Director
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Raja Gosnell
- Release date
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June 14, 2002
- Figure
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Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard, Linda Cardellini, Rowan Atkinson, Isla Fisher, Miguel A. Núñez Jr., Steven Grives
2002s Scooby-doo was the first live-action interpretation of the classic cartoonSo the casting was under a lot of scrutiny. One element of Lillard’s performance that hits the mark is 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)
Iron Man was popular among Marvel fans before the MCU, but he’s not a household name for more casual fans. Thanks to Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal, he became an A-list hero alongside the likes of Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four. Downey Jr. Was an instant hit on 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 sensibility for Tony Stark’s quippy, sarcastic humor. He can also conjure the ideal sense of deadpan ennui befitting a genius billionaire philanthropist who spends his spare time fighting crime in a mechanized flying suit. In addition to his eye-catching humor, Downey Jr. It also shows that he’s a capable dramatic actor as well, and it’s 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)
Quentin Tarantino Once upon a time in Hollywood Pay 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 who will burst onto the scene.
Margot Robbie is the perfect fit for this role, as she is also a young actor who embodies glamor and a changing of the guard in Hollywood. After the success of barbie, This casting choice just feels more prescient. Once upon a time in Hollywood Features extended scenes of Sharon Tate walking around Los Angeles, watching a movie or having fun with her friends. Robbie manages to keep the scenes interesting in a way few other actors could.
4
Marlon Brando as Stanley Kowalski
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
Stanley Kowalski is a defining character in 20th century American literature, and he has been synonymous with Marlon Brando since Elia Kazan’s 1951 film adaptation. A streetcar named desire Depicts the conflict between a traumatized young woman and her violent brother-in-law. When she most needs comfort and peace, she meets an abusive drunk who quickly sniffs out her vulnerability.
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Elia Kazan
- Release date
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September 19, 1951
- Figure
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Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter, Karl Malden, Peg Hillias, Nick Dennis
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 best actors of the era brought life to one of the most influential characters of the era.
3
Alan Rickman as Severus Snape
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)
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 might be the best choice of all. Rickman’s sly expression suits Snape’s character.
- Director
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Chris Columbus
- Release date
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November 16, 2001
- Figure
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Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, John Cleese, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Richard Griffiths, Ian Hart, John Hurt, Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw, Maggie Smith
Alan Rickman’s slow, deliberate manner of speaking makes him a natural fit for the head of Slytherin. His boring style seems to hide some dark malicious intent. Like Snape, Rickman moves his face or body only when absolutely necessary. This gives him the appearance of being in complete control, and it makes it even more shocking when he jumps into action. HBO’s Harry Potter Show has a lot of difficult casting decisions to make.
2
Christina Ricci as Wednesday Addams
The Addams Family (1991)
Christina Ricci was only 11 years old when The Addams Family was releasedBut her performance on Wednesday was praised by critics and fans alike. 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 has 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. She shows a keen understanding of what makes Wednesday so appealing, and how she should interact with her family. She faces a tough task to take on such an iconic role, but she refuses 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 was a hit.
1
Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer (2023)
Cillian Murphy didn’t immediately seem like an obvious choice to play J. Robert Oppenheimer. The Irish actor showed off his considerable talents, but having an Irish actor play a Jewish American was an odd choice. Of course, this isn’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 Both are surprisingly effective.
- Release date
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July 21, 2023
Murphy’s Oscar win for Oppenheimer Emphasize 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 star, and his powerful abilities give him the appearance of shell-shock when needed. Murphy also nails Oppenheimer’s cadence when he speaks, with his soft poetic lift.