Some characters have so much longevity that they keep being brought back to the screen, becoming even more memorable when a legendary actor plays them. Many of them had adventures in literature, TV shows and cinema. Then there are the reboots, remakes and reimaginings. When a great actor brings a character to life in a simply perfect way, it's a hard act to follow, but time and time again, filmmakers try to recreate the magic of what once was.
Certain roles were assumed by multiple actors, with varying levels of success. The beauty of cinema is that there is always something for someone. So while a person might prefer Anne Hathaway's version of Catwoman, or debate Winona Ryder vs Saoirse Ronan as Little WomenAccording to Jo March, there isn't always a right or wrong answer. However, it's fair to say that some legendary actors have gone big on certain characters, while some have failed to capture their essence in a recognizable way when trying to recreate or reinvent an iconic character.
10
James Bond
Sean Connery x George Lazenby
Ian Fleming's spy novels first hit the screen in 1962, when Dr. No introduced the world to Bond, James Bond. Played by Sean Connery, the character had charm, charisma and a sensuality that dominated the screen. He seduced many women in the film, as well as the countless viewers who watched his high-octane antics. His brand of hypermasculinity is a representation of a specific moment in time, and for the purposes of a cunning MI6 spy, it works very well. There have been countless debates about who the best Bond actor is, and while there isn't much consensus on that, there certainly is when it comes to who is the worst.
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George Lazenby's only foray into James Bond's world of martinis and espionage was not well received, and continues to be one of the public's least favorites in the franchise. He lacked the courage of Connery or even the smooth sophistication of Roger Moore, and the elegant robustness of Pierce Brosnan. Many factors contributed to Lazenby not returning to the role, but if he had made a bigger impact, perhaps it would have been different. Sir Sean Connery returned just two years later.
9
Samantha Stephens/Isabel Bigelow
Elizabeth Montgomery x Nicole Kidman
Bewitched it was extremely popular during its 254 episodes and had a long afterlife in syndication around the world. Putting a sitcom spin on witchcraft, the quirky comedy showcased Elizabeth Montgomery's girl-next-door charisma in every episode as she navigated life married to a mortal. The jokes fell well against the clean television landscape of the time, and it's still an enjoyable watch with a hint of nostalgia. The remake of the film starring Nicole Kidman lacked the magic of the original, with no discernible chemistry between the leads and a serious shortage of jokes. It has 23% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Kidman is, of course, an Oscar-winning actress, so her skill is not in question.
Although the film tries to twist the format by setting it in the present day and having a story within a story, the charm of the original is clearly missing. Kidman is, of course, an Oscar-winning actress, so her skill is not in question. However, sometimes the cast is everything, and if someone lacks shine, it clearly shows.
8
Superman
Christopher Reeve x Brandon Routh
Clark Kent has been brought to life on screen more times than most, but the seminal portrayal is Christopher Reeve's version in the 1978 film. Superman film and its sequels. Although Kirk Alyn and George Reeves played the Kryptonian in the 40s and 50s in America, Richard Donner Superman brought this more modern version to audiences around the world. The film received three Oscar nominations and was a huge box office success, with Reeve's Man of Steel becoming the poster boy for heroism. This remained until the 1990s and 2000s, when two hit TV shows reinvented its story.
Then the “curse of Superman” occurred, where tragedy befell many of those involved in the franchise. Most notably, Christopher Reeve suffered a horrific accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down. There was no film version until 2006, when The Return of Superman was released. Brandon Routh was hired to play the lead role. The film underperformed on many levels, with Routh's performance not receiving the universal acclaim that Reeve had enjoyed. The fact that it was an independent film and the next one wasn't released for another 10 years speaks for itself.
7
Alfie
Michael Caine x Jude Law
In the early 2000s, Jude Law was everywhere. He had a big breakthrough with The Talented Mr. Ripleyand displayed his brand of English charm in many films of the era. In theory, his high profile and broad appeal should have served the role of Alfie's man well, but that wasn't the case. In the hands of Sir Michael Caine he was a witty and mischievous character, very cheeky, but the audience sympathized with him.
Jude Law's Alfie is quite unpleasant and the film lacked the charm of the original. Even though neither film was a high-profile project, the original has a loyal fan base and a type of acclaim that the remake couldn't achieve. Jude Law, although he was a smooth and seductive protagonist, didn't show enough of his softer side to play this particular role.
6
The Genie
Robin Williams x Will Smith
Disney films in the 1990s reached another level of popularity, receiving Oscar nominations and beginning to get involved in casting big stars to voice their characters. Robin Williams defined the role of genius for many generations, so stepping into his curly-toed shoes was always going to be difficult. When the era of live-action remakes was in full swing, the Aladdin The 2019 remake cast Will Smith in the new role. He didn't do a bad job by any means, bringing some of his talent to the role.
While Smith is funny and charismatic, does a great job with the songs, and has a great relationship with his Aladdin, his predecessor was a very difficult artist to follow. The original animated film remains superior on many levels. It could be argued that the CGI was not as satisfying as the original animation, and that hearing friend like me in any voice other than Williams's it could be very painful even today.
5
Bodhi and Johnny Utah/Utah
Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves x Edgar Ramírez and Luke Bracey
Universally regarded as one of the worst remakes in recent memory this 1991 retelling Breaking point it was simply unnecessary. While there are many movie remakes that don't bring much nuance to the story, they can at least offer a new take or a different angle. Rua do Pulo 21 became a comedy, Jumanji introduced more action and many jokes related to new technologies, and This was able to offer more character depth and better visual effects.
THE Breaking point remake offers none of that, and its stars lack the leading man energy offered by Swayze and Reeves, respectively. What was once a gritty thriller, with unique scenes and a complicated dynamic between the two stars, becomes an ordinary and insubstantial popcorn movie. Edgar Ramírez and Luke Bracey, although competent and full of energy, fail to recapture the magic of the cult classic on many levels.
4
Clown
Heath Ledger x Jared Leto
The Joker has had many faces over the years, each aiming to put their own spin on this rich character. Cesar Romero's over-the-top version was a hit in the 1960s, and Jack Nicholson injected an extra layer of evil into his uncomfortable portrayal. But it was Heath Ledger's version of the Joker in The Dark Knight was the first to make this clown villain seem more human and scarier than ever before. He gave so much to this twisted role that he even admitted it took a toll on him mentally. Unfortunately, in a way that ended in tragedy.
Aside from appearances in animated shows, the DC villain wasn't seen on the big screen until Jared Leto's portrayal in Suicide Squad.
His Joker earned Ledger a posthumous Oscar and remains one of the most memorable and beloved iterations of the character.. Aside from appearances in animated shows, the DC villain wasn't seen on the big screen until Jared Leto's portrayal in Suicide Squad. Understandably, he didn't want to take his predecessor's place, but the lackluster two-dimensional interpretation was a universal disappointment. He hasn't reprized that role since, and with DC changing direction, not to mention Joaquin Phoenix, it's unlikely he will.
3
Chief Inspector Clouseau
Peter Sellers x Steve Martin
Despite the character's clumsy behavior, Peter Sellers brought a touch of class and sophistication to his version of the French detective. Although he constantly finds himself in strange situations, he still seems capable at his job. The Pink Panther films from the 1960s and 1970s mixed comedy with a genuinely interesting mystery, making each of the six official presentations funny and engaging.
Steve Martin, on the other hand, chose to fully embrace the clumsy ineptitude that resulted in over-the-top jokes and a lack of any sort of intrigue. It took a while to bring the story back to the screen, and perhaps it should have taken even longer. The film did not live up to expectations and failed to revive this beloved character. There wasn't enough nostalgia for older viewers, and even the inclusion of Beyoncè failed to appeal to the younger generation.
2
Catwoman
Michelle Pfeiffer x Halle Berry
Both versions of Tim Burton's Batman utilized his dark vision to perfection, creating a whimsical world of caped crusaders and masked vigilantes. It never felt completely realistic, instead it had that comic book feel and a slight fairy tale edge. Michelle Pfeiffer's version of Selena Kyle, aka Catwoman, fits perfectly into this vision of Gotham. The rules of this world were completely arbitrary, and she was able to bring this latex-loving babe to life. She was sexy and seductive and played each scene as if she were performing for the audience. His jumpsuit remains one of the best of all the iterations.
As with many interesting characters, especially those that have had as much of an impact on pop culture as Pfeiffer's CatwomanThe time has come to restart. Halle Berry is a great actress, and in the role, she checked all the boxes required by the role. It suffered mainly from a shallow script and a general lack of conviction from most of the people involved. The early 2000s were not kind to female-led superhero films, and the 2004 version of Catwoman was an excellent example of that.
1
Norman Bates
Anthony Perkins vs Vince Vaughan
Alfred Hitchcock was a visionary of his time and directed some of the most compelling pieces of cinema in history. The birds, rear windowit is clear, PsychopathIt completely changed the way horror and thrillers were filmed. Audiences at the time never knew what to expect, and the level of fear and discomfort he was able to create was unparalleled. The death of the “main protagonist” in the film’s first act was unheard of, so after Janet Leigh’s infamous shower scene, viewers were left speechless. The shocking twist at the end was delivered brilliantly by Anthony Perkins, who left the audience uncomfortable throughout the film.
It was Perkins who commanded the screen in every act, creating one of the screen's most disturbing characters. Gus Van Sant's 1998 remake attempts to recreate Psychopath, shot for shot, supposedly as an homage to the original. Vince Vaughan lacks Perkins' foreboding intensity and is lost in the cast and story. The film was widely panned, with the consensus that it probably shouldn't have been remade.