Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People Break Down Which Actors Seemed Miscast But Absolutely Nailed Their Role

People Break Down Which Actors Seemed Miscast But Absolutely Nailed Their Role
AMC/YouTube

Few people bought the idea of Bryan Cranston in the role of Walter White before Breaking Bad premiered. But anyone who sat through that entire show had to admit that the man's talent is undeniable––and that no one else could have played that role to such brilliant effect. Much of the initial pushback came from the fact that before Breaking Bad, Cranston, who is also a highly accomplished stage actor, was largely known to audiences as the dad from Malcolm in the Middle. That's the thing about good actors––they surprise you.

People told us all about the actors who didn't seem right for the roles but quickly changed theirs minds when Redditor wfpbgoals asked the online community,

"Which actor seemed miscast in a role but ended up killing it?"

"I think I was of the opinion..."

"I think I was of the opinion that Joaquin Phoenix was an odd choice for the role of Johnny Cash until I saw his acting and heard his phenomenal voice sing these classics."

PoliticsEnthusiast

He sang his way to an Oscar nomination! He was pretty damn good––and at the time, probably an unconventional choice.

"Tarantino breathed new life..."

"Everyone thought Travolta had been miscast in Pulp Fiction because at the time his career was on its knees. And he hadn't been cast in anything noteworthy in a very long time.

Tarantino breathed new life into it his career by giving him the role."

bulbhed

This is true! His role in that film revived his career and catapulted him to stardom, though it's safe to say that at this point he might need another role of similar caliber if he wants to headline major projects again.

"Really came out of nowhere..."

"Patrick Warburton as Lemony Snicket. Really came out of nowhere for me."

angrytomato98

I wasn't feeling it at first––and to be fair, I don't particularly care for the 2004 version of A Series of Unfortunate Events––but Warburton was excellent.

"Based on some of his other work..."

"Rob Lowe in Parks and Recreation. Based on some of his other work it didn't seem like the role of an enthusiastic health nut fit him but he killed it."

-notjosh-

"She was fantastic..."

"I remember going to the theatre to see Silkwood in 1983 with Meryl Streep and Kurt Russell. When they showed Cher's name at the beginning, people audibly laughed. She was fantastic in the movie and went on to a very respectable film career. I had always thought she was a good actor from her days on The Sonny & Cher show so why not go dramatic? Anyway, I LOVE all her work."

femsci-nerd

The fact that people slept on Cher's work in Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean... Jimmy Dean a year earlier is CRIMINAL. Criminal, I tell you!

"I'll always refer..."

"I'll always refer to the pushback that Dark Knight got when it was first revealed they cast 'that blonde dude from "A Knight's Tale," and that "10 Things..." "teen romance"' and the Internet collectively went "WTF???".

Wow. That was a huge error on our part."

Happy8Day

911 Operators Break Down The Strangest Call They've Ever Received | George Takei’s Oh Myyy

Bet people regret their reactions. Wonder what Heath Ledger's career would look like right now had he not died before The Dark Knight was released?

"In 2002..."

"In 2002, nobody could imagine Matt Damon playing a CIA assassin with amnesia. I saw the preview on TV and was like, "the dude from Good Will Hunting?.

The Jason Bourne movies are among my all-time faves now and I can't picture anyone else in that role."

yossarian1943

"She was the most believable..."

"Cate Blanchett as Bob Dylan in I'm Not There. She was the most believable Dylan in that movie by far."

WhiskyTangoNovember

"In the books..."

"I was skeptical of Pedro Pascal as Oberyn Martel in Game of Thrones. In the books, the character has a darker, more commanding type of charisma, but Pedro's version was terrific."

Propagandave

"Yes!"

" Robin Williams in One Hour Photo.

He already showed with Good Will Hunting and Bicentennial Man that he can also do drama, but a thriller with him as the main actor?

Yes!"

treverios

A bad actor can take a miscast role and turn it into an utterly painful mess. But a decent actor can really work wonders with a seemingly miscast role and wow audiences to the point that they can't imagine anyone else in the role. Now, that's talent.

Have some opinions of your own? Feel free to tell us all about them in the comments below!

Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden; Donald Trump
Diego G Diaz/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images; Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Oregon Senators Slam Trump After He Announces He's Sending Military Troops To Portland

Democratic Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley of Oregon condemned President Donald Trump's "authoritarian takeover" of Portland after Trump announced his plan to deploy troops to the city, warning that Trump is trying to stir up violence in the progressive city.

Earlier, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a memorandum stating that 200 members of the Oregon National Guard would be “called into federal service effective immediately for a period of 60 days.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Serena Williams
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for SKIMS

Serena Williams Sparks Debate After Calling Out New York City Hotel For Cotton Plant Decor

Uh oh, Serena Williams said some words with her mouth, and you know what that means: The internet is furious about it!

The tennis champion is under fire online after remarking upon a decor choice in a New York City hotel: A cotton plant.

Keep ReadingShow less
Harleen Grewal
KNN News/YouTube

'MAGA Dentist' Slammed After She's Caught On Video Joking About Providing Worse Care For Liberal Patients

Self-proclaimed "MAGA dentist" Harleen Grewal is facing backlash after video went viral of her claiming to harm patients uncomfortable with her MAGA-themed office.

@

Keep ReadingShow less
Meghan McCain; Screenshot of Violet Affleck
Taylor Hill/FilmMagic; @luckytan/X

Meghan McCain Dragged After Ripping 'Nepo Baby' Violet Affleck For Speaking At The UN

Former The View co-host Meghan McCain was called out after she criticized Violet Affleck, the daughter of actors Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, after she spoke candidly at the United Nations about the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Affleck discussed both COVID-19 and its lingering form, long COVID, explaining that she herself has been affected by the latter. She noted that the condition can linger well past the initial infection, bringing symptoms such as dizziness and shortness of breath.

Keep ReadingShow less

People Who Discovered Someone Was Living A Double Life Share What Went Down

Secrets always have a way of coming out.

At least 99% of most secrets, that's what it feels like anyway.

Keep ReadingShow less