But sometimes theres disagreement over who that right actor is.
His serious roles in the sober filmsSeabiscuitandCider House Rulesdid not seem to lend themselves to high-flying superhero fantasy.
Luckily, he proved doubters wrong with his rendition of Spiderman in those TWO films.
Image via Dimension Films
Burn After Reading
When you think comedy, Brad Pitt doesnt readily spring to mind.
He also seemed a bit old to play a boyish, dumb jock.
The movie is based on the real true crime case of a multimillionaire and his deadly enthusiasm for wrestling.
Image via Sony Pictures Releasing
Carell plays John E. du Pont, an obsessive, and abusive Olympic wrestling coach.
Weirdly, Carells experience inThe Officeactually prepared him for the role of such a fragile man.
However, he started as a ditzy stoner-dude inBill and Teds Excellent Adventure.
Image via Focus Features
Not only did critics praise Reeves performance, the movie may have been doomed without him.
His input made Traven the do-gooder audiences loved.
Casino Royale
Many people expressed their concerns whenDaniel Craigwas cast as the iconic James Bond inCasino Royale.
Image via Sony Pictures Classics
The decision was so controversial, internet campaigns threatened to boycott the film in protest.
If anything, Craigs steely-eyed performance brought more realism to the role.
After all, Bond is a jaded, trained killer, something reflected in Craigs frosty glare.
Image via 20th Century Fox
Wonder Woman
When former modelGal Gadotwas cast as Diana inWonder Woman,people were skeptical.
In the comics, Tony Stark is more of a Howard Hughes figure: a flamboyant adventurer.
Downey seemed too cynical a choice.
Image via Sony Pictures Releasing
Hes a good 10 years older than what they wanted…
They also wanted a lesser-known actor with no baggage.
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
RDJ just cant catch a break when it comes to skeptical audiences.
Imagine via Warner Bros. Pictures
There was much knitting of brows when he was cast as the titular detective inSherlock Holmes.
And his British accent wasnt bad, either.
X-Men franchise
Hugh JackmanisWolverine, so its easy to forget there was initially controversy over his casting.
Image via Paramount
Fans of theX-Mencomics complained the clean-shaven Jackman looked nothing like the ruggedly hairy immortal.
Furthermore, hes (gasp) Australian!
So how could he pull off that gruff, grungy American accent?
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
As we know, the role fit him like an endoskeleton made of adamantium.
His snarly, tormented, and somehow vulnerable Logan brought valuable depth to the character.
Also, Jackman can sing and dance, so hopefully that leaves an X-Men musical on the table!
Image via 20th Century Fox
Apparently, the casting of Marlon Brando as the Godfather was unpopular with Paramount executives.
They also recoiled at the idea of castingAl Pacinoas Michael, complaining, A runt will not play Michael.
Its safe to say that few film-goers today would characterize Al Pacino as a runt.
Image via Paramount
An utterly insane, screaming weirdo?
Westworld
Westworldis a sleek, polished reboot of the classic 1973 film.
The dark science fiction requires its actors remain tempered and compelling as characters within an artificial Wild West.
Image via HBO
CastingJames Marsdenwas a bit of a head-scratcher.
His roles inEnchantedand30-Rockas a prince charming boy-next-door was an odd resume for a role in the dark, mysteriousWestworld.
While the movie itself received only slightly warm reviews, critics praised his performance as shockingly brilliant.
Image via Warner Bros.
Lovers of J.R.R Tolkien feared how their precious books would be handled by directorPeter Jacksonand his cast.
When news broke thatLiv Tyler,daughter of AerosmithsSteven Tyler,fans werent pleased.
An American who hadnt racked up any film credits didn’t make her seem particularly elvish.
Image via Annapurna Pictures
However, the apprehension was unwarranted: Tyler seamlessly pulled off the otherworldly grace of Arwen.
The actor is known more for his charm than his singing and dancing skills.
While its true Gosling isnt really the greatest singer, he manages to make it work.
Image via New Line Cinema
This is especially true ofDaniel Radcliffe, who played the bespectacled protagonist.
Radcliffe portrays a mentally ill young man who reveals, his dark, horsey thoughts in therapy.
Is there a doctor in the house?
Image via Lionsgate
Yes, and itsHugh freaking Laurie.
However, shes perfectly justified in stealing those scenes.
So his role as a grizzled raptor trainer inJurassic Worldwas puzzling.
Image via Paramount Pictures
Say what you will about the film, but Pratt sold it as a grumpy protagonist.
How could this everyman with a college freshmans face manage to pull off the dangerous rogue spy look?
Well, he managed.
Image via Fox
Even director David O. Russell worried that, at 21, shed be too young to fit the role.
Despite the fears, she managed her role so well she won her first Academy Award for her performance.
Critics praised her maturity and her on-screen chemistry with Bradley Cooper.
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
Scott Pilgrim vs.
The World
Scott Pilgrim vs.
Fans were partially right, as Ceras performance was different from expectations based on the graphic novels.
Media Universal Pictures
He played true to key in: nervous and socially awkward.
But it totally worked.
Ceras deadpan performance superimposed on a technicolor video game fight scene wonderland was weirdly effective.
Image via Universal Pictures
Not exactly a spitting image of Tom Cruise.
Far from hamming it up, Carrey defied expectations.
AsSeattle Times’Moira MacDonaldsaid, It’s the most honest, vulnerable work he’s ever done.
Image via The Weinstein Company
Comic book fans were angry, and critics also voiced concerns.
They thought Keaton would be too campy, sabotaging the serious rendition of Batman.
The Dark Knight
PossiblyHeath Ledgersmost famous role was that of The Joker inThe Dark Knight.
Image via Universal Pictures
However, Ledger was known more as a sensitive, handsome, romantic throw in.
His portrayal is perhaps the most unsettling and captivating rendition of the Joker to ever hit the screen.
DiCaprio played an undercover cop who infiltrated the ranks of organized crime as a police informant.
Image via Warner Bros.
WhenDaniel Day-Lewiswas cast to play Honest Abe inLincoln, there was a mild uproar.
Lewis is English, not American!
When the trailer dropped, people were stunned by his reedy, high-pitched voice.
Image via Focus Features
The people wanted arealAmerican, with a booming baritone.
Well, movies arent a democracy and, in this case, it worked out.
Lewiss portrayal as a contemplative, conflicted Lincoln was vulnerable and realistic.
Image via 20th Century Fox
And his gentle, higher-pitched voice?
Historians think this interpretation is actually somewhat accurate.
Monster
Monstertells the grim story of Aileen Wuornos, a sex worker turned remorseless serial killer.
Image Warner Brothers
It was hard for audiences to imagine the beautiful debonair,CharlizeTheron, pulling off the gritty crazed killer.
And yet, Theron killed… the role, that is.
She received an Academy Award for her outstanding performance.
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
Robert Ebert praised her acting as one of the greatest performances in the history of the cinema.
Image via Walt Disney Studios
Image via Paramount Pictures
