10 Perfect Casting Choices That Were Wasted in Bad Movies

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Some movies are just bafflingly bad – you can’t even figure out what the filmmakers were trying to achieve, like The Cloverfield Paradox, The Master of Disguise, and Cats. They feel like drawn-out, poorly conceived ideas. On the other hand, some films are truly great, largely thanks to strong performances, as seen in movies like August: Osage County, Goodfellas, and The Silence of the Lambs. Those films are consistently excellent. The movies we’ll be discussing next, however, don’t quite fall into either of those categories – they’re somewhere in the middle.

While not quite as disastrous as the movie Cats, this film didn’t quite achieve its full potential. However, thanks to at least one truly excellent performance, it was still better than it could have been.

10) Ewan McGregor in the Star Wars Prequels

You know, it’s been over twenty years since those Star Wars prequels came out, and honestly, a lot of people don’t even think they’re that bad anymore – especially compared to some of Disney’s recent attempts! But even the ones who still aren’t fans will tell you, nobody could have played Obi-Wan Kenobi better than Ewan McGregor. He absolutely nailed the role.

Ewan McGregor didn’t have a huge role in The Phantom Menace, but he immediately showed he could capture the spirit of Obi-Wan Kenobi, much like Alec Guinness, without simply imitating him. He continued to deliver strong performances in Attack of the Clones (often considered the weakest of the prequels) and Revenge of the Sith, and fans remain captivated by his portrayal. Even though the Obi-Wan Kenobi series wasn’t perfect, it proved once again that McGregor can elevate even a mediocre Star Wars story.

9) Matthew Lillard in Scooby-Doo

Let’s be honest, Scooby-Doo does have a dedicated fanbase from the ’90s, and it’s earned that, but it wasn’t a career highlight for anyone involved, nor was its sequel. The main reason for its popularity is really the actors who starred in it.

Looking at the casts of films like I Know What You Did Last Summer and Scream, plus the show Freaks and Geeks, brings back a lot of late ’90s nostalgia! Of those actors – Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard, and Linda Cardellini – Matthew Lillard truly seemed born to play his roles. It’s no surprise he’s continued voicing Shaggy in countless animated projects; he was the perfect fit then, and remains so today.

8) Ariana Greenblatt in Borderlands

The movie Borderlands perfectly represents what frustrates many viewers about big-budget films. It’s visually impressive, but ultimately lacks substance, feeling empty like an unpacked cardboard box.

This film is unique in that it almost manages to show Cate Blanchett as fallible, though she still excels overall. While she performs better than Jamie Lee Curtis and Kevin Hart, her role feels like a misstep. Ariana Greenblatt and Jack Black, on the other hand, are perfectly cast. Greenblatt, in particular, clearly enjoys playing Tiny Tina, bringing a welcome and energetic unpredictability to the character. Though she can’t single-handedly redeem the movie, her scenes are noticeably more enjoyable than the rest.

7) Angelina Jolie in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of Lara Croft was hugely popular and remains memorable, even though the movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider itself wasn’t particularly original – it largely followed the formula of the Indiana Jones films.

She’s captivating in this role, and it’s clear she’s having a great time as the lead for the first time. Previously, in films like The Bone Collector and Gone in 60 Seconds, she played supporting roles alongside Denzel Washington and Nicolas Cage. But here, she not only looks perfect for the part, she also convincingly demonstrates her talent for action.

6) Raul Julia in Street Fighter

For three decades, the Street Fighter movie has received a lot of criticism. But is it actually a bad adaptation? It definitely mirrors the colorful look and exciting spirit of the Street Fighter II game.

Even though it’s a bit silly, at least one actor really nailed their performance: the wonderful Raul Julia, in his last movie. He wanted to create a film his children would love, and he put his heart into it, just as he did with more dramatic roles like in Kiss of the Spider Woman, even though the script wasn’t his best.

5) Christian Bale in Thor: Love and Thunder

Like Return of the Jedi in the Star Wars saga, Thor: Love and Thunder struggles with conflicting tones. These contrasting styles clash throughout the film, ultimately weakening the emotional impact of key moments and preventing them from resonating as strongly as intended.

Honestly, Christian Bale is fantastic as Gorr the God Butcher – he really brings a lot of emotional weight to the film, and those moments do work, even if the movie as a whole feels a bit messy. It’s actually one of his best performances, which makes it even more frustrating that it’s stuck in a movie that doesn’t quite know what it wants to be.

4) Alan Rickman in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is a very ambitious film, but it doesn’t quite stick with you after you’ve seen it. It’s enjoyable, but doesn’t fully captivate the audience.

One of the biggest issues with this film is Kevin Costner’s performance as Robin Hood. He’s not known for being particularly energetic, and here he comes across as surprisingly sluggish. In contrast, Alan Rickman, who sadly is no longer with us, clearly understood the tone of the movie and completely embraced his role. His Sheriff of Nottingham is delightfully wicked and a lot of fun to watch.

3) Mark Strong in Green Lantern

The Green Lantern movie is often considered a low point for superhero films. It’s an over-the-top, visually focused blockbuster that unfortunately isn’t even enjoyable.

Mark Strong was perfectly cast as Sinestro. He not only looked the part, but convincingly portrayed a leader who could realistically become a villain, believing he was acting in the best interests of his people. While a sequel using this foundation could have been strong, it’s probably for the best that one wasn’t made.

2) Martin Freeman in The Hobbit Trilogy

It’s surprising that the Hobbit trilogy was made by the same director as The Lord of the Rings. The earlier films established Peter Jackson as a visionary filmmaker who truly understood and beautifully realized that world. He also demonstrated a knack for including essential details while wisely omitting unnecessary ones.

The Hobbit movies stretched a relatively short book into three very long films, and most of those films don’t really succeed. Even a strong performance by Martin Freeman, who was well-cast as young Bilbo Baggins, couldn’t make up for scenes that felt overly drawn-out and lacked a clear purpose.

1) Eva Green in Dark Shadows

Honestly, I was really hoping for more from Dark Shadows. It just felt…flat. The script didn’t offer anything fresh, and too many jokes fell completely flat. You’d think a Tim Burton and Johnny Depp collaboration, especially based on a classic show like this, would be amazing, but it felt like they were just going through the motions. It’s starting to feel like every movie they do together just isn’t hitting the mark anymore.

However, the series benefits greatly from Eva Green’s performance as Angelique in Casino Royale. She brings a seductive quality to the character, skillfully portraying a complex blend of vulnerability and power. Only Barnabas Collins, the one man she desires but can’t possess, stands a chance against her.

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2026-01-23 03:12