And even then, after so much trouble, the audience doesn’t always think the actors embody the characters well enough. There’s a disconnect somewhere. The r/AskReddit community was candid about what iconic film roles they personally thought were miscast. Scroll down to see their opinions, and let us know in the comments whether or not you agree with them.
We got in touch with the author of the viral thread, u/LuckyLaceyKS, for a chat about miscast roles. Meanwhile, Bored Panda also reached out to entertainment, pop culture, and lifestyle expert Mike Sington for his thoughts about the challenges that casting directors run into. Read on for both of our interviews!
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Redditor u/LuckyLaceyKS, who sparked the entire online discussion, told Bored Panda that they’re a huge fan of the popular ‘Uncharted’ video game series. The franchise even spawned a movie in 2022. However, u/LuckyLaceyKS thought that Mark Wahlberg was miscast as Sully in it. That was the initial inspiration for the thread.
“It’s hard when you have a connection to a franchise before the movie comes out. People can be very passionate about their favorite franchises and their fancast preferences, which is why I think the post got as much attention as it did. I didn’t expect so many comments!” they said.
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On the flip side, the author (just like us!) was a big fan of Meryl Streep’s iconic portrayal of Miranda Priestly in ‘The Devil Wears Prada.’ Streep is, without a doubt, a force to be reckoned with on the screen, but u/LuckyLaceyKS said that “she owned this role and exceeded the expectations of the character’s portrayal in the book.” They added: “Absolutely iconic.”
Another favorite of the author’s is Christoph Waltz’s acting in ‘Inglourious Basterds.’ “He was a scene stealer in an incredible film with a wildly talented cast. That’s a hard feat to accomplish.”
For u/LuckyLaceyKS, actors who take their time to do their research are a big favorite. “From studying mannerisms of subjects for biopics to doing hard work like working in kitchens for chef roles, I think it’s more believable when you immerse yourself in the subject before filming. I love that Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri spent so much time in kitchens before filming ‘The Bear.‘”
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However, one issue is that actors who look exactly like the characters might not have the strongest acting skills. Moreover, actors with the most talent may look nothing like the characters they need to depict. So, casting directors are on the lookout for a balance between the two: they look for the sweet spot between appearance and talent.
“Sifting through mountains of auditions can be overwhelming, but having a limited pool of actors can also restrict the creative vision,” Sington said. “So, how do casting directors make the tough call?”
According to the entertainment expert, multiple rounds of auditions with different scenes and scenarios can really help assess actors’ range and how able they are to adapt to different situations. It’s also vital to see how the actor interacts with the rest of the cast. “The right actors will bounce off each other naturally,” Sington said that they’ll create on-screen relationships that the audience will think are believable.
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“Sometimes, the magic only happens once the filming starts. But by carefully considering these challenges, casting directors can significantly increase their chances of finding that perfect match.”
There’s a lot of responsibility resting on the actors’ shoulders to connect with the audience, too! Luckily, there are various ways that they can make their performances resonate on a deeper level. For one, authenticity is absolutely essential when it comes to making characters relatable.
“The audience can spot a phony performance a mile away,” Sington said, urging actors to embrace vulnerability and draw on real human emotions.
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The entertainment expert told Bored Panda that it’s key for actors to step into their characters’ shoes. “Actors can build a strong backstory, delve into the character’s psychology, and use techniques like method acting to truly inhabit the role,” he said. Moreover, actors can train their voices and practice their physical and facial expressions to craft a more believable performance.
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While it’s useful to think about the future, you need to focus on the present. If you only ever worry about potential problems that might pop up in the future, you might miss the issues and opportunities that are happening right under your nose. Unless you’ve signed a contract to make a bunch of sequels already, simply focus on the project and story you have in front of you right now.
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Meanwhile, an actor who’s a team player and has a likable personality can add a lot to the team beyond their performance on the set. They can share their experience and give some friendly advice to newcomers in the movie industry. Meanwhile, they can use their authority to motivate their fellow cast members as well!
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But what roles do you think were extremely well cast, dear Pandas? On the flip side, what roles do you personally believe completely missed the mark for you and why?
Tell us all about it in the comments.
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