10 PERFECT Casting Choices Wasted On Terrible Movies
Instructions on how to somehow waste Martin Freeman found inside...
Character is one of the most important aspects of a film. In many cases, it's the performance of the actors involved that most audiences connect with and pay attention to. Sure, the sets can be impressive, the effects can blow you away, but if the central performance isn't up to par, then chances are the film as a whole won't go down well with viewers.
This idea works both ways though. There are plenty of films out there with some seriously impressive casting decisions that paid off wonders, but the film around the performers is a lackluster affair which leaves you wondering how the filmmakers could squander such a fantastic opportunity.
This list will take a look at such casting decisions. The following actors stand out head and shoulders above the film they found themselves in, even when the movie itself really should have been just as excellent as the characters being portrayed on screen.
From the big blockbusters that don't sit well with fans to dramatic biopics that manage to let themselves down despite the wealth of narrative possibilities, here are ten casting decisions let down by terrible movies.
10. Ewan McGregor - The Star Wars Prequel Trilogy
Now before we get into Ewan McGregor, let's just get it out of the way now: The Star Wars Prequels aren't all bad. Revenge of the Sith is a fantastic addition to the franchise, and the overall story showing how Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader is actually very well executed as a whole. Unfortunately, the trilogy is let down by an avalanche of poor dialogue, cringe-worthy character interactions (yes, we're looking at you, Padme and Anakin) and a bit too much CGI in places when it really needed toned down.
Despite all of this, there is a clear saving grace throughout the three films, and that is Ewan McGregor's iconic performance as Obi-Wan Kenobi. Originally portrayed by Sir Alec Guinness in A New Hope, McGregor manages to fully embody the young Jedi Knight and anchor the entire trilogy with a measured and controlled performance.
Despite McGregor's presence being a much-needed strong spot in the eyes of most fans, the Prequel Trilogy didn't fully live up the originals, and featured a large amount of ill-advised plot points and painful lines about the annoyance of sand. But if watching Ewan McGregor yell "You were my brother, Anakin!" or saying "Hello, there" doesn't get your blood bumping, then something has gone horribly wrong.
Hopefully the upcoming Obi-Wan mini-series will make a better spectacle for McGregor to strut his stuff.