10 Actors That Went From Their Best Movie To Their Worst

4. Jack Black - Tropic Thunder To Year One

robert downey jnr
Columbia Pictures

Adored by many for his laid back comedy stylings, lovable underdog characters, and righteous vocals, Jack Black has been a popular face in comedy films from the 2000s onward. Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle, High Fidelity, and School Of Rock are just some of the films where Black's one-of-a-kind charisma gave these films some extra sparkle. But even his tenure as rock mentor Dewey Finn doesn't compare to that of Jeff Portnoy in ensemble comedy favourite Tropic Thunder.

A drug-addicted comedy star, Black joined other actors (including Robert Downey Jr and Ben Stiller) in the jungles of Vietnam to shoot their latest film. But when the action becomes reality, the group must play their parts for real. Turning everything about Jack's vibrant screen presence and comedic delivery up to 11, Black has never been as hilarious.

This success was rather short lived, however, as one year later he starred opposite Michael Cera in forgettable caveman comedy, Year One. Playing a neanderthal hunter named Zed, Black's talents were utterly wasted in this misfire of a buddy comedy that saw the protagonists venture into the world after accidentally burning down their village.

Not even Black's vibes could stop this film from becoming extinct.

Contributor
Contributor

Glasgow-based cinephile who earned a Masters degree in film studies to spend their time writing about cinema, video games, and horror.