10 Great Film Ideas Utterly Wasted On Terrible Actors

6. Gangs of New York - Cameron Diaz

fhd002GNY_Cameron_Diaz_009 Gangs of New York is a fantastic film, telling the story of the notorious Five Points neighborhood in New York City. Daniel Day-Lewis and Leonardo DiCaprio, as well as the majority of the supporting cast, really rise to the challenge of bringing the past to life. In fact, it features great performances from just about everyone except the inexplicably cast Cameron Diaz. She might work in lightweight romantic comedies or even modern dramas, but she feels so incredibly out of place in this period film. Give me about five minutes and I can give you a list of actresses who would have been better suited for the role. Maybe even one who could do a passable Irish accent. In doing further research, I happened upon a rumor that Sarah Polley was originally meant to be cast in the role, but the producers insisted upon the bigger star. Way to rub salt in the wound. This is why we leave creative up to the creative, guys.
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Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.