10 More Best Actor Replacements In Movies
9. Albert Brooks - Finding Nemo
From Lost in America to Broadcast News to his outstanding turn as Hank Scorpio on The Simpsons, Albert Brooks is a phenomenal actor who really doesn’t get the love he deserves.
His most beloved role is easily that of Marlin, the neurotic clownfish and father of the title character in Finding Nemo. His hilarious outbursts, strained relationship with Dory, and dogged determination to track down his boy provide many of that movie’s greatest moments, even if the forgetful blue tang often steals his thunder.
Brooks was not the first choice to play Marlin - that was William H. Macy. The star of Fargo, Boogie Nights, and more actually recorded most of the dialogue for the role, but director Andrew Stanton pulled a last-minute U-turn when he felt that the film needed more levity.
He hired Brooks to give the character a lighter feel and, sure enough, it worked. Stanton said on the film’s DVD commentary that this decision “saved” the film and, considering how integral Brooks' performance feels, that probably is indeed the case.
Gotta feel sorry for poor Macy, though. It’s not his fault he’s too good of a dramatic actor.