10 Most Cringe-Worthy Vanity Projects In Movie History

4. The Postman

The fact that, upon the announcement of Modern West almost a year ago, Kevin Costner felt the need to add the caveat that this wasn't a vanity project says everything you need to know about his status as arguably the king of vanity projects. Few actors have come close to earning that dubious title. After a string of hits from The Untouchables and Dances With Wolves through to Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves and The Bodyguard, it was only a matter of time before Costner churned out a truly bloated and self-indulgent movie to satisfy his ego.

True to form he delivered not one but two huge budget vanity project flops; Waterworld (which has since made its money back thanks to the theme park ride of the same name) and The Postman. The Postman is a monumental testament to the power of an actor's ego to drain all good sense out of a movie until all that remains clinging to the carcass is a surreal mixture of self-important silliness. Critic Gene Siskel hit the nail on the head perfectly, saying that the film should really have been called Dances With Myself. Costner's career has never recovered in the many years since, and he only has himself to blame.