10 Movie Actors With Far More Range Than You Think

These actors are more than just versatile, they could be anyone.

Scooby-Doo The Movie Matthew Lillard
Warner Bros.

Some actors find themselves forever playing the same character in every film they ever appear in, the names might change but it's perform, rinse, repeat over and over again. Some could be excused for being limited by the material of their time: John Candy, for example, always played John Candy because Hollywood demanded that he never stop and the same can be said of Arnold Schwarzenegger... he will genuinely be back again and again.

However, there are a number of actors who can seamlessly transition from role to role and genre to genre - more so now than ever before. Some may shy away from the notion of changing themselves for each new potential casting and rely on their previous successes or becoming a directors favourite/muse to ensure the work keeps coming in but they are walking a tightrope, always at risk of a box office bomb all but ending their careers.

Obviously, the best known 'range' actors won't be appearing on this list so fans of Tom Hardy, Leonardo di Caprio, Daniel Day Lewis and Meryl Streep can rest easy knowing that the world fully appreciates the phenomenal talents of these actors and their like.

Equally, the George Clooney's of this world will also be omitted... because they really have no range whatsoever.

10. James McAvoy

Scooby-Doo The Movie Matthew Lillard
Fox

Looking back at James McAvoy's acting credits, it makes you wonder if the actor truly does suffer with the same multiple personality disorder his character Kevin does in the magnificent Split.

Why? Because virtually none of McAvoy's roles have ever been alike. There are a few roles he has played numerous times, Professor Charles Xavier as an obvious example, but the standalone characters he has portrayed are all so individually unique.

It is true that his distinctive appearance does stop him from committing to the more outlandish transformations akin to Christian Bale or Daniel Day Lewis but there are no doubt viewers out there who were baffled to learn that McAvoy uses his native Glaswegian accent because his takes on various English, Irish and American accents are truly faultless.

But McAvoy doesn't reserve his acting talents solely for film and television as the Scottish star has regularly performed in theatre too, most recently at London's Playhouse Theatre portraying Cyrano de Bergerac.

At just 40 years old, McAvoy still has a long time remaining in his career to wind down and take on some more typecast roles but it seems so unlikely given the way he completely throws himself into every role he takes. One for the present and the future, for certain.

Contributor
Contributor

Probably the only person ever to see all the endings of the awful Shadow the Hedgehog video game. Professional proofreader, football fanatic, lion tamer and occasional liar.