12 Movie Casting Decisions That Fans Couldn't Handle

1. Renée Zellweger - Bridget Jones (Bridget Jones's Diary)

When it came to casting the titular lead in the movie adaptation of Helen Fielding's acclaimed novel Bridget Jones's Diary, Universal was originally looking at a host of English and Australian actresses, including Helena Bonham Carter, Cate Blanchett, Emily Watson, Rachel Weisz and Toni Collette.

Yet the two-year casting search concluded with the producers selecting American actress Renée Zellweger, who was born in Texas no less.

With her rail-thin figure and vocal scepticism over her ability to convincingly play the Brit protagonist, fans were infuriated, stirred up no end by relentless tabloid coverage of the casting.

Many felt that, just as James Bond is traditionally reserved for British actors - bar a few exceptions - so too should Bridget Jones have cast an actress from the U.K.

Did It Work Out?: Absolutely. Zellweger took the part seriously, gaining 20 pounds to more closely resemble Bridget as written, and working with an accent coach to sound convincing as a Brit.

She knocked the role out of the park, and were viewers unaware of Zelleger's origins, they'd likely never have guessed she wasn't British. The film was a smash hit with critics and audiences, leading to two successful sequels.