12 Movie Casting Decisions That Fans Couldn't Handle

11. Topher Grace - Venom (Spider-Man 3)

Spider-Man fans sure were excited when it was confirmed that legendary villain Venom would finally make his big-screen debut in Sam Raimi's third movie.

Yet that optimism quickly cratered once Sony announced that the dual role of Eddie Brock/Venom would be played by...Topher Grace.

Grace, who was still best-known as Eric Forman from That '70s Show at the time, didn't match the bulkier and more imposing Brock from the comics, and fans simply felt that he wasn't threatening enough to play the web-slinger's iconic antagonist.

Did It Work Out?: Sadly not. This isn't a knock against Grace as an actor at all, but he just wasn't the right fit for this part.

The script does at least attempt to re-imagine Brock as a more conniving and pathetic character than in the comics, but Grace doesn't bring much charisma or interest to Brock, nor much physicality to Venom either.

Constantly seeing the Venom mask peel back to reveal Grace underneath was underwhelming if not unintentionally hilarious, and over a decade later, it remains one of the most baffling casting misfires in blockbuster history. Sometimes the controversy is justified, as it absolutely was here.

Thankfully Tom Hardy's playing Venom these days, and a far better fit - to say nothing of the movie itself.