9 Terrible Casting Decisions That Ruined Great Movies
3. Stephen Lack - Scanners
Despite containing the most iconic scene in his career the juicy exploding head shot David Cronenbergs psychic thriller Scanners is probably the most restrained of his early horror work.
There's some gore, but it's more of a spy movie with psychic battles thrown in. It's a solid, pacy thriller for sure, but boy oh boy does the lead actor suck. The appropriately named Stephen Lack is a charisma vortex, who delivers every single line and facial expression in the flattest way imaginable. Some apologists would argue this fits with the background of his character, but even with that logic theyd have to admit his blank slate performance makes him a tough hero to root for.
Cronenberg has noted that Scanners was a nightmarish production; due to a weird finance deal he had to write the movie while he was shooting it, and drive around Canada desperately seeking places to shoot the next scene. If he had more time to prep and cast, it feels doubtful Lack would have been his first, second or even fiftieth choice.