As a connoisseur of cinematic enchantment, I must say that it’s simply bewitching to see these illustrious actors and actresses cast as magical beings! From Emma Thompson’s sinister Sarafine in “Beautiful Creatures” to the captivating Tilda Swinton who played both the White Witch in “The Chronicles of Narnia” and Madame Blanc in “Suspiria,” their transformations into these mystical characters are nothing short of spellbinding.
For many years past and those to come, a variety of films will continue to captivate us with stories of happiness and sadness, animated escapades, heartwarming family dramas, comical relief, and more. However, what truly enchants many is a narrative that revolves around individuals who perform extraordinary jobs or possess genuine magical abilities. To satisfy this craving, let’s delve into the lives of 32 renowned actors who have bewitched us by portraying wizards, witches, or magicians in beloved movies.
Nicole Kidman (Practical Magic, Bewitched)
A well-known actress, Nicole Kidman, who has played a witch on screen not once but twice, is the individual in question. Given that Practical Magic 2 is currently being developed, you might remember her collaboration with Sandra Bullock from 1998 quite vividly. However, do you recollect her role as a genuine witch, cast to portray a fictional one, in the 2005 comedy, Bewitched?
Hugh Jackman (The Prestige)
In contrast to what one might expect, fewer magicians appear on screen than you’d guess. However, Hugh Jackman came through for us all by playing one in the 2006 Christopher Nolan film titled “The Prestige“. If by chance you haven’t watched this intriguing mystery set in Edwardian London, I strongly recommend you give it a go. Trust me; it won’t disappoint you.
Ian McKellen (The Lord Of The Rings And The Hobbit Trilogies)
This list would be nothing without mentioning maybe the most famous wizard in all of literary history, who made his major motion picture appearances courtesy of Sir Ian McKellen in The Lord of the Rings movies, as well as The Hobbit trilogy. Gandalf the Grey cannot be ignored, and not just because he’s so much taller than most of his traveling companions!
Neve Campbell (The Craft)
Young witches starting out are just as valuable as those who’ve spent decades practicing magic, which is why the power-hungry sorceress, Bonnie (played by Neve Campbell), makes it onto this list. The movie “The Craft” is a timeless teen horror masterpiece that’s definitely worth watching.
Bette Midler (Hocus Pocus)
In another timeless film, there’s the unforgettable witch character portrayed by Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson in 1993’s “Hocus Pocus.” Alongside Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker, who played other witches, her performance left a lasting impression. So much so that nearly three decades later, Disney+ produced a sequel featuring the same enchanting trio.
Jesse Eisenberg (Now You See Me)
In a new twist, we encounter another trickster, yet this time it’s Jesse Eisenberg’s contemporary persona, Atlas, who plies his illusionist skills in the bustling Las Vegas scene, performing as part of a renowned troupe…a group that, unbeknownst to their audience, have banded together for a daring scheme to amass substantial wealth. The act was so enthralling it prompted a follow-up production.
Alexandra Daddario (Mayfair Witches)
In essence, Anne Rice, known for her chilling tales, could always captivate us with intriguing stories in books. Interestingly, Alexandra Daddario, who starred in White Lotus, has a knack for transforming such narratives into must-watch TV series, as demonstrated by her compelling portrayal of the lead character Rowan in Mayfair Witches.
Cher (The Witches Of Eastwick)
In every part she’s played, Cher has shone brilliantly, and this is no exception in the role of widowed mother/witch Alex in “The Witches of Eastwick“. This film takes a turn for the extraordinary, but you’ll never regret watching it (alongside her co-stars Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Jack Nicholson) as the plot unfolds from strange to increasingly bizarre.
Nicolas Cage (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice)
It’s no secret that Nicolas Cage has taken on numerous roles throughout his lengthy acting career. Given this, it’s not astonishing that he appears as someone who uses magic in certain roles. To avoid any confusion about the distinction between a wizard and a sorcerer, remember that Cage portrayed a sorcerer in a 2010 film, which draws some inspiration from a part of Disney’s timeless animated masterpiece, Fantasia.
Tia And Tamera Mowry (Twitches)
Previously, there have been individuals on this list who portrayed witches alongside other highly recognized figures. However, unlike these instances, none of their co-stars shared the screen with their twin. This unique scenario is embodied by Tia and Tamera Mowry in the adored Disney Channel original movie, “Twitches“. Did a sequel follow? Absolutely!
Meryl Streep (Into The Woods)
There’s no question about Meryl Streep’s extraordinary talent or ability to give a stunning performance. This was evident even when she portrayed the character called The Witch in the movie version of the Broadway musical “Into the Woods,” and she was indeed nominated for an Academy Award for her role.
Steve Carell (The Incredible Burt Wonderstone)
In Steve Carell’s movie, Burt Wonderstone, we encounter another Las Vegas magician. Instead of witnessing him swindle funds, we join the comedic journey of Burt as he endeavors to rekindle his partnership with his old colleague (Steve Buschemi). This union aims to surpass a rival magician (Jim Carrey) whose acts primarily consist of unusual feats and genuine pain.
Edward Norton (The Illusionist)
This movie might seem similar to the previously mentioned “The Prestige“, given they both feature old-time magicians and were released in 2006. But unlike “The Prestige“, which is a thriller directed by Christopher Nolan, this film stars Edward Norton as our illusionist and leans more towards a romantic mystery rather than a thriller.
Lucy Lawless (Salem)
With numerous wicked witches roaming around and limited time to deal with them, the WGN TV series, Salem, was only slightly influenced by the Salem witch trials. The show centered on a protagonist aiming to summon the Devil to earth. However, the Countess Palatine Ingrid von Marburg, portrayed by Lucy Lawless in this series, wasn’t even that character – she was a completely different and much more malevolent witch. Couldn’t someone cast a spell to magically keep our homes clean, giving us all extra time for leisure?
Guy Pearce (Death Defying Acts)
It’s actually rather surprising that we’ve gotten this far into the list without coming to someone who portrayed a famous real-life magician, so we can thank Guy Pearce for that. His 2007 supernatural romance, Death Defying Acts, saw him play Harry Houdini.
Angela Bassett (American Horror Story: Coven)
For individuals who haven’t kept up with the entertaining escapades of the anthology series, American Horror Story, it might come as a surprise to learn that the show has featured several witches throughout its duration. The subtitle of this 2013 season hints at its witch-related themes, and notable guest star Angela Bassett, who was double Oscar-nominated, portrayed the historical figure and Voodoo practitioner Marie Laveau in a memorable role.
Sebastian Stan (The Covenant)
In the year 2006, Sebastian Stan, later renowned as Bucky “Winter Soldier” Barnes, portrayed a character significantly distinct from his future super-powered persona, by taking on the role of teen warlock Chase Collins in the fantasy movie titled “The Covenant“. This film also featured Taylor Kitsch and Chace Crawford, who, like Stan, utilized magic within the movie.
Michelle Pfeiffer (Stardust)
By the time Michelle Pfeiffer took on the role of an evil witch in the 2007 film “Stardust”, she had previously portrayed a character with a mystical, enchanting allure, as evidenced by her roles before then. In this movie, she played a witch who sought to possess a fallen star to maintain eternal youth and beauty.
Debbie Reynolds (Halloweentown)
In this piece, we have another beloved Disney Channel show that centers around a teenage girl who discovers her magical abilities on her 13th Halloween. Subsequently, she’s whisked away to the featured town, where supernatural beings can dwell without human disturbance, thanks to its unique charm. The late Debbie Reynolds portrayed her grandmother (also a witch), and she reprised this role in all three sequels.
Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange)
2016’s Marvel Cinematic Universe addition features Benedict Cumberbatch portraying a physician who, following an injury and loss of hand function, delves into the world of combating evil through magic after seeking refuge in a secretive sanctuary for healing. Cumberbatch has since played this character across various Marvel productions, including a 2022 follow-up to his initial standalone movie.
Mila Kunis (Oz The Great And Powerful)
As a fan, I’d like to bring your attention to a movie that sometimes gets overlooked – “Oz the Great and Powerful”. This enchanting film features Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, and Rachel Weisz in captivating roles as witches from the land of Oz. Their mission? To decide if the magician who’s arrived from Kansas is indeed the powerful wizard they’ve been longing for.
Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone)
Including Daniel Radcliffe in this list is essentially indispensable, as his role as Harry Potter significantly contributes to its relevance. Despite his diverse roles since then, spanning both heroes and villains, he remains synonymous with the character of Harry Potter for numerous fans.
Selena Gomez (Wizards Of Waverly Place)
I can’t believe you don’t recall Selena Gomez, the Grammy-nominated artist and star of the popular Hulu series “Only Murders in the Building“, had her initial taste of stardom on a Disney Channel show! It’s hard to imagine that you forgot she played Alex Russo, the supernaturally talented teen, over a magical four-season run in “Wizards of Waverly Place“.
Elizabeth Olsen (WandaVision)
Indeed, we have another beloved Marvel Cinatic Universe (MCU) character to discuss! Elizabeth Olsen initially portrayed Scarlet Witch in a post-credits scene of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and has since appeared in numerous other films within the franchise as well as the highly acclaimed Disney+ series, WandaVision. This performance even earned her an Emmy nomination.
Sam Neill (Merlin)
In 1998, NBC presented a captivating two-part miniseries titled “Merlin,” which delved into Sam Neill’s portrayal of the legendary wizard, leveraging his popularity from “Jurassic Park.” This rendition offered an exciting account of Merlin’s life prior to the birth of King Arthur.
Rosamund Pike (The Wheel Of Time)
In our upcoming discussions, we’ll be focusing on various portrayals that are adaptations from well-known novels, and “The Wheel of Time” is definitely one such example. The Amazon series, derived from the 14-book saga written jointly by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson, features Rosamund Pike as Moiraine Damodred, a potent magic user who guides a group of young adults on a quest to save the world.
Julia Ormond (Witches Of East End)
In this “Lifetime” series spanning two seasons (2013-2014), we delve into the lives of the Beauchamp women, who inhabit a tiny, fictitious coastal town. As descendants of witches, they’re headed by their mother, Joanna, portrayed by Julia Ormond, and must struggle to protect themselves and their community from malevolent supernatural threats.
Emma Thompson (Beautiful Creatures)
In 2013, this Gothic romance with fantasy elements centers around a teenager about to turn sixteen. On her birthday, she’ll discover if her potential as a witch will be used for good or evil. The two-time Academy Award winner, Emma Thompson, portrays Sarafine, a character who didn’t raise the girl but is strongly determined that she leans towards the dark side.
Tilda Swinton (The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, Suspiria)
Given Tilda Swinton’s diverse roles such as a gender-swapped hero in Orlando, the Ancient One in Doctor Strange from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and archangel Gabriel in Constantine, it’s no shock to find out that she has portrayed witches too. In The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe and Suspiria, Swinton excelled at playing enchantresses with a knack for causing mischief or even worse, as her characters desired (or already possessed) malevolent powers. However, Suspiria offers a significantly darker and gory experience for viewers who are fans of such themes.
Jack Black (The House With A Clock In Its Walls)
In the 2018 fantasy film “The House With A Clock In Its Walls”, comedian Jack Black takes on the role of a warlock. In this movie, he plays the magical uncle of a young boy who resides in a house once belonging to an evil sorcerer. The goal is to find and unravel the mystery behind a clock that the malevolent former owner secretly placed within the house’s walls.
Jude Law (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald)
In the Harry Potter series, either Richard Harris or Michael Gambon portrayed the cherished character Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. However, when the prequels were produced, they required a younger version of Albus Dumbledore, and it was Jude Law who took on the significant role of donning the wizard’s iconic and legendary robes.
Julianne Moore (Seventh Son)
To wrap up our list of illustrious actors who have breathed life into wizards, witches, and magicians, we have none other than the acclaimed actress Julianne Moore. This Academy Award laureate graced our screens in 2015’s Seventh Son, portraying the malevolent witch Mother Malkin. After years of confinement, she breaks free and seeks to regain her full powers by any means possible.
As you can see, many of our most beloved stars have portrayed wizards, witches and magicians!
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2024-08-30 19:38