As a seasoned thespian with a career spanning decades, I can only imagine the tales these esteemed actors could spin about their less-than-successful ventures. I’ve played my share of roles that didn’t quite hit the mark, but I’ve learned to laugh it off and move on.
Some of the biggest and brightest stars in Hollywood have films they’d prefer not to discuss in more refined settings. The following list includes a few of the most notorious examples of such productions that left their mark on cinema, though perhaps not as intended.
Tom Hanks – The Bonfire Of The Vanities
Although Tom Hanks may have expressed his views on why “The Bonfire of the Vanities” failed, it’s unlikely he frequently discusses its notoriety as a flop at the box office. After all, being criticized for his role in a film satirizing the moral decay of ’80s/early ’90s Wall Street brokers might not be an easy topic for him, given his popular image as America’s beloved father figure.
Jamie Lee Curtis – Virus
The movie version of “Virus,” based on Dark Horse Comics, is undeniably terrible, regardless if you’re a fan of the original book or not. However, one positive aspect of it all is that lead actress Jamie Lee Curtis has relentlessly poked fun at this flop with some of her sharpest criticisms. This has made for an amusing spectacle, proving that even stars can mercilessly mock their own films.
Michael Caine – Jaws: The Revenge
As someone who has spent decades in the film industry, I have seen my fair share of cinematic flops and duds. But none quite compare to the infamous “Jaws: The Revenge.” This sequel, in my humble opinion, is a prime example of how not to make a movie. It’s so bad, it deserves a special place in the trash bin of life.
Emily Blunt – Gulliver’s Travels
In an alternate turn of events, we almost had Emily Blunt portraying Black Widow in Iron Man 2. However, contractual agreements led her to decline the offer, opting instead for the role in Gulliver’s Travels with Jack Black. So it might be wise not to bring up this missed opportunity to the actress from A Quiet Place, even if you believe she would find it amusing.
Dennis Quaid – Jaws 3-D
As a gamer, I’d say: Just like legendary actors have those iconic roles that define them, there are also early gigs that they’d rather forget. Dennis Quaid’s part in Jaws 3-D seems to be one of those, as it’s among the two Jaws sequels that didn’t win over even the most diehard fans of the franchise.
Viola Davis – The Help
Award-winning actress Viola Davis was nominated for an Academy Award due to her outstanding portrayal in Tate Taylor’s film adaptation of “The Help.” However, despite her exceptional performance, Viola herself has expressed regret over her involvement in the making of this film and its final outcome.
Bill Murray – Garfield
Even the most legendary figures in cinema aren’t exempt from deception, particularly someone as mischievous as Bill Murray. For instance, there was the amusing incident where he mistook the writer of Garfield for one of the Coen Brothers. This slight confusion gives a hint as to why he might have used his Zombieland cameo in 2009 to gently mock the film as being his greatest life’s regret.
Mariah Carey – Glitter
Although the movie “Glitter” didn’t completely destroy Mariah Carey’s acting career, it’s a film that occasionally brings a pang of regret. Nevertheless, she showcased remarkable talent in productions like Lee Daniels’ “Precious,” proving her resilience and versatility as an actress.
Elijah Wood – North
Roger Ebert, a renowned film critic, disliked “North” intensely, despite being part of a collection of well-loved films he panned. It’s important to note that Elijah Wood wasn’t to blame for this movie’s shortcomings, but it might be wiser to steer clear of discussing it with him unless you’re prepared for a more sensitive conversation.
Jennifer Lopez – Gigli
In the realm of infamously poor films, Martin Brest, the director of “Gigli,” shares some critical thoughts about this cinematic flop. The rom-com starring Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck has undeniably claimed a spot on the wrong side of history. It’s safe to say that even a casual reference to it would likely elicit a scathing glare from J.Lo herself.
George Clooney – Batman & Robin
One consistent aspect in George Clooney’s acting career is his lingering disappointment about the film ‘Batman & Robin.’ Taking over for Val Kilmer in director Joel Schumacher’s second Gotham-set blockbuster, it’s safe to say that the ‘ER’ star often dreams of having a chance to travel back in time and avoid this movie experience altogether.
Renee Zellweger – Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation
Among the Oscar-winning duo, Renee Zellweger likely prefers not to bring up “Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation,” given her history with the franchise. However, it’s possible that she may have softened her stance on the subject due to the passage of time.
Robert Downey Jr. – The Shaggy Dog
During his resurgence in the mid-2000s, Robert Downey Jr. expanded his acting repertoire, appearing in a variety of roles such as those in “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” and “Good Night, and Good Luck”. Among these was his portrayal of the villain in Tim Allen’s version of “The Shaggy Dog”. If asked about the movie, Downey might discuss it, but one can’t help but ponder what his thoughts would be.
Emma Watson – The Circle
For an actress like Emma Watson, who carefully selects her roles with both mindfulness and a focus on the message they convey, taking on “The Circle” may have seemed fitting. However, the public response to the film might have made Watson reconsider her decision, even before she considered working with a renowned author like Dave Eggers or director James Ponsoldt.
Eddie Murphy – The Adventures of Pluto Nash
In casual and clear language: The Adventures of Pluto Nash is often mentioned as the go-to example when discussing the most notorious flops in cinema history. Given its poor reputation, even the outspoken Eddie Murphy tends to avoid bringing up this sci-fi/comedy bomb in conversation.
Lucy Liu – Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever
The movie “Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever,” which features Lucy Liu, is relatively unknown but still notable due to her involvement. Few people recall this film, so it’s unlikely she’d often encounter fans discussing it.
Matt Damon – The Great Wall
As a gamer putting on my movie critic hat, I bet you’re wondering why Matt Damon seems to avoid talking about the flop that was “The Great Wall”. But let me tell you something, it wasn’t his character’s “white savior” issues making him shy away from the topic. Instead, I reckon he’d politely decline any conversation about it because the movie was a massive bomb, and no one wants to be associated with a failure that didn’t exactly boost his fan base.
Jennifer Lawrence – Dark Phoenix
Jennifer Lawrence significantly distanced herself from the X-Men movies by the time she starred in Dark Phoenix, as evidenced by a significant reduction in her makeup sessions and an early demise in the final X-Men prequel from the Fox era. It’s possible that this could be one of the reasons why the two-part structure was dropped before its release.
Sylvester Stallone – Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot
As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but chuckle when I mention Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot. Even though it’s been years since its release and the box office disaster it became, it remains a hilarious footnote in the illustrious career of Sylvester Stallone, who also directed the Rocky franchise. It’s hard not to wonder about some of those early Planet Hollywood openings, given this unusual episode in film history.
Lily Collins – Rules Don’t Apply
Actress Lily Collins effortlessly embodies the classic charm of old Hollywood and isn’t shy about displaying it. This self-assuredness likely played a role in her being chosen for Warren Beatty’s film Rules Don’t Apply, although the romantic comedy has its flaws. However, she, along with co-star Alden Ehrenreich, are among the few highlights in this rather forgettable homage to bygone eras.
Eddie Redmayne – Jupiter Ascending
If you think Eddie Redmayne’s performance in “Jupiter Ascending” was lackluster, it’s a viewpoint he himself seems to share. Although some viewers might appreciate his work in the Wachowski’s sci-fi epic, Redmayne’s self-criticism of his role carries significant caveats.
Jennifer Hudson – Sandy Wexler
As a die-hard fan, I’d say Adam Sandler has an uncanny knack for attracting a diverse array of acting talents, and his Netflix film “Sandy Wexler” was no different. I found myself in the shoes of a talent agent, spotting a diamond in the rough – none other than Jennifer Hudson. With a keen eye for potential stardom, I made it my mission to catapult her career into the limelight. However, while my instincts proved correct in recognizing her talent, this movie may not be something that she, or many viewers like myself, would remember with fondness.
Hugh Jackman – Pan
Some films fail dramatically with barely any remnants left, while others, similar to the adaptation of Peter Pan starring Hugh Jackman named Pan, crumble under unlucky aspirations that ultimately prove fruitless. However, one positive aspect is we were treated to Captain Hook, played by Jackman, singing “Smells Like Teen Spirit” in an incredibly eccentric musical scene.
Pedro Pascal – Wonder Woman 1984
Pedro Pascal is widely acknowledged as one of the standout performers in Wonder Woman 1984, a statement that might seem a bit unexpected coming from the actor himself, given the lingering reputation of that film following its release.
Dame Judi Dench – Cats
You can always rely on an acting legend like Dame Judi Dench to express things honestly. Whether it was responding to a Razzie award nomination or portraying her character in the 2019 movie ‘Cats’, she never fails to make her thoughts clear.
Daisy Ridley – Chaos Walking
It’s likely that one might assume Daisy Ridley deliberately chooses to forget about “Chaos Walking” due to its lackluster performance at the box office. However, given the lengthy production process, numerous reshoots, and extensive edits, it seems more plausible that her memory of this disappointing YA adaptation has simply faded for the “Star Wars” actress.
Ben Kingsley – A Sound of Thunder
Behind an acting career as iconic as Ben Kingsley’s, you can’t help but have taken on some truly extraordinary yet questionable roles, such as the 2005 sci-fi disaster film “A Sound of Thunder“. This movie is so poorly received that even its Game Boy video game adaptation is considered a better option. It’s uniquely terrible in an almost comical way.
Brendan Fraser – Monkeybone
Brendan Fraser is a lovable actor who knows how, and when, to get goofy. It’s just a shame that a project like Monkeybone never understood how to use those skills to its advantage, saddling The Mummy star with a movie that he more than likely hasn’t thought about for some time.
Scarlett Johansson – Ghost In The Shell
As a seasoned gamer, I won’t jump into the fray about the live-action adaptation of “Ghost in the Shell” with Scarlett Johansson. Given the backlash from fans of the original anime and the controversy surrounding her casting as Major Mira Killian, some might argue it’s a role she’d wisely stay quiet on.
Keanu Reeves – 47 Ronin
It wasn’t Keanu Reeves’ fault that 47 Ronin turned out to be a timeless flop. If you ever brought up the movie around him casually, he’d likely just smile and chuckle, graciously acknowledging his part in that specific cinematic catastrophe.
Will Smith – Gemini Man
It’s even more disappointing when a technologically advanced film like “Gemini Man,” where Will Smith acts alongside a digitally-aged younger version of himself, falls flat. This movie might just be as notorious as “Wild Wild West” in Will Smith’s list of less successful projects.
Jack Nicholson – How Do You Know?
Since his role in the 2010 film “How Do You Know,” Jack Nicholson has enjoyed a peaceful retirement. It’s intriguing to ponder whether this tranquility would persist if he were to reminisce about the film’s production and the aftermath following its theater release.
It’s evident that even the most skilled actors have areas where they might struggle when speaking about certain topics. Perhaps they aren’t as comfortable discussing these specific films as one might assume, but with the right approach, you could uncover some fascinating stories. To put it another way, if there were movies that the Hollywood elite would rather forget, this collection is definitely worthy of that title, and for a good reason.
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2024-07-31 16:38