Top 10 Weird Casting Decisions That Actually Worked
video description
Date: 2025-06-22
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 19
bheast86
WC Fields in DAVID COPPERFIELD (Peter Capaldi in 'his' version didn't work when it would have been expected to because the character was degraded to a swindler for the sake of laughs that didn't happen.
Tommy Trinder in THE BELLS GO DOWN - possibly the best and most daring use of a comic starring in a wartime war movie, never mind a drama. You might consider that he was topped by Jack Benny in TO BE OR NOT TO BE but, even with the European and/or Jewish input to that movie, it was remote to the American audience, wheras the British film was about stuff happening to Britain.
Timothee Chalamet, Elle Fanning and Selena Gomez in A RAINY DAY IN NEW YORK - Woody Allen had got successful performances out of younger actors in the past, but usually as accessories to older characters; with three in that age group at the centre of a movie, one couldn't expect an old codger to make it work. Also Justin Timberlake in WONDER WHEEL (not someone you'd expect to realise a version of Allen's screen persona, especially when older, wiser actors had failed.
Glad you didn't include Madonna in EVITA - not much of a property to begin with, to be fair, and easily within her capabilities.
reply
WC Fields in DAVID COPPERFIELD (Peter Capaldi in 'his' version didn't work when it would have been expected to because the character was degraded to a swindler for the sake of laughs that didn't happen.
Tommy Trinder in THE BELLS GO DOWN - possibly the best and most daring use of a comic starring in a wartime war movie, never mind a drama. You might consider that he was topped by Jack Benny in TO BE OR NOT TO BE but, even with the European and/or Jewish input to that movie, it was remote to the American audience, wheras the British film was about stuff happening to Britain.
Timothee Chalamet, Elle Fanning and Selena Gomez in A RAINY DAY IN NEW YORK - Woody Allen had got successful performances out of younger actors in the past, but usually as accessories to older characters; with three in that age group at the centre of a movie, one couldn't expect an old codger to make it work. Also Justin Timberlake in WONDER WHEEL (not someone you'd expect to realise a version of Allen's screen persona, especially when older, wiser actors had failed.
Glad you didn't include Madonna in EVITA - not much of a property to begin with, to be fair, and easily within her capabilities.
reply
ryanstauffer119
I really wanted Dove Cameron as Glinda. Olivia Holt was my second option. So when Ariana Grande, I too thought it didn't seem perfect since it just seemed too forced due to the face that she's popular. (No pun intended for popular lol. However, she certainly did a great job as Glinda. She loves the musical so much and when she found out that she was casted, she cried saying she promises to take good character of Glinda. And she did. So much that she was allowed to improvise and a lot of what she did was great. In fact, she even saw something from the script that was changed from the original musical. At the Emerald City, inside of the man saying The wizard will see you now, he was going to say Who rang that bell! as a callback to the 1939 film. While that would've been funny, Ari was right to make sure that the other line was included. It's such an iconic line from the musical.
reply
I really wanted Dove Cameron as Glinda. Olivia Holt was my second option. So when Ariana Grande, I too thought it didn't seem perfect since it just seemed too forced due to the face that she's popular. (No pun intended for popular lol. However, she certainly did a great job as Glinda. She loves the musical so much and when she found out that she was casted, she cried saying she promises to take good character of Glinda. And she did. So much that she was allowed to improvise and a lot of what she did was great. In fact, she even saw something from the script that was changed from the original musical. At the Emerald City, inside of the man saying The wizard will see you now, he was going to say Who rang that bell! as a callback to the 1939 film. While that would've been funny, Ari was right to make sure that the other line was included. It's such an iconic line from the musical.
reply
glennstarkey7087
Decent list but id include
Steven Van Zandt - the sopranos. a musician whos casting was based on a comedy skit at the rock and roll hall of fame as the vicious sidekick of tony soprano
Liam Neeson - taken. a high Oscar bait actor transitionimg to action hero. and it worked
Jamie Foxx - Ray many doubted him pulling off a very dark biopic with playing a blind man to boot. turned out iconic
Zac Efron - the iron claw many laughed at the former teen idol playing a pro wrestler let alone the tragedy plagued kevin vom Erich. most agree he made the film with an extremely accurate performance
reply
Decent list but id include
Steven Van Zandt - the sopranos. a musician whos casting was based on a comedy skit at the rock and roll hall of fame as the vicious sidekick of tony soprano
Liam Neeson - taken. a high Oscar bait actor transitionimg to action hero. and it worked
Jamie Foxx - Ray many doubted him pulling off a very dark biopic with playing a blind man to boot. turned out iconic
Zac Efron - the iron claw many laughed at the former teen idol playing a pro wrestler let alone the tragedy plagued kevin vom Erich. most agree he made the film with an extremely accurate performance
reply
SuperBoy-ps9dz
Top 10 performances that would’ve been perfect for these actors
Mark Hamill as Danny: Caddyshack
Eddie Deezen as Harold: Revenge of the Nerds
Alec Baldwin as the Hobo: The Polar Express
George Carlin as Ty Webb: Caddyshack
Paul Gleason as Chester Hoenickle: Flubber
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Young Tim: The Boss Baby: Family Business
Chevy Chase as Stuart Biggs: Million Dollar Mystery
Stanley Tucci as Lex Luther: Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice
Tim Curry as Diesel 10: Thomas and the Magic Railroad
Charlie Heaton as Guy Gardener: Superman Legacy
reply
Top 10 performances that would’ve been perfect for these actors
Mark Hamill as Danny: Caddyshack
Eddie Deezen as Harold: Revenge of the Nerds
Alec Baldwin as the Hobo: The Polar Express
George Carlin as Ty Webb: Caddyshack
Paul Gleason as Chester Hoenickle: Flubber
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Young Tim: The Boss Baby: Family Business
Chevy Chase as Stuart Biggs: Million Dollar Mystery
Stanley Tucci as Lex Luther: Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice
Tim Curry as Diesel 10: Thomas and the Magic Railroad
Charlie Heaton as Guy Gardener: Superman Legacy
reply
mrFrancois2323
I agree with everyone on this list except Ariana Grande. I admit she does have an ok voice, but I wasn't a fan of her or Glinda (the character. Both overacting and stereotypical dumb blonde. Before anyone says anything, I have seen the movie and I saw the original show on Broadway. Glinda should not be praised since she is full of herself and doesn't take responsibility for her actions. When Elphaba is being attacked, Glinda does nothing to help her and does absolutely nothing in Act 2 (except saying she is Elphaba's friend and arresting Morrible.
reply
I agree with everyone on this list except Ariana Grande. I admit she does have an ok voice, but I wasn't a fan of her or Glinda (the character. Both overacting and stereotypical dumb blonde. Before anyone says anything, I have seen the movie and I saw the original show on Broadway. Glinda should not be praised since she is full of herself and doesn't take responsibility for her actions. When Elphaba is being attacked, Glinda does nothing to help her and does absolutely nothing in Act 2 (except saying she is Elphaba's friend and arresting Morrible.
reply
DinGrogu16
I love Steve Martin and Martin Short - I have since Father of the Bride in the 90's. Only Murders in the Building is such a good show! I also love Robin Williams, he was such a good actor. One Hour Photo & Insomnia were brilliant & he was so creepy in both. His performance still gives me goosebumps!
Betty White was just a legend! They got that casting spot on!
reply
I love Steve Martin and Martin Short - I have since Father of the Bride in the 90's. Only Murders in the Building is such a good show! I also love Robin Williams, he was such a good actor. One Hour Photo & Insomnia were brilliant & he was so creepy in both. His performance still gives me goosebumps!
Betty White was just a legend! They got that casting spot on!
reply
DoubleHeader97
George Carlin as the narrator of Thomas & Friends and Mr. Conductor in Shining Time Station. As Carlin revealed in his interview with the Television Academy, I’ll show another side of myself. I’ll show a side that no one's expecting, referring to his stand-up career, which is best remembered for The Seven Words You Can’t Say on Television.
reply
George Carlin as the narrator of Thomas & Friends and Mr. Conductor in Shining Time Station. As Carlin revealed in his interview with the Television Academy, I’ll show another side of myself. I’ll show a side that no one's expecting, referring to his stand-up career, which is best remembered for The Seven Words You Can’t Say on Television.
reply
jamesgeorgi6627
Oh my goodness. I was taken aback about Ariana Grande being Glinda and the Wicked movie but after watching it, she surpassed my expectations. I was lucky researching her past acting roles and getting aware that Glinda was her dream role to help myself have hope
reply
Oh my goodness. I was taken aback about Ariana Grande being Glinda and the Wicked movie but after watching it, she surpassed my expectations. I was lucky researching her past acting roles and getting aware that Glinda was her dream role to help myself have hope
reply
msmojo
Honorable mention - Tom Cruise as Lestat in Interview with a Vampire. As someone who read the book, I was horrified when I heard Tom Cruise had been cast in the role of Louis maker, Lestat. However, when I saw the movie I was pleasantly surprise by his performance.
reply
Honorable mention - Tom Cruise as Lestat in Interview with a Vampire. As someone who read the book, I was horrified when I heard Tom Cruise had been cast in the role of Louis maker, Lestat. However, when I saw the movie I was pleasantly surprise by his performance.
reply
beanbag8148
i wish they would do their homework when putting these things together, Betty was not interested in playing Rose, Jay Sandrich the director made the decision to have betty play rose and rue play blanche, but betty rolled with and the rest is history
reply
i wish they would do their homework when putting these things together, Betty was not interested in playing Rose, Jay Sandrich the director made the decision to have betty play rose and rue play blanche, but betty rolled with and the rest is history
reply
trinaq
It helped that Ariana Grande was extremely familiar with the Wicked stage show, having seen it with her grandmother when she was 10 years old. 21 years later, Ariana watched the Wicked with her grandmother, who was alive when Wizard of Oz was released.
reply
It helped that Ariana Grande was extremely familiar with the Wicked stage show, having seen it with her grandmother when she was 10 years old. 21 years later, Ariana watched the Wicked with her grandmother, who was alive when Wizard of Oz was released.
reply
OscarMPG1
#6 She should've won the Oscar for this role. She was robbed
#4 I was ready to roast her and this movie and I did the opposite, She too was robbed of an Oscar
#1 well duh
Where was Michael Keaton as Batman Hugh Jackman as Wolverine
reply
#6 She should've won the Oscar for this role. She was robbed
#4 I was ready to roast her and this movie and I did the opposite, She too was robbed of an Oscar
#1 well duh
Where was Michael Keaton as Batman Hugh Jackman as Wolverine
reply
PNWOatmealEater
Casting Ariana Grande in anything is weird. Can't stand her or her crappy music. Kristin Stewart is the same cardboard box character in everything. She is maybe the most talentless, overrated actress of all time.
reply
Casting Ariana Grande in anything is weird. Can't stand her or her crappy music. Kristin Stewart is the same cardboard box character in everything. She is maybe the most talentless, overrated actress of all time.
reply
PNWOatmealEater
Why are you suggesting Selina Gomez is a weird casting decision Are you suggesting because she's young, or is it because of her heritage It's weird that you call her casting weird.
reply
Why are you suggesting Selina Gomez is a weird casting decision Are you suggesting because she's young, or is it because of her heritage It's weird that you call her casting weird.
reply
trinaq
Sometimes, gambles can surprisingly pay off. Adam Sandler should really be in more dramas, since they feature his best work. Uncut Gems and Reign over Me are also fantastic.
reply
Sometimes, gambles can surprisingly pay off. Adam Sandler should really be in more dramas, since they feature his best work. Uncut Gems and Reign over Me are also fantastic.
reply
msmojo
What's a weird casting that surprises me How about Seth Rogen voicing Napoleon in this years Animal Farm movie He went from a loveable warthog to a despicable pig dictator.
reply
What's a weird casting that surprises me How about Seth Rogen voicing Napoleon in this years Animal Farm movie He went from a loveable warthog to a despicable pig dictator.
reply
Stormbrise
I still despise Kirsten Stewart as an actress. Her face lacks expression no matter the role she plays. She is just blah. Like she had Botox before Botox was a thing
reply
I still despise Kirsten Stewart as an actress. Her face lacks expression no matter the role she plays. She is just blah. Like she had Botox before Botox was a thing
reply
msmojo
You forgot Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne or Batman, he used to be a comedic actor and people hated his cast to play as Batman and he proofed them wrong
reply
You forgot Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne or Batman, he used to be a comedic actor and people hated his cast to play as Batman and he proofed them wrong
reply
bubbles2215
Ariana Grande had been openly wishing for that role since she was a kid. But she really blew it out of the water with her performance.
reply
Ariana Grande had been openly wishing for that role since she was a kid. But she really blew it out of the water with her performance.
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
