10 Most disappointing castings for an iconic role in movies

Casting is perhaps the most important aspect of making movies. The correct actor can make a character into a legend, and an incorrect one can make a much-hyped role a monumental letdown. Hollywood has had some perplexing casting choices that got the fans disappointed and the critics unimpressed over the years. Be it due to miscasting, the absence of chemistry, poor acting, or controversy over representation, some actors just did not live up to their legendary parts.

Some of these casting decisions, such as Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, fell short in bringing the spirit of a much-loved character to life, while others, such as Mickey Rooney in Breakfast at Tiffany's, were notorious for their crass depictions. In other instances, a miscast performance can be so detrimental that it taints an entire movie, as with Emma Stone in Aloha or Russell Crowe in Les Misérables.

As Hollywood continues to learn from its casting errors, these performances are cautionary tales of what can go wrong when a role is assigned to the wrong actor. Here are ten of the most disappointing castings in film history.

Disclaimer: This article is based on the writer's opinion. Reader's discretion is advised.

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1. Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor – Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

When Jesse Eisenberg was announced as Lex Luthor, supporters envisioned a sinister mastermind similar to previous interpretations. Instead, Eisenberg's manic, hyperactive performance seemed better befitting the Joker than Superman's greatest foe. His interpretation was devoid of calculated cruelty that rendered Lex so effective in comics and other versions. Many believed that a commanding figure, such as Bryan Cranston, who was also rumored for the role, was required for the character. Eisenberg's stilted delivery and extraneous quirkiness made a legendary villain a polarizing figure and part of the reason for the movie's lukewarm reception.

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2. Topher Grace as Venom – Spider-Man 3 (2007)

Venom is meant to be a hulking, menacing anti-hero, but Spider-Man 3 by Sam Raimi delivered a rendition that was far from frightening. Topher Grace of That '70s Show fame didn't quite have the muscle and menace that Eddie Brock brought to the character. What his portrayal boiled down to was whiny and not at all fearsome, making it difficult for viewers to regard the character with seriousness. Fans were also let down by the hasty plot that provided Venom with little screen time.

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3. John Wayne as Genghis Khan – The Conqueror (1956)

One of Hollywood's largest casting mistakes, John Wayne's acting as Genghis Khan in The Conqueror is still a confounding decision. The cowboy icon actor, famous for his Westerns, was cast as the Mongolian warlord much to the surprise of everyone, as his grizzled American image couldn't have been further from the character. His wooden acting, heavily made-up looks, and mispronunciations made the role an unwitting parody. The movie was a critical and box-office disappointment, and even Wayne himself acknowledged later that it was a misstep. It is decades on still referred to as one of the worst casting choices in Hollywood history.

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4. George Clooney as Batman – Batman & Robin (1997)

George Clooney may be Hollywood's most charming leading man, but his stint as Batman in Batman & Robin was a catastrophe. The movie's campy atmosphere, coupled with Clooney's relaxed acting, robbed the Dark Knight of his characteristic brooding intensity. In place of the menacing vigilante that fans adored, Clooney's Batman was too smug, spouting cheesy one-liners with a distracting head-bobbing tendency. Even Clooney himself has since apologized for the role, acknowledging that he came close to killing the franchise. While he went on to redeem himself with dramatic performances, his take on Batman is still one of the weakest in the character's history.

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5. Mickey Rooney as Mr. Yunioshi – Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961)

What was meant as a comedic turn of events in Breakfast at Tiffany's has grown into one of Hollywood's most egregious acting jobs? Mickey Rooney's Mr. Yunioshi, a Japanese landlord, was based entirely on over-the-top stereotypes, from his forced buck teeth to his outlandish accent. The role was even criticized during its initial release, and now it is universally reviled as evidence of Hollywood's long-standing issue with racial representation. The role overshadowed the film's reputation, with many contemporary showings featuring disclaimers that recognize its offensiveness. Rooney later said he wished he had not played the role, but the harm had already been done for decades.

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6. Sofia Coppola as Mary Corleone – The Godfather Part III (1990)

Despite her famous filmmaking heritage, Sofia Coppola's acting in The Godfather Part III was heavily panned for its insensitivity. Winona Ryder had played Mary Corleone originally, but when she withdrew, Coppola took her place at the last minute. Her stilted line delivery and woodenness were a sore thumb in an otherwise gripping crime drama, and her romantic subplot with Vincent's Andy Garcia seemed implausible. While The Godfather Part III was divisive enough, Coppola's acting is widely regarded as one of its greatest faults. Even a re-cut version couldn't remedy the miscasting problem.

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7. Kevin Costner as Robin Hood – Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

Oscar-winning director Kevin Costner's very involvement in Robin Hood has managed to straddle the line between bizarre and unfortunate. Although a financial success, Costner's lack of any English accent has been the butt of jokes amongst the viewers. Instead of putting on a British accent, he opted to use his familiar American drawl, which only added to the feeling that his portrayal seemed out of place. Critics pointed out that he lacked the unrivaled charm of a charming rogue. Ironically, it was Alan Rickman, as the obnoxiously exaggerated Sheriff of Nottingham, stealing the show, with the audience finding far greater amusement from the villain than the hero.

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8. Emma Stone as Allison Ng – Aloha (2015)

Casting Emma Stone as Allison Ng in Aloha raised controversy because of Hollywood's persistent problem of whitewashing. The character was written specifically as half Chinese and half Hawaiian, yet a white actress was cast for the part. This glaring miscast eclipsed the film, with audiences and critics alike denouncing the industry for lack of real representation. The decision was later apologized for by Cameron Crowe, while Stone herself regretted taking on the role. The anger surrounding Aloha became the tipping point in Hollywood casting discussions, emphasizing the need for fairly and respectfully portraying actors from varying backgrounds.

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9. Scarlett Johansson as Major Motoko Kusanagi – Ghost in the Shell (2017)

This was another episode in the never-ending talk about whitewashing in Hollywood. Johansson was the white actress who was cast to play the Japanese character Major Motoko Kusanagi in the live-action adaptation of the popular Japanese manga and anime. The live adaptation wasted no time casting a white actress for the role, even when the original character was Asian. Of course, with its weak plot twist, the movie tried to excuse that particular move - but fans weren't buying it. So loud was the outcry that the movie died at the box office. While she initially defended her role, Johansson has recently admitted the controversy.

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10. Russell Crowe as Javert – Les Misérables (2012)

Russell Crowe is certainly a worthy actor, though much criticism followed regarding the choice of him as Javert in Les Misérables, the centerpiece of this opposition being his singing. While his co-stars' singing had the power to move, Crowe's felt flat and rather unrefined. His singing lacked the fire, energy, and passion of a relentless antagonist, thereby rendering major musical numbers, such as the Stars scene, utterly unexciting. Although Crowe acted reasonably well, his vocal hindrances made him the weakest link in an otherwise widely accepting cast.