Top 10 Actors Who Exceeded Expectations in Big Roles
#10: Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne / Batman
Michael Keaton VS Christian Bale VS Robert Pattinson as Batman
“Batman” (1989) Before being cast as The Dark Knight in Tim Burton’s take on Gotham, Michael Keaton was best known for his comedy work in movies like “Beetlejuice.” Audiences and even producers questioned the pick of “Mr. Mom” to portray The Caped Crusader. In fact, about 50,000 letters criticizing the choice flooded the Warner Bros. offices. Of course, opinions changed drastically when the film premiered. Keaton’s moody yet charming portrayal of Batman added layers to the beloved character. Today, his Batman is considered one of, if not the very, best live-action renditions of the character. In fact, Keaton’s Bruce Wayne is so iconic that he is set to reprise the role in 2022’s “The Flash.”
#9: John Goodman as Howard Stambler
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“10 Cloverfield Lane” (2016) We all know and love John Goodman as down-to-earth TV dad Dan Conner from “Roseanne”. So when he was cast in the thriller “10 Cloverfield Lane,” we expected him to be taking on a similar role. Imagine our surprise when his character Howard Stambler was the most horrifying aspect of the film. Showing that he can pull off scary just as well as he can pull off lovable, Goodman portrays the menacing and manipulative Stambler in a realistic, and absolutely terrifying manner. We originally saw glimpses of Goodman’s ability to pull off villainy in “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”. But this is the movie where he convinced us that humans can be much, much scarier than aliens.
#8: James McAvoy as Kevin Wendell Crumb / The Horde
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“Split” (2016) Pulling off one character can be hard enough, but what about two dozen distinct personalities in one film? Before being cast as the main character, or well, characters, in “Split,” McAvoy was most well-known for his portrayal of Charles “Professor X” Xavier in the “X-Men” films. Audiences weren’t sure how well he would be able to pull off this challenging thriller role. In the end, his flawless performances left jaws hanging. McAvoy shifts from the young “Hedwig” to the iconic “Patricia” to the supernatural sociopath “The Beast” without missing a beat. His incredible performance also carried over to 2019’s “Glass.” He impressively held his own with acting powerhouses Samuel L Jackson and Bruce Willis.
#7: Adam Sandler as Barry Egan
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“Punch-Drunk Love” (2002) Adam Sandler rose to fame while singing silly songs on “Saturday Night Live” before transitioning to over-the-top comedy classics like “Happy Gilmore.” After making millions laugh, audiences were surprised by his acting range when he starred in “Punch-Drunk Love.” The actor’s performance was beautifully directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, who had previously expressed a desire to work with Sandler. The actor portrayed the lonely, socially awkward bachelor Barry Egan. Sandler brings unexpected honesty and depth to the role. Critics praised his dramatic acting chops and he was even nominated for a Golden Globe. Of course, Sandler has only continued to expand his repertoire of unexpectedly excellent roles. More recently, his intense portrayal of gambler Howard Ratner in 2019’s “Uncut Gems” drew lots of praise. (xref)*
#6: Robert Pattinson as Ephraim Winslow / Thomas Howard
Robert Pattinson Is Batman
“The Lighthouse” (2019) Pattinson was catapulted to fame due to his turns as Cedric Diggory in the “Harry Potter”' films and, of course, as a certain century-old sparkling vampire in the “Twilight” series. After both fantasy roles were done, he was cast opposite critical darling Willem Dafoe in “The Lighthouse,” Despite some other dramatic and indie parts, audiences still weren’t sure if Pattinson could pull off the role in a bizarre arthouse black-and-white against an acting heavyweight. To everyone’s surprise, he went above and beyond to portray the slow descent into paranoia and madness that overtakes Thomas Howard. This nauseating and nerve-wracking film really showcased Pattinson’s range and talent. It definitively proved that he is not afraid to blow us away with offbeat roles.
#5: Jim Carrey as Joel Barish
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“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (2004) Jim Carrey’s over-the-top facial expressions and body movements make him a natural fit for comedy, so he excelled as a stand-up comedian and impressionist. His big-screen successes like “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” and “The Mask” cemented him as a wacky force of nature in most people's eyes. But we saw an entirely new side of him when he starred in director Michel Gondry’s surreal romantic sci-fi drama “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” As the introverted Joel Barish, Carrey was very much cast against type. His raw, restrained portrayal took audience’s breath away. This role really framed Carrey in a new light and showed people that he was much more than the man with the moldable face.
#4: Margot Robbie as Tonya Harding
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“I, Tonya” (2017) Portraying a real person presents its own set of challenges, ones that Robbie was ready to meet. But she also faced the difficult task of playing an internationally controversial figure skater. The physical demands alone of stepping into Tonya Harding’s skates presented a major challenge. Harding’s both one of the most powerful skaters in history and the first American female to competitively land a triple axel. While Robbie didn’t execute the jump herself, she still elevated her skating to a high level. Character-wise, Robbie brings layers of complexity to the role. She paints a woman who’s seen as figure skating’s ultimate villain in a more sympathetic light. Few actresses could’ve executed the nuances and physicality of Harding’s character successfully and with so much respect.
#3: Bruce Willis as John McClane
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“Die Hard” (1988) Although it’s hard to imagine “Die Hard” without Bruce Willis, he was a baffling choice at first. Best known at the time for starring in the romantic comedy series “Moonlighting,” Willis did not seem like a natural fit for the film’s lead detective. Most action heroes at the time were muscular and larger than life as opposed to Willis’ smaller frame. As it turns out, Willis’ everyman persona and build made John McClane more relatable for audiences. His portrayal led to the film being an iconic staple in the action genre and to multiple sequels. In fact, many would argue Christmas just isn’t complete without watching McClane defeat the villainous Hans Gruber.
#2: Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark [aka Iron Man]
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“Iron Man” (2008) Nowadays, it’s hard to see where Robert Downey, Jr., ends and where billionaire Tony Stark begins. Before being cast as the lead in the MCU’s first film, RDJ was better known for his “bad boy” status than his ability to star in a blockbuster. Although he had successfully overcome his personal problems, many people still had a negative view of him in their heads. As it turns out, RDJ’s past helped him pull off the role of Tony Stark even better. He drew from his personal experiences and blended into the part with ease. His pitch perfect performance kicked off what would eventually become the most successful film franchise in history. We simply cannot imagine anyone else wearing the iron suit so beautifully. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Gal Gadot as Diana Prince / Wonder Woman in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016) Relatively Unknown Before, Her Portrayal of Diana Was Considered a High Point of the Film Anne Hathaway as Fantine in “Les Misérables” (2012) She Took on an Emotionally & Physically Taxing Role & Knocked It Out of the Park Daniel Craig as James Bond in “Casino Royale” (2006) Although His “Look” Was Controversial, His Debut Was the Highest-Grossing 007 Film at the Time Harry Styles as Alex in “Dunkirk” (2017) He Shocked Audiences with His Talent & Shined in What Was Already an Extraordinary Film Lady Gaga as Ally Maine in “A Star Is Born” (2018) She Inspired Us, Broke Hearts & Elevated Her Reputation as an Artist to an Even Higher Level
#1: Heath Ledger as the Joker
Best Joker: Heath Ledger vs. Joaquin Phoenix
“The Dark Knight” (2008) Batman started this list, so it only makes sense for his archnemesis to end it. Before he transformed into the Clown Prince of Crime, Heath Ledger was mostly known for movies like “10 Things I Hate About You” and “Brokeback Mountain.” When he was named as the Joker, many people simply thought he was too pretty and wouldn’t be able to deliver as such an iconic villain. When Ledger tragically passed away before the film’s release, the studio shifted promotion of the film to focus more on The Joker. Audience perceptions shifted dramatically the more they saw. Ledger’s performance became the most iconic aspect of Nolan’s entire Batman trilogy. He won an Oscar for the role and became the second actor in history to win it posthumously.
