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Top 10 Actors Who Failed to Escape Typecast

Top 10 Actors Who Failed to Escape Typecast
VOICE OVER: Kirsten Ria Squibb WRITTEN BY: Saim Cheeda
These actors should have stayed in their lane. For this list, we'll be looking at the actors who tried (but failed) to change the popular perception of the roles they could do, and the movies they hoped would break this typecasting. Our countdown includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Sylvester Stallone, Zooey Deschanel, and more!

Top 10 Actors Who Failed To Break Their Typecast


Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Actors Who Failed To Break Their Typecast.

For this list, we’ll be looking at the actors who tried (but failed) to change the popular perception of the roles they could do, and the movies they hoped would break this typecasting. This is based on the roles that made them famous, why their attempts failed, and how they returned to their typecast roles once again.

Which actor do you think crashed and burned trying to change his onscreen persona? Let us know in the comments.

#10: Jake Gyllenhaal

“Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” (2010)

Before the release of the movie, Jake Gyllenhaal was known for starring in independent, character-driven films. Nominated for an Oscar for “Brokeback Mountain,” he was also noted for supporting roles alongside other leading actors. This made his starring role as Prince Dastan a big change, especially due to the big budget effects and grand scale of the movie. However, Gyllenhaal's performance was overshadowed by the film's inauthentic casting, as he portrayed a Persian speaking in an English accent. The lack of nuances in the role didn't do him any favors since Prince Dastan's one-note personality doesn't stand out. After the movie's lackluster reception, Gyllenhaal mostly returned to starring in thought-provoking movies for the next decade, only making a splash in a big-scale movie with the MCU’s “Spider-Man: Far From Home.”

#9: Jack Black

“King Kong” (2005)

Jack Black has made a career out of playing the lovable oddball with a quirky sense of humor. He's been basically the same character in every genre, including horror and drama. In King Kong, Black went for a far more serious route. His character, Carl Denham, is the unsympathetic villain who captures the titualar beast for his own selfish need for fame. Unfortunately, Black slips back into his trademark mannerisms in the film anyway, clashing with his character's evil personality. Although King Kong was both a critical and commercial success, Jack Black didn't feature in similar roles in the future, as he reverted to his usual characters in movies like “Tropic Thunder” and “Jumanji.”

#8: Tyler Perry

“Alex Cross” (2012)

It just wasn’t believable for most to see Tyler Perry play a bold and tough character when his portrayal of the Madea character was at its peak . Along with Matthew Fox, whose own extreme portrayal of the villain was scoffed at by “Lost” fans, Perry tried to change his popular perception by going with a no-nonsense approach to the character. However, “Alex Cross’s” overindulgence in its action elements denied Perry from showcasing any distinctive flair in a different genre of storytelling. With “Alex Cross” released between two other movies featuring Perry’s performances as Madea, his performance ended up getting ignored. The actor did taste success in a serious role in “Gone Girl,” but his attempt at being a leading action star didn’t take.

#7: Ashton Kutcher

“Jobs” (2013)

Ashton Kutcher is most recognizable for playing “That '70s Show's” Michael Kelso, the dimwit and loudmouth member of Eric Gorman's gang. Kutcher went on to star in a number of romantic comedies with similar performances. However, “Jobs” sees Kutcher portray Apple Inc. co-founder Steve Jobs in a role that required him to tone his mannerisms down. While his performance was certainly well meant, the ghost of Kutcher's previous performance still loomed over this one. Ultimately, it was difficult for Ashton Kutcher to convincingly portray a role that was such a huge contrast to his established persona. He also got overshadowed by Michael Fassbender's later, more acclaimed Steve Jobs portrayal. Kutcher eventually returned to his comedic roots with “The Ranch,” making Jobs a distant memory.

#6: Vince Vaughn

“Psycho” (1998)

Typecast in roles as fast-talking, funny, and over-the-top men, Vince Vaughn took the odd choice of the villain in this remake of the horror movie classic. Playing against type as a sullen and quiet loner, Vaughn tried to emulate the original's mysterious quality. THis was literally a carbon copy of the first movie, and Vaughn brought nothing original to his performance either. The actor's restraint from utilizing his comedy background was commendable, but the character became an awkward blend of creepy and weird. After the critical and commercial failure of “Psycho,” Vaughn fully invested in his comedic talents to deliver hits like “Wedding Crashers.” However, “Psycho” remains proof of his unsuccessful attempt to branch out from his usual onscreen antics.

#5: Ralph Fiennes

“Maid in Manhattan” (2002)

In retrospect, this seems like a completely random role Ralph Firmness went with, as it contrasts completely with his other work. Associated with dark, gritty roles that place him either as the villain or someone who faces huge obstacles, Fiennes played the stereotypical bland rom com male for “Maid in Manhattan.” Appearing as an American politician stuck in a comedy of errors after falling in love with a maid, the role saw him mostly come across as a clueless loverboy. Fiennes had proved earlier that he could play a romantic lead, but here he flails, and suffers from a lack of chemistry with his co-star. His later turn as Harry Potter villain Voldemort ultimately sealed the audience's perception of him, cementing his typecast role for years to come.

#4: Elizabeth Berkley

“Showgirls” (1995)

Known for starring as the bright but somewhat neurotic Jessie Spano in the family-friendly sitcom “Saved by the Bell,” the actress took an extremely bold approach in her career with “Showgirls.” This role saw her shed more than just her teen image, as the erotic drama leaves little to the imagination. “Showgirls” was heavily criticized for its extremely provocative and sexist material that left no room for Elizabeth Berkley to showcase much acting talent. The actress was criticized for choosing style over substance, with “Showgirls” eventually “winning” her a Golden Raspberry for Worst Actress. After the movie’s failure to launch Berkley, she eventually returned to her star-making role in the “Saved by the Bell” reboot.

#3: Topher Grace

“Spider-Man 3” (2007)

Topher Grace left “That '70s Show” at the height of its fame to star in “Spider-Man 3.” The actor remains best known for Eric Forman's boyish, wisecracking, and sarcastic attitude, but none of this was appropriate for the villainous Venom. Grace's attempts to portray a vicious antagonist didn't turn out as hoped, as his hammy line delivery and mannerisms made it difficult to take Venom seriously. In many ways, this seemed as if it was just Eric Foreman trying to play Venom. “Spider-Man 3” was criticized for featuring more villains than necessary, and Grace's poor role as the main antagonist only highlighted his flaws. Following the negative reception, Topher Grace steered clear of comic book roles and went for more grounded roles once again.

#2: Zooey Deschanel

“The Happening” (2008)

Zooey Deschenel might just be the standard bearer for the portrayal of the girl next door trope. Typecast as bubbly and sweet natured women who always see the best in people, “The Happening” was her attempt to portray a character overcoming an apocalyptic scenario. Unfortunately, the movie's unintentional humor severely downgraded her character to become an unnecessary load for her husband. This became worse due to her character's ludicrous dialogue that ended up giving her a nagging personality. The actress ultimately looked listless in her performance, and seemed perpetually in shock. This experimentation with a different character didn't last long, as she soon returned to her usual type of roles in “Yes Man” and “New Girl.”


Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Jennifer Aniston, “Cake”
Because a Dark Tone Still Didn't Shrug 'the Rachel' Off of This Actress

John Travolta, “The Fanatic”
Because Fans Just Can't Buy an Uncool Villain Played by the Actor

Ryan Reynolds, “The Amityville Horror”
Because Fans Just Kept Waiting for Reynolds' Trademark Jokes to Come

Meg Ryan, “In the Cut”
The Ultimate Rom-Com Queen in a Thriller? Hard Pass!


#1: Sylvester Stallone

“Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot” (1992)

It seemed as if Sylvester Stallone could never be beaten onscreen, with the actor always delivering in action-packed roles. However, Stallone took a hard turn toward comedic material in this bizarre comedy that sees him play second fiddle to his onscreen mother. The actor ditched his badass aura to portray a character who’s constantly embarrassed by his mother's antics. It ended up making Stallone a parody of his usual persona, with his comedic skills veering far too much into slapstick territory. With the movie blasted by critics for being witless and unfunny, Sylvester Stallone had no choice but to get back into pure action. Decades later, Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed that Sly's attempt to change his image was his fault, as the actor fooled Stallone into accepting the part.
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