There's no such thing as an actor that's only been in good films. It could be for many reasons. Maybe they were starting out, or perhaps there were problems during production, or maybe the plot of the film just wasn't that great. Every actor has a film on their resumé that they aren't proud of. Plus, beginner actors don't have much of a choice and usually end up getting stuck with parts at the start of their careers. Most actors don't face anything too drastic, but what happens if a film is excruciatingly bad?
Several actors in the industry have been able to bounce back from a bad film or TV role. Some people have starred as superheroes in terrible films and redeemed themselves in a different role. Other actors even went on to win an Academy Award or have gotten significant praise after having starred in a better part. If you ever feel like there's anyone out there who feels like they can't reinvent themselves, here's proof that anyone has the potential to bounce back.
1. LEONARDO DICAPRIO
After Leonardo DiCaprio starred in Titanic it seemed like he was the king of the world (we couldn't resist this pun!). When he starred in Alex Garland's The Beach, fans were totally looking forward to seeing him in what seemed like yet another endearing role. The Beach was supposed to star Ewan McGregor, but casting Leo instead created some fallout for the director, Danny Boyle. Leo has graciously decided not to discuss this role.
DiCaprio was type-cast as the lover-boy and was trapped in roles that sought to use him just for his attractiveness. Then he met Martin Scorsese. Leonardo DiCaprio has praised Scorsese, claiming, “I felt I could truly own the term "artist" by working alongside him."
Leo's role in Gangs of New York surprised critics who saw him only as a symbol of attraction until then. Gangs of New York received great reviews and did really well at the box office. This film not only allowed him to pursue more serious roles, it provided him with the opportunity to continue working with Scorsese over the span of many years. After many Oscar nominations in the past, he finally won his first Academy Award in 2016 for his role as Hugh Glass in Alejandro G. Iñárritu's The Revenant. Go, Leo!
2. RYAN REYNOLDS
Did you really think we weren't going to mention this little gem? Green Lantern was supposed to be Ryan Reynolds' big breakthrough into the superhero film genre. To put it lightly, critics didn't enjoy the film and its box office numbers didn't please the studio at all. The sequels to the film were eventually canceled because of these factors. It seemed like Reynolds would be forever known as a failed hero in an animated green super suit.
On the bright side, though, Green Lantern is where he met his now-wife, Blake Lively! Fans of the couple are definitely grateful for that. Rumor has it that Warner Bros. have changed their strategy and are in the midst of trying to make Green Lantern 2 happen. We'll have to wait and see, though.
Despite this mishap, Marvel made the wise decision to hire Reynolds to play the beloved Merc with a Mouth, Deadpool. Why was this film so much better? Fans can only speculate about this. We're just glad that Reynolds got a second chance to be a superhero because we honestly can't imagine Wade Wilson being played by anyone else.
One of the great things about watching Reynolds play Deadpool is that he makes fun of the disaster that was Green Lantern. Deadpool not only succeeded on its first run, but its current sequel is doing well. It just goes to show that if DC doesn't work out for you, maybe Marvel will. Hopefully, other deserving actors can also get a second chance.
3. JENNIFER ANISTON
Jennifer Aniston's career began in the late '80s. Though no one ever talks about her first film appearance, they have a lot to say about her second one. Leprechaun is a comedy-horror film from 1993 about a guy who went to Ireland. He stole a pot of gold while there and discovered that an evil leprechaun had followed him. The film was critically panned and it lurks in Aniston's resumé like a sinister shadow. Despite this film's stain on her career, Aniston nabbed the part of Rachel on Friends in 1994.
From there, the rest is history.
Since then she's been successful as a sweetheart in various Hollywood films. In addition, Aniston has made cameos in shows such as 30 Rock, she's been in music videos by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, and appeared in the great Office Space. Clearly, Aniston hasn't allowed Leprechaun to stop her. In fact, she's done extremely well for herself and is arguably one of the most successful former cast members of Friends. In fact, she's currently worth $200 million according to Forbes. She's also avoided getting typecast over the years. Last year it was revealed that Aniston would work in an untitled project with fellow actress Reese Witherspoon.
4. CHRIS EVANS
We're so used to Chris Evans doing great work that we sometimes forget that his career once suffered negative consequences after playing Johny Storm/Human Torch in 2005's Fantastic Four. The film was a critical failure but a commercial success. This prompted Marvel to make a sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer in 2007. The film also did well enough at the box office but was still considered way below sub-par. Thankfully, director Edgar Wright gave him a small but significant role in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.
Somewhere along the way, he was cast as Steve Rogers/Captain America.
This is how we know Chris Evans today. Last year he appeared in Gifted, a lovely story about an uncle that fights for the custody of his niece. Although Evans won't be tied to the Marvel Cinematic Universe for much longer, we can't imagine anyone else as Steve Rogers. His portrayal of Captain America has shown fans and many studios that Evans is a capable and committed actor. Despite being the chance of a lifetime, it can't have been easy to portray one of the most morally strong (and physically strong) characters in the MCU. The moral of the story: if you can't make it as a certain superhero, aim higher next time.
5. MICHAEL B. JORDAN
Chris Evans isn't the only one who had a turn as as the Human Torch in Fantastic Four was cursed. The 2015 reboot of the film was a critical failure. Still, it was a success in several countries. Several critics stated that the film had a very slow pace and didn't properly present the dynamic of the Fantastic Four shown in the comics. They also complained that the 2015 reboot didn't do much to improve on its 2005 and 2007 predecessors.
With further complaints about the film's effects and costume design, it seemed like Michael B. Jordan would never be welcome into the superhero fold ever again, right?
Cut to the year 2018. Ryan Coogler's Black Panther starred many of the most recognized black actors in the industry, including Jordan. His second chance was better spent as the anti-hero, Erik Killmonger. The character brought up good points about how Wakanda could have helped other black people all over the world instead of remaining in hiding.
Seemingly victorious, Killmonger shows that not everything Wakanda did was for the best. Michael B. Jordan's role received so much praise, along with almost everything else about the film. Black Panther also allowed us to see some of Jordan's fighting skills and to see him with a flaring temper that even the Human Torch wouldn't be able to imagine.
6. SCARLETT JOHANSON
Scarlett Johansson is a celebrated actress. Her first film was 1994's North, followed by Manny & Lo, The Horse Whisperer, and Ghost World. Her other critically acclaimed works include Lost In Translation, The Prestige, and Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Nominated for numerous awards, there's no way that she'd ever mess up and appear in a sub-par film. Or so we think. Johansson starred in The Spirit as Silken Floss along with Samuel L. Jackson and Eva Mendes. The film promised to be visually stunning and was expected to be great.
Unfortunately, it didn't deliver on these promises.
Although Johansson's career didn't seem derailed in the box office aftermath, it would have been difficult to conceive of yet another role for her in a film based on comics. The Marvel Cinematic Universe cast her as Black Widow, and she's since received glowing reviews for this role. Johansson's portrayal of Black Widow is a great foil to Chris Evans' Steve Rogers and Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man. Plus, we get to see Johansson play a trained fighter with a mysterious background who can do almost anything. There seems to be a pattern of acclaimed actors taking on one superhero role and failing, only to excel with a different superhero role later on. After seeing her contributions to the MCU, we're glad that Johansson was given work in the superhero genre films again.
7. JOSH BROLIN
Jonah Hex's tragic backstory was supposed to provide audiences with a spectacular film about a man bent on getting his revenge. Instead, moviegoers received a film that many critics felt was missing a plot. It was even included in several "worst of" lists and did not perform well at the box office at all.
This was quite disappointing considering the ripe source material that was this supernatural cowboy tale. Luckily, his character was revived in the Arrowverse, but is played by Johnathon Schaech instead.
Still, Josh Brolin is still the same guy who played parts in films such as The Goonies, No Country for Old Men, W, and Milk. With such stellar work, it's only natural that someone risks hiring him for another superhero film. We're thankful that the MCU cast him as Thanos, the power-hungry Mad Titan whose twisted logic informs his many actions.
Josh Brolin also got a second chance at redemption as Cable in Deadpool 2. Hey, if your first superhero film doesn't do well, you can try to play a villain or two to clear your name. Despite not being physically seen, we know that no one could possibly play Thanos as well as Brolin does.