Everyone loves a good biopic. They’re a way of experiencing historical events we might not have been present at, likely because they occurred long before we were born. Most of the time, studios perfectly cast these roles. However, there have been a few instances where the casting has been questionable. Here are nine times Hollywood really missed the mark.
Lindsay Lohan as Elizabeth Taylor
While 2012’s film about Taylor and Richard Burton is widely considered a terrible biopic, the bad press didn’t wait until the movie was released. It began with the casting process, when the public learned Lindsay Lohan was slated to play Elizabeth Taylor. Most didn’t take her seriously as an actress, given her previous teen movies and legal issues.
Leonardo DiCaprio as J. Edgar Hoover
We’re starting off with a casting choice that seemed great at first, but turned out to be wrong. Leonardo DiCaprio is widely considered one of Hollywood’s best actors, so it came as no surprise that director Clint Eastwood cast him to play the titular role in 2011’s J. Edgar.
Naomi Watts as Princess Diana
Considering the praise and Oscar buzz Kristen Stewart’s portrayal of Princess Diana has received, it’s hard to consider any other. One we’re not too fond of is Naomi Watt’s casting as the late royal in 2013’s Diana. We’re not the only ones to think so – Watts herself regrets taking on the role!
Ralph Fiennes as Amon Göth
No one is going to argue against us saying 1993’s Schindler’s List is one of the best historical films ever released. The horrors that director Steven Spielberg portrays on screen are impactful and gut-wrenching, and audiences were left pondering how the world could allow such a disregard for human life to occur.
Despite current critiques, it should be noted that Kraków-Płaszów survivor Mila Pfefferberg stated Fiennes reminded her of the real Göth while wearing his dress uniform.
Zoe Saldana as Nina Simone
Nina Simone was a trailblazing African-American singer best known for her broad range. Her most popular single was “I Loves You, Porgy,” a cover of George Gershwin’s 1935 song. She had a huge influence on the music scene, and her opinions on racial injustice in America made her an important figure in the Civil Rights Movement.
Simone’s daughter was the biggest critic, saying, “My mother was raised at a time when she was told her nose was too wide, her skin too dark. Appearance wise this is not the best choice.”
John Wayne as Genghis Khan
One of the worst biopic casting choices is without a doubt John Wayne as Genghis Khan in 1956’s The Conquerer. The film failed to perform at the box office, and it’s widely considered one of the worst ever made. One reasons for this was having Wayne play the main character.
Jennifer Love Hewitt as Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn was a Hollywood icon. She starred in many popular films – including Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Roman Holiday – and was applauded for her class and charm. There are few actresses able to recreate what Hepburn brought to the big screen, including those cast to portray her.
Colin Farrell as Alexander the Great
There are so many issues with 2004’s Alexander that we’re not sure where to start. It’s all over the place, without focus or direction, and it doesn’t do a good job showcasing the life of the famed Macedonian conquerer. However, the most glaring issue is the casting of Colin Farrell as Alexander.
Joseph Fiennes as Michael Jackson
This isn’t a biopic casting.
Actor Joseph Fiennes was chosen to portray the late Michael Jackson in an episode of Urban Myths. When a sneak peek was released to the public, the outrage was immediate. The family fought back against the segment, and the episode never aired.