Cinema is about characters. If the characters are depicted brilliantly, film buffs are able to connect with them on a different level. Of course, actors play an important role in making characters unforgettable. Without talented and incredible actors and actresses, many of the most iconic movie characters ever would simply be a footnote in the annals of cinema. Maybe not even that.
Some characters are portrayed not by one but by multiple. It’s understandable that as generations change, our favorite characters need newer versions. Many fans still want to see iconic roles appear onscreen but actors playing them always fulfill fans’ wishes. So, creating another version is necessary.
We've gathered unforgettable characters that have been brought to life by multiple actors and some of them we've yet to witness. If you're looking for more articles, click
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#1 Margot Robbie and Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn
Source: Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection/East News
Margot Robbie left a great impression on viewers’ minds when portrayed perfectly
Harley Quinn in movies such as “Suicide Squad”, “Birds of Prey”, and “The Suicide Squad”. But director Todd Phillips decides to go in a different direction for his sequel to “Joker” that let Lady Gaga take over this role. Margot Robbie is totally cool with Lady Gaga playing Harley Quinn in the Joker sequel, "I think she'll do something incredible with it.” we can’t wait to see her performance.
#2 Ian McKellen and Michael Fassbender as Magneto
Source: © X-Men: The Last Stand / Twentieth Century Fox and co-producers, © X-Men: Apocalypse / Twentieth Century Fox and co-producers
Remember that Michael Fassbender appeared as the younger version of Ian McKellen’s sinister Magneto. The casting choice was excellent. We saw 2 talented actors play the same character at the same time in “X-Men: Days of Future Past”.
#3 Linda Hamilton and Emilia Clarke as Sarah Connor
Source: © Terminator 2: Judgment Day / Carolco Pictures and co-producers, © Terminator Genisys / Paramount Pictures and co-producers
Sarah Connor is one of the most memorable and hardcore female characters in film history. The character was initially portrayed by Linda Hamilton. It was a matter of time before we saw a young version of her character come back to the big screen. The Game of Thrones star, Emilia Clarke didn’t disappoint as Connor in “Terminator Genisys”.
#4 Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy as Professor X
Source: © X-Men / Twentieth Century Fox and co-producers, © X-Men: Apocalypse / Twentieth Century Fox and co-producers
Patrick Stewart got his young version in the talented James McAvoy. McAvoy offered a new spin on the character for the first couple of movies.
#5 Robert Downey Jr., Benedict Cumberbatch, and Henry Cavill as Sherlock Holmes
Source: © Sherlock Holmes / Warner Bros. and co-producers, © Sherlock / BBC Wales and co-producers, © Enola Holmes / Netflix and co-producers
Viewers saw Sherlock Holmes in multiple on-screen versions. While Robert Downey Jr. appeared as the famous detective in Guy Ritchie’s interesting spin on “Sherlock Holmes” and “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows”, Benedict Cumberbatch gave us a modern spin on the mystery stories. Henry Cavill appeared in a supporting role in “Enola Holmes”, a movie focused on the detective’s sister.
#6 Michael Gambon and Jude Law as Albus Dumbledore
Source: © Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire / Warner Bros. and co-producers, © Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald / Warner Bros. and co-producer
Gambon gained international prominence for his portrayal of Professor Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter film series from 2004 to 2011. But, when the “Fantastic Beasts” movies needed to find a younger version of the famous Hogwarts headmaster, Jude Law got the role. His short-bearded version sparked great joy in us.
#7 Wesley Snipes and Mahershala Ali as Blade
Source: © Blade / New Line Cinema and co-producers, © Alita: Battle Angel / Twentieth Century Fox and co-producers
Blade, a vampire hunter of the
Marvel Universe, was portrayed by Wesley Snipes. We got a refurbished version with the Oscar-winning actor Mahershala Ali helming the new movie. Fans have to wait a period of time to see him on the big screen.
#8 Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Evan Peters as Pietro Maximoff
Source: © Avengers: Age of Ultron / Walt Disney Pictures and co-producer, © WandaVision / Marvel Studios
Viewers got confused when seeing 2 different versions of Quicksilver on the big screen. Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Evan Peters starred in “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and “X-Men: Days of Future Past”, respectively.
#9 Carrie Fisher and Vivien Lyra Blair as Princess Leia
Source: © The Empire Strikes Back / Lucasfilm, © Obi-Wan Kenobi / Walt Disney Pictures and co-producers
Princess Leia, played by Carrie Fisher, is considered one of the most memorable female characters. So, many fans were so excited when seeing an adorable version of Leia on the screen. Vivien Lyra Blair took on the role and stole every single scene in the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi, for which she received praise.
#10 Gene Wilder, Johnny Depp, and Timothée Chalamet as Willy Wonka
Source: © Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory / Wolper Pictures, © Charlie and the Chocolate Factory / Warner Bros. and co-producers, © Wonka / Warner Bros. and co-producer
Willy Wonka, the eccentric founder and proprietor of the Wonka Chocolate Factory in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, has been portrayed in film multiple times. In 1971, Willy Wonka was portrayed by Gene Wilder in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Wilder's portrayal is considered widely beloved and one of his greatest roles. Johnny Depp's portrayal of the character in 2005's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory polarized critics and audiences. Both Wilder and Depp received Golden Globe nominations for their performances. Now, the brilliant Timothée Chalamet is getting his turn at exploring Wonka’s dark background in depth in the upcoming Wonka.