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7 Bizarre Ways Actors Landed Their Iconic Roles

As seen by this list of the craziest celebrities, bizarre is usually the most recent fashion trend, albeit occasionally it isn't. These famous people, like Cardi B and Lady Gaga, could express themselves through enigmatic, odd, or downright crazy creative styles. They could just have a strange look, like Dennis Rodman. Whatever the situation may be, these eccentric superstars have it all: fun, drama, and comedy!
They act strangely in order to advance their careers. However, not everyone can become wealthy and well-known by working the standard 9 to 5 job.
You probably think that actors acquire their most well-known parts by dressing to impress at super-formal auditions and attending posh, high-powered brunches and lunches. However, it turns out that Hollywood is equally crazy and illogical as the rest of the world, most likely even more so. As a result, performers are chosen for the most bizarre reasons in well-known, career-launching parts.

#1 Mel Gibson in Mad Max

Bizarre Ways Actors Landed Their Iconic RolesSource: © Mad Max 2 / Kennedy Miller Productions

Some people are fortunate enough to be in the ideal situation at the ideal time. Mel Gibson was the lucky one who ultimately received the iconic part in the Mad Max series. Gibson unintentionally stole his friend's role when he arrived at the audition beaten and injured.
Gibson wound up getting involved in a vicious bar brawl the day before he had to transport his friend to the audition. Casting directors saw his battered appearance and snapped photos of him before commenting, "Man, we need freaks in this film! Come see us when you're feeling better.

#2 Samuel L. Jackson in Pulp Fiction

Bizarre Ways Actors Landed Their Iconic RolesSource: © Pulp Fiction / Miramax and co-producers

Quentin Tarantino arrived late for the Jules Winnfield character audition. Tarantino had already arrived when Samuel L. Jackson returned from going to eat lunch. Jackson took his burger and shake with him when he was called in since he was so ravenous and annoyed by the director's delay.
"Quentin came in and simply started sipping that shake, chewing that burger, and staring at all of us. I was sitting on the couch with him. I was really terrified. [...] His eyeballs were protruding from his skull. And he simply took the part," recalls producer Richard Gladstein.

#3 Ben Affleck in Gone Girl

Bizarre Ways Actors Landed Their Iconic RolesSource: © Gone Girl / Twentieth Century Fox and co-producers

As Nick Dunne, a devoted husband who was searching for his missing wife despite suspicions from others around him, Ben Affleck delivered one of his best performances. Affleck's smile helped him land the part, according to director David Fincher.
"Critical sequences are used to cast movies. When the local press invites the man in Gone Girl to stand next to a billboard of his missing wife, he must grin. I saw maybe 50 pictures of Affleck grinning that way in public while I browsed Google Images, the filmmaker said.

#4 Emma Watson in Harry Potter

Bizarre Ways Actors Landed Their Iconic RolesSource: © Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone / Warner Bros. and co-producers

It's difficult to picture anybody else as Hermione Granger, the Gryffindor overachiever. Joanne Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, believed Emma Watson was "too pretty" to play the part.
However, Rowling had a change of heart after receiving an unexpected call from Watson. She talked for at least 60 seconds without pausing, and I remember thinking to myself, "Emma, you're perfect," Rowling recalls.

#5 Ryan Gosling in The Notebook

Bizarre Ways Actors Landed Their Iconic RolesSource: © The Notebook / New Line Cinema and co-producers

Everyone has had a thing for Ryan Gosling for a very long time, and we used to believe that his good looks made it easy for him to land parts. However, it wasn't always that. He was chosen by The Notebook director Nick Cassavetes specifically because, in his words, "you're not like the other young actors out there in Hollywood. You're simply a typical person who seems a little crazy; you're not cool, and you're not attractive.

#6 Jason Momoa in Game of Thrones

Bizarre Ways Actors Landed Their Iconic RolesSource: © Game of Thrones / HBO and co-producers

Due to his portrayal of Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones, the harsh ruler of his people, Jason Momoa became quite well-known. Without uttering a single word, the performer had to express the characteristics of the role. He then gave a Haka, a Mori dance that he just so happened to know. His potent performance left the casting directors in awe.

#7 Wayne Knight in Jurassic Park

Bizarre Ways Actors Landed Their Iconic RolesSource: © Jurassic Park / Universal Pictures and co-producer

Wayne Knight was ideal for Jurassic Park because of his sweaty face. After viewing him in a moment from Basic Instinct in which the actor uncomfortably watches Sharon Stone cross her legs, Steven Spielberg hired him to play the evil Dennis Nedry. Spielberg wondered aloud, "What if that were a dinosaur," as he watched.
What incredible turns has your career taken as a result of an odd circumstance? Please tell us about your experiences in the comments.
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