9 Actors Whose Decisions Totally Changed Their Characters For The Better
Making a single movie well requires the efforts of hundreds of people, including directors, crew members, actors, editors, and so on. While it is believed that directors or producers always get the final say during filmmaking, actors can wield their influence to make creative changes. Sometimes they have a few thoughts on their dialogue and actors or want to change something as minor as a costume choice.
Oftentimes, when they speak up, they won’t back down until the creative team fulfills their request and of course, this almost happens to superstars. Their decisions are brilliant and ring true to the character’s arc but at other times, their ambitions may get out of hand and endanger a movie’s success.
We've come up with a compilation of movies where actors who completely change characters. Below is list of 9 actors who completely change characters for the better.
Firstly, Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner wondered if Depp’s performance was more reminiscent of a drunk or a gay man. After that, an unnamed executive called the actor and asked “What’s the f*ck are you doing?” and he responded in the typical tongue-in-cheek fashion “Well don’t you know all my characters are gay?”. Because of it, he was nearly fired. Depp played Jack Sparrow and made it become a nautical icon.
When the film was finished, Mike Myers who voiced Shrek in the four installments was unpleasant with the Canadian accent he gave to the role. Therefore, he asked for a recording of his voice again with a Scottish accent. Although it wasted production of about 4 million dollars, it was the right decision.
It’s hard to imagine “The Godfather” without Al Pacino. He portrayed Michael Corleone, who became a respectable war hero despite his corrupt family. The actor wanted this character to be a quiet and understated man, but originally, the studio wanted him to be a cliché tough gangster. Because of his opinion, they tried to fire him three times. Fortunately, Paramount realized the error of their ways when they saw the iconic scene where Michael shoots Sollozzo.
Jason Isaacs suggested pretty much everything about the character’s appearance in the movies, from long hair to voluminous robes. It's pretty impressive that he understood the character that well. Father Malfoy was originally required to dress in a pinstripe suit and short hair with black and white locks but Isaacs refused. He suggested putting on a long white wig and a visibly ostentatious wizarding outfit.
Jack Nicholson had some demands to take the role of Frank Costello in “The Departed”. Despite the character being a diehard Boston fan, he refused to wear a Red Sox hat. He demanded at least one “sensitive” scene for the character. Eventually, the movie won an Oscar.
Because Robert Pattinson wanted his character, Edward Cullen to be angsty and serious, he argued so much with producers that he was almost fired. Ultimately, the character ended up being something of a hybrid of all parties’ wishes.
Nicolas Cage starred as Charlie Bodell in “Peggy Sue Got Married” and his voice was super annoying. Everyone, including director Francis Ford Coppola, hated it and for it, he nearly lost the role. He convinced the director to let him do it and the movie received a lot of positive reviews.
Part of what made it great was a massive change to how the story ends. Angelina Jolie played Fox who worked for a secret organization of assassins which later she discovered that it is corrupt and unjust. The actress suggested that after killing them all, her character needed to die to stop the destiny of murder. She demanded this change and was right to do so.
Crispin Glover Crispin Glover initially claimed that his character’s dialogue was too bad and suggested that he should be a mute villain. Director McG accepted his demand and the actor was part of a movie without saying a single line.
Oftentimes, when they speak up, they won’t back down until the creative team fulfills their request and of course, this almost happens to superstars. Their decisions are brilliant and ring true to the character’s arc but at other times, their ambitions may get out of hand and endanger a movie’s success.
We've come up with a compilation of movies where actors who completely change characters. Below is list of 9 actors who completely change characters for the better.
#1 Johnny Depp Was Almost Fired From “Pirates of the Caribbean” For Acting Too 'Drunk' And 'Gay'
Firstly, Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner wondered if Depp’s performance was more reminiscent of a drunk or a gay man. After that, an unnamed executive called the actor and asked “What’s the f*ck are you doing?” and he responded in the typical tongue-in-cheek fashion “Well don’t you know all my characters are gay?”. Because of it, he was nearly fired. Depp played Jack Sparrow and made it become a nautical icon.
#2 Shrek's Scottish Accent Is All Thanks To Mike Myers
Source: Shrek / DreamWorks Animation and co-producers
When the film was finished, Mike Myers who voiced Shrek in the four installments was unpleasant with the Canadian accent he gave to the role. Therefore, he asked for a recording of his voice again with a Scottish accent. Although it wasted production of about 4 million dollars, it was the right decision.
#3 Al Pacino Made “The Godfather” Great, But The Studio Tried To Stop Him
Source: Paramount Pictures
It’s hard to imagine “The Godfather” without Al Pacino. He portrayed Michael Corleone, who became a respectable war hero despite his corrupt family. The actor wanted this character to be a quiet and understated man, but originally, the studio wanted him to be a cliché tough gangster. Because of his opinion, they tried to fire him three times. Fortunately, Paramount realized the error of their ways when they saw the iconic scene where Michael shoots Sollozzo.
#4 Jason Isaacs requested a different look for Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter saga
Source: WARNER BROS. PICTURES / Album / EAST NEWS
Jason Isaacs suggested pretty much everything about the character’s appearance in the movies, from long hair to voluminous robes. It's pretty impressive that he understood the character that well. Father Malfoy was originally required to dress in a pinstripe suit and short hair with black and white locks but Isaacs refused. He suggested putting on a long white wig and a visibly ostentatious wizarding outfit.
#5 Jack Nicholson Pretty Much Bogarted “The Departed” - And Everyone Won An Oscar Because Of It
Source: Warner Bros.
Jack Nicholson had some demands to take the role of Frank Costello in “The Departed”. Despite the character being a diehard Boston fan, he refused to wear a Red Sox hat. He demanded at least one “sensitive” scene for the character. Eventually, the movie won an Oscar.
#6 Robert Pattinson Almost Got Canned From “Twilight” For Being Too Serious
Source: Courtesy of Summit Entertainment
Because Robert Pattinson wanted his character, Edward Cullen to be angsty and serious, he argued so much with producers that he was almost fired. Ultimately, the character ended up being something of a hybrid of all parties’ wishes.
#7 “Peggy Sue Got Married” But Nicolas Cage Almost Got Fired
Source: TriStar Pictures
Nicolas Cage starred as Charlie Bodell in “Peggy Sue Got Married” and his voice was super annoying. Everyone, including director Francis Ford Coppola, hated it and for it, he nearly lost the role. He convinced the director to let him do it and the movie received a lot of positive reviews.
#8 Angelina Jolie Killed Her Own Character In “Wanted”
Source: Universal Pictures
Part of what made it great was a massive change to how the story ends. Angelina Jolie played Fox who worked for a secret organization of assassins which later she discovered that it is corrupt and unjust. The actress suggested that after killing them all, her character needed to die to stop the destiny of murder. She demanded this change and was right to do so.
#9 Crispin Glover Preferred His Villain To Be A Mute In Charlie’s Angels Because He Didn’t Like His Dialogue
Source: Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle / Columbia Pictures and co-producers
Crispin Glover Crispin Glover initially claimed that his character’s dialogue was too bad and suggested that he should be a mute villain. Director McG accepted his demand and the actor was part of a movie without saying a single line.
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