Some movies stick with audiences for their appealing plot, emotional soundtracks, or beautiful sets but sometimes it is for the characters. Whether the character is a protagonist or an antagonist, they are seared in millions of audiences’ hearts and minds. For these iconic roles, the actors who portrayed them, built legendary careers.
Indeed, countless actors got their claim to fame by playing iconic roles that they’ll always be remembered for. Many of them take a break or even longer for different reasons. But, when returning and reviving their well-known character, they send fans into a frenzy. Sometimes, the time gap between an actor’s portrayal of their iconic role makes it nostalgic to see them again.
Here are 11 actors and actresses who returned to play their iconic characters. Keep scrolling down to see them. You can also find more articles about this topic
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#1 Amy Adams — Enchanted
Source: © Enchanted/Walt Disney Pictures, © Disenchanted/Walt Disney Pictures and co-producers
“Enchanted” premiered in 2007 and was critically well-received, establishing Adams as a leading lady. The actress appeared as Giselle, a singing and dancing princess-to-be having her dream of meeting her prince a reality.
Many fans are so eager for her performance in “Disenchanted” released on November 2022.
#2 Jim Carrey — Dumb and Dumber
Source: © Dumb and Dumber/New Line Cinema and co-producer, © Dumb and Dumber to/ Universal Pictures and co-producers
In the 1994 movie “Dumb and Dumber”, Jim Carrey landed the iconic role of Lloyd Christmas, a goofy chip-toothed slacker who has been fired from several jobs. Later producers spawned a 2014 sequel.
#3 Kathy Najimy, Bette Midler, and Sarah Jessica Parker — Hocus Pocus
Source: © Hocus Pocus/Walt Disney Pictures and co-producer, © Hocus Pocus 2/Walt Disney Pictures and co-producer
The comedy film “Hocus Pocus” was released in 1993 by Walt Disney Pictures. Despite mixed reviews, it created a great impression on audiences’ minds through the performances of 3 actresses: Kathy Najimy, Bette Midler, and Sarah Jessica Parker. They reprised their roles as Sanderson Sisters in 2022.
#4 Tom Cruise — Top Gun
Source: © Top Gun/Paramount Pictures and co-producer, © Top Gun: Maverick/Paramount Pictures and co-producers
The 1986 action film “Top Gun” starred Tom Cruise as Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell and nailed it. 36 years later, a new sequel “Top Gun: Maverick” was released on May 27, 2022 and surpassed the original film both critically and commercially.
#5 Laura Dern — Jurassic Park
Source: © Jurassic Park/Universal Pictures and co-producer, © Jurassic World Dominion/Universal Pictures and co-producers
Laura Dern was chosen by Steven Spielberg to play Dr. Ellie Sattler because she was a good and honest actress. A sixth film, Jurassic World Dominion was released in June 2022.
#6 Sam Neill — Jurassic Park
Source: © Jurassic Park/Universal Pictures and co-producer, © Jurassic World Dominion/Universal Pictures and co-producers
Same Neill came to international prominence as Dr. Alan Grant in “Jurassic Park” (1993) and came back to play the character in 2022.
#7 Jeff Goldblum — Jurassic Park
Source: © Jurassic Park/Universal Pictures and co-producer, © Jurassic World Dominion/Universal Pictures and co-producers
Dr. Ian Malcolm is a fictional character from “Jurassic Park” portrayed by Jeff Goldblum. Like Laura Dern and Sam Neil, he continued to star in the movie in 2022.
#8 Arnold Schwarzenegger — The Terminator
Source: © The Terminator/Cinema '84 and co-producers, © Terminator: Dark Fate/Paramount Pictures and co-producers
The film stars Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator, a cyborg assassin sent back in time from 2029 to 1984 to kill Sarah Connor. There are five sequels following the movie and the latest one is Terminator: Dark Fate (2019).
#9 Linda Hamilton — The Terminator
Source: © The Terminator/Cinema '84 and co-producers, © Terminator: Dark Fate/Paramount Pictures and co-producers
Linda Hamilton took on the role of Sarah Connor who was chased by the Terminator.
Source: © The Matrix/Warner Bros. and co-producers, © The Matrix Resurrections/ Warner Bros. Pictures and co-producers
“The Matrix” opened in theaters in the US in 1999 to widespread acclaim from critics. Keanu Reeves appeared as Neo, a computer programmer, and totally nailed the role. In 2021, fans saw Keanu Reeves in “The Matrix Resurrections” released in 2021.
#11 Vin Diesel — Fast and Furious
Source: © The Fast and the Furious/Universal Pictures and co-producers, © F9: The Fast Saga/ Universal Pictures and co-producers
Vin Diesel is best known for portraying Dominic Toretto in the “Fast & Furious” franchise. F9: The Fast Saga is a sequel to the movie and audiences see Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto again.