From Heath Ledger's Joker to Emma Watson's Belle, certain casting decisions have gone on to become iconic, defining even. These actors managed to embody their roles so perfectly that it became difficult to separate the character from the person playing it. And in some cases, such as Halle Bailey's casting as Little Mermaid, it even opened doors for more diversity and representation on the big screen. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the casting choices that won over the hearts of fans and became a vital part of the movies and TV shows they starred in.
#1 Billy Porter as the Fairy Godmother (Fab G) in Cinderella (2021)
Source: © Cinderella / Allison Shearmur Productions and co-producers, © Cinderella / Columbia Pictures and co-producers
#2 Halle Bailey as Ariel in The Little Mermaid (2023)
Source: © The Little Mermaid / Walt Disney Pictures and co-producers, © The Little Mermaid / Walt Disney Pictures and co-producers
#3 Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One in Doctor Strange (2016)
Source: © Dr. Strange / Universal Television, © Doctor Strange / Marvel Studios and co-producers
“I remember, at the time, having a question mark in my own mind, and being attendant to the public response to the idea that a Scottish woman will be playing this character, and being aware that there was no resistance at all — there was widespread welcome — which shifted at a certain point, for very good reasons with which I had an enormous amount of sympathy.”
#4 Heath Ledger as the Joker in The Dark Knight (2008)
Source: © Batman / Warner Bros. and co-producers, © The Dark Knight / Legendary Entertainment and co-producers
#5 Yara Shahidi as Tinker Bell in Peter Pan and Wendy (2023)
Source: © Peter Pan / Universal Pictures and co-producers, © Peter Pan and Wendy / Walt Disney Pictures and co-producers
David Lowery, the film's director, stated: "We wanted to energize our retelling with emotional truthfulness, an open heart, and a strong thirst for adventure in Peter Pan & Wendy. This movie was created over many years by hundreds of amazing artists. I'm eager for viewers to experience this journey, witness their work, and rediscover an old story from a fresh angle.
#6 Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley in Alien (1979)
Source: Chris Pizzello/Invision/East News, © Alien / Brandywine Productions
“Everything began for me with Ripley. When people talk about her, a lot of them say, ’It must be odd for you to have done so much work and have people always talk to you about Ripley.’ But she made it possible for me to do all of these other genres, and yet I always got to come home to her. So, no, I never get tired of her.”
#7 Angelina Jolie as Evelyn Salt in Salt (2010)
Source: © BAKOUNINE / Shutterstock.com, face to face/Reporter/East News
#8 H.E.R. as Belle in Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration (2022)
Source: © Beauty and the Beast / Mandeville Films and co-producers, © Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration / Electric Somewhere Co. and co-producers
Originally, Belle was played by Emma Watson, who said: “When I was auditioning to play Hermione, I had this fearlessness, I just knew I loved that girl, and I loved that role, and I loved that world, and I went for it. But now I have this other thing to overcome like in Beauty and the Beast, I sang for the first time, and journalists would ask me, ’Do you think you’re going to be able to pull it off?’ There’s an incredible awareness that I have to push through.”