Getting cast in a major Hollywood project is a tough job. Actors and actresses are required to have a blend of talent, perseverance, timing, and sometimes, a little luck. For actors, making it big is one-in million chance, so when sensing a golden opportunity, they will tip the scales in their favor. And that’s when it’s time for a classic white lie.
For example, Lisanne Falk told the casting directors that she was just 19 when she auditioned for the role of Heather McNamara in “Heathers”. In fact, at that time, the actress was 23. She didn’t want to lose her opportunity so she decided to add “teen” at the end of her age. And it turned out to be a wise decision. Whether actors lied about their age, height, education, or even nationality, many had to get creative in their auditions.
Below are 10 actors have to lie to get the role.
In an interview, Mila Kunis admitted that she got cast as Jackie Burkhart for That 70’s Show when she was in 9th grade (14 years old). But she deceived the production team into that she was 18. Eventually, the filmmaker pd out her lie but it didn’t create any problems.
To get the character Isabelle, Moretz pretended that she came from Cambridgeshire, the East of England. She even drew British life, saying that her parents were horse breeders. But her secret was revealed when she said “Bye Marty!” Luckily, Scorsese just laughed it off and told her that she got him good.
The cool skater girl Max Mayfield in “Stranger Things” was portrayed by Sadie Sink, who had zero experience with it. when the filmmaker asked her if she could skate, the actress just said yes. During the audition, she thought they would test her skills when seeing a pair of rollerblades in the room. Fortunately, it was just a coincidence.
Liam Hemsworth starred as Will Blankelee in the movie “The Last Song”. Before getting the role, the actor was asked if he could play volleyball, he said, “Yeah, no problem”. He felt so lucky because the extras didn’t have the skills. But during one match, he looked like a joke when playing with professionals.
To become a part of the movie, Phoebe Dynevor pretended her as a horse lover, riding them so many times. On the upside, she did learn how to ride horses and developed a passion for it. She also shared that she couldn’t wait to get back on one as soon as possible.
Jameela Jamil took on the role of Tahani Al-Jamil without any professional acting experience. The actress stated that she had acted on stage, but she didn’t clarify that the “stage” was back when she was still in school. In fact, her acting skill was not so bad.
Because the plot is set in Baltimore, creator David Simon wanted to cast American actors. To win the audition, Elba hid the truth about his East London roots. During the screenings, the actor tried to use an American accent. After some tryouts, when being asked about his personal life, he told the truth about his identity. Luckily, he still got the part of Stringer Bell.
When the filmmaker asked her if she spoke German, Fraser lied. In fact, she could just say basic phrases like “Ich heise Laura”. She was shocked when given a script with some German lines at a corporate level. But she powered through, even if it took her days to learn just one paragraph.
Anne Hathaway said “yes” when asked in the audition for “Brokeback Mountain”, a movie about cowboys. The actress got the part of Lureen Twist and learned how to ride horses. But in one rehearsal, she was thrown off when trying to control a horse. That made her so embarrassed in front of 300 extras.
Robert Pattinson auditioned for “The Batman” when filming Tenet. The producers asked the actor to keep things hush-hush, so for the screen test, he told the “Tenet” director Nolan that he had a “family emergency”. But the director realized that Robert was just trying to pull the wool over his eyes.
For example, Lisanne Falk told the casting directors that she was just 19 when she auditioned for the role of Heather McNamara in “Heathers”. In fact, at that time, the actress was 23. She didn’t want to lose her opportunity so she decided to add “teen” at the end of her age. And it turned out to be a wise decision. Whether actors lied about their age, height, education, or even nationality, many had to get creative in their auditions.
Below are 10 actors have to lie to get the role.
#1 Mila Kunis lied about being 18 years old when she was cast in That 70’s Show
Source: © Emma McIntyre / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Images, © That 70’s Show / The Carsey-Werner Company
In an interview, Mila Kunis admitted that she got cast as Jackie Burkhart for That 70’s Show when she was in 9th grade (14 years old). But she deceived the production team into that she was 18. Eventually, the filmmaker pd out her lie but it didn’t create any problems.
#2 Chloë Grace Moretz tricked director Martin Scorsese into thinking that she was British, to get a role in Hugo
Source: © Hahn Lionel / ABACA / East News, © East News
To get the character Isabelle, Moretz pretended that she came from Cambridgeshire, the East of England. She even drew British life, saying that her parents were horse breeders. But her secret was revealed when she said “Bye Marty!” Luckily, Scorsese just laughed it off and told her that she got him good.
#3 Sadie Sink hoodwinked the Stranger Things production team and said she could skate
Source: © Kristin Callahan / Everett Collection / East News, © Netflix / Everett Collection / East News
The cool skater girl Max Mayfield in “Stranger Things” was portrayed by Sadie Sink, who had zero experience with it. when the filmmaker asked her if she could skate, the actress just said yes. During the audition, she thought they would test her skills when seeing a pair of rollerblades in the room. Fortunately, it was just a coincidence.
#4 Liam Hemsworth embellished the truth about his volleyball skills while filming The Last Song
Source: © Derek Ross / LFI / East News, © East News
Liam Hemsworth starred as Will Blankelee in the movie “The Last Song”. Before getting the role, the actor was asked if he could play volleyball, he said, “Yeah, no problem”. He felt so lucky because the extras didn’t have the skills. But during one match, he looked like a joke when playing with professionals.
#5 Phoebe Dynevor overstated her love for horses to secure a part in Bridgerton
Source: © AP / Associated Press / East News, © Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection / East News
To become a part of the movie, Phoebe Dynevor pretended her as a horse lover, riding them so many times. On the upside, she did learn how to ride horses and developed a passion for it. She also shared that she couldn’t wait to get back on one as soon as possible.
#6 Jameela Jamil exaggerated her acting experience when she auditioned for a role in The Good Place
Source: © VALERIE MACON / AFP / East News, © The Good Place / Fremulon and co-producers
Jameela Jamil took on the role of Tahani Al-Jamil without any professional acting experience. The actress stated that she had acted on stage, but she didn’t clarify that the “stage” was back when she was still in school. In fact, her acting skill was not so bad.
#7 Idris Elba fibbed about being American in his audition for The Wire
Source: © Joe Seer / Shutterstock.com, © The Wire / Blown Deadline Productions, HBO Entertainment
Because the plot is set in Baltimore, creator David Simon wanted to cast American actors. To win the audition, Elba hid the truth about his East London roots. During the screenings, the actor tried to use an American accent. After some tryouts, when being asked about his personal life, he told the truth about his identity. Luckily, he still got the part of Stringer Bell.
#8 Laura Fraser played up her German speaking skills to land a part in Breaking Bad
Source: © RE / Westcom / starmaxinc.com / East News, © Ursula Coyote / AMC / Courtesy Everett Collection / East News
When the filmmaker asked her if she spoke German, Fraser lied. In fact, she could just say basic phrases like “Ich heise Laura”. She was shocked when given a script with some German lines at a corporate level. But she powered through, even if it took her days to learn just one paragraph.
#9 Anne Hathaway bluffed about her “good” horseback riding skills when she was called in for the movie Brokeback Mountain
Source: © Frazer Harrison / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Images, © Focus Films / Courtesy Everett Collection / East News
Anne Hathaway said “yes” when asked in the audition for “Brokeback Mountain”, a movie about cowboys. The actress got the part of Lureen Twist and learned how to ride horses. But in one rehearsal, she was thrown off when trying to control a horse. That made her so embarrassed in front of 300 extras.
#10 Robert Pattinson used “family emergency” as an excuse to secretly audition for The Batman
Source: © Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty Images, © LILO / SIPA / Sipa Press / East News
Robert Pattinson auditioned for “The Batman” when filming Tenet. The producers asked the actor to keep things hush-hush, so for the screen test, he told the “Tenet” director Nolan that he had a “family emergency”. But the director realized that Robert was just trying to pull the wool over his eyes.