See 15 Side-By-Side Comparisons of Movie Characters Played by Different Actors and Choose Who Did a Better Job

Jessica Wilson

Part of what makes movies special and interesting is their ability to be remade in as many versions imaginable, and each one comes with different actors. Though the characters are so iconic that we simply can’t imagine any other actor attempting and indeed non have yet to try. However, when directors and producers see its potential, having so much depth and variation, more than one actor has been able to embody them across the film.
For example, all of us know that Margot Robbie nailed the role of Harley Quinn across three separate films. So, it shocks a lot of viewers that the actress is passing the DC character on to none other than Lady Gaga.
We've made a list of 15 side-by-side comparisons of movie characters played by different actors and choose who did a better job.

#1 Willy Wonka

Side-By-Side Comparisons of Movie CharactersSource: Courtesy Everett Collection/East NewsWarner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection/East News

For his perfect performance as Willy Wonka, Gene Wilder was nominated a Golden Globe award. In 2005, the movie was remade as s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with Johnny Depp playing Willy Wonka. In 2023, we will see the comeback of the character - Timothée Chalamet took on the part.

#2 Wonder Woman

Side-By-Side Comparisons of Movie CharactersSource: © Wonder Woman / Warner Bros. and co-producers© Wonder Woman / Warner Bros. and co-producers

The feminist hero, Wonder Woman was first embodied by Lynda Carter in the popular TV series that lasted 4 seasons and now, the character went to Gal Gadot.

#3 Catwoman

Side-By-Side Comparisons of Movie CharactersSource: © Catwoman / Village Roadshow and co-producers© Batman / DC Movies and co-producers

Catwoman has changed throughout time. Many writers’ interpretations and costume designs have shaped the character's personality over the ages. Multiple actresses, including Julie Newmar, Lee Meriwether, Eartha Kitt, Michelle Pfeiffer, Halle Berry, Anne Hathaway, Camren Bicondova, Lili Simmons played the part and the last Catwoman is portrayed by Zoë Kravitz.

#4 Sherlock Holmes

Source: EAST NEWSAllpix Press / East News, CBS TELEVISION / Album/EAST NEWSImage supplied by Capital Pictures/EAST NEWS

The famous character Sherlock Holmes is played by over 75 actors, holding the Guinness World Record. And 4 of them are really outstanding. Robert Downey Jr. Won a Golden Globe for his great performance as Sherlock Holmes. Actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Johnny Lee Miller both played Sherlock on TV shows: BBC’s Sherlock and Elementary respectively. in 2015, Sir Ian McKellen appears as Sherlock in the film “Mr. Holmes”.

#5 Hannibal Lecter

Source: © Hannibal / Universal Pictures and co-producers© Hannibal / NBC and co-producers

Anthony Hopkins won acclaim among critics and audiences as the cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter in “The Silence of the Lambs”. In 2007, the movie “Hannibal Rising” starred Gaspard Ulliel as Hannibal and in 2007, the character was portrayed by Mads Mikkelsen.

#6 Zorro

Source: WALT Disney TELEVISION ANIMATION / Album / EAST NEWS, NEW WORLD TELEVISION / Album / EAST NEWS, AMBLIN Entertainment / O'NEILL, MICHAEL / Album / EAST NEWS

The hero without superpowers Zorro has been portrayed by multiple actors. Starting from 1920 to 2015. Although many actors took over the role, the character’s appearance hasn’t changed a lot – he was always in a black hat with a mask and a sword.

#7 Snow White

Side-By-Side Comparisons of Movie CharactersSource: Universal Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection/East NewsImage supplied by Capital Pictures/EAST NEWS

The live-action version of Snow White has been embodied by two pretty actresses, Kristen Stewart, and Lily Collins. The former starred in the fantasy film “Snow White and the Huntsman” while the latter filmed in “Mirror Mirror”. However, two films were released in the same year (2012).

#8 Batman

Source: Everett Collection/ East NewsAllpix Press/ East NewsWarner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection/ East News

Over the years, viewers not only see the evolutionary change in Batman’s costume, but the actors who portrayed him. The first version was made by Adam West and the last one was played by Robert Pattinson.

#9 Spock

Source: Mary Evans/AF Archive/Cinetext Bildarchiv/East NewsParamount/Courtesy Everett Collection/East News

Spock was initially played by Leonard Nimoy in “Star Trek: The Original Series” and for the 2009 movie “Star Trek”, the character’s young version was given to Zachary Quinto.

#10 Spider-Man

Side-By-Side Comparisons of Movie CharactersSource: EAST NEWSCOLUMBIA PICTURES / Album/EAST NEWSCAP/RFS/Capital Pictures/East News

Spider-Man has a great large of fans over the world, so who would portray the role always quickly becomes the topic of discussion. From 2002 to 2007, Tobey Maguire took on the role in 3 movies. In 2012, the role went to Andrew Garfield with 2 movies. In 2017, Tom Holland is a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, becoming Spider-Man in the movie “Spider-Man: Homecoming”.

#11 Grand High Witch

Source: Mary Evans Picture Library / East News, © The Witches / Warner Bros. Pictures

Many might not notice that “The Witches” has an older adaptation made in 1990 with Anjelica Huston portraying the Grand High Witch. And in the new version, Anne Hathaway fulfilled the role perfectly.

#12 Carrie

Source: Courtesy Everett Collection / East News, NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection / East News, Image supplied by Capital Pictures/EAST NEWS

On the screen, the character Carrie was played by at least actresses: Sissy Spacek in 1976, Angela Bettis in 2002, and Chloë Grace Moretz in 2013.

#13 Joker

Source: Warner Bros/Collection Christophel/East NewsEAST NEWSCAP/RFS/Capital Pictures/East News

Heath Ledger won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Joker in “The Dark Knight”. Joker returned to the big screen in 2016 when Jared Leto played him in “Suicide Squad”. In 2019, the movie “Joker” with Joaquin Phoenix portraying the main role came out and the role helped him earn an Oscar for Leading Role.

#14 Sabrina Spellman

Source: Viacom/Courtesy Everett Collection/Everett Collection/East News© Chilling Adventures of Sabrina / Warner Bros. Television

The teenage witch, Sabrina Spellman, is loved by a large number of fans. The character was originally portrayed by Melissa Joan Hart but the more feminist version was taken over by Kiernan Shipka.

#15 Lara Croft

Side-By-Side Comparisons of Movie CharactersSource: © Lara Croft: Tomb Raider / Paramount and co-producers© Tomb Raider / MGM and co-producers

Lara Croft debuted on the big screen with Angelina Jolie playing her in the movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider in 2001, and its sequel came out 2 years later. In 2018, the franchise was rebooted and a new Lara Croft movie came out, Tomb Raider, with Alicia Vikander playing the main role.
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