22 Times A Movie Casting Was Spot On And We Shall Never Be The SameSkip To ContentHomepageSign InSearch BuzzFeedSearch BuzzFeedlol Badge Feedwin Badge Feedtrending Badge FeedCalifornia residents can opt out of "sales" of personal data.Do Not Sell My Personal Information 2022 BuzzFeed, Inc PressRSSPrivacyConsent PreferencesUser TermsAd ChoicesHelpContactSitemapPosted on 31 Aug 2019 22 Times A Movie Casting Was Spot On And We Shall Never Be The Same Heath Ledger IS The Joker. End of. by Sam ClealBuzzFeed StaffFacebookPinterestTwitterMailLink There are some movie characters that were played so amazingly I just can t see anyone doing them justice like the actors who so famously took them on While some may have already been recast I think you ll agree these performances are the true tee 1 Robin Williams as Mrs Doubtfire 20th Century Fox / Via whatsonstage.com Who nearly played the part: Warren Beatty, Tim Allen. Why they were perfect: Robin Williams' unparalleled skills in improvisation and talent for character comedy made this role what it was. Highlight: When Mrs D faceplants a cake and says "HELLLLLOOOOOOOO". 2 Tim Curry as Frank-n-Furter 20th Century Fox / Via sciencefiction.com Who nearly played the part: Mick Jagger. Why they were perfect: You wanna talk about iconic performances? Let's talk Tim Curry in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. His tight British vowels, his menacing makeup, his insane costumes – everything is just unnervingly perfect! Highlight: When he beds Janet AND Brad. 3 Hugh Jackman as Wolverine 20th Century Fox / Via tpr.org Who nearly played the part: Russell Crowe, Dougray Scott. Why they were perfect: This is just one of those ones where it all works and an actor totally owns their role. When he dies, Wolverine dies. I don’t want to see anyone else play him. Highlight: When he's forced to kill Jean Grey in X-Men: The Last Stand. It's so beautiful but so sad! 4 Carol Burnett as Miss Hannigan Rastar Productions / Via mentalfloss.com Who nearly played the part: Bette Midler. Why they were perfect: Carol absolutely nailed Miss Hannigan in the 1982 film version of Annie. Her proclivity for vocalisation and physical theatre brought a superb lightness to Miss Hannigan's otherwise dark character. Highlight: Every musical number from "Little Girls" to "Easy Street". 5 Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft Paramount Pictures / Via paperlief.com Who nearly played the part: Denise Richards, Sandra Bullock, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Elizabeth Hurley. Why they were perfect: Not only was Angelina the physical embodiment of Lara Croft, she brought her raw sex appeal and huge stardom to a role that meant a lot to gamers eveywhere! And Jon Voight, her ACTUAL DAD, playing her dad? Genius. Highlight: The father daughter reunion scene! 6 Whoopi Goldberg as Sister Mary Clarence AKA Deloris Van Cartier Touchstone Pictures / Via youtube.com Who nearly played the part: Bette Midler. Why they were perfect: Whoopi is one of those people who brings life to every roles she takes on. Though this film was tailor made for Bette, you don't get a chance to miss her at all! Whoopi is the perfect lead, combining her golden talent for comedy and playing the "outsider" with her affinity for music. Highlight: When she does the call back singing with the other nuns. 7 Kathy Bates as Annie Wilkes Castle Rock Entertainment / Via youtube.com Who nearly played the part: Anjelica Huston, Bette Midler. Why they were perfect: Kathy set audiences on edge as the pitiful yet insidious Annie Wilkes in Misery, and won an Oscar for Best Actress for her work. Highlight: The first time she calls Paul a cockadoodie! Or the ankles... 8 Kathleen Turner as Jessica Rabbit Touchstone Pictures / Via hollywoodreporter.com Why they were perfect: Kathleen Turner's legendary timbre in Who Framed Roger Rabbit was the perfect choice for the sexiest cartoon character ever – even though she was uncredited for it! Highlight: When she spontaneously transitions into an uglier version of herself with huge eyes and roadrunner legs. 9 Alan Rickman as Severus Snape Warner Bros. / Via metro.co.uk Who nearly played the part: Tim Roth. Why they were perfect: It seems crazy to think of Snape now without Alan Rickman's trademark British drawl. Alan was an incredible actor, and his nuanced portrayal of Snape was exactly what the character needed. Highlight: When he protects Harry, Ron, and Hermione from Remus Lupin in Werewolf form because he actually is a kind, self-sacrificing person. 10 Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly Miramax / Via pinterest.co.uk Who nearly played the part: Nicole Kidman, Madonna. Why they were perfect: Catherine Zeta-Jones is just in Chicago. The voice, the dancing, the look – everything is on point! Highlight: The final dance scene with Renée is coordinated perfection. 11 Richard Roxburgh as The Duke Bazmark Productions / Via youtube.com Why they were perfect: We don't always think of The Duke as the standout character in Moulin Rouge!, but he totally makes the film in many ways. Richard's capacity for comedy is huge and he really nails that neurotic, unhinged vibe like no other. Highlight: When he's bearing down on Jim Broadbent, cape aloft, singing Madonna's "Like A Virgin". 12 Gabourey Sidibe as Precious Lee Daniels Entertainment / Via rebuild-foundation.org Who nearly played the part: Jennifer Hudson, Taraji P. Henson. Why they were perfect: I don't think any actor could've made me fall apart as much as Gabourey did with that "no one loves me" diatribe. It was heartwrenching! The whole performance was pitch perfect. Highlight: When Ms. Blu Rain reassures Precious that she is loved. 13 Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly 20th Century Fox / Via vanityfair.com Who nearly played the part: Helen Mirren, Kim Basinger. Why they were perfect: I meannnnnn... Meryl just nails it. You believe Miranda is fierce AF but that exterior belies her softer side. She's also stunning and has mondo chemistry with Stanley Tucci, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt. Highlight: THAT moment when Miranda schools Andy on how her cerulean jumper was chosen for her by the fashion industry. 14 Ian McKellen as Gandalf New Line Cinema / Via syfy.com Why they were perfect: Sir Ian's gravitas and diction make him perfect for the role of Gandalf! His performance is infinitely quotable and super theatrical. No one could excite such admiration from fans the world over – NO ONE! Highlight: When he comes back as Gandalf The White! Iconic. 15 Brad Pitt as Tyler Durden 20th Century Fox / Via manofmany.com Who nearly played the part: Sean Penn, Russell Crowe. Why they were perfect: Brad Pitt is obviously stunning, but he can also really get inside a character, which he does in Fight Club. There's something impeccable in Brad's portrayal of Tyler's recklessness, his sexuality, and his anarchic ambition. Highlight: When he gives The Narrator a chemical burn and then forcefully lectures him about gaining enlightenment through suffering. 16 Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter Strong Heart/Demme Production / Via konbini.com Who nearly played the part: Robert Duvall, John Hurt. Why they were perfect: Who else could make your hair stand on end quite like Anthony? The precision of his voice, his piercing stare and his unshakeable calm throughout the movie are beyond chilling. Highlight: When he intricately engineers his gruesome escape from an impenetrable cage. 17 Uma Thurman as Beatrix Kiddo AKA The Bride A Band Apart / Via popsugar.co.uk Why they were perfect: Uma and Tarantino's working chemistry is obvious, and she definitely excels in that "bad bitch" mould. Her ability to deliver killer dialogue, use her body, and catch the camera is super compelling too. Highlight: When she snatches Elle Driver's eye out. 18 Pam Ferris as Miss Trunchbull Jersey Films / Via guff.com Why they were perfect: She was genuinely scary. Like, how did those kids finally stand up to her?! Everything Pam does is golden. She really captures the character – it's animated and engaging yet super grotesque. Highlight: When she swings Amanda Thripp around by her pigtails and throws her like a hammer throw. 19 Melissa McCarthy as Megan Price Apatow Productions / Via slashfilm.com Who nearly played the part: Rebel Wilson, Busy Philipps. Why they were perfect: Melissa McCarthy wasn't a huge star before Bridesmaids, and this role allowed her to really showcase her huge comedic talent and ability to shapeshift on screen. It was such a successful casting that she garnered an Oscar nomination, and has done a thousand copycat roles since. Highlight: The scene, or the scene above with Melissa's real-life husband! 20 Anjelica Huston as Morticia Addams Paramount Pictures / Via waldina.com Who nearly played the part: Cher. Why they were perfect: Sexy? Darksided? Witty? Anjelica had all the components to play the Addams' family matriarch in the 1991 movie and more! She's really the person you think of when you imagine Morticia, and there's a reason for that. Highlight: Whenever Gomez treats her like the absolute kween she is. More on that here. 21 Richard E Grant as Withnail HandMade Films / Via vanityfair.com Who nearly played the part: Daniel Day-Lewis. Why they were perfect: Infinitely quotable and comically well-timed, Richard's perfomance in Withnail and I is unwaveringly hysterical. I don't know that anyone who could look as sickly, act as selfishly, or talk as haughtily. Highlight: When he starts a fight with an angry pub-goer but can't finish it. Also, when he cries out "why is my head numb?" 22 Heath Ledger as The Joker Warner Bros. / Via nypost.com Who nearly played the part: Paul Bettany, Adrien Brody, Jude Law, Steve Carell, Sean Penn. Why they were perfect: Many people cite this performance as a masterpiece of acting. In truth, Heath Ledger totally reinvented The Joker character, combining the villain's infamous frenetic energy with much darker psychopathic vibes. He prepared down to the last detail and it really shows in his performance. Highlight: The iconic "Why So Serious?" scene, in which The Joker provides some backstory on his upbringing and then gives Gambol as a Glasgow smile. Share This ArticleFacebook PinterestTwitterMailLink TV and MoviesGet all the best moments in pop culture & entertainment delivered to your inbox.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.