25 films where actors brilliantly played against type
We all know certain actors/actresses who play the same character (i.e. action hero, romantic love interest, villain) or play "themselves" in most of their roles. As Yardbarker (via MSN) says "and once they get locked into a certain kind of role, it becomes harder to break out with each new project." But they eventually they can get a role that they "shed their stereotypes, while directors choose to take a chance on letting the thespians reinvent themselves". This is what is often referred to as casting/playing “against the type” or “against type.” Here is 5 of the 25 films where actors "brilliantly" play against type.
Emma Watson - The Bling Ring (2013)
How she played against type? When eight of your first dozen films are in the “Harry Potter” franchise (and three of the other four are also directed at kids or teens), it can be hard not to become typecast. However, Emma Watson successfully broke out in 2013 when she agreed to star in Sofia Coppola’s true-crime story “The Bling Ring,” in which she played a fame-and-fortune-obsessed teen who, along with her friends, burglarized the homes of numerous celebrities. Watson shined in the role, with many critics reporting shock that the actress who formerly played Hermione Granger could actually act so well. Although the overall movie was given mixed reviews, Watson was almost universally praised.
Samuel L. Jackson - Unbreakable (2000)
How he played against type? Samuel L. Jackson is usually cast in strong, powerful, and loud roles, which is why it was odd to see him as a literally fragile man who suffers from brittle bone disease in M. Night Shyamalan’s 2000 superhero thriller “Unbreakable.” Of course, by the end of the film, it becomes clear that Jackson was actually a solid choice for the supervillain who eventually adopts the name “Mr. Glass.”
Jim Carrey - Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
How he played against type? Jim Carrey’s early career was riddled with comedic roles, mostly of the slapstick or screwball varieties. He first tested the dramatic waters with 1998’s “The Truman Show,” 1999’s “Man on the Moon,” and 2001’s “The Majestic,” but even those films contained a decent amount of light-hearted laughs. It wasn’t until the 2004’s “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” that Carrey truly crossed over, and the results were astonishing. The funnyman proved he also possesses dramatic chops, and he, co-star Kate Winslet, and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman made the dark, cerebral sci-fi film into one of the best movies of the 21st century - and the owner of a 93-percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Carrey himself earned SAG, Saturn, and Golden Globe nominations.
Michael Keaton - Batman (1989)
How he played against type? Comic book fans get touchy when it comes to casting in feature films, especially in regard to the caped crusader. Although action and drama actors like Pierce Brosnan, Ray Liotta, Mel Gibson, Kevin Costner, Harrison Ford, Charlie Sheen, and Willem Dafoe were all considered for the lead in 1989’s Tim Burton-directed “Batman,” the role was surprisingly given to Michael Keaton. Fanboys balked at the decision, figuring the feel-good comedic actor and star of films like “Mr. Mom,” “Johnny Dangerously,” and “Beetlejuice” would bring too much camp to the franchise, like in the 1960s TV series. However, Keaton blew audiences away with his portrayal of both Batman and his alter-ego Bruce Wayne, and remains a fan favorite to this day.
Cameron Diaz - Being John Malkovich (1999)
How she played against type? The character of Lotte in 1999’s “Being John Malkovich” was described as homely, so it was a curious choice to have her portrayed by the beautiful, blonde, blue-eyed actress Cameron Diaz. Even the film’s make-up artist, Gucci Westman, described styling Diaz in the role as “a challenge.” Although Cameron was barely recognizable under a crazy brown coif with brown eyes to match, she shined in the role and earned numerous award nods for her performance, including a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and two SAG Awards.
Who "brilliantly" played against type, ONTD?
source 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6
I knew immediately I messed up, so sorry about that mods
Emma Watson - The Bling Ring (2013)
Click to viewHow she played against type? When eight of your first dozen films are in the “Harry Potter” franchise (and three of the other four are also directed at kids or teens), it can be hard not to become typecast. However, Emma Watson successfully broke out in 2013 when she agreed to star in Sofia Coppola’s true-crime story “The Bling Ring,” in which she played a fame-and-fortune-obsessed teen who, along with her friends, burglarized the homes of numerous celebrities. Watson shined in the role, with many critics reporting shock that the actress who formerly played Hermione Granger could actually act so well. Although the overall movie was given mixed reviews, Watson was almost universally praised.
Samuel L. Jackson - Unbreakable (2000)
How he played against type? Samuel L. Jackson is usually cast in strong, powerful, and loud roles, which is why it was odd to see him as a literally fragile man who suffers from brittle bone disease in M. Night Shyamalan’s 2000 superhero thriller “Unbreakable.” Of course, by the end of the film, it becomes clear that Jackson was actually a solid choice for the supervillain who eventually adopts the name “Mr. Glass.”
Jim Carrey - Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
How he played against type? Jim Carrey’s early career was riddled with comedic roles, mostly of the slapstick or screwball varieties. He first tested the dramatic waters with 1998’s “The Truman Show,” 1999’s “Man on the Moon,” and 2001’s “The Majestic,” but even those films contained a decent amount of light-hearted laughs. It wasn’t until the 2004’s “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” that Carrey truly crossed over, and the results were astonishing. The funnyman proved he also possesses dramatic chops, and he, co-star Kate Winslet, and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman made the dark, cerebral sci-fi film into one of the best movies of the 21st century - and the owner of a 93-percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Carrey himself earned SAG, Saturn, and Golden Globe nominations.
Michael Keaton - Batman (1989)
How he played against type? Comic book fans get touchy when it comes to casting in feature films, especially in regard to the caped crusader. Although action and drama actors like Pierce Brosnan, Ray Liotta, Mel Gibson, Kevin Costner, Harrison Ford, Charlie Sheen, and Willem Dafoe were all considered for the lead in 1989’s Tim Burton-directed “Batman,” the role was surprisingly given to Michael Keaton. Fanboys balked at the decision, figuring the feel-good comedic actor and star of films like “Mr. Mom,” “Johnny Dangerously,” and “Beetlejuice” would bring too much camp to the franchise, like in the 1960s TV series. However, Keaton blew audiences away with his portrayal of both Batman and his alter-ego Bruce Wayne, and remains a fan favorite to this day.
Cameron Diaz - Being John Malkovich (1999)
How she played against type? The character of Lotte in 1999’s “Being John Malkovich” was described as homely, so it was a curious choice to have her portrayed by the beautiful, blonde, blue-eyed actress Cameron Diaz. Even the film’s make-up artist, Gucci Westman, described styling Diaz in the role as “a challenge.” Although Cameron was barely recognizable under a crazy brown coif with brown eyes to match, she shined in the role and earned numerous award nods for her performance, including a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and two SAG Awards.
Who "brilliantly" played against type, ONTD?
source 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6
I knew immediately I messed up, so sorry about that mods