It’s said no one sets out to make a bad movie. Yet, when you see some, you have to wonder why the signs weren’t obvious. Every actor has at least one movie on their resume they badly regret (and a few have resumes seemingly made up of nothing but horrible films). It’s amazing how actors can read a script, agree to do it and then be shocked when the movie bombs. To be fair, in many cases, a script can be great only to be shifted when studio interference runs wild. That’s not to mention how a shoot can turn into a mess with fights and such. It’s sad to see actors doing their best only for their final efforts to be a letdown. Of course, some movies are terrible because of bad acting, in which case you can’t feel too sorry for those involved. But every now and then, you do.
Some actors clearly have done all they can for a movie. They put up with wild costumes or makeup, they do stunt work or other bits; it’s clear they’re trying their best. Yet the combination of a bad script, bad direction or studio messes turns their final efforts into garbage. It’s a shame as some horrible movies can boast one actual person trying their best to make it work. It’s almost as if they’re in an entirely different movie with their talent shining very well. Just by themselves, they can make the movie not just watchable but even entertaining and make you wish the rest around them could be just as great. In some cases, it’s an esteemed actor, in others, it’s someone surprising and it makes you realize why they took the role. Here are 5 actors who gave their all despite their movies sucking and why there’s a saving grace even in a flop.
5.Gal Gadot Didn’t Disappoint But Justice League Did
There can’t be denying that Justice League is not the mega-hit expected. While a good international take may salvage it, it already has “bomb” status and Warner Bros expected to take a loss. Controversy rages over whether Zack Snyder’s original cut was good and ruined by the studio and Joss Whedon, or if they actually improved it. What’s true is that the gathering of DC’s heroes was a mess with bad plots, a ridiculous CGI foe and even the attempts to lighten up the darker earlier movies was not well received. Thankfully, there was still Gal Gadot. Months after her Wonder Woman was a solo hit, Gadot once more proved herself the MVP of this series. Her intro in the movie, of Diana taking down terrorists, was spectacular and had audiences cheering.
The movie was smart to have her in a leadership role; Gadot giving her all with the action sequences and even heart (the scene of her and Batman talking about their struggles was great). Many have said it’s a shame the rest of the DCCU doesn’t match Wonder’s success and Gadot proved she’s still the best person in the cast of heroes.
4. Michael Chiklis Refused To Voice Over A CGI ‘Thing’ And Suffered In Makeup Instead For Fantastic Four
There was a slew of issues in the making of Fantastic Four, based on Marvel’s flagship title. They wanted to base it more on the “Ultimate” version rather than Lee & Kirby. They insisted on Jessica Alba, a miscast, as the Invisible Woman, and they rendered Doctor Doom, the greatest Marvel villain, as a lame guy with metal skin. However, two performers were good. First was Chris Evans who perfectly captured the Human Torch as an arrogant showboat who loved being able to turn to flame. The second was how they managed Michael Chiklis as the Thing. Originally, the idea was Chiklis doing “normal” Ben Grimm, and then voice a CGI Thing. But Chiklis insisted on making it look real by putting up with a complex makeup job, adding nearly a hundred extra pounds of latex “rock” to pull the look off.
It was a great touch, making the Thing seem more real and thus audiences more invested in him. Chiklis backed it up by showing Ben’s heart under his hard exterior. The pain in his eyes when his girlfriend literally runs in fear from him is heart-breaking and you understand his bitterness at his turn. Amid all the bad dialogue and poor plot turns, Chiklis manages to make the Thing truly work and show how practical makeup still has a serious edge over CGI.
3. Andrew Garfield And Emma Stone Couldn’t Save The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Sony really thought that the Spider-Man movies could be their Marvel-sized franchise. It’s obvious how Amazing Spider-Man 2 was meant to set up a big cinematic universe with plans for movies on the Sinister Six, Black Cat, Venom, even Aunt May. However, the film ended up a huge box office disappointment while also crushing the hopes of fans with bad storytelling and running way too long. Jamie Foxx was horribly miscast as Electro and shoving in the Green Goblin was too distracting. Yet the stars could be counted on to ground things. Andrew Garfield made a great Peter Parker, carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, handling the various super-fights and wanting to make a difference. He was also believable in the costume and stunt work for the character
Meanwhile, Emma Stone elevated Gwen Stacy beyond just “the girlfriend” with her own strength and humor. Their relationship was terrific with fine chemistry to carry the movie despite the CGI-overload. That paid off with the truly heartbreaking climax that each sold beautifully. While the movies are now forgotten with the MCU getting Spidey, Garfield and Stone did make this entry better than it deserved.
2. Margot Robbie Stole The Spotlight In Suicide Squad
It’s now accepted that Suicide Squad was a total disaster. Originally, it was a straight take on DC bad guys recruited into a secret mission, a really dark affair. But studio interference called for multiple reshoots and edits that messed it up and turned it into an often incomprehensible mess. There was also criticism for miscasts Will Smith and Jared Leto, who was too nutty as the Joker. However, most critics were kind to Margot Robbie, an inspired choice as Harley Quinn. Her outfit may have been crazy but it fit as Robbie got into the psychology of this lunatic; funny and driven and truly in love with the psychotic Joker. Robbie also did her own stunts, including complex acrobatics and easily stole every second of screen time. Many cited her as a strong part of the film and that if the character returns, Robbie is the only choice to play her, turning this otherwise mess of a movie into a compelling romp for her looney Harley.
1. Sofia Boutella Went Through Hours Of Makeup For The Mummy
Universal made a huge deal of their “Dark Universe,” a cinematic series based on their classic movie monsters. It would kick off with The Mummy and plans for more entries, complete with a big “cast photo” of the stars and even gave it its own theme music. Too bad they didn’t figure out how to make the first movie work. Mummy was a flop, ravaged by critics and too much time building up this “universe” rather than be a fun adventure. However, critics were kind to Sofia Boutella in the title role. The actress was well cast as this exotic beauty, an Egyptian princess who turns to darkness in her quest for power.
The really great stuff comes with Boutella putting up with the makeup to make her look a monster, with colored skin, contacts, and tattoos. She also handles the action sequences well, her experience as a dancer aiding her in moving like some otherworldly being. It’s a shame the movie flopped as it might have been good to get more of Boutella who at least made this film more memorable being on screen.