20 Actors Who Rejected The Roles That Made Them Famous

While these performances launched careers and created cultural touchstones, they left the actors with complicated feelings about playing them. This gallery explores twenty actors who developed ambivalent or outright hostile relationships with the characters that made them household names—revealing the complex tension between commercial success and artistic fulfillment.

Robert Pattinson – Edward Cullen In “Twilight”

No one hated “Twilight” more vocally than Pattinson himself. He openly mocked the vampire saga during his press tours with the franchise, calling the story “ridiculous” and suggesting Edward was “a 108-year-old virgin.” Despite his disdain, the role catapulted him to superstardom.

Marlon Brando – Stanley Kowalski In “A Streetcar Named Desire”

Brando initially resisted taking on the role of the brutish Stanley, concerned about glorifying toxic masculinity. On the set, his method acting techniques alienated co-stars. Despite his ambivalence, his electrifying performance revolutionized screen acting and established him as Hollywood’s premier talent.

Kate Winslet – Rose In “Titanic”

The role that made her a global sensation became a source of creative insecurity. Winslet has frequently criticized her performance in Cameron’s epic, calling her accent “awful” and admitting she “can’t listen to it,” though she’s since made peace with its cultural impact.

Harrison Ford – Han Solo In “Star Wars”

Ford repeatedly pushed George Lucas to kill off Solo, as he felt the character lacked depth. “I thought his utility was exhausted,” Ford explained. Despite his frustration, the role defined his career alongside Indiana Jones, which created his persona as Hollywood’s reluctant hero.

Alec Guinness – Obi-Wan Kenobi In “Star Wars”

The distinguished actor famously called “Star Wars” dialogue “fairy-tale rubbish” in letters to friends. With his extensive classical background, Guinness resented people primarily remembering him for this role. He negotiated for 2% of Lucas’s profits—a decision that ironically made him wealthy.

Christopher Plummer – Captain Von Trapp In “The Sound Of Music”

Plummer referred to the musical as “The Sound of Mucus” and had trouble with playing such a one-dimensional character with no depth. He often skipped anniversary celebrations but became more appreciative with time, having recognized the film’s popularity and ardent following.

Sean Connery As “James Bond”

Although Sean Connery gained international stardom through his portrayal of Bond, he had mixed feelings about the character’s constraints. At one point, he expressed a desire to eliminate Agent 007. The role’s immense popularity often eclipsed his other endeavors, leading to a tumultuous relationship with the character.

Megan Fox – Mikaela Banes In “Transformers”

She compared director Michael Bay to Hitler, calling the film series mindless action with minimal character development. Her outspoken criticism of the franchise contributed to her dismissal from the movies, though the role had already established her as Hollywood’s new siren.

Jamie Dornan – Christian Grey In “Fifty Shades Of Grey”

Even with massive commercial success, Dornan noted, “It’s not the kind of role I’d pursue again.” The trilogy nonetheless pushed him from being a model to a leading man. Dornan admitted he “doesn’t believe in” his character and felt uncomfortable with the film’s content.

Blake Lively – Serena Van Der Woodsen In “Gossip Girl”

Lively felt trapped by the show’s popularity while yearning for more substantial roles. The series nonetheless defined her early career and established her stardom. She struggled with her character’s poor role model status, stating, “It’s not something I want to promote.”

Daniel Radcliffe As “Harry Potter”

Though grateful for the opportunity, he’s spent years deliberately choosing unconventional roles to escape being typecast as the boy wizard. Radcliffe has spoken candidly about his struggles with alcohol while the films were being shot and called some performances “dead behind the eyes.”

Leonard Nimoy – Spock In “Star Trek”

“I Am Not Spock,” an autobiography by Nimoy, was written about his complicated relationship with the character Spock, which was his way of rejecting the character that defined him. Ironically, he later embraced his Vulcan legacy, publishing “I Am Spock” and acknowledging the role’s profound impact on his life and career.

Miley Cyrus As “Hannah Montana”

The star has spoken about the identity crisis caused by her Disney persona, saying it gave her “body dysmorphia.” Her dramatic post-Disney rebellion directly responded to feeling creatively stifled. Despite Miley’s complex feelings, the role launched her multi-faceted entertainment career.

Angus T. Jones – Jake Harper In “Two And A Half Men”

It is a show that was publicly denounced by Jones as “filth” and urged viewers to stop watching after his religious awakening. The role made him TV’s highest-paid child actor but left him deeply conflicted about his contributions to content he considered morally objectionable.

Penn Badgley – Joe Goldberg In “You”

Badgley has repeatedly expressed discomfort with fans romanticizing his psychopathic character. “How far are we willing to go to forgive an evil white man?” he questioned, actively working against the show’s potential to glorify a stalker and murderer.

Anthony Hopkins – Hannibal Lecter In “Silence Of The Lambs”

Even with this being an Oscar-winning role, Hopkins has expressed ambivalence about the role’s impact. “I made the mistake of doing the sequel,” he reflected. The character’s cultural dominance sometimes overshadowed his extensive classical training and diverse work.

Edward Norton – Derek Vinyard In “American History X”

Norton battled with director Tony Kaye over the final cut, eventually getting Kaye removed from the editing process. Though the performance earned him an Oscar nomination, the behind-the-scenes conflict highlighted his complicated relationship with the controversial character that displayed his talents.

Shailene Woodley – Tris Prior In “Divergent” Series

“I didn’t sign up to be in a television show,” she stated flatly. The franchise nonetheless established her as a capable action heroine and Hollywood star. Woodley’s enthusiasm waned as the series progressed, eventually refusing to return for the TV adaptation.

Adam Brody – Seth Cohen In “The O.C.”

The role made him the defining “adorkable” love interest but pigeonholed him for years afterward. Brody has expressed frustration about being perpetually associated with his neurotic teen character in this drama. “I’m still trying to prove I’m not just that guy,” he said.

Jennifer Lawrence – Katniss Everdeen In “The Hunger Games”

Lawrence expressed that she is conflicted about the role’s fame, saying, “I lost control of my career.” She later reflected, “I think I had to develop a thicker skin because of it.” Though she had her reservations, Katniss established Lawrence as one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actresses.