How These 20 Infamous Casting Choices Set Hollywood On Fire

There’s always chatter about who should play what character, but sometimes, the chatter turns into an uproar. When a casting choice feels off, fans and critics make their voices heard loud and clear. These moments become part of film history, which shows that even Hollywood’s biggest stars aren’t immune to backlash. What follows are some of the infamous casting controversies.

Mickey Rooney As Mr. Yunioshi In Breakfast At Tiffany’s

Mickey Rooney’s portrayal of Mr. Yunioshi is infamous for its yellowface caricature of a Japanese character, sparking outrage from Asian American communities for decades. Director Blake Edwards later expressed regret, and modern releases often censor or remove the role entirely. Rooney claimed ignorance of the offense.

John Wayne As Genghis Khan In The Conqueror

Casting John Wayne, best known for cowboy roles, as Genghis Khan baffled audiences. The film is now considered one of Hollywood’s worst, especially after many cast members developed cancer from filming near a nuclear test site. Wayne’s performance was widely mocked, and the movie flopped disastrously.

Jake Gyllenhaal In Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time

Casting Jake Gyllenhaal as a Persian hero sparked backlash, with critics calling it whitewashing and asking why no Middle Eastern actors were cast. Despite a big budget, the film flopped. Gyllenhaal later admitted the role wasn’t his to take, adding fuel to debates about race in Hollywood blockbusters.

Emma Stone In Aloha

Emma Stone played a character described as part Chinese and Hawaiian, which led to a public outcry and industry introspection. Director Cameron Crowe apologized for the misstep and Stone herself acknowledged the controversy. The backlash contributed to the film’s disappointing box office performance.

Jared Leto As The Joker In Suicide Squad

Overshadowing the performance itself, the Joker portrayal attracted more attention for disturbing on-set behavior. Co-stars received unsettling “gifts” like a live rat and a dead pig. Additionally, critics panned his over-the-top performance, and his character barely appeared in the final film. Many fans consider Leto’s Joker the weakest version yet.

Tom Cruise As Jack Reacher

This casting caused an uproar among fans, as he looked nothing like the towering character from the books. Despite his star power, Cruise’s height became a meme. The role was eventually rebooted with Alan Ritchson, and even author Lee Child supported the change.

Scarlett Johansson In Ghost In The Shell

Casting a white actress as a Japanese character reignited debates about whitewashing in Hollywood. The film flopped at the box office amid strong Asian-American protests, and the studio’s attempt to “Asianify” her face with VFX only intensified the outrage. Johansson eventually reconsidered her stance.

Tom Hanks In The Bonfire Of The Vanities

Tom Hanks was miscast as a morally bankrupt Wall Street executive, leading to both critical and box office disappointment. Hanks himself later admitted the role wasn’t right for him. This movie’s troubled production almost ended director Brian De Palma’s career and inspired a tell-all book.

Jennifer Lawrence In Red Sparrow

Playing a Russian spy demanded grit, but Lawrence’s glamorous image and uneven accent felt out of place. Critics accused the film of exploiting female trauma, which sparked debate over whether the fault lay in her performance or the script. Its story is adapted from a CIA operative’s novel.

Matt Damon In The Great Wall

Starring as the white hero in a movie set in ancient China, Matt drew criticism for reinforcing the “white savior” trope. Chinese audiences weren’t impressed by the Hollywood addition, and Damon’s defense of the casting didn’t sway opinions. The film flopped internationally.

Anne Hathaway In One Day

Anne Hathaway’s Yorkshire accent drew heavy criticism, often labeled “cringe-inducing.” Her vocal performance felt off-key, pulling viewers out of her character’s emotional journey. The film struggled at the box office, and fans of the original novel were disappointed by casting choices that couldn’t capture the book’s spirit.

Russell Crowe In Les Miserables

From the moment his casting was announced, online debates ignited. Viewers pointed out how Crowe’s vocals failed to match the strength of his co-stars. Critics were particularly unkind, calling his singing the weakest element. Crowe eventually addressed the backlash on Twitter.

Cameron Diaz In Gangs Of New York

Placed alongside the commanding presence of Daniel Day-Lewis, Diaz’s performance struggled to find footing. Many described her dramatic delivery as lacking depth. Fans of Scorsese’s gritty storytelling found her miscast, and she largely avoided heavy dramatic roles following the film’s reception.

Keanu Reeves In Bram Stoker’s Dracula

Reeves’ attempt at an English accent became a source of ridicule. Playing opposite acting heavyweights only made his wooden delivery more obvious. He later admitted fatigue during filming, but the performance remains meme-worthy decades later, often cited in discussions of miscasting.

Angelina Jolie In A Mighty Heart

Portraying Mariane Pearl, a woman of Afro-Cuban heritage, sparked heated debates about racial representation. Critics questioned the casting choice, especially given the use of skin-darkening makeup. Although Pearl supported the decision, the issue highlighted Hollywood’s ongoing struggles with authentic and respectful representation.

Renee Zellweger In Judy

People doubted whether Zellweger could really pull off Judy Garland. Her accent and appearance raised eyebrows, and many wondered if she was the right choice for such an iconic role. Nevertheless, she won an Oscar. Garland’s family had mixed feelings, even though Zellweger dedicated months to perfecting the role.

Gerard Butler In Gods Of Egypt

Scottish actor Gerard Butler’s role as an Egyptian deity raised eyebrows. The overwhelmingly white cast drew criticism, which led the director to apologize before the film even premiered. Audiences rejected it and the movie’s failure became a prime example of casting missteps.

Marlon Brando In Teahouse Of The August Moon

Brando’s portrayal of an Okinawan man in yellowface is now seen as a glaring example of Hollywood’s discriminatory casting history. He wore facial prosthetics to alter his appearance. Despite protests, the film earned a Golden Globe, though modern audiences view it critically.

Joseph Fiennes As Michael Jackson In Urban Myths

Casting a white actor as Michael Jackson sparked immediate public outrage. Jackson’s family condemned the portrayal and the network pulled the episode. Fiennes called it “satirical,” but his defense only amplified the backlash. The project’s tone-deafness proved too controversial to survive.

Natalie Portman In Jackie

Portman’s version of Jackie Kennedy had critics divided. Some felt she appeared too young and slight, while others praised the intense preparation she put into the role. With extensive dialect coaching and careful mimicry, her performance still left Jackie’s family notably silent.