Regardless of whether or not a movie was a commercial success, the perfect performance of a dedicated actor or actress really elevates the films they're featured in.
One example of such an actor or performance that comes to mind is Jack Nicholson in The Shining.
Now, Stephen King, who wrote the original novel on which the movie is based, was not impressed with director Stanley Kubrick's vision for the loose interpretation of King's masterpiece.
But what horror movie aficionados will always talk about is Nicholson's incomparable performance of Jack Torrance, the tormented, recovering alcoholic father who has a penchant for chopping through the doors of occupied bathrooms with an ax.
Curious to hear of such iconic Hollywood performances, Redditor JasonXP2000 asked:
"Which actor did such a kick-a** job in a certain role that you could never imagine anyone else playing it?"
These distinguished British actors completely inhabited the characters from within.
A Succession Of Pirates
"Carey Elwes as Wesley/Dread Pirate Roberts."
– Shadowfaxx71
Evil In Pink
"Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge."
"A lot of people here are going to talk protagonists, or hot antagonists."
"Dolores Umbridge was a generally disliked character in the books, but Imelda Staunton's portrayal of the character brought such a life and liveliness to the evil pink suited b*tch that they are an inseparable pairing. It was, truly, a perfect casting backed by excellent support and direction."
– Taolan13
Maggie In Anything
"Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall."
– highlandcow75
When it comes to epic blockbusters, it's hard to imagine changing any of these perfect casting choices.
He Slayed
"Bruce Campbell in Army Of Darkness."
– ctennessen
"Soooo many one liners. I think my favorite: 'Wellllll hello Mr fancy pants, I've got news for you pal, you ain't leading but two things right now...'"
– faintlyupsetmartigan
She Slayed
"Sigourney Weaver as Ripley in the Alien franchise."
– insert_name_here925
"I love the fact that all the characters in the Alien script were written without gender in mind. Their gender was determined upon casting."
"Edit: The original script states 'The crew is unisex and all parts are interchangeable for men or women.'”
– awesome404
He Always Came Baaaack
"Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator."
– 00-H
Traveling Outatime
"Michael J Fox as Marty McFly."
– trauerspieI
Who Donned The Cape Best
"Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman. In an alternate universe, it's Leonardo De Caprio. I cannot imagine that."
– E_-_R_-_I_-_C
There's a reason why these actors have an Oscar on their shelves.
Unsettling And Masterful Performance
"Javier Bardem in No Country for Old Men."
– blurplethenurple
Inglorious Antagonist
"Christoph Waltz as Hans Landa in Inglorius Basterds."
– SpectreOperator
Inglorious Protagonist
"Brad Pitt as Lt Aldo Raine is hard to imagine anyone else pulling off. I crack up at all of his scenes to this day because he's such a smart @ss, and the accent was great."
– madhaxor
Characters on TV are equally as, if not more, complex as the actors embody the mindset of their characters for extended periods of time.
There's No "Parks & Rec" Without Him
"Nick Offerman as Ron Swanson."
– izatrap2
Speaking Of "Parks & Rec"
"Let's be honest here, the entire cast of parks and rec was really well cast, I cant imagine a different Andy, April, Donna, Leslie, Ben, Tom, Ann or Larry / Gary / Gerry / Jerry , or Chris. hell even Craig."
– madhaxor
Rest In Peace, James
"James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano."
– MyBestDisguise
"One of the greatest acting performances ever - and it had to be. The character of Tony is so complex, so idiosyncratic… his true nature is often hidden even from himself. Gandolfini had to pull it all together. You have to believe the charisma in one scene and the oafishness in the next. The tender father, the murderer. Fat, balding, and insecure in one scene, suave and seductive the next. He cries about ducks and he’s a badass. More than anything, you recognize he is deeply evil to his core - probably beyond redemption even as he occasionally reaches for the light - and you love him anyways."
"What an incredible talent."
– bjankles
It's Always Sunny With Danny Around
"Danny DeVito as Frank Reynolds. I'd seen him in a bunch of stuff before, but Frank is the perfect role for him."
– JayGold
Another actress who had me convinced I was watching a real person was Kathy Bates in her Oscar-winning portrayal of Annie Wilkes in Stephen King's Misery. (What is it with impressionable Stephen King characters?)
She redefined cuckoo-crazy for me in that performance, I couldn't shake off mental images of Annie hobbling James Caan's leg when I saw Bates playing a completely different character in the heartwarming Fried Green Tomatoes and as the "Unsinkable" Molly Brown in Titanic.
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