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Examples of Miscasting

Someone on salon.com commented on my first miscasting post. They said that an actor should be versatile and be able to challenge themselves.

I agree.

I would, however, say that this is too often used to excuse miscasting. It's like saying miscasting never happens because no matter what role someone gives you, if you're a good enough actor, you'll make it work.

To illustrate my point, I'll use examples of stretching and miscasting. These are all based on my opinions, but I think giving examples is the best way to show what I mean. I feel like when miscasting is involved you can always tell because there's a political element to it. Here are the examples:

STRETCHING: Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd. Not the first name that would come to mind, but he did a decent job.

MISCASTING: Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett. Too young, too pretty--clearly got it the same way she's gotten every other role in every other one of her husband's movies.

STRETCHING: Renee Zellwegger as Bridget Jones. Yes, Kate Winslet would have been the more obvious choice, but Renee did very well both times.

MISCASTING: Renee Zellwegger as Roxie. The whole point of Roxie is that she's past her prime. Casting someone so young didn't make any sense.

STRETCHING: Me as a drug-pushing heterosexual.

MISCASTING: Me in a role that involves having to sing any tenor song ever written...or Santa Clause.

STRETCHING: Hayden Christensen in "Life as a House."

MISCASTING: Hayden Christensen in any movie other than "Life as a House."

STRETCHING: Brad Pitt

MISCASTING: Megan Fox

See? It's easy enough to figure out.

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