We recently asked members of our BuzzFeed Community, "Who was an actor you were sure would be mediocre in a role when it was first announced, but were pleasantly proven wrong when the trailer or movie was released?" and you better believe movie lovers came through with some perfect examples of this phenomenon.
So, with that in mind, here are just a few of the most popular responses shared:
1. Chris Pratt as Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
"We all laughed when it was announced that he was going to be voicing Mario, but seeing the movie, I absolutely loved it. He gives us a surprisingly good performance, even though he does have an American accent."
You can watch a bit of the performance here:
View this video on YouTube
2. Will Smith playing Genie in Aladdin (2019)
"I was really worried when that casting was first announced, but he actually pulled it off."
You can watch a bit of the performance here:
View this video on YouTube
3. Madonna as Mae Mordabito in A League of Their Own (1992)
"In an ensemble movie, she works. As a lead, not so much."
You can watch a bit of the performance here:
View this video on YouTube
4. Michael Keaton as Batman in Batman (1989)
"Let’s not forget that everyone doubted his ability to pull off Batman. He was in Mr. Mom and Beetlejuice up until then, but he made that role iconic."
You can watch a bit of the performance here:
View this video on YouTube
5. Also, Robert Pattinson as Batman in The Batman (2022)
"I thought he was gonna be terrible, but he was so good! He actually kept me into the movie. I thought it was going feel like a long three hours, but with how entertaining the movie was, it didn’t feel that long at all."
You can watch a bit of the performance here:
View this video on YouTube
6. Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader as Maggie and Milo Dean in The Skeleton Twins (2014)
"I didn’t know they were such amazing dramatic actors. That movie was really moving and sad, but they did such a good job!"
You can watch a bit of the performance here:
View this video on YouTube
7. Sharlto Copley as Murdock in The A-Team (2010)
"The only thing he had done prior was District 9. He was great in both!"
You can watch a bit of the performance here:
View this video on YouTube
8. Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones in Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
"Can't top that!"
You can watch a bit of the performance here:
View this video on YouTube
9. Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in the X-Men films
"The first time I heard about the casting, I was aghast. The guy from the stage musical The Boy from Oz? Seriously?! He’s way too tall, and he’s a song-and-dance man, not an action hero! But, wow, did he nail that role to the point that I feel sorry for whoever tries to embody it next. They have very big claws to fill."
You can watch a bit of the performance here:
View this video on YouTube
10. Anne Hathaway as Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
"I thought that was an awful choice originally. I must say I was pleasantly surprised with that one."
You can watch a bit of the performance here:
View this video on YouTube
11. Justin Timberlake as Jim Berkey in Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
"I know it was just a small part, but I thought he was very funny and very effective. I haven’t seen him in anything else, so can’t comment on his overall acting talent, but he did a good job."
You can watch a bit of the performance here:
View this video on YouTube
12. Heath Ledger as the Joker in The Dark Knight (2008)
"I was definitely one of those people who, when Heath Ledger was announced as the Joker, was like, 'The guy from A Knight's Tale and 10 Things I Hate About You? That's never going to work!' Then, when the first stills were released and we saw him in Joker makeup sitting in the jail cell, I thought, 'Wow! He actually looks scary!' When I went to see the film, I was forced to eat my early words because, as we know, he was just magnificent."
You can watch a bit of the performance here:
View this video on YouTube
13. Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games franchise
"I was a huge fan of the first book and super excited when they announced they were making the film. I didn't know who J. Law was before she was cast as Katniss, and my initial thought was, 'How is this blonde bombshell going to play Katniss?!' And to be honest, she never quite matched the picture I had in my head of Katniss, but I was blown away by her performance all the same."
You can watch a bit of the performance here:
View this video on YouTube
14. Chris Pine as Captain Kirk in Star Trek (2009)
"I only remembered him from that shitty Lindsay Lohan movie, and I thought he was terrible in that, so I assumed he couldn't possibly play Captain Kirk. I was really happy to be wrong."
You can watch a bit of the performance here:
View this video on YouTube
15. Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
"She hit it out of the park — love her as that part, and love the character more and more!"
You can watch a bit of the performance here:
View this video on YouTube
16. Daniel Craig as James Bond in the 007 franchise
"I just could *not* see him in the role. Glad I was wrong! He was excellent."
You can watch a bit of the performance here:
View this video on YouTube
17. Clint Eastwood as Robert Kincaid in The Bridges of Madison County (1995)
"When I read The Bridges of Madison County, the last person in the world I would have seen as Robert was Clint Eastwood. In my head, he was Dirty Harry. I was irrationally angry when I read that he was not only going to direct it, but also play the sensitive photographer. I had no problem with Meryl Streep as Francesca (because she can play anything). I decided to go to see the movie despite my anger over the casting. Eastwood was fantastic as Robert. He was so good that now I can't imagine anyone else in that role."
You can watch a bit of the performance here:
View this video on YouTube
18. Steve Carell as John Eleuthère du Pont in Foxcatcher (2014)
"100%."
You can watch a bit of the performance here:
View this video on YouTube
And finally:
19. Tom Holland as Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
"I wasn’t sure he was right for the role after seeing Tobey and Andrew, but wow, he killed it. I can’t imagine anyone more fitting for the role now."
You can watch a bit of the performance here:
View this video on YouTube
You've read their responses, but now, it's your turn! Who's an actor that you fully expected to bomb in a specific role, but ended up surprising you? Share your pick in the comments below!
Some responses were edited for length and/or clarity.