Actors Who Openly Hated Their Most Famous Roles
Actors are humans too. Sometimes, they say yes to movie or TV roles that later make them cringe. It might be because of a big paycheck, a tough Hollywood contract, or just not seeing the red flags at the time. Here are some well-known actors who publicly regretted their roles — and honestly, we get it.
Allison Williams thought Marnie was making bad calls in Girls
While Allison Williams doesn’t regret being part of the hit HBO series Girls, she has admitted that she had serious issues with her character, Marnie. Even though the show was a big part of her career, she struggled emotionally while playing the role.
In an interview with BuzzFeed, she said, “Marnie would drive me crazy if we were friends in real life.” Williams was disappointed in Marnie’s bad relationship choices — like sleeping with Elijah, hooking up with Ray, and chasing Desi even though he had a girlfriend.
Robert Pattinson kept dissing Twilight
Robert Pattinson nearly quit acting before landing the lead role of Edward Cullen in Twilight. The vampire love story made millions at the box office and created a global fan base. Still, Pattinson had nothing good to say about it.
He said in one interview, “The more I read the script, the more I hated this guy.” Pattinson disliked the fame, the media pressure, and even the personality of his own character. He called Edward “ridiculous” and clearly wished he had passed on the role.
Kate Winslet couldn’t watch herself in Titanic
Kate Winslet became an international star after playing Rose in Titanic, one of the highest-grossing films of all time. While she has no issue with the movie itself, she has a tough time watching her own performance.
Winslet told reporters, “Every single scene, I’m like, ‘Really? You did it like that?’” She was especially unhappy with her American accent and often wishes she could redo the role entirely.
Penn Badgley finds it hard to play Joe
Penn Badgley stars in You, the hit Netflix thriller series, as Joe Goldberg — a charming but dangerous stalker and killer. While fans are obsessed with Joe, Penn wants to remind everyone that the character is not someone to admire.
He said, “He’s capable of stalking, murder, manipulation, and emotional abuse.” To play such a dark character, Penn had to pretend everything Joe said was true, which really affected him emotionally. “It’s so backwards, inhumane, and sad,” he said.
Blake Lively thought Gossip Girl sent the wrong messages
Blake Lively became a global star thanks to Gossip Girl, a teen drama about rich New York teens followed by a mysterious blogger. But Blake didn’t always agree with the storylines.
She admitted that playing Serena felt “personally compromising,” especially when her character gave drugs to someone who overdosed or betrayed her best friend. “It wasn’t sending the right message,” she said.
Megan Fox suffered while filming Transformers
Megan Fox became famous after starring in Transformers, a big-budget Hollywood action movie. But behind the scenes, things weren’t so glamorous. Megan said the movies didn’t care about acting talent, just looks and action.
“When they say ‘Action!’ I know I’ll either be running or screaming — or both,” she joked. But her relationship with director Michael Bay was much worse. She claimed he was a “nightmare” to work with and even compared him to Hitler. He allegedly asked her to tan excessively and wash his Ferrari.
Evangeline Lilly said Lost ruined Kate
Evangeline Lilly gained fame through the hit TV series Lost, which followed plane crash survivors on a strange island. At first, she loved her character, Kate, who had a strong and independent story.
But as the show went on, she felt Kate became “predictable and obnoxious.” She said, “My character went from being powerful to just chasing two men around the island.” Lilly also shared how uncomfortable she felt during a nude scene she was pressured to do.
Emilia Clarke is thankful Terminator Genisys never had a sequel
After becoming a household name from Game of Thrones, Emilia Clarke joined the famous Terminator franchise as Sarah Connor in Terminator Genisys. But the movie was a box office failure and received poor reviews. Emilia was actually “relieved” when no sequel was made.
She said the filming experience was very stressful. Director Alan Taylor, who also worked on Game of Thrones, had a tough time. “He was not the director I remembered. No one had a good time on set,” she explained.
Katherine Heigl was branded ‘difficult’ after Knocked Up
Katherine Heigl starred in the 2007 comedy Knocked Up, which was a hit. But later, she called the film misogynistic, saying it portrayed women as uptight and humorless. “Why is my character such a killjoy?” she asked.
This comment led to Heigl being labeled as “difficult to work with” in Hollywood. Some called her ungrateful, but others praised her honesty for calling out gender stereotypes in film.
Jennifer Garner had to do Elektra
After starring in Daredevil, Jennifer Garner had to do the spinoff movie Elektra — but not by choice. Her former co-star Michael Vartan revealed, “She had to do it because it was in her contract.”
The film was widely criticized and didn’t help Garner’s career. She later said she wished her version of Elektra had been part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), where characters often get better writing and development.
Jason Bateman said Horrible Bosses 2 made no money
Jason Bateman has starred in many successful movies and series, but Horrible Bosses 2 isn’t one he’s proud of. While the first film was a hit, the sequel released in 2014 was a box office failure.
“The second one was garbage, as far as box office goes,” Bateman said. “It didn’t do any money.” He made it clear he wouldn’t return for a third installment.
Daniel Craig would do anything to avoid another James Bond after Spectre
Daniel Craig has played James Bond in multiple blockbuster films, but after Spectre, he was completely done. When asked if he’d return to the role in 2015, his answer shocked fans.
“I’d rather slash my wrists. No, not at the moment. We’re done. I just want to move on.” Though he later returned for No Time to Die, it’s clear the role took a toll on him.
Jessica Alba didn’t ‘cry pretty enough’ in Fantastic Four
Jessica Alba faced harsh feedback for her performance in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, but she later revealed the problem was behind the camera. The director told her she didn’t look good enough when she cried.
“He told me I wasn’t crying pretty enough,” she said. The experience was so upsetting it made her consider quitting acting altogether.
Angus T. Jones begged fans to stop watching Two and a Half Men
Angus T. Jones became famous as Jake Harper on Two and a Half Men, starting when he was just 9 years old. But by 19, he had a spiritual awakening, joined a church, and left the show for good.
He shocked fans when he said, “Stop watching Two and a Half Men. It fills your head with filth.” He called himself a “paid hypocrite,” even though he earned $350,000 per episode.
Sally Field said Aunt May one-dimentional
Oscar-winning actress Sally Field played Aunt May in The Amazing Spider-Man series starring Andrew Garfield. But Sally later admitted she wasn’t a fan of the role. On the Howard Stern Show, she said the character lacked depth:
“It’s hard to find a three-dimensional character in it… You can’t put ten pounds of s**t in a five-pound bag.”
The superhero sequel didn’t do well, and many agree that both the story and characters fell short — which is likely why the series ended after two films.
Zac Efron can’t escape High School Musical
Zac Efron became a teen idol thanks to Disney’s High School Musical, but years later, he admitted he struggles to shake that “Disney boy” image.
“I still want to kick that guy’s a* sometimes,”* Efron joked. “He’s still just that f**ing kid from High School Musical.”* Even with a diverse career in action and drama, he feels many people still only see him as Troy Bolton.
T.J. Miller had dark times because of The Emoji Movie
T.J. Miller voiced the lead in The Emoji Movie, which became known as one of the worst animated movies of all time. While he originally tried to defend it, the severe criticism led to a dark period in his life.
Miller admitted that he struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts after the movie’s release. “Instead of dying… I go and make The Emoji Movie,” he said. It’s a reminder that even animated films can have a serious emotional impact on the actors involved.
George Clooney is still apologizing for Batman & Robin
George Clooney played Batman in the 1997 film Batman & Robin, and it’s a role he still jokes about — but with real regret. The movie was widely panned, and Clooney once said, “I thought I’d destroyed the franchise.”
He admitted it seemed like a smart career move at the time, but it ended up being a huge disappointment. Thankfully, Batman was later revived with Christopher Nolan’s darker trilogy.
Ryan Reynolds knew they’re ruining Deadpool
Ryan Reynolds is now beloved as Deadpool, but fans first met the character in X-Men Origins: Wolverine — and it was a disaster. Reynolds knew it from the start.
“We hadn’t even written the real Deadpool script yet, and they told me to do this version or they’d cast someone else,” he explained. Fans hated the way Deadpool was changed, and Reynolds later joked it was just “Practice Deadpool.”
Crispin Glover hated Back to the Future’s ending
While Back to the Future is a beloved classic, Crispin Glover, who played George McFly, didn’t like how it ended. He believed the movie sent the wrong message.
“If our characters are rich, it’s a bad message,” he told AV Club. He thought happiness shouldn’t come from wealth. Glover even clashed with director Robert Zemeckis over it.
Halle Berry dissed Catwoman in her Razzie acceptance speech
Halle Berry won an Oscar — and also a Razzie for Catwoman. She didn’t hold back while accepting the Razzie, saying, “I want to thank Warner Bros. for casting me in this piece-of-s**t movie.”
Though she hated the movie, Halle admitted she took the role because it came with a big paycheck.
Jamie Dornan won’t portray someone like Christian Grey again
Fifty Shades of Grey made Jamie Dornan a star, but it wasn’t a role he enjoyed. The actor said it was tough to connect with Christian Grey, the controlling and cold lead character.
“I don’t think I’ll ever play a character who’s less like me,” he said. This came from an actor who has played a serial killer, showing how difficult the role really was for him.
Channing Tatum was forced to do G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra
Channing Tatum revealed on the Howard Stern Show that he never wanted to be in G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra. He said, “I’ll be honest. I f**ing hate that movie. I was pushed into doing it. The script wasn’t any good.”*
Although he loved the original G.I. Joe cartoon as a kid, the movie version didn’t live up to his expectations — and he only did it because of studio pressure.
Ben Affleck played Batman because of Daredevil
Ben Affleck wasn’t shy about his feelings toward Daredevil. “I hate Daredevil so much,” he said about the 2003 film. Despite making money, critics and fans labeled it a superhero flop.
He said his decision to play Batman in Batman v Superman was to finally “get one of these movies right.” For Affleck, Batman was a chance to prove himself after Daredevil’s failure.
Daniel Radcliffe thought he was bad in The Half Blood Prince
Daniel Radcliffe became a global star thanks to Harry Potter, but he doesn’t look back fondly on all his performances. Speaking about The Half-Blood Prince, he said, “I hate it. My acting is very one-note… I got complacent.”
Even with the franchise’s massive success, Radcliffe is known for being very self-critical and honest about his growth as an actor.
Carrie Fisher wished she never did Star Wars
Carrie Fisher will forever be remembered as Princess Leia, but in her memoir, she admitted she “wished she’d turned down Star Wars.” The franchise brought her fame, but also extreme pressure.
Fisher struggled with bipolar disorder and turned to illegal substances to cope with the intense spotlight. She said that if she’d known how massive the franchise would become, she never would’ve said yes.
Ben Affleck thought people were unfair about Gigli
Gigli is often called one of the worst movies ever made — and it didn’t help that it starred Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez during their high-profile romance. The infamous “Gobble Gobble” line became a symbol of movie disaster.
But Ben Affleck feels the reaction was blown out of proportion. “It could’ve just been a bad movie no one cared about,” he said. “But because I was dating Jennifer Lopez, it became a big deal.”
Matt Damon complained about The Bourne Ultimatum’s script
While the Bourne films helped define Matt Damon’s action career, he was not a fan of the third installment, The Bourne Ultimatum. Damon especially criticized the script, calling it “unreadable” and “embarrassing.”
“This is a career ender,” he said, referring to the draft written by Tony Gilroy. Damon admitted he understood why the writer took the paycheck but was disappointed in the final product.
Will Smith had a hard time playing… Will Smith?
Will Smith is known for his charm and star power, but even he struggles to watch his early work. Speaking on The Graham Norton Show, he said he “can’t bear to watch” The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air — the show that made him famous.
“I was trying so hard and doing so badly,” he admitted. Critics often say Will plays a version of himself in every movie, and ironically, even playing himself didn’t sit right with him.
Cher was silenced in Burlesque
Shailene Woodley got her big break in The Secret Life of the American Teenager, but by the end of the show, she wasn’t proud of its message. Though she appreciated the opportunity, the show’s themes made her uncomfortable.
“Morally, the things we were preaching didn’t align with my integrity,” she said. “It was hard to show up to work every day.”
Shailene Woodley found it hard being on set of The Secret Life of the American Teenager
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was a box office success, but fans felt it didn’t live up to the legacy. Shia LaBeouf, who played Mutt, later said he was disappointed in his own performance.
“I dropped the ball on the legacy people loved,” he admitted. Though he could’ve blamed the script or director Steven Spielberg, he took personal responsibility for the letdown.
Shia LaBeouf disappointed fans in Indiana Jones
He felt like he couldn’t bring life into the character and its adventure, and said that while he could blame it on the script, or on director Steven Spielberg, he takes responsibility for not making it work.
Andrew Lincoln was the loser in Love Actually
Before he was Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead, Andrew Lincoln played the man hopelessly in love with his best friend’s wife in Love Actually. Though the film is often considered a holiday classic, Lincoln said his role was awkward at best.
“In one of the most romantic movies of all time, I got to play the only guy who doesn’t get the girl,” he said. “So I got to be this weird stalker guy.” Many viewers now agree the storyline hasn’t aged well.
Christopher Plummer thought Captain von Trapp was no fun
The Sound of Music is a timeless favorite, but Christopher Plummer — who played Captain von Trapp — didn’t enjoy the role. He openly said the character was “boring” and that trying to make him fun was like “flogging a dead horse.”
Plummer even referred to the movie as “that film” and was often uncomfortable talking about it in cast reunions. While the film is beloved, Plummer never warmed up to his part.
Gwyneth Paltrow felt humiliated in Shallow Hal
Shallow Hal, a comedy about inner beauty, hasn’t aged well — and Gwyneth Paltrow called it a personal disaster. Wearing a “fat suit” for the role, she said the experience was emotionally painful.
“No one would make eye contact with me because I was obese,” she revealed. “It was so sad and disturbing. The clothes were terrible, and I felt humiliated by how dismissive people were.”
Harrison Ford hated everything about Blade Runner
Although Blade Runner is a sci-fi classic, Harrison Ford wasn’t a fan of the movie or his character. “I didn’t like the movie one way or the other,” he said. Ford played Rick Deckard, a detective — but felt he had no real detective work to do.
“I found it very difficult to relate to the material,” he admitted. Despite his dislike, the film became a cult favorite and Ford returned for the sequel, Blade Runner 2049.
Miley Cyrus got body image issues because of Hannah Montana
Miley Cyrus became a global star as Disney’s Hannah Montana, but the experience left her with serious emotional baggage. In a 2015 interview, she shared how the pressure to look “perfect” daily on set affected her mental health.
“I was made to look like someone I wasn’t,” she said. “It probably caused some body dysmorphia.” She added that the role taught her a false idea of what a girl “should” look like.
James Franco admits Your Highness was the worst
Your Highness was meant to be a fun fantasy adventure, but it turned into a box office flop. The film, which starred James Franco and Natalie Portman, failed to break even.
Franco didn’t hold back later on: “Your Highness? That movie sucks. You can’t get around that,” he told GQ Magazine. It’s safe to say fans and critics agreed.
Jim Carrey thought Kick-Ass 2 was too violent
Jim Carrey starred in Kick-Ass 2, but changed his stance on the film after a tragic real-life event. Following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, he said he could no longer support the film’s graphic violence.
“In good conscience, I cannot support that level of violence,” he tweeted. “Recent events caused a change in my heart.” Carrey clarified he wasn’t ashamed of the movie but no longer agreed with its tone.
Shelley Duvall was pretty much abused on The Shining
Shelley Duvall gave a haunting performance in The Shining, but it came at a serious cost. Director Stanley Kubrick is often called a genius — but also known for being extremely hard on his actors.
For one iconic scene (where she’s chased with an axe), Kubrick made Duvall shoot it 127 times. She cried so much that she became dehydrated. Duvall later described the experience as emotionally draining and abusive.
Lily James couldn’t eat solid foods while filming Cinderella
Lily James looked stunning as Disney’s Cinderella, but the reality of wearing a tight corset was anything but magical. To fit the tiny waist look, Lily was forced onto a liquid-only diet.
“I couldn’t digest solid food properly,” she said. She mostly drank soup and tea and joked about burping in co-star Richard Madden’s face on set. Beauty came with a cost — and it wasn’t comfortable.
Natalie Portman was pissed about Patty Jenkins getting replaced in Thor 2
Natalie Portman signed on to Thor: The Dark World expecting to work with director Patty Jenkins, who later directed Wonder Woman. But Jenkins was fired over “creative differences,” and Portman was angry.
She couldn’t leave the project due to her strict Marvel contract, and fans noticed her performance lacked energy. Though she’s now returning for Thor: Love and Thunder, it’s clear she didn’t enjoy her Thor 2 experience.
Nicole Kidman felt “humiliated” in Big Little Lies
Nicole Kidman won an Emmy for her role in Big Little Lies, but the role was incredibly emotionally painful. Her character was in an abusive relationship, and filming those scenes deeply affected her.
She said the scenes with Alexander Skarsgård left her feeling “humiliated and devastated.” Despite the praise and awards, the emotional toll of the role was real and intense.
Basic Instinct nearly broke Sharon Stone
Basic Instinct made Sharon Stone a household name, but it nearly broke her. She was a newcomer when cast, after 12 other actresses had turned it down. But her biggest shock came while filming the movie’s most talked-about scene.
Stone was told the revealing shot during the interrogation scene would not be visible. But in the final cut, she was fully exposed without consent. She only discovered this in the screening room, surrounded by studio executives.
Edward Norton didn’t want to do The Italian Job, but did
Edward Norton didn’t want to be in The Italian Job, but he didn’t have a choice. Early in his career, he signed a three-movie deal with Paramount. After starring in Primal Fear, he turned down other roles — until the studio sued him to fulfill the contract.
He reluctantly accepted the part in The Italian Job, but his performance lacked energy, reflecting how much he resented being forced. His legal team even said, “You wouldn’t want to force an actor of his caliber to perform against his will.”
Matthew Goode took Leap Year to be home more – and regretted it
Matthew Goode is known for his work in period dramas like Downton Abbey, but fans may also remember him from the 2010 rom-com Leap Year with Amy Adams. It turns out, he only took the part for personal reasons — to be closer to home.
“It wasn’t because of the script, trust me,” he admitted. “Was it a bad job? Yes. But I got paid and got to be home on weekends.” Goode didn’t feel proud of the film, but appreciated the time with his family.
Jim Carrey’s Grinch costume made him suffer
Playing the Grinch in How the Grinch Stole Christmas may seem fun on screen, but for Jim Carrey, it was a nightmare. The actor described the green bodysuit as so tight, it felt like he was “buried alive.”
Even worse, the yellow contact lenses he wore were “like knives in [his] eyes.” Carrey suffered severe anxiety on set, and a Navy SEAL had to coach him on how to mentally survive the claustrophobia.
Jamie Foxx lied to people about Stealth
Stealth was a 2005 sci-fi movie that failed at the box office — and Jamie Foxx knew it. During another movie’s press tour, he admitted that promoting Stealth was tough because he didn’t believe in it.
“I told people it was great,” he said. “Then they’d see it and come back saying, ‘I can’t believe you lied to me like that.’” Foxx later said it was a relief to finally promote a movie he liked (The Kingdom).
Charlize Theron called Reindeer Games ‘bad’
Charlize Theron didn’t sugarcoat her thoughts on Reindeer Games, the 2000 crime thriller co-starring Ben Affleck. When asked about it, she said bluntly: “That was a bad, bad, bad movie.”
With only a 25% score on Rotten Tomatoes, the critics clearly agreed. Luckily, Theron rebounded quickly and went on to win an Academy Award for Monster just four years later.
Brad Pitt called The Devil’s Own ‘Irresponsible’
Brad Pitt starred alongside Harrison Ford in The Devil’s Own, a political thriller about an IRA member hiding in America. But the film turned into a production nightmare. Pitt later said in an interview:
“It was the most irresponsible bit of filmmaking — we had a great script, and the studio threw it out. We were shooting without a finished script, under orders from the studio.”
Pitt said he wanted to back out, but it would have cost him $63 million, so he stayed. The film flopped, and Pitt blamed it on poor studio decisions and a lack of planning.
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