ADVERTISEMENT

Characters in movies and TV series are often defined by the actors who play them. And while characters can have a myriad of people play them, there is always that one actor who manages to fill a character's shoes the best, and people can’t imagine anyone else playing the role.

Reddit has been discussing just that. One user asked the lovely AskReddit community which actor crushed a role so hard that nobody else will be able to live up to it? and got a slew of amazing responses.

Bored Panda has collected the best answers and turned it into a curated list that you can find below. While you’re scrolling, comment and vote on the submissions you loved the most, and tell us what character-actor combinations you think are iconic in the comment section below!

More Info: Reddit

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver When they inevitably recast Jack Sparrow [Johnny Depp], it'll be clear just how big a gap there is.

Billbap@#$o , The Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney Pictures, Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Second Mate Productions Report

Final score:
519points
Add photo comments
POST
vickyz avatar
Vicky Z
Vicky Z
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jack sparrow is only one!

Vote comment up
108
108points
Vote comment down
reply
master_minds9 avatar
denzoren
denzoren
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Johnny Depp is Jack Sparrow. There is not alternative. Period.

Vote comment up
35
35points
Vote comment down
reply
kayrose avatar
RoseTheMad
RoseTheMad
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Once again for those people in the back that don't know: F**K AMBER HEARD THE LYING COW.

Vote comment up
28
28points
Vote comment down
reply
sean_bullough avatar
Sean Harrison
Sean Harrison
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I doubt they'll recast the role. They'll so something else like bring in his long-lost son or brother (played by a new actor), or something lame like that.

Vote comment up
14
14points
Vote comment down
reply
j_f_ avatar
J. F.
J. F.
Community Member
3 years ago (edited)

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Rumors say the new Jack Sparrow will be played by a woman to virtue signal... typical Hollywood move nowadays

Load More Replies...
oceanblue513 avatar
Znaya
Znaya
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If there is anyone recast they would truly be compared to the original forever

Vote comment up
10
10points
Vote comment down
reply
franzi_nielsen avatar
Franziska
Franziska
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's no way a nrew POC movie will be succesfull without Johnny Depp, it's his role no one elses

Vote comment up
9
9points
Vote comment down
reply
wendillon avatar
Monday
Monday
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yup. Whether you love him, hate him or feel excessively neutral about him, it's his role. He was the perfect choice and no matter how good the next guy is, it won't be enough.

Vote comment up
6
6points
Vote comment down
reply
Load More Replies...
kh_5 avatar
Sur Mer
Sur Mer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The most PotC sequels were horrible movies and only Johnny Depp made them watchable. So great to see so much love for him here. <3

Vote comment up
8
8points
Vote comment down
reply
liverpoolroze avatar
Rose the Cook
Rose the Cook
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who would even dare attempt the role?

Vote comment up
7
7points
Vote comment down
reply
kayrose avatar
RoseTheMad
RoseTheMad
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Apparently, Margot Robbie... I just hope her performance is absolutely nothing like her harley quinn performance...

Vote comment up
0
0points
Vote comment down
reply
Load More Replies...
athenag avatar
Athena G
Athena G
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I concur! Hands down he IS Captain Jack Sparrow and Captain Jack is Johnny Depp 🤷🏻‍♀️ 😍🔥🤘

Vote comment up
3
3points
Vote comment down
reply
alisonwells avatar
Alison Wells
Alison Wells
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it seems like they'll just focus on other characters instead for the time being, but something tells me he'll come back eventually.

Vote comment up
2
2points
Vote comment down
reply
friederleimenstoll avatar
Fred L.
Fred L.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here in Germany we got that in a certain way. As we dub about everything Johnny Depp usually has the same actor dubbing him since the mid-90s. However he got another voice actor for the first three Pirates movies, somewhat close to the original voice, and it turned out to be do a spectacular dub job. However from the fourth film onwards the usual actor is back, and while he is the voice people are used to for Johnny Depp it felt really weird to have a different Jack Sparrow voice.

Vote comment up
1
1point
Vote comment down
reply
brianandkirstenlewis avatar
Lorelei
Lorelei
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He ran out of boat in the intro of “curse of the black pearl” XD

Vote comment up
1
1point
Vote comment down
reply
4grand2great avatar
Esther Evans
Esther Evans
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If they recast I won't be seeing any more Jack Sparrow movies....

Vote comment up
0
0points
Vote comment down
reply
stephenlyford avatar
Stephen Lyford
Stephen Lyford
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I doubt they'll ever re-cast the role. There will instead maybe be spin-offs with new/different characters.

Vote comment up
0
0points
Vote comment down
reply
neildockeray avatar
neil dockeray
neil dockeray
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just get Adam Ant to play him, no one will notice the difference

Vote comment up
-3
-3points
Vote comment down
reply
hdkfam avatar
Hdk Fam
Hdk Fam
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

nice article , if you want to read my blog , you can visit here https://growmeup.net/netflix-telegram-channel-join-best-netflix-telegram-channel-2021/

f_h_ avatar
F. H.
F. H.
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

It also ruined Johnny Depp's carreer, though. Nobody is going to cast him for anything good anymore. But he probably earned enough for it to not matter to him.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#2

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Alan Rickman as Severus Snape.

NZT-48Rules , Warner Bros. Pictures, Heyday Films Report

Final score:
478points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Rowan Atkinson as Mr. Bean.

Whitedragonfan , Working Title Films, Tiger Aspect Films Report

Final score:
458points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#4

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver RDJ for Iron Man, the man WAS Tony Stark end of discussion.

AirJvon , Marvel Report

Final score:
415points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Ryan Reynolds did an excellent job being Deadpool to the point where i am reading a Deadpool comic book with Reynolds' voice in my head narrating it.

422_is-420_too , Marvel Report

Final score:
399points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#6

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones.

He’s so deeply connected to that character that I feel it would be impossible for anyone else to fill the fedora.

BrotherOfTheOrder , Lucasfilm Ltd. Report

Final score:
359points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#7

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Maggie Smith as Professor McGonagall.

plastic_bean , Warner Bros. Pictures Report

Final score:
353points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Robin Williams as the genie.

PM_Me_Things_Yo_Like , Disney Report

Final score:
352points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Ian McKellen is the both true Gandalfs.

ElectricFlesh , New Line Cinema, Saul Zaentz Company, WingNut Films, Saul Zaentz Film Co. Report

Final score:
346points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#10

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump.

literanch , The Tisch Company Report

Final score:
332points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Sir Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean Luc Picard.

JediAreTakingOver , Paramount Domestic Television Report

Final score:
331points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#12

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, amazing acting.

copper8061 , HBO Report

Final score:
329points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#13

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Hugh Laurie - Dr. House.

RizalParkCorner , Fox Broadcasting Company, LLC Report

Final score:
305points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#14

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Arnold Schwarzenegger - Terminator.

Str8_up_savage , Hemdale Film Corporation, Pacific Western Productions Report

Final score:
298points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Christopher Lloyd as Doc in Back to the Future.

John_h_watson , Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment Report

Final score:
296points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.

goldenwolves101 , Marvel Report

Final score:
296points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Tim Curry, Frank N Furter. Anyone else in the role knows they never live up to that sexy god of a man. ‘I can make you a man’ is the most brilliant filthy scene to appear on cinema screens while people aren’t nude :/

elizabethunseelie , Michael White Productions Report

Final score:
282points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Christina Ricci as Wednesday Addams.

SnooDonkeys9743 , Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Bron Creative, The Jackal Group, Cinesite Studios, Nitrogen Studios Report

Final score:
281points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#19

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn. Best book to movie translation for a character I’ve ever seen.

LimeGap , New Line Cinema Report

Final score:
269points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#20

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Michael Keaton in Beetlejuice.

DaLion93 , The Geffen Company Report

Final score:
267points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley.

pixelburger , Brandywine Productions Report

Final score:
258points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge.

Umbridge sucked in the books, but in the movies she turned Umbridge into a character that you just don't like into one that you hate with a burning passion.

DoDaDrew , Warner Bros. Pictures, Heyday Films Report

Final score:
257points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Heath Ledger as the Joker.

8en80 , DC Comics Report

Final score:
248points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Jack Nicholson in the Shining.

Zufurix , The Producer Circle Company Report

Final score:
247points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka.

Reddit User , Wolper Pictures Report

Final score:
240points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#26

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Andre the Giant in The Princess Bride.

3ulaF0x , Act III Communications Report

Final score:
234points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Jim Carrey in The Mask.

Queer-and-stupid , New Line Productions, Dark Horse Entertainment Report

Final score:
232points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Bryan Cranston as Walter White in Breaking Bad. He begins as sympathetic and ends up terrifying.

And in general the whole cast of Malcolm in the Middle, even the very secondary role. There have been many middle class effed up famy sitcom but zero have achieved to be crazy and relatable like this show.

HopeSuper , High Bridge Entertainment, Gran Via Productions, Sony Pictures Television Report

Final score:
228points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Jody Foster as Clarice Starling. I particularly love the scene where she looks at Buffalo Bill’s victim and you hear her voice crack during the first part of the description, where she is looking at tiny personal details like painted fingernails, but then go clinical and determined when she sees the wounds on the girl’s back. Playing badass women often veers either towards emotionless and stalwart, or basically aping a 80s action male role. Foster nailed the emotional vulnerability, ambition, and courage of that character in minute, but profound ways. No one compares.

elizabethunseelie , Orion Pictures Report

Final score:
226points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#30

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Leslie Nielsen as Frank Drebin.

wish_my_wash , Paramount Pictures Studios Report

Final score:
209points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#31

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver I really can't see anyone else as Hellboy. Ron Pearlman was amazing.

AzoriumLupum , Columbia Pictures Report

Final score:
208points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#32

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Christopher Lee as basically anything.

Kibassi , New Line Cinema Report

Final score:
203points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#33

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Joaquin Phoenix as commodus in gladiator. I have never hated a character so much till I saw him in that movie. He is so cowardly, despicable, and creepy. Phoenix did such a good job in making you loathe his character.

DarthDiabetor , DreamWorks Pictures, Universal Pictures, Scott Free Productions, Red Wagon Entertainment Report

Final score:
201points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#34

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Patrick Stewart as Professor X, and everyone knew it would happen a decade before the first X-Men movie.

jah05r , Marvel Report

Final score:
193points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#35

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Danny Trejo as Machete.

megabitfl , Troublemaker Studios Report

Final score:
185points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#36

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Christoph Waltz as Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds.

DJZbad93 , A Band Apart, Studio Babelsberg, Visiona Romantica Report

Final score:
180points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#37

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Steve Carrell as Michael Scott.

elaineadler , NBC Universal Television Studio Report

Final score:
175points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#38

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver [Nick Offerman as] Ron Swanson.

Babblewocky , NBC Report

Final score:
166points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#39

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano.

Fat-Villante , HBO Report

Final score:
164points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Kelsey Grammer, Frasier Crane.

Garaquarubyline , Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions Report

Final score:
162points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#41

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver John C. McGinley as Dr Cox.

Jedi_Outcast , Doozer Productions Report

Final score:
160points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#42

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Rainn Wilson as Dwight Scrute.

ramta_jogi_oye_hoye , NBC, Global Television Network Report

Final score:
159points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#43

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Ronald Lee Ermey as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket.

flyzapper , Natant, Harrier Films Report

Final score:
157points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#44

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Catherin O'Hara as Moira Rose!!

theshwarna , POP, CBC Television Report

Final score:
138points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#45

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Val Kilmer in Tombstone.

Amazing Doc Holliday!

Every once in a while there's a role that it seems like the actor was born to play. There's really not another role that compares in his career.

TessaMurphy , Hollywood Pictures, Cinergi Pictures Report

Final score:
137points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#46

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Christian Bale in American Psycho.

SWG_138 , Muse Productions Report

Final score:
136points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#47

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver J.K Simmons as John Jonah Jameson.

Tobz51 , Columbia Pictures; Marvel Enterprises; Laura Ziskin Productions Report

Final score:
133points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#48

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Jessica Walter in Arrested Development (and Archer) .. her mean mom character dynamic is gold

ModelChimp , 20th Century Fox Television Report

Final score:
113points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#49

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine.

Cuish , Lucas Films, Disney Report

Final score:
110points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu
#50

Person Online Asks "Which Actor Crushed A Role So Hard That Nobody Else Will Be Able To Live Up To It?", 50 People Deliver Danny Devito's Frank Reynolds is the best piece of casting this century.

Mcpilch , FXX Report

Final score:
95points
Add photo comments
POST
View more commentsArrow down menu

Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing!

Follow Bored Panda on Google News!