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In the grand theater of cinema, actors are primarily known by the iconic characters they portray. Before achieving fame, they aren't recognized by their names but by their characters. Take, for instance, the iconic roles of Kevin McCallister played by Macaulay Culkin in "Home Alone", or Robert Downey Jr.'s memorable portrayal of Tony Stark. These names are so intertwined that it's easy to confuse the actor with the character, to the point where they're nearly synonymous.

Netherlands-based artist, Ard Gelinck, presents a take on this confluence of actor and role. Through his skill, he detaches the inseparable, juxtaposing the actor and their character in a fascinating and reflective manner. His work frames the two side-by-side as though they're conversing, spending time together, and just engaging in a unique form of interaction.

Also, make sure to check out part one of the post on Bored Panda by clicking here.

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#1

Emma Watson And Hermione Granger

Emma Watson And Hermione Granger

Harry Potter.

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UncleRussian
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fun fact: because the Harry Potter franchise started filming when they were all literal children Emma Watson for example would actually try to do homework and write stuff with quills during the class scenes in the first movie for example

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Gelinck is like that friend who has an uncanny knack for remembering everyone's past - the good, the bad, and the goofy. He pulls out these throwback shots of actors and gives them a fresh spin, setting up a meet-and-greet between the actor and their most popular/recognized role. It's a bit like those high school reunion flicks, where you get to see who has changed, who hasn't, and who’s still trying to live down that unfortunate prom outfit.

#2

Robbie Coltrane And Hagrid

Robbie Coltrane And Hagrid

Harry Potter.

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#3

Michael J. Fox And Marty Mcfly

Michael J. Fox And Marty Mcfly

Back to the Future.

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The Original Bruno
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why'd I get downvotes? I think the expanded life expectancy for Parkinson's is quite remarkable! When he was diagnosed with Parkinson's, people expected he had 20 years to live if he were "lucky" (being a relative concept here).

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Ard also knows we love our current generation of actors too. He features celebrities with their more recent, unforgettable roles, like for example Jenna Ortega and her role as Wednesday Addams. It's a great way to see how far they've come in such a short span. Plus, it's kind of fun to see how they've adapted to their characters, becoming almost inseparable from them in the public's eye.

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#4

Daniel Radcliffe And Harry Potter

Daniel Radcliffe And Harry Potter

Harry Potter.

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#5

Macaulay Culkin and Kevin Mccallister

Macaulay Culkin and Kevin Mccallister

Home Alone.

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Gelinck's work is like a cultural snapshot. It shows us how powerful cinema is, how it can shape our perceptions of an actor so strongly that we see them as their character. We might call Robert Pattinson 'Edward' or Daniel Radcliffe 'Harry' without even realizing it.

And then there's the whole fame game. One minute, you're just an actor; the next, you're the face of a global franchise. Gelinck's art is a cool reminder of how fast someone can zoom to stardom, all because of one character that resonates with the audience.

Given the opportunity this time around, Bored Panda reached out to Ard for an interview as we discussed some interesting topics letting Gerlinck shed some light on his unique creative process when it comes to this series.

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When asked about the process behind creating his renowned images, Ard explained, "Creating these images involves a careful process of research, conceptualization, and execution. I always start by gathering high-resolution images of the actors and their most iconic roles, ensuring that the lighting and angles align as closely as possible for a seamless blend. After that, it's all about meticulous attention to detail in Photoshop, blending the images together and adjusting colors, shadows, and textures until I'm satisfied with the end result."

#6

Tom Hanks And Forrest Gump

Tom Hanks And Forrest Gump

Forrest Gump.

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In response to the question about how he decides on which actor and role to feature in this exact series, Gelinck mentioned, "The decision largely depends on a combination of factors. It's partly based on my personal preferences, the impact of the role on pop culture, and, of course, requests from my followers. I try to keep a balance between all these factors."

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Regarding the message he aims to convey in his works, the designer revealed, "When merging an actor with their famous role, my main objective is to evoke a sense of nostalgia and recognition. I want to capture the essence of the character and the actor's interpretation in one image, reminding viewers of the impact these roles have had on them and the wider world of cinema and television."

#8

Carrie Fisher And Princess Leia

Carrie Fisher And Princess Leia

Star Wars.

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DadManBlues
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's Princess Leia twice. The elder Carrie Fisher should not be in her character.

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#9

Robert Downey Jr. And Tony Stark

Robert Downey Jr. And Tony Stark

Iron man.

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Gelinck also shared some of the challenges in his work. "Sometimes, it can be difficult to find suitable photos that match in terms of perspective and lighting. Other times, the challenge lies in portraying the actor and the character simultaneously, especially if the character's appearance is vastly different from the actor's regular look."

#10

Jude Law And Pope Pius XIII

Jude Law And Pope Pius XIII

The Young Pope.

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Finally, when asked about the research and preparation that goes into his projects, the artist emphasized their importance, saying, "Research and preparation are integral to the process. I spend hours looking through pictures, even looking up the interviews, and revisiting the movies or shows to capture the essence of the character. I am indeed a fan of many of the shows and movies I work on, which adds another layer of enjoyment to the process."

#12

Julia Roberts And Vivian Ward

Julia Roberts And Vivian Ward

Pretty Woman.

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PrettyJoyBird
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Still looks exactly the same. Beautiful woman inside and out. Love her hair, smile, & laugh.

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#13

Tom Selleck And Thomas Magnum

Tom Selleck And Thomas Magnum

Magnum, P.I.

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#15

Molly Ringwald And Andie Walsh

Molly Ringwald And Andie Walsh

Pretty in Pink.

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#16

Sylvester Stallone And Rocky Balboa

Sylvester Stallone And Rocky Balboa

Rocky Balboa.

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#18

Sharon Stone And Catherine Tramell

Sharon Stone And Catherine Tramell

Basic Instinct.

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#19

Denzel Washington And Dr. Philip Chandler

Denzel Washington And Dr. Philip Chandler

St. Elsewhere.

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Viktor
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Training Day or Malcolm X. Not some short-lived TV show. edit: short-lived in collective memory, not number of episodes

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#21

Tom Cruise And Joel Goodsen

Tom Cruise And Joel Goodsen

Risky Business.

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Viktor
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In fairly sure that his most famous roles were in Top Gun or Mission Impossible. Risky business was a breakthrough but not the most famous.

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#22

Mel Gibson And Martin Riggs

Mel Gibson And Martin Riggs

Lethal Weapon.

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