10 Actors Who HATED Their First Big Movie
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VOICE OVER: Patrick Mealey
WRITTEN BY: Cristina Otero
From vampire heartthrobs to secret agents, some stars regretted the roles that made them famous. Join us as we explore the surprising stories of acclaimed actors who weren't thrilled with their breakthrough performances. From franchise favorites to award-winning films, these stars had some serious second thoughts. Our countdown includes Robert Pattinson in Twilight, Harrison Ford in Star Wars, Megan Fox in Transformers, Sean Connery as James Bond, and more! Which actor's confession surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments!
10 Actors Who HATED Their First Famous Movie
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at actors who were dissatisfied with their big breakthrough role. Some spoilers to come!
Is this the Bond that launched a thousand movies? This Scottish thespian’s suave and sophisticated portrayal of the secret agent is still the gold standard of this decades-long franchise, appearing in no less than seven films. Much of the character’s signature style and quirks come directly from Connery’s Bond. Despite his hard work in realizing Bond, Connery grew quickly bored with the character. In one interview, he even admitted he hated Bond, refusing to do a retrospective of the icon’s 50th anniversary. Connery quit after five films and had to be lured with a hefty fee to star as Bond in “Diamonds Are Forever.”
One of the biggest hits of the aughts, this Disney Channel original movie made its indelible mark on teen culture. At least one of the major actors, Efron himself, admitted his performance was not to his liking. Efron, who became a star overnight in his role as Troy Bolton, expressed mixed feelings about his career-defining role. He refused to go on tour and perform the songs live. Part of this dislike no doubt stems from being pigeonholed into this wholesome heartthrob persona. It is one that Efron tried to escape from in his later projects, including playing serial killer Ted Bundy.
While Jessica Alba wasn’t an unknown, she reached a new frontier of fame with 2005’s “Fantastic Four,” which seemed poised to kick off a blockbuster franchise. Although Sure Storm would become her most famous movie role, it wasn’t a pleasant experience for Alba. In fact, she nearly quit acting altogether. Director Tim Story discouraged her from injecting realism into her acting, directing her instead to “cry pretty.” This limiting sexism frustrated Alba. The actress did soften up a few years later, giving encouraging advice to Vanessa Kirby, cast as Sue Storm in the 2025 version. It was not pretty for Alba to “cry pretty.”
This Wattpad-novel-turned-teen rom-com was a big hit for Netflix, although it was panned by critics as hopelessly cliché and even sexist. One naysayer was also Jacob Elordi himself, who played Noah opposite Joey King’s Elle. Elordi generated a bit of controversy when he admitted his dislike of the franchise, bluntly saying the movies were ridiculous and escapist. He even confessed he didn’t see the second movie. There were also tensions between Elordi and the Netflix executives, who refused to allow his character to smoke cigarettes. Being restricted as an actor is not pleasant, and Elordi clearly felt the limitations.
Although she had already been nominated for an Oscar, this film adaptation of Kathryn Stockett’s bestselling novel cemented Viola Davis as a leading lady. Davis played maid Aibileen Clark, working for socialite Elizabeth Leefolt in the early ‘60s. Despite a bravura performance, Davis came to regret her role in the movie, feeling her character didn’t have much of a voice. While she had praise for the director and the majority female cast, she felt the film did not go far enough in exposing the truth of systemic racism. Davis preferred to look for more Black-centered projects instead.
After his acclaimed performance in the stage production of this Tennessee Williams classic, this legendary actor went on to reprise his role in the film adaptation. Brando’s searing performance as Stanley Kowalski scored him an Oscar nomination, and thus an icon was born. But Brando openly hated the role, detesting the character’s meathead machismo. He also bristled at the claims he could portray Stanley so well because he was like his character. Brando personally detested Stanley’s brutish coarseness, claiming he could play him because he had come across some Stanleys in his lifetime. It’s a shame because Brando clearly turned out a mesmerizing performance—and an iconic yell.
One of the most successful movie musicals of all time, even this crowd-pleasing blockbuster did not please everyone. Most famously, Christopher Plummer was dissatisfied with his role as Captain Von Trapp, calling him boring. Not only that, but the film was not to his liking much at all. Although his opinion did eventually soften, Plummer had long dubbed the film “The Sound of Mucus” and derided the film as “sentimental and gooey.” He also had to put up with the early negative reviews of the movie at the time criticizing his performance. The fact that his acting opportunities were limited thanks to the film’s icon status did not help either.
Now, this one is definitely understandable. Much has been said and written about director Michael Bay’s infamous “Transformers” franchise, and much of it negative. Megan Fox herself has expressed dissatisfaction with her performance, the films, and even Bay himself. She has criticized her breakthrough role as Mikaela Banes, saying she played more of a sex symbol than a character. In an infamous interview, Fox claimed Bay was like Hitler on the set and a “nightmare to work for.” This led to her resignation… or her firing. The details of her exit are a little murky. Either way, Fox did not return for the third “Transformer” movie. It was perhaps for the best.
“Star Wars” fans have long known—and been disappointed by—this beloved actor’s dislike of a fan-favorite character. Harrison Ford never made a secret out of his dislike of his first major role as Han Solo in this blockbuster space opera. For one thing, he didn’t purposefully try out for the role, working as a carpenter when George Lucas invited him to read lines for “Star Wars.” For another, he viewed Han as one-note and resented being second fiddle to Luke and Leia without much of an arc. Ford repeatedly tried to get him killed off in subsequent films. He signed up to do “The Force Awakens,” which provided an opportunity for Han to meet his end. His wish was granted. RIP.
By far, the most consistently vocal hater must be Robert Pattinson and his career-launching role as brooding vampire Edward Cullen in this paranormal romance phenomenon. Pattinson’s dislike for the role is deep and many-varied. From criticizing the original books as a “sexual fantasy,” to trashing its plot, to likening Edward to an axe murderer, Pattinson has never minced words in his dislike. No doubt the intense fan behavior turned him off as well. But even the greatest of hate softens over time. In an interview in 2022, Pattinson expressed awe that the franchise is still popular and feels the hate towards it was “so 2010.” For never was a story of more hate than this of Pattinson and his role as Bella’s mate.
Can you think of any other actors who loathed their breakthrough role? Let us know in the comments!
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at actors who were dissatisfied with their big breakthrough role. Some spoilers to come!
Sean Connery
“James Bond” franchise (1962-)Is this the Bond that launched a thousand movies? This Scottish thespian’s suave and sophisticated portrayal of the secret agent is still the gold standard of this decades-long franchise, appearing in no less than seven films. Much of the character’s signature style and quirks come directly from Connery’s Bond. Despite his hard work in realizing Bond, Connery grew quickly bored with the character. In one interview, he even admitted he hated Bond, refusing to do a retrospective of the icon’s 50th anniversary. Connery quit after five films and had to be lured with a hefty fee to star as Bond in “Diamonds Are Forever.”
Zac Efron
“High School Musical” franchise (2006-)One of the biggest hits of the aughts, this Disney Channel original movie made its indelible mark on teen culture. At least one of the major actors, Efron himself, admitted his performance was not to his liking. Efron, who became a star overnight in his role as Troy Bolton, expressed mixed feelings about his career-defining role. He refused to go on tour and perform the songs live. Part of this dislike no doubt stems from being pigeonholed into this wholesome heartthrob persona. It is one that Efron tried to escape from in his later projects, including playing serial killer Ted Bundy.
Jessica Alba
“Fantastic Four” (2005) & “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” (2007)While Jessica Alba wasn’t an unknown, she reached a new frontier of fame with 2005’s “Fantastic Four,” which seemed poised to kick off a blockbuster franchise. Although Sure Storm would become her most famous movie role, it wasn’t a pleasant experience for Alba. In fact, she nearly quit acting altogether. Director Tim Story discouraged her from injecting realism into her acting, directing her instead to “cry pretty.” This limiting sexism frustrated Alba. The actress did soften up a few years later, giving encouraging advice to Vanessa Kirby, cast as Sue Storm in the 2025 version. It was not pretty for Alba to “cry pretty.”
Jacob Elordi
“The Kissing Booth” franchise (2018-)This Wattpad-novel-turned-teen rom-com was a big hit for Netflix, although it was panned by critics as hopelessly cliché and even sexist. One naysayer was also Jacob Elordi himself, who played Noah opposite Joey King’s Elle. Elordi generated a bit of controversy when he admitted his dislike of the franchise, bluntly saying the movies were ridiculous and escapist. He even confessed he didn’t see the second movie. There were also tensions between Elordi and the Netflix executives, who refused to allow his character to smoke cigarettes. Being restricted as an actor is not pleasant, and Elordi clearly felt the limitations.
Viola Davis
“The Help” (2011)Although she had already been nominated for an Oscar, this film adaptation of Kathryn Stockett’s bestselling novel cemented Viola Davis as a leading lady. Davis played maid Aibileen Clark, working for socialite Elizabeth Leefolt in the early ‘60s. Despite a bravura performance, Davis came to regret her role in the movie, feeling her character didn’t have much of a voice. While she had praise for the director and the majority female cast, she felt the film did not go far enough in exposing the truth of systemic racism. Davis preferred to look for more Black-centered projects instead.
Marlon Brando
“A Streetcar Named Desire” (1951)After his acclaimed performance in the stage production of this Tennessee Williams classic, this legendary actor went on to reprise his role in the film adaptation. Brando’s searing performance as Stanley Kowalski scored him an Oscar nomination, and thus an icon was born. But Brando openly hated the role, detesting the character’s meathead machismo. He also bristled at the claims he could portray Stanley so well because he was like his character. Brando personally detested Stanley’s brutish coarseness, claiming he could play him because he had come across some Stanleys in his lifetime. It’s a shame because Brando clearly turned out a mesmerizing performance—and an iconic yell.
Christopher Plummer
“The Sound of Music” (1965)One of the most successful movie musicals of all time, even this crowd-pleasing blockbuster did not please everyone. Most famously, Christopher Plummer was dissatisfied with his role as Captain Von Trapp, calling him boring. Not only that, but the film was not to his liking much at all. Although his opinion did eventually soften, Plummer had long dubbed the film “The Sound of Mucus” and derided the film as “sentimental and gooey.” He also had to put up with the early negative reviews of the movie at the time criticizing his performance. The fact that his acting opportunities were limited thanks to the film’s icon status did not help either.
Megan Fox
“Transformers” franchise (2007-)Now, this one is definitely understandable. Much has been said and written about director Michael Bay’s infamous “Transformers” franchise, and much of it negative. Megan Fox herself has expressed dissatisfaction with her performance, the films, and even Bay himself. She has criticized her breakthrough role as Mikaela Banes, saying she played more of a sex symbol than a character. In an infamous interview, Fox claimed Bay was like Hitler on the set and a “nightmare to work for.” This led to her resignation… or her firing. The details of her exit are a little murky. Either way, Fox did not return for the third “Transformer” movie. It was perhaps for the best.
Harrison Ford
“Star Wars” franchise (1977-)“Star Wars” fans have long known—and been disappointed by—this beloved actor’s dislike of a fan-favorite character. Harrison Ford never made a secret out of his dislike of his first major role as Han Solo in this blockbuster space opera. For one thing, he didn’t purposefully try out for the role, working as a carpenter when George Lucas invited him to read lines for “Star Wars.” For another, he viewed Han as one-note and resented being second fiddle to Luke and Leia without much of an arc. Ford repeatedly tried to get him killed off in subsequent films. He signed up to do “The Force Awakens,” which provided an opportunity for Han to meet his end. His wish was granted. RIP.
Robert Pattinson
“Twilight” franchise (2008-)By far, the most consistently vocal hater must be Robert Pattinson and his career-launching role as brooding vampire Edward Cullen in this paranormal romance phenomenon. Pattinson’s dislike for the role is deep and many-varied. From criticizing the original books as a “sexual fantasy,” to trashing its plot, to likening Edward to an axe murderer, Pattinson has never minced words in his dislike. No doubt the intense fan behavior turned him off as well. But even the greatest of hate softens over time. In an interview in 2022, Pattinson expressed awe that the franchise is still popular and feels the hate towards it was “so 2010.” For never was a story of more hate than this of Pattinson and his role as Bella’s mate.
Can you think of any other actors who loathed their breakthrough role? Let us know in the comments!
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