Top 10 Actors Who Faced Backlash for Controversial Roles

“Dear Evan Hansen” (2021)

This coming-of-age drama follows the titular character navigating issues at school. So, who did the producers cast to play said teenager? That would be someone pushing 30! Sure, we’ve seen plenty of older performers portray teenagers before. While audiences can usually suspend their disbelief, an actor should at least look the part. Ben Platt really didn’t. Although he originated the role on stage and even won a Tony for his performance, 27-year-old Platt had clearly aged out. It didn’t help matters that his father, Marc Platt, was one of the film’s producers. Platt experienced significant backlash, both for his unconvincing attempts to look younger and for shooting down calls for nepotism. The pushback was too big to ignore, though, as the film majorly bombed on critical commercial fronts.

“Suicide Squad” (2016)

The biggest buzz surrounding “Suicide Squad” was what was happening behind the scenes. Jared Leto infamously went full method, reportedly sending cast members inappropriate “gifts” he claimed were in character for the Joker. If things like used contraceptives and live rats weren’t weird enough, Leto would only interact with cast members as the Clown Prince of Crime. It may have had a big payoff had the performance backed it up. It didn’t. Audience reception to DCEU’s Joker was tepid at best, with Leto criticized for his overly campy portrayal. It ended up making his off-screen antics appear in bad taste, particularly after some cast members voiced their displeasure. Leto ultimately retracted some of his wilder claims, although the damage had been irreparably done by then.

“The Prom” (2020)

It’s safe to say that James Corden is not among the internet’s most beloved celebrities. If there weren’t enough already, Corden handed his critics another reason to dislike him with “The Prom.” The actor – who is heterosexual in real life – faced disapproval for playing a gay character with just about every stereotype you can think of. With his character lacking much depth and Corden failing to be likable in the role, his performance was largely deemed offensive. Garnering a Golden Globe nomination only brought further ire from audiences, as Corden found his name in the news for all the wrong reasons. Heterosexual actors playing LGBTQIA+ roles was already a contentious topic of discussion. Corden’s performance did more harm than good.

“Pan” (2015)

Hollywood still had a habit of whitewashing its cast during the mid-2010s. Rooney Mara’s role as Tiger Lily became one of the more high-profile examples. Disney’s animated “Peter Pan” was already notorious for its portrayal of Native Americans. Mara as Tiger Lily reopened the discussion, hurting the film’s reputation before its release. Despite repeated calls and fan petitions to recast, Warner Bros. went ahead with Mara to play the part. Although “Pan’s” disastrous run at the box office was down to numerous reasons, the casting controversy was also a leading factor. Mara has since voiced regret at portraying Tiger Lily, agreeing with fan sentiment for more diverse casts and accurate representation.

“Lady in the Water” (2006)

After major praise early in his career, Shyamalan’s critical reception took a hit with 2004’s “The Village.” However, it was “Lady in the Water” that truly began a career downturn that lasted for a decade. Casting himself as a world-saving, visionary writer doesn’t exactly scream modesty. As expected, Shyamalan faced the brunt of the film’s critical lashing. The role could have been saved if a professional actor played him. Alas, Shyamalan’s less-than-stellar skills in front of the camera are too jarring to ignore. With the director taking many liberties to stick with the film’s bizarre storyline, Shyamalan was accused of making “Lady in the Water” purely as a form of self-indulgence. And, to be fair, it’s hard to see it any other way.

“The Lone Ranger” (2013)

Fans have seen Johnny Depp embody wildly distinct characters over the years. One role that remains hard to believe is Depp as the Lone Ranger’s sidekick, Tonto. The actor immediately stood out upon the film’s announcement, garnering criticism for accepting a role that should have been reserved for a Native American performer. Depp’s attempts to counter the bad press backfired spectacularly. Claiming he might have a Native great-grandmother didn’t exactly change people’s opinions, leading to further accusations of whitewashing. Apart from praise for its visual effects and costume design, it’s no surprise the film’s performance suffered as well. “The Lone Ranger” was a massive bomb all-around, “winning” a Golden Raspberry Award to go with Depp’s nomination for Worst Actor.

“Music” (2021)

Directed by Sia and starring Kate Hudson, “Music” shows the latter’s character caring for her autistic sister, played by Maddie Ziegler. Slammed from the first trailer’s release, the movie was destined to fail. In addition to its inaccurate, and at times hurtful, depiction of autism, Ziegler’s performance didn’t do the film any favors. Although director Sia took full responsibility with an apology, Ziegler was still called out for the “problematic” title role. Audiences and critics found the actress’ performance detrimental to how people with autism are portrayed in the media. It goes to show that even the best intentions can end up as more tone-deaf than anything else.

“Aloha” (2015)

With slam-dunk successes shooting her into the A-list, it seemed like fans couldn’t get enough of Emma Stone. Turns out they could, as the backlash surrounding her part in “Aloha” proved. Set in Hawaii, the romantic comedy sees Bradley Cooper’s character negotiating with natives. How does Emma Stone factor into this, you ask? That’s because she’s supposed to be Hawaiian herself. If that wasn’t enough, director Cameron Crowe decided to throw in some Chinese ancestry to Stone’s character for good measure. The actress found herself in hot water for defending the film, claiming her character wasn’t supposed to resemble her ethnic background. Stone eventually expressed regret for the role, although that didn’t save “Aloha” from critical and commercial failure.

“Ghost in the Shell” (2017)

If you want your Japanese manga-based movie to be authentic, you probably shouldn’t place a white actor in the lead – even if it is a megastar like Scarlett Johansson. As a proven box office draw and at the peak of her MCU success, roping in Johansson sounded smart on paper. However, the actress’ casting incited accusations of westernizing a beloved work of East Asian media. Although producers defended Johansson from the ensuing public uproar, audiences weren’t impressed. Years later, if “Ghost in the Shell” taught us anything, it’s how not to make a $110 million budget film. Not long after, Johansson landed in trouble again, this time for accepting the role of a trans character in the ultimately unreleased film, “Rub & Tug.”

“Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (1961)

Even half a century since its release, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” has arguably the most egregious case of racist casting. The film is a permanent blot in Mickey Rooney’s otherwise celebrated filmography. His character, Mr. Yunioshi, is little more than a caricature, existing exclusively to portray stereotypes for cheap laughs. Even in the ‘60s, Mr. Yunioshi’s racist depiction couldn’t be ignored. As fan reception continued to deteriorate, director Blake Edwards admitted he should never have cast Rooney in the film. Meanwhile, Rooney himself expressed disappointment at the negative fallout, insisting he didn’t mean to offend anyone. No matter what the actor had in mind, it’s a reminder of classic Hollywood’s harmful tendency to use Asian characters as a punchline to a joke.


Did we miss any other controversial castings? Let us know in the comments.