Top 10 Celeb Reactions to Their Old Movies
#10: Mandy Moore
“A Walk to Remember” (2002)
Mandy Moore knows that “A Walk to Remember” is special to a lot of people. And, in 2017, she let them know it was special to her, as well. In an Entertainment Weekly retrospective for the film’s fifteenth anniversary, the actress and co-star Shane West happily recounted their favorite scenes, audition experiences, and the cast’s on-set camaraderie. The scene that still stuck out to Moore the most was, of course, Jamie singing “Only Hope” at the school play. The musical moment led to the two protagonists’ first kiss on screen, and off screen, while allowing Moore to dress up in something a little more flashy than Jamie’s typical wardrobe.
#9: Elliot Page
“Whip-It” (2009)
Although LGBTQ+ representation has gotten better in recent years, it’s still imperfect. Lacking variety in canon rep, it’s not uncommon for people within the community to imagine their favorite assumed-straight characters in films to be a bit more like them. Sometimes, even the actors of those characters join in. When looking back at “Whip-It,” Elliot Page said that the film “should be more queer.” He clarified that he does love the film that exists, but is still disappointed in its inaccurate, straight-washed portrayal of the derby world. In 2018, the actor said he would love to see a sequel in which his character, Bliss, was a lesbian. Given recent developments, though, it would also be cool to see a sequel with a trans protagonist.
#8: Natasha Lyonne
“American Pie” (1999)
Fans who primarily know Natasha Lyonne for shows like “Orange is the New Black” or “Poker Face” may be surprised to learn that she also had a role in “American Pie.” The raunchy comedy doesn’t really fit in with the rest of her filmography - and there’s a reason for that. In 2019, the actress admitted that she primarily took the role for the money, saying that the film portrayed a certain “fratty” high school experience that she “did not identify with at all.” She even turned down the role a couple of times before finally giving in! Co-star Shannon Elizabeth told Page Six that although she had a more positive experience with the film, she worries it wouldn’t fly in a post-
#MeToo society.
#7: Harrison Ford
“Blade Runner” (1982)
“Blade Runner” is generally well-liked by critics and audiences alike, holding two “Fresh” Rotten Tomatoes scores. It even scored two Oscars nominations for its outstanding visual effects and production design. Ironically, its star could not be less impressed. Harrison Ford criticized his role in the film as being a “detective without any detecting to do,” and openly expressed his distaste for the theatrical release’s liberal use of voiceover. Nonetheless, Ford would go on to star in the film’s sequel, “Blade Runner 2049,” years later. He was a lot kinder to the original film in the press tour for its successor, but it’s difficult to tell if this was due to a genuine change of heart or a need to sell a new movie.
#6: Ryan Reynolds
“Green Lantern” (2011)
Most of the time, when celebrities discuss their past roles, it’s for retrospective interviews or anniversaries. In contrast, Ryan Reynolds makes his feelings about “Green Lantern” known every chance he gets. And those feelings aren’t exactly positive. While promoting “Free Guy,” the actor riffed with Taika Waititi about never meeting before, prompting co-star Joe Keery to bring up the 2011 flop and call their bluff. His hatred for his past work also inspired an end credit scene in “Deadpool 2,” in which the titular hero kills Reynolds before he could star in his earlier superhero vehicle. Ironically, “Green Lantern” may be more well-known now because of Reynold’s very public distaste for it. He should have let it fade into obscurity alongside “Blade: Trinity.”
#5: John Boyega
The “Star Wars” Sequel Trilogy
“The Force Awakens” set Finn up to be one of the decades-old “Star Wars” franchise’s most interesting characters. His former position as a stormtrooper gave him unique insight into the First Order, and created an interesting dynamic with Rey, Poe, and the original trilogy’s returning characters. Unfortunately, each new installment ended up shafting the character more and more. John Boyega asserts that this move was racially motivated - and it’s not hard to see why. The trilogy’s white actors, Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver, continuously got the spotlight, and their characters were given “nuance” that was never afforded to Finn, Poe, or Rose. The fanbase really didn’t help matters either.
#4: Reese Witherspoon
“Legally Blonde” (2001)
“Legally Blonde” was a total cultural reset! Or, as Reese Witherspoon has put it in interviews, a “lightning rod moment” for feminism. The actress loves that Elle Woods tackles the dumb blonde stereotype head-on, and proves that you can be smart about fashion and academics. She compared the movie to other female-fronted comedies like “Private Benjamin” and “Working Girl,” and stressed the importance of such movies getting mainstream releases to challenge perceptions. The role was so important to Witherspoon that she agreed to shoot in spite of giving birth only six months prior. Juggling a new baby with a leading role proved to be a challenge, but, like Elle, Witherspoon was able to rise to the occasion and give an instantly iconic performance.
#3: Michelle Yeoh
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (2000)
Michelle Yeoh’s leading roles in “Everything Everywhere All At Once” and “Shang-Chi” have introduced her to a brand new generation of film fans, but she’s long been a household name. “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” was an unprecedented success, landing ten Oscar nominations and four wins. Strangely, none of those accolades went to the actors who made the movie happen. Yeoh has criticized this public reaction, but nonetheless agrees with the praise the film has gotten, calling it “poetry in motion.” The film is not only action-packed, but dramatic and emotionally resonant. She has also celebrated Ang Lee’s general passion and understanding of martial arts movies, likening the subgenre’s popularity and appeal in China to that of superhero films in the US.
#2: Jack Black
“School of Rock” (2003)
Richard Linklater probably isn’t most peoples’ first choice when it comes to directing a mainstream teen comedy, but we’re glad he was the first choice for “School of Rock.” And so is Jack Black! While revisiting the film for GQ, the actor commended the “believability” Linklater brought to its story and characters. He credited this to the director’s theater background, and his allowance for Black and the kids on the film to improvise and find what worked naturally. It all came together in the end to create something magic, and remains the work that Jack Black is the most proud of today.
#1: Viola Davis
“The Help” (2011)
It’s not often that a star regrets an Oscar-nominated performance, but when it comes to “The Help,” Viola Davis does just that. Although the 1960s-set drama is still praised today, maintaining a fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, some have begun to question the film’s representation of its Black protagonists. Davis is one of these critics, saying that it “wasn’t the voices of the maids that were heard” in the movie’s script. She thinks the movie fails to portray what it was really like for Black maids in the ‘60s, and believes that those characters were sidelined for a more palatable story. Hopefully now that she’s become an EGOT winner, she’ll be able to give life to more authentic stories in the future.
Which movie would you love to hear a star’s take on? Let us know in the comments!
