Even In Hollywood Hindsight Is 20/20
Every actor has at least one role they’d rather forget. Whether it was because of insensitive casting, tone‑deaf comedy, or just a bad judgement call, these stars have publicly apologized for performances that didn’t age well—or never should have been made in the first place.
Emma Stone
Emma Stone faced widespread backlash for playing a part-Asian, part-Hawaiian character in Aloha (2015), despite being white. While the film tried to explain her casting as part of the character’s mixed heritage, it didn't sit well with audiences. Stone later acknowledged the casting was misguided and expressed regret over being part of a film that reinforced Hollywood’s whitewashing problem.
Columbia Pictures, Aloha (2015)
George Clooney
George Clooney has openly mocked his own performance in Batman & Robin (1997), even apologizing to fans on multiple occasions. He’s joked about the infamous Batsuit nips and called the film a disaster. Clooney has said that the experience taught him valuable lessons about choosing projects more carefully in the future.
Batman & Robin (1997) Modern Trailer I A Joel Schumacher Film, The Editor
Mahershala Ali
After winning an Oscar for his role in Green Book (2018), Mahershala Ali personally apologized to Don Shirley’s family for not consulting them during the film’s production. The family criticized the movie for its historical inaccuracies and white-savior narrative. Ali said he respected their feelings and wished he had approached the role differently.
Green Book - Official Trailer [HD], Universal Pictures
Jason Alexander
Jason Alexander admitted he only took on the role of Boris Badenov in The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (2000) for the paycheck. He later said the experience was embarrassing and that he regretted the decision as soon as the film was released. The role became a running joke even among his fans.
Universal, The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (2000)
Viola Davis
Viola Davis has expressed disappointment in her role in The Help (2011), saying the story ultimately centered the white perspective and failed to fully capture the voices of Black maids. Though the film was critically acclaimed, Davis felt it was a missed opportunity. She’s since been vocal about the importance of Black-led narratives being told authentically.
The Help - Official Trailer 2011 (HD), DanceOn
Katherine Heigl
After calling Knocked Up (2007) “a little sexist,” Katherine Heigl caught flak for biting the hand that fed her. Years later, she apologized to director Judd Apatow and lead actor Seth Rogen, saying her comments were taken out of context. She acknowledged she could’ve handled the criticism in a more constructive way.
Alison Tells Ben She's Pregnant | Knocked Up, HaHa Picks
Sandra Bullock
Sandra Bullock has never shied away from criticizing Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997), even calling it “a big mistake.” She later said she knew the script was bad but felt obligated to do it. The experience taught her the value of trusting her gut when something doesn’t feel right.
Speed 2: Cruise Control (1/5) Movie CLIP - An Explosive Exit (1997) HD, Movieclips
Daniel Radcliffe
Daniel Radcliffe has been candid about his performance in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009), calling it his weakest in the series. He admitted that he felt disconnected and wooden in many scenes. Looking back, he wishes he had approached the character with more depth and focus.
Warner Bros., Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck has called Daredevil (2003) a low point in his career, saying he “hated” the movie and regretted how it turned out. He saw it as a missed opportunity to bring a beloved character to life. The experience motivated him to eventually take on Batman in a more serious, grounded way.
DAREDEVIL Clip - Not Heaven (2003) Ben Affleck, JoBlo Superheroes
Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway publicly apologized for how The Witches (2020) portrayed limb differences, after people with disabilities criticized the character design. She expressed deep remorse and said she never intended to cause harm. Hathaway also pledged to do better when reviewing scripts in the future.
The Witches - Official Trailer, Warner Bros.
Zoe Saldana
Zoe Saldana apologized for playing Nina Simone in Nina (2016), admitting that she wasn’t the right person for the role. The film faced major backlash for using makeup and a prosthetic nose to alter her appearance. Saldana said she should have stepped aside and advocated for a better casting choice.
Zoe Saldana is Nina Simone - NINA Official Trailer [HD], FilmIsNow Movies
Michael Fassbender
Michael Fassbender did not hold back in his criticism of Assassin’s Creed (2016), saying he “hated” the movie and felt it fell short of its potential. He believed the script and direction failed to capture the essence of the video game series. Fassbender took full responsibility for being part of the failed adaptation.
Eddie Redmayne
Eddie Redmayne later expressed regret over playing a transgender woman in The Danish Girl (2015), even though he earned an Oscar nomination for the role. He said casting a cisgender actor was a mistake and that trans actors should be given more opportunities. Redmayne’s apology sparked broader conversations about representation in Hollywood.
Pretty Pictures, The Danish Girl (2015)
Halle Berry
Halle Berry accepted her Razzie for Catwoman (2004) with a sense of humor, but she didn’t shy away from admitting the film was a disaster. She thanked Warner Bros. for putting her in a terrible movie and poked fun at herself. Berry has said the film taught her how important it is to read scripts thoroughly.
Catwoman (2004) - Beauty or Death Scene (10/10) | Movieclips, Movieclips
Jared Leto
Jared Leto received heavy criticism for his over-the-top portrayal of the Joker in Suicide Squad (2016). Though he didn’t issue a traditional apology, he’s since distanced himself from the role and admitted it didn’t land with audiences. He’s expressed interest in more nuanced, grounded characters moving forward.
Birds of Prey (2020 film), DC Entertainment
Christian Bale
Christian Bale later acknowledged that his role as Moses in Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014) was part of a larger problem in Hollywood: whitewashing. He expressed disappointment in the casting decisions and said more opportunities should go to Middle Eastern and North African actors. Bale said the film should have been more thoughtful in its approach.
Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise initially faced skepticism when cast as Lestat in Interview with the Vampire (1994), and although the performance was eventually praised, Cruise admitted he didn’t fully understand the source material at first. He said he regretted how he approached the role early on and would have done things differently given the chance.
Interview With The Vampire(1994), Warner Bros.
Jim Caviezel
Jim Caviezel’s portrayal of Jesus in The Passion of the Christ (2004) brought controversy due to its perceived anti-Semitic overtones. While he didn’t disown the role, he did acknowledge the intense backlash and the personal and professional toll it took. Caviezel has since reflected on how the film affected public perception of his career.
Icon, The Passion of the Christ (2004)
Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis has openly said that Striking Distance (1993) was a terrible film, even calling it “a piece of crap”. He admitted the script made no sense and that he took the role without thinking it through. Willis said the movie taught him to be more selective and trust his instincts when reading a project.
Striking Distance (1993) Official Trailer HD, StudioMars
Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson initially sparked controversy when she accepted the role of a transgender man in Rub & Tug. She first defended the casting but later issued a formal apology, admitting she handled the situation poorly. In the end, the film was scrapped and Johansson has since become more cautious about the roles she accepts and the conversations surrounding identity in Hollywood.
CHANEL N°5, the film with Nicole Kidman – CHANEL Fragrance, CHANEL
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