Katie Holmes got big by playing a cute teen in “Dawson’s Creek,” but making the transition to love interest for DC’s biggest hero, Batman, didn’t work out. Many people found her role in the first of three Christopher Nolan “Batman” films to be lacking and forgettable.
When Maggie Gyllenhaal took her place as the character for “The Dark Knight,” people either didn’t notice or agreed with the choice. Many think that Nolan had her replaced, but it seems even Holmes thought she wasn’t right – she was reportedly offered the role a second time and ended up turning it down.
Madonna as Gloria Tatlock in Shanghai Surprise
In 1986 Madonna was at the height of her powers. She was also married to Sean Penn, and the two decided to appear in a movie together, “Shanghai Surprise.” Penn is an acting legend, but Madonna is not. She's had numerous roles that have failed to impress movie-goers, but this one might have been her worst.
Despite the male lead being her real-life husband, their characters had zero chemistry, and critical fingers were pointed at Madonna. She won Worst Actress at the Razzies, and the movie as a whole was nominated for five more, as well as a Stinkers Bad Movie Award.
Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze in Ghost Rider
It's not perfect, but “Ghost Rider” certainly isn't the worst superhero movie ever, or even on this list. It's not even the worst thing Nicolas Cage has been in, but there's no denying he was the wrong man for the part.
It's certainly one of his more uninspiring performances, and as far as tortured souls go, Cage doesn't really fit the bill. One critic leveled at Cage: “Cage needs to produce something special next to make up for crimes against cinema.” Ghost Rider's most famous feature is his flaming skull, and this Ghost Rider just got burned big time.
Justin Timberlake as Mickey Rubin in “Wonder Wheel”
From “The New Mickey Mouse Club” to 'Nsync and beyond, Justin Timberlake has done it all, including dating Britney Spears. He's been in several high-profile movies and delivered a few great performances, but “Wonder Wheel” wasn't his best.
As a Coney Island lifeguard who falls in love with a middle-aged waitress and her daughter, Timberlake was torn in too many directions to deliver a performance that could match up to director Woody Allen's standards. The dramatic film was fraught with problems, getting a mere thirty-one percent on Rotten Tomatoes, and Timberlake was one of the reasons it failed.
James Franco as Oz in Oz the Great and Powerful
The iconic man behind the curtain from “The Wizard of Oz” received his own prequel movie with James Franco as the wizard, but the casting proved to be a misstep. Picture a powerful wizard, even one who doesn't actually have magic powers, and you're unlikely to come up with Franco.
Franco has the acting chops, and the movie wasn't terrible, but he seems more like a hipster playing a magician ironically than someone who really believes in himself. It would be like Michael Cera playing chocolatier Willy Wonka.