One of the things about book-to-screen adaptations that fans will likely never fully agree on is whether the actors are exactly right for the characters they're portraying. The topic of Harry, Ron and Hermione's casting for the original Harry Potter movies is tricky, I think, because on one hand, none of the actors cast for the roles perfectly fit the description, and yet, it's hard to imagine anyone else playing them. But what did J.K. Rowling think about Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint when she first met them? Apparently, she thought they were all too good-looking, but there's more to it than that.

As of this writing, I have just over an hour left of the final Harry Potter full-cast edition audiobook to listen to, and then I'll be sad it's over all over again (possibly sadder than I was while listening to that one scene in Book 6). Listening to Audible's new full-cast editions of J.K. Rowling's beloved, magical series has made me a bit nostalgic about the movies, which is how I ended up poking around in the bonus features of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. It was there that I came across the interview Daniel Radcliffe and J.K. Rowling did with each other in the 2012 bonus feature, which includes the conversation they had about her first impressions of him, Grint and Watson when they were cast to play their characters. On that subject, she started with:

While there are definitely differences between Harry and Radcliffe (like their eye color), and Ron and Grint, the differences between Watson and Hermione might be brought up the most. Hermione is described as having big teeth and bushy hair in the book. While the movies did seem to try to add some volume to her hair in the first two, let's face it, Emma Watson has always been beautiful.

Rowling brought up meeting Watson for the first time, and she prefaced this by saying it was lucky she'd met her over the phone beforehand, because it sounds like Watson exuded Hermione energy during that conversation, but didn't quite look how the writer envisioned her character. Here's how Rowling described both interactions, starting with the phone conversation:

If you're a fan of the books, you know that Hermione's appearance at the Yule Ball in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is a total glow-up. She had her teeth shrunken down a bit (following a mean spell cast on her by Malfoy that elongated them), and went to extra lengths to tame her hair for the big dance. Radcliffe brought this scene up with Rowling during their conversation, specifically questioning if they shot themselves in the foot for this scene in the movie, since she was already beautiful, to which Rowling agreed with a laugh:

Of course, Hermione was never described as ugly in the books, and Rowling made that clear by adding:

I think it's interesting what she said about the character having the choice to "become a little more groomed and glamorous." From how she put it, this was intentional for the character in the book, but I think we can all agree that it gets lost in the movie.

Hermione being a geeky girl who's brave, smart and vital to the success of so much that happens in the story is what makes her such a great character, and that's more than enough. If I recall correctly, she was actually a bit put off by how much work it took to get her hair fixed up, which seems very on brand for the character. She can make herself look glamorous if she wants to, but it's not going to be her top priority. Still, as Rowling said, "it's a film." She'll continue to see the character as she does in her imagination, the same way we can when we read the books if we want.

As much as I would've loved to see Hermione get a true glow-up in the movies, it's not a major game-changer for the plot that the film's Hermione is beautiful from the start. However, I do appreciate Rowling's sentiment here, particularly as she sounds more than satisfied with how Emma Watson played the role.

Fans already have takes about the casting for the upcoming Harry Potter TV show. And there will undoubtedly be more opinions once the series premieres this holiday season. In the meantime, I strongly encourage you to give the new Audible full-cast audiobooks a shot if you're a fan of the books and/or love audiobooks. I've had so much fun listening to them. It's almost like getting to experience the story all over again.

There’s no question in my mind Emma Watson is well dressed. In fact, she could never act again and as long as she keeps up her chic fashion sense, I’d be happy to continue following her. This week, she busted out another winner in the realm of celebrity fashion for an interview, but it was even more weirdly satisfying to see her pull off her $1000+ shoes and use them to crush ice.

Listen, a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. In her new cocktail-making video, Emma Watson pulled off a pair of Prada shoes and used them to whack at some ice for a cocktail-making venture. It’s unclear which pair it is, though they have the block heel of the Nappa Leather platform shoes, which retail for a whopping $1,420. There’s nothing like a $1,400 rolling pin! Take a look.

I honestly thought I’d be horrified by this video for British Vogue, but I’m not. In fact, seeing Watson smack down on that ice is super compelling, and the thing is, it worked! As she noted:

I feel like you’d need a special type of heel in order to get such a satisfying whack out of some ice. Tennis shoes are too soft. Boots might be hard to grip and use for any sort of smacking. But a nice chunky heel? It’s basically pickaxe adjacent. You’d need to be really specific, though. The trendy heels right now are long and spindly. Pumps like these look great on your feet, for sure, but aren’t what we are looking for.

This Steve Madden Beki heel is fashionable and getting a little closer, but I think would still be a little too thin for maximum impact.

If you’re looking for a dupe that maybe won’t break the bank as much as Emma Watson’s shoes have, options like these Stuart Weitzman chunky sandals may be just what you’re looking for.

Emma Watson is generally a fun interview, whether she’s talking about dating Brits or U.S. guys or the story behind her Harry Potter casting. She’s fun here, too, joking about how Hermione wasn’t much of a drinker, but maybe got into cocktails later when things got hard on the home and work front. (Love me a good Cursed Child reference.)

I'm still not over the fact she used Prada to chunk up some ice. It's such great content, and I've watched it like 10 times already. Now, excuse me while I give it a go, again.

Emma Watson graced us with her magical presence at 11 years old, starring in the Harry Potter movies. But after the famous actor took a hiatus after starring as Meg in 2019's Little Women, she’s been taking on new ventures and apparently new love. Now, an insider has dropped a claim about how the British star is reportedly feeling about her new billionaire boyfriend, Gonzalo Hevia Baillères.

The Circle actress has had her share of romances before. She was reportedly dating Glee actor Chord Overstreet in 2018 and she had her Oxford University beau, Kieran Brown, back in 2024. As for Watson’s new love interest, a source told People that the Hermione actress is allegedly “on cloud nine” and “really into” Mexican entrepreneur Gonzalo Hevia Baillères.

The two were recently spotted sharing a kiss at the airport, followed by drinks and dinner at a nice restaurant. Watson and Baillères first outing as a pair was in late 2025 in Courchevel in the French Alps, and then they were seen again in Mexico’s peninsula of Punto Nita. Now, that’s a magical couple right there.

Some fun facts about Emma Watson’s new boyfriend are that he comes from one of Mexico’s distinguished family businesses. His family dynasty spans several industry interests like mining, finance and retail, and insurance. As of now, Baillères is the CEO of the A.I. technology company, Lok. As Watson is dating an important Mexican businessman, it’s no wonder she’s allegedly feeling “on cloud nine.”

Other than new love, the Perks of Being a Wallflower actress has stepped away from acting to follow pursuits that gave her more creative control. Her new life post-acting has led to her earning a Master’s in Creative Writing from Oxford University, serving as the face of Prada's fragrance Paradoxe as well as directing a short for the brand, and co-founding the gin brand Renais with her brother Alex. With the former child star “glad” that she stepped away from acting, now Watson has the freedom to explore creativity and to use her voice differently behind the camera.

One thing I’m curious about is if Gonzalo Baillères is a fan of his girlfriend’s Harry Potter flicks. When Watson was a guest on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast in September, she said she would prefer to date men who were unfamiliar with her work. I can see where she’s coming from in wanting new men in her life to get to know Emma Watson as a person, compared to a fan interested in the actress who portrayed Hermione Granger for ten years.

Based on People’s source, Emma Watson is allegedly “really into” and “on cloud nine” with billionaire boyfriend Gonzalo Hevia Baillères. I wish the reported happy couple all the best in their new relationship. Make sure to revisit Watson’s Harry Potter movies with a Peacock subscription or an HBO Max subscription.

The Harry Potter movies will always have a cultural legacy. Warner Bros. took a whole decade to film the series, creating J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World detailed down to Dumbledore’s half moon glasses. However, the craziest part of it all was watching the main cast grow up before our eyes. Now, as HBO repeats the process with its own book to screen adaptation of the magical franchise with a Potter TV show, Daniel Radcliffe says there is one big thing he and his former co-stars are bonding over.

Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson's careers were launched due to their roles as Harry, Ron and Hermione, respectively. Much like the new actors stepping into their former characters, Dominic McLaughlin (Harry), Arabella Stanton (Hermione), and Alastair Stout (Ron), the original trio were ages 10-12 when they were cast in the titular roles. People recently asked Radcliffe if he’s talked to Watson and Grint about the new TV series, and the Weird actor said there was one thing they all connected with:

The former child co-stars might not have talked with each other much, but a few of the OG Harry Potter actors have sent letters to their younger counterparts, including Daniel Radcliffe. However, the Merrily We Roll Along actor says he doesn’t need to ask Watson or Grint on their feelings, as he already knows. Radcliffe also shared another sweet sentiment regarding their successors:

Imagine if as an adult, you had the chance to give your 11-year-old self advice about the next 10 years of their life. That's not the exact case here, of course, but it's cool that the OGs are now having such feelings due to the new show. Rupert Grint said the TV casting announcement took him straight back to his own Ron casting in 1999, and how exciting yet challenging the journey that followed was. In many cases, actions can speak louder than words and, given the circumstances, I think a hug is appropriate.

Who knows when McLaughlin and his predecessor might get to finally meet in person, but the sentiment from Radcliffe is sweet. I do appreciate that a lot of the OG Harry Potter actors are giving the new generation space to find their own place in the Wizarding World. The Harry Potter movies were so immersive and successful, there’s already a pressure to match the standard set, if not exceed it, without the former actors telling you how to play your role.

I personally would love to see a red carpet meet-up involving the new and veteran casts when the HP show premieres in early 2027. But, given some of the OG stars have had somewhat tense relations with author and series EP J.K. Rowling over her controversial comments, there’s no guarantee Radcliffe, Watson, or Grint would show up.

However, they clearly are very supportive of the young actors carrying on Harry Potter’s legacy. As a fan myself, I am curious to see how HBO puts its spin on this fictional universe.

All the Harry Potter movies are available to stream with an HBO Max subscription, and you can also catch Daniel Radcliffe in the new NBC series, The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, which is now airing as part of the 2026 TV schedule.

There is no questioning at this point that Emma Stone is a household name. Between her two Academy Awards, popular titles ranging from Superbad to Amazing Spider-Man, and hosting Saturday Night Live five times, she is one of the world's most popular and recognizable stars. And yet, it's not an uncommon experience in the slightest for people to come up to her in public and confuse her for Harry Potter star Emma Watson.

Lookalike confusion isn't a rare thing, as people have frequently compared the looks of Jesse Plemons and Matt Damon, as an example, but this is kind of a strange one. Stone was recently a guest on the Happy.Sad.Confused. podcast, and when she was asked about the person she was last mistaken for, she explained that, "It's always Emma Watson."

But why? The two actresses are about the same age, but they don't really look anything alike, and it's not as though they have ever starred in a movie together. Could it be that people just look at her, know that her name is Emma, and then just make a faulty connection in their brain that links her with the last name Watson instead of Stone? It's quite odd.

Odd as it is, though, it isn't actually the strangest fan mistake that Emma Stone has experienced. While the Harry Potter star might be the most common error that people make, the Poor Things star recalled a time that someone else made an even wilder blunder. Said Stone,

Yup: they thought she was Debra Messing. I suppose it was perhaps a bit of redhead confusion, but Stone also happens to be 20 years younger than the popular sitcom star. Laughing, Stone added,

What will it take to finally stop people from making these kinds of mistakes? It's probably impossible – but a third Oscar certainly couldn't hurt, and that may very well be in the cards for Emma Stone. Her latest collaboration with director Yorgos Lanthimos, the dark comedy Bugonia, features another absolutely outstanding turn from the actress, and it's all but guaranteed that we'll be hearing her name plenty during the upcoming awards season. And should you be curious about seeing the new 2025 movie yourself, it's expanding into wide release this weekend – just in time for Halloween.

The Wizarding World is a global sensation, thanks to J.K. Rowling's novels, stage plays, theme parks, and the Harry Potter movies (which are streaming with a HBO Max subscription). Over the past few years there's been some drama surrounding the property, thanks to Rowling's controversial views on transgender women. This led to some of the other people in the franchise distancing themselves from the author, and after Emma Watson spoke about the state of their relationship, now Rowling has written a long response on her thoughts.

A number of members from the Harry Potter cast has responded to her comments about trans people, particularly Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, who put their support behind that community. Following the latter's viral interview, where she spoke about Rowling opening doors while also mentioning their political differences, the author took to X (Twitter) to share her own thoughts. Part of the response reads:

Obviously the cast of Harry Potter knows the franchise well, thanks to the decade they spent bringing the eight-movie series to life. But Rowling seems to take umbrage with the actors using their voice, particularly when it comes to the world she created.

When Daniel Radcliffe spoke out about Rowling, he also addressed the queer Harry Potter fans who are having trouble separating the author with her recent comments. Indeed, some Potter fans have boycotted the franchise altogether. Later in her long tweet about the cast, Rowling continued:

The ongoing narrative does consistently get the public's attention, with LGBTQ+ folks and their allies criticizing the author, while some fans have aggressively defended her. It's a dizzying situation, one that the writer claims she's tried to keep Watson and other actors out of. Although back in March J.K. Rowling threw shade at the actors.

In her recent post, Rowling claimed that Watson only recently changed her tune: writing:

Clearly this is a complicated situation, one that elicits strong relationships from the celebs in question and fans alike. And as the Harry Potter TV show continues filming its first season, smart money says the discourse surrounding the Wizarding World isn't going to stop anytime soon.

The Harry Potter franchise is streaming in its entirety ton HBO Max, which will also be the home of the TV adaptation. We'll just have to wait and see if the drama between Emma Watson and J.K. Rowling continues to heat up.

At the age of 11, Emma Watson became one of the most famous child stars of the 2000s. After joining the cast of Harry Potter, Watson became a major celebrity and, even now, she's still remembered for her role as Hermione Granger. Today, over two decades after she was tapped to play the crafty Hogwarts student, Watson explains the story of how she landed the role and, if you can believe it, she even mentioned Beanie Babies and “lucky talismans” as part of the story.

Before the Harry Potter movies were made, Daniel Radcliffe starred in BBC One’s David Copperfield and had a small part in The Tailor of Panama. Meanwhile, Rupert Grint had a school theatre background. As for Emma Watson, she lacked formal acting experience at the time, as she explained on Jay Shetty's On Purpose Podcast. Nevertheless, she still found herself in a position to audition for one of the key roles in the Potter franchise:

It’s interesting that Warner Bros. turned to U.K. schools for casting, compared to relying on a more formal process involving professional child stars. Of course, that same process was used when it came to casting the magical trio for HBO's upcoming Harry Potter TV series, as 32,000 audition tapes were reviewed. This shows how committed WB was (and remains) to discovering raw talent and giving opportunities to relative newcomers.

Although Watson, for her part, didn't have formal training as an actor, that didn't stop her from feeling optimistic about her chances of landing the part. She also prepared herself in a somewhat quirky, yet endearing way, based on the comments she shared on the podcast. The Perks of Being a Wallflower star continued to talk about the cute accessories she brought with her for her Harry Potter audition, and I love this so much:

Ah, the Beanie Babies days. I remember them well. As for the lucky talismans, why not? Considering how stressful and tough auditions are, any form of good luck an actor can bring with them certainly couldn't hurt. Considering just how much tedious preparation Emma Watson put into her audition, I would agree that she was destined to play Granger.

Just like Hermione, Emma Watson was a real bookworm herself, as she explained on the podcast that she loved the world of Harry Potter so much at a young age. She remembered how her dad would sweetly read the J.K. Rowling-authored series to her before bed and during long car rides. Needless to say, getting that opportunity was massive for a young Watson.

Even though Emma Watson wasn’t an actress before auditioning for Hermione, she recalled strongly feeling as though she was destined to play the brainy Hogwarts student. Watson also provided some thoughts about how she now feels about her tenure in the role:

Ultimately, people sometimes can't explain just why they feel like they're destined for something. It’s just an instinct that what’s meant to be will be. On the set of The Sorcerer’s Stone, Watson also had no problems proving she was the perfect person for the role. She knew her own lines but mouthed the lines of her co-stars, too! (Someone clearly did their homework like Hermione Granger would have done.)

Emma Watson's journey landing the big role of Hermione Granger in Harry Potter feels about as magical as the Wizarding World she's now linked to. With Beanie Babies and “lucky talismans” there to help her reach her dreams, she proved that a little faith and luck can change the course of a lifetime. Feel free to revisit the movies that made Watson a star, as they're all streaming with a HBO Max subscription, and Peacock subscription holders can access them as well.

There are major franchises, and then there's the Wizarding World. Generations were brought up on this property, starting with J.K. Rowling's novels and then growing with stage plays, theme parks, and of course the Harry Potter movies (which are streaming with a HBO Max subscription). The IP has been the subject of some controversy, related to J.K. Rowling's controversial views about the transgender community. And Emma Watson recently got real about her relationship with the author, and what is the most "painful" part of their estrangement.

Back in 2020, Watson stood up for trans people on social media, after Rowling's comments started to go viral. The author hasn't stopped in the years that followed, with some fans boycotting Harry Potter as a result. In a recent appearance on the Jay Schetty Podcast, the Little Women actress spoke about about balancing her support of trans people with the good relationship she previously had with Rowling. In her words:

Watson spoke about her refusal to write off people who she disagrees with, something that's become increasingly common in recent years. So even though she was hurt by J.K. Rowling saying the trio of leading actors "ruined" the movie franchise for her (among other comments), it seems like the 35 year-old actress doesn't want to harbor anger towards her former collaborator and friend.

As Watson explained, the ongoing strain between her and Rowling is one reason why she hasn't continued to comment on the author's continued controversies. But she's also clinging to her beliefs, while hoping that she and J.K. Rowling get a chance to speak privately about the state of their relationship (or lack thereof). In fact, she reveals that the lack of dialogue is part of why the Perks of Being a Wallflower actress was so hurt over the situation. In her words:

Emma Watson met J.K. Rowling when she was just 11 years old filming Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The book to screen adaptation ended up being a global sensation, and the two women seemingly had a good relationship through the franchise's time in theaters. Alas, that's changed in the past few years, seemingly as a result of Watson standing up for the transgender community.

In the same interview, Watson was asked if she still wants to have the chance to speak with Rowling directly. She responded resoundingly with:

It sounds like Watson has a strong sense of self, including the way that her continued involvement in the J.K. Rowling controversy could add to an unhealthy online discourse. It remains to be seen if she and the architect of the Wizarding World will ever get a chance to speak about the state of their relationship.

While some folks are boycotting the IP, the Harry Potter TV show is currently filming its first season. It should be interesting to see how popular that adaptation is, and whether or not J.K. Rowling's comments about the trans community dissuade people from tuning in.

The Harry Potter franchise is streaming now on HBO Max, which will also be the home of the TV show. While Emma Watson took some time away from acting, her fans are no doubt hoping for a return to the big screen.

Emma Watson became an overnight movie star thanks to the Harry Potter films. She spent a decade making major blockbusters and grew up in the spotlight. It’s the sort of experience few other actors, other than her co-stars, have ever been through. While many child actors leave Hollywood, Watson did not, though she hasn't been seen in a while.

Emma Watson has been taking a little break from Hollywood of late. She hasn’t been seen on screen since 2019’s Little Women. In a recent interview for Hollywood Authentic, the Beauty and the Beast actress indicates that one of the reasons she took a break isn’t that she didn’t want to act, but rather that she didn’t want to do all the work associated with making a movie after it’s completed. Watson said…

Many actors work their entire careers to achieve the success that Watson found at the very beginning. She clearly knows she was lucky in that regard. With a new Harry Potter TV series on the way, a new set of young actors have "won the lottery" in the same way Watson and her costars once did. It will be interesting to see how their path through acting mirrors their predecessors.

Unfortunately for Emma Watson, “selling things” has been a big part of her entire career in film. She started out as part of a major franchise, and promoting those films was always going to be an important part of the job. The same thing goes for starring in major Disney releases like the live-action Beauty and the Beast or major awards contenders like Little Women.

Watson makes it clear that she still loves acting. Doing the work on a set is still something she appreciates and has missed during her time away. The issue was simply that the job of being a professional film actress isn’t just about the acting, in her opinion. When she talks about the actual work, you can tell she loves it. She continued…

Emma Watson had made clear that she's not retired, and she does indicate in the interview that she’s working on some sort of new project, though she doesn’t say what it is. Assuming that it will put her on screen again, that will conceivably lead to one other element of acting that she doesn’t love, as there is apparently a lot of stress for her when it comes down to nailing the performance. Watson said…

However, Emma Watson feels it seems quite likely we will see her on screen again before too long.

After Emma Watson portrayed Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies for ten years, Arabella Stanton has some big shoes to fill in HBO's Harry Potter series. However, after she was picked from the thousands of young actors auditioning for the series, I was pretty sure she'd be great. Now, after hearing her say one of her character's most iconic lines, I’m even more convinced that she’s perfect for the role!

While we're still not even close to the series premiering, we got to hear Stanton give us a taste of her Hermione, because she's also voicing her in the new Full-Cast Audio Editions of the Harry Potter audiobooks.

She's clearly perfect for the part, too, because just when you thought her alleged audition was giving you Emma Watson vibes, the way she says her lines for the new audiobook is perfection. Listen for yourself in Stanton’s Audible interview below:

Now, that’s the way the school us on how to say “Leviosa!” If Hermione Granger were a real person, I think she’d be proud, too. Hearing the Matilda: The Musical actress say her lines as our favorite brainy witch is the perfect way for us to get a real preview of her role in the upcoming TV series.

Emma Watson previously said she proved she was the best person to play Hermione for the fantasy movies when she memorized everyone’s lines. As for Arabella Stanton, she had her own magical reason why she was born to be Hermione:

Just from hearing Arabella Stanton talk about Hermione, I feel like she kind of is her. I can’t get over how natural she sounds saying the young witch’s iconic lines. Emma Watson herself portrayed Hermione’s excellent diction very well in the film series, so I wouldn't be surprised if Stanton chose to do the same thing. If you’re going to portray a know-it-all student, you gotta talk with a confidence and diction that proves you’ve read the whole library.

Arabella Stanton cutely continued to say that she felt she was very much like Hermione in being very good at school and quite the perfectionist. It’s clear that the Starlight Express actress already represents the brilliance and innocent charm that make the beloved character so memorable.

All Arabella Stanton had to say was “Leviosa,” and I was sold. It's clear that Audible and HBO saw the same thing in the talented actress being able to masterfully depict Hermione's charm, intellect, and spirit effortlessly. She’s got the popular Harry Potter character in the bag for a new generation of fans to love.

You can expect to see Stanton embody the book-loving witch with the Harry Potter TV series, which should be available to stream with an HBO Max subscription in 2027. Until then, you can get a taste of her Hermione performance with Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions, which are available to pre-order before its official release on November 4th.

Harry Potter is one of the most popular IPs in the world, and it's constantly growing. The franchise has entertained audience for decades, thanks to the books, stage plays, theme parks, and (of course) the Harry Potter movies (which are streaming with a Max subscription). Actor Tom Felton played Draco Malfoy throughout all seven of those films, and has returned to the Wizarding World by reprise his role in The Cursed Child on Broadway. And his hopes for that role are throughly adorable, especially regarding Emma Watson.

The Harry Potter cast developed strong bonds while bringing Hogwarts to life, especially the OGs who were there for a decade. In an interview with MTV, the 37 year-old actor was asked if he got a lot of texts from the group after news broke about him playing Draco on Broadway. He responded:

While fans had a strong reaction to him joining the Broadway company of Harry Potter and The Cursed Child, it sounds like his fellow actors were just as shocked as the rest of us. He's the first person to play his signature character as an adult, so can you blame them?

Later in that same interview, Tom Felton was asked which of the Hogwarts alum (who got back together for the Return to Hogwarts special) blew up his phone the most. And he offered:

It turns out it was Neville Longbottom himself who sent Felton the most gobsmacked emojis after his Broadway debut was announced. For his part, Lewis expressed interest in playing some adult characters in the developing Harry Potter TV series. Let's get as many OGs back as possible please!

In that interview, Felton was also asked which of his Potter co-stars he wouldn't like to see in the audience of The Cursed Child. That's when the one and only Emma Watson's name got dropped. As he put it:

Tom Felton has been open about his love for Emma Watson, including flirtations that happened when they were younger and working on the Harry Potter movies. So it might not be surprising that he admitted seeing her smiling from the audience might make him break character in the midst of a performance on Broadway. But who doesn't want that reunion to happen?

It's unclear if/when Watson is going to see Tom Felton's return to Draco Malfoy, but I have to assume that he'll be getting some visits from his co-stars. Of course, fans are wondering if the original Potter actors would reprise these roles for a Cursed Child movie sometime in the future. Hey, a guy can dream.

The Harry Potter movies are streaming on HBO Max, which will also be the home of the TV series. Unfortunately, the Fantastic Beasts movies aren't expected to return in the 2025 movie release list or beyond.

The crew and cast of the Harry Potter franchise are forever linked by the fact that they worked on the beloved film saga. However, two of its members are now also linked by dual legal situations. Emma Watson, who’s famous for portraying Hermione Granger, was wrapped up in a court-related matter. Coincidentally, co-star Zoë Wanamaker – who portrayed Madame Hooch in the Harry Potter movies – ended up in court on the same day and for the same reason. With that, we have details on the wild turn of events.

Emma Watson was involved in a car-related incident in Oxford, England on July 31, 2024. At that time, a camera clocked the 35-year-old actress going 38 mph in a 30 mph zone and, before the incident, Watson reportedly already had nine points on her driver’s licence. EW reports that a hearing was held this week, and Watson did not attend. Ultimately, a judge of the High Wycombe Magistrates' Court ordered that Watson be banned from driving for six months and ordered her to pay a fine of £1,044, which amounts to roughly $1,400.

As for Zoë Wanamaker, the legal action against her stems from a situation that occurred back on August 7, 2024 when she was caught going 46 mph in a 40 mph zone. The trade reports that Wanamaker – like her aforementioned co-star – also had nine points on her license before this latest infraction. When the High Wycombe Magistrates' Court decided on Wanamaker’s punishment (on the same day as her colleague’s ruling came down), it was determined that she would also receive a sixth-month driving ban and a £1,044 fine.

It goes without saying that we cannot condone not adhering to the speed limit in a given place. That aside, it’s really hard to get past the irony of two Potter stars being cited for the same offense – and legally disciplined on the same day and in the same place. Another layer of irony is the fact that Wanamaker’s Wizarding World character instructs Hogwarts students on how to get around at top speeds with a broomstick.

The It's a Wonderful Afterlife alum only appeared in the original Harry Potter film – The Sorcerer's Stone – as Madame Hooch. Nevertheless, her role in the film remains well remembered amongst fans of the fantasy franchise (which is streamable with an HBO Max subscription). In 2022, the actress recalled the fun hijinks that took place on set, some of which involved cast members Maggie Smith and Richard Harris.

Of course, Emma Watson earned major recognition for playing Hermione in all eight Potter films. The past several years have seen the Perks of Being a Wallflower star keep a relatively low profile as she’s stepped away from acting. As she’s explained, Watson is “glad” she made that professional choice, as she now has a “feeling of having [her] own voice and creative space and sovereignty in some way that [she] don’t think [she] did before – more autonomy.”

When it comes to their respective vehicular situations, neither Emma Watson’s reps nor those for Zoë Wanamaker have commented on the court’s decisions, as of this writing. It remains to be seen whether they’ll choose to speak out on this turn of events.

The Harry Potter movies turned three young, unknown actors into global movie stars. There’s a pretty solid chance that the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, which will be available with an HBO Max subscription, will do the same thing for the three unknowns cast in its lead roles. The father of Emma Watson certainly understands this better than most, as his daughter’s success also changed his life, so he has some advice for the parents of the new stars.

Speaking with Times Radio (via The Independent), Chris Watson gave his support to the parents of the young stars who were chosen to play Harry, Ron, and Hermione. While the newfound celebrity will surely be difficult for Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout, it will also be something for their parents to navigate, which Watson admitted could be “scary” for all involved. He revealed…

The lives of these three actors are about to change in a big way, and that means the lives of the entire families are going to change as well. As exciting as it is, it’s not hard to see why it’s also scary. All three of the actors who starred in the films have spoken about how the fame surrounding Harry Potter changed them, and how it hasn’t always been for the best. Daniel Radcliffe admitted to using alcohol to cope.

Chris Watson, however, may have one of the best solutions to helping to deal with the celebrity of the whole thing. It seems he doesn’t really watch the films; it’s unclear if he’s ever seen them. Apparently Emma Watson’s parents have never made the movies a big deal themselves, which may have helped Watson not get too overwhelmed by it all growing up. He continued…

At this point, it feels like Emma Watson’s dad may be the only person on the planet who doesn’t watch the Harry Potter movies. The franchise is still incredibly popular, which is exactly why we’re getting this reboot of it all in the first place. A year from now, we can expect to see the faces of these three actors pretty much everywhere. One hopes that they, and their families, are ready for it all.

History has no shortage of child actors who had a hard time transitioning into adulthood, with or without the same stardom. All three of the original Harry Potter stars were able to do it, so listening to whatever advice is available probably isn’t a terrible thing for the new stars and their parents to do.

When Harry Potter went from the page to the big screen, it changed the face of YA franchise forever, along with its cast, including Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson. As the kids were goofing off and growing up on set, Jany Temime, who first joined during the Prisoner of Azkaban as the costume designer, helped them jump from kids to young adult looks. Apparently, while she helped dress the cast over the years, there was plenty of schoolyard crushes. And she’s just now teasing about what went down beyond Hogwarts fittings.

Temime, who’s worked on James Bond installments Skyfall and Spectre spoke with Deadline about her thoughts of the future of 007 along with remembering her time on the Hogwarts set. She joined for the aforementioned threequel, Prisoner of Azkaban (streaming with a Max subscription), alongside director Alfonzo Cuarón. The two both agreed Potter and his classmates needed to be more tangible to teen audiences after having a few years of being students under their belts, in her words:

To me, I think it was the right move, I still remember noting the shift watching it the first time and it certainly didn’t hurt my viewing experience. The somewhat overlooked detail could be a factor in why some fans continue to watch all the Harry Potter movies time and time again. It’s something I never would’ve thought to pay attention to in regards to how the peers age in the 8-part saga but now I’m curious to rewatch and pay closer attention to the clothing updates beyond the one mentioned above.

Temime also opened up about her experience working with the younger cast growing up in front of her. That’s when she spilled a bit of tea in regards to all the puppy loves that were buzzing around playing ping pong on the HP set, by saying:

Admittedly, I’m not Harry Potter crazy like I once was, but the kid and tween in me is dying over this hint at behind-the-scenes love and intrigue. Chalk it up to being a part of the target demo when the books, and then movies, first released, but I’d love to sit down with Temime to get that full scoop. I’d love to sit and speculate but if we even skim the surface of that rabbit hole, we could easily be here for another 8-part epic.

Even though Temime’s buzzy rumored statement will be sitting at the back of my head for the rest of the day, fans have been treated to plenty excellent extra content including the Harry Potter reunion special. And, just around the corner after our 2025 TV guide finishes, fans can look forward to HBO Max's Harry Potter series.

We’ve all known for a while now that a Harry Potter series is officially happening on HBO. What we know about the Potter TV show has been limited, but recently it was revealed which young actors will be stepping into the roles of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. I have to admit, at first I was skeptical, but the new Hermione’s (alleged) audition went viral, and my jaw was on the floor. I’m not the only one, because Harry Potter fans are making the same Emma Watson comparisons.

In a side-by-side video comparison shared by the Instagram account @cineatomy, young newcomer Arabella Stanton is seen delivering a line from her audition for the TV reboot. The clip, edited to feature Emma Watson’s original 2001 performance directly above Stanton’s, has grabbed fans’ attention, with many viewers doing double-takes and double-taps. Let's break down some HP fans' reactions to the audition.

What Fans Are Saying About New Hermione Actress

• Wow I thought it was the original Hermione speaking for a moment. Sounds just like her. She also has the expressions down. So far it looks like they made the right choice.
• Why does she sound like Emma Watson 😅
• She’s perfect for the role! Kinda reminds me of Emma Watson and Jenna Ortega mixed into one 🙌
• she's mimicking ema watson bruh, we want original
• Little girl has seen the movies so much, she's emulating Emma.

While all eyes are technically on the new trio, it’s Stanton’s uncanny delivery that’s cast a Sonorus-level spell on Potterheads. Not every reaction has been glowing. Some viewers feel that despite promises of fresh book-to-screen adaptions, Stanton seems a little too influenced by the original Harry Potter movies. To them, it feels like she’s channeling Emma Watson more than crafting her own take on Hermione.

Honestly, I get the concern. But I’d argue it’s worth holding off on the criticism until we see more. After all, how many ways can you play a fiercely intelligent, logical, occasionally grating know-it-all? Stanton deserves the chance to grow into the role and make it her own. From what little we’ve seen in this (alleged) audition tape, she’s clearly talented, and in my opinion, more than capable of stepping into the shoes of everyone’s favorite smarty pants.

Joining the fresh young cast are some heavyweight stars set to bring the Hogwarts faculty to life. HBO has lined up an impressive roster: John Lithgow will take on the role of Dumbledore, Janet McTeer steps in as Professor McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu will portray Severus Snape, and Nick Frost is set to play the lovable half-giant Hagrid. Personally, while I have a lot of love for the original film cast, I’m excited to see a younger group of professors, which aligns more closely with how the characters are described in the Harry Potter books.

The Wizarding World has a solid and devoted fanbase, so it’ll be exciting to see how this new trio of young actors approaches their roles with everyone watching so closely. The original cast set a high bar, but with each book getting a full season, there’s plenty of room for these newcomers to bring fresh, personal interpretations to Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

It’s hard to forget the moment in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, which you can stream with a Max subscription, when Hermione accidentally turned into a cat (sort of). After drinking Polyjuice Potion that was accidentally laced with cat fur instead of Millicent Bulstrode’s hair, Emma Watson’s face transformed into a cat, and it was quite a sight to see. Now, the performer who doubled Hermione shared the story behind filming that scene, and how it wasn’t all Watson on screen.

Flick Miles, who was Emma Watson’s body double in the first three Harry Potter movies, was typically called in when a shot was needed that didn’t involve Watson’s face, and she’d help choreograph scenes. However, on Chamber of Secrets, her face (kind of) wound up on camera when she was called in to film the infamous cat Polyjuice Potion scene.

Explaining that all this happened because Watson’s skin had reacted to the glue for the makeup, she told People:

Not only is this BTS moment a real-life example of a Harry Potter character coming in clutch, but Miles also got a great experience out of it.

She explained that she adored working with the makeup team as they tried different versions of the makeup and prosthetics. Then, she recalled what it was like showing off these versions of the cat to the movie’s director, Chris Columbus:

Well, the cat is certainly “less gorgeous,” and it’s honestly quite scary. As Hermione says in Chamber of Secrets, the potion isn’t meant to be used with anything other than human hair. So, when she accidentally drank cat fur instead of Millicent’s hair, the reaction was bad.

While Harry and Ron seamlessly turned into Goyle and Crabbe, respectively, and seamlessly transformed back into themselves, poor Hermione had to go to the hospital wing. Overall, the kind of humorous moment proved that Polyjuice Potion is a magical reason to love the Wizarding World and a dangerous reason to be cautious in it.

Plus, it all turned out fine in the end, Hermione eventually returned to her human, Emma Watson, form, and the Harry Potter cast members both got a great experience because of it.

So, now, when you go rewatch the Harry Potter movies, see if you can spot Flick Miles in it, and the moment Hermione changes from Emma Watson to her double. I know I will.

HBO’s Harry Potter series is off to the races. After months of casting rumors, some of Hogwarts' core faculty and staff have been cast, and we know the series will be filmed at the same studio where the OG movies were made. However, now there’s a new rumor going around about this project, as it’s been claimed that Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint were not formally informed that this new series was happening.

Apparently, the first Harry, Ron and Hermione to grace our screens are being kept in the dark about this whole situation. In a report from The Daily Mail, it was alleged that Radcliffe, Watson and Grint were not informed that the remake was even happening before it was officially announced. According to an insider, that is “heartbreaking,” as they explained:

Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint were all the age of the first years when they began their journey in the Wizarding World, and they spent a decade in it as they made the Harry Potter films. To this day, they are all frequently asked about it, and this franchise serves as the biggest moment in their careers.

According to this insider, when it comes to the next iteration of Harry Potter, the original cast members “are a mere afterthought.” Apparently, they have “no involvement” in what’s coming next, and this is a totally new chapter:

According to the report, once the Harry Potter team finishes auditioning thousands of kids and picks their new trio, the first Harry, Ron and Hermione will not be informed about it. It would seem that they will find out the same way everyone else will, through the public announcement.

It’s well known that the books' author, J.K. Rowling, is involved in this new series. It’s also known that her views on women’s and trans rights have caused a lot of controversy. Over the years, the original Harry Potter cast has reacted to those views, and some, including Daniel Radcliffe, have spoken out against her.

Apparently, the author wants to fully move on from the movies, as the source claimed:

Overall, it would appear the trio does not have a say or knowledge about the upcoming series. However, they do get asked about it, and that will likely continue. Daniel Radcliffe has already been asked if he’d make a cameo, and as he continues to act and promote his work – and this goes for Watson, Grint, and the rest of the movies' cast too – he’ll likely get questions about it again.

So, as the Harry Potter series chugs along, and the original cast continues working on their own projects, we’ll keep you posted about how this new venture into the Wizarding World and the original films collide (or don’t). In the meantime, the original cinematic franchise can be revisited with either a Max subscription or a Peacock subscription.

Everybody deserves a break every once in a while, and that includes actors. Some of Hollywood’s finest have even indulged in stepping away from the camera for years on end, such as these celebrities.

Joe Pesci

Academy Award winner Joe Pesci went eight years without an acting role, the last being in Lethal Weapon 4, before making a cameo in 2006's The Good Shepherd. He finally appeared in another starring role in 2010’s Love Ranch, lent his voice to 2015’s A Warrior’s Tale, and later received his third Oscar nomination for portraying Russell Buffalino in 2019’s The Irishman. He waited another four years to break retirement for Peacock's Pete Davidson-led TV show, Bupkis, and a boxing movie called Day of the Fight.

Ke Huy Quan

After making a name for himself in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and The Goonies, Ke Huy Quan appeared in nothing between 1996’s Red Pirate and 2002’s Second Time Around, during which he worked as a stunt coordinator for movies like X-Men and The One. He was absent from the screen for another 19 years before showing up in Finding Ohana, but the former child star’s huge comeback came the following year with his Oscar-winning role in Everything Everywhere All At Once.

Meg Ryan

Following 2009’s Serious Moonlight, Meg Ryan appeared in a few episodes of Web Therapy between 2011 and 2013 before returning to cinema as star and director of 2015’s Ithaca. That same year, the When Harry Met Sally... actor appeared in a TV movie called Fan Girl and, eight years later, she wrote, directed, and starred in a 2023 rom-com called What Happens Later.

Eddie Murphy

After winning the Razzie for “Worst Actor of the Decade” in 2010, Oscar-nominated former Saturday Night Live star Eddie Murphy decided to take a year-long break that turned into a six-year hiatus, according to an interview with People. He came out of retirement to play the title role of a 2016 drama called Mr. Church before earning a Golden Globe nomination for portraying Rudy Ray Moore in 2019’s Dolemite Is My Name.

Joaquin Phoenix

The world would eventually discover that Joaquin Phoenix's claim that he was retiring from acting in favor of a rap career was all a hoax for Casey Affleck’s 2010 mockumentary, I’m Still Here. However, he did briefly step away from the spotlight during that time, following the 2009 release of Two Lovers. He made his official return in 2012 with Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master and would go on to win an Oscar for Joker in 2019.

Rick Moranis

After playing Wayne Szalinski a third time in 1997’s Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves, the widowed Rick Moranis decided to step away from acting and focus on raising his children. The Canadian comedy legend would only come out of retirement for voice acting, such as in the Brother Bear movies and a cameo on The Goldbergs as the voice of his Spaceballs character, Dark Helmet.

Marlon Brando

Two-time Academy Award-winning legend Marlon Brando announced that he would retire from acting after starring in 1980’s The Formula. However, the Godfather star would return nine years later for A Dry White Season, which he followed with memorable performances in the likes of 1990's The Freshman and Don Juan DeMarco.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger's last major acting gig before taking office as the governor of California was the title role of 2003's Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. Not counting a few uncredited cameos during his political stint – namely in The Rundown, Around the World in 80 Days, The Kid & I, and The Expendables – the Austrian-born bodybuilder made his official return to acting as part of the ensemble cast for The Expendables 2.

Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling has taken a few breaks throughout his largely successful career, starting with his hiatus between 2007’s Lars and the Real Girl and Blue Valentine in 2010. The Oscar-nominated Canadian heartthrob stepped out of the spotlight again after 2018’s First Man before coming back for Netflix’s The Gray Man in 2022.

Cameron Diaz

The timeline of Cameron Diaz's acting career experienced a gap after she starred in the 2014 remake of Annie with Jamie Foxx. The Charlie's Angels star spent the next 11 years focusing on raising her family and entrepreneurship before making a comeback in 2025 with Netflix's spy comedy, Back in Action, which also stars Foxx as her husband and espionage partner.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Following his Academy Award-winning performance in 2015’s The Revenant, Leonardo DiCaprio took a break from the craft, during which he focused on environmental activism. He would reemerge with an Oscar-nominated performance as, ironically, an actor fearing he may be nearing his time of retirement in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in 2019.

Brendan Fraser

We did not see Brendan Fraser in a movie for five years, between 2014’s The Nut Job and The Poison Rose in 2019. The actor has credited that hiatus with his allegation against then Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Philip Berk, whom he claims assaulted him in 2003. While the Mummy star did some TV work during that time, it was strange to see the A-lister completely absent from the big screen for so long, making his subsequent comeback and Oscar win for 2022’s The Whale such a refreshing moment.

Eva Mendes

Eva Mendes' last major film role before settling down to focus on raising her family was 2014’s Lost River, which is written and directed by her longtime partner, Ryan Gosling. However, in 2021, the model-turned-actor would lend her voice to an episode of Bluey, which she and her children are fans of, as she told People.

Macaulay Culkin

Macaulay Culkin is, thankfully, a former child star who still acts, but there was a significant gap between adolescence and adulthood in which he was almost nowhere to be seen. After playing the title role of 1994’s Richie Rich, which earned him a Razzie, he took a break, only to emerge nine years later with his most mature role yet, in Party Monster.

Daniel Day-Lewis

Daniel Day-Lewis has always been known to keep a few years of space between each acting role, but the widely revered Academy Award winner announced that he would be officially retiring after starring in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread in 2017. In 2024, it was announced that he would make a return to star in his son, Ronan Day Lewis’, directorial feature debut, Anemone.

Sean Connery

It seemed like Sir Sean Connery was done with acting after the critical and commercial failure of 2003's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, which the actor was openly critical of. However, the Scottish former James Bond star did come out of retirement once in 2012 to voice the title role of Sir Billi (also known as Guardian of the Highlands in the US) before he passed away in 2020.

Renée Zellweger

After starring in My Own Love Song in 2010, Renée Zellweger stepped away from Hollywood to focus on her humanitarian efforts. She would return to reprise one of her most iconic roles in 2016’s Bridget Jones’s Baby and would go on to win her second Academy Award for her performance as Judy Garland in the 2019 biopic, Judy.

Martin Lawrence

After dressing in drag a third time for Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son in 2011, Martin Lawrence decided to focus on his family and return to stand-up, and even released a comedy special in 2016 called Doin’ Time. The comedian would come out of acting retirement for The Beach Bum in 2019 and return to the Bad Boys franchise the following year.

Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda, who earned Academy Awards for Coming Home and Klute, would take a break from acting after starring in 1990's Stanley & Iris. She made her return 15 years later to star opposite Jennifer Lopez in the rom-com, Monster-in-Law.

Matthew McConaughey

After mediocre comedies seemed to define his career for a while, Matthew McConaughey took a break from movies after the release of 2009’s Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. He returned to the big screen in 2011 for what would be labeled the McConaissance with more serious roles in the likes of The Lincoln Lawyer, Mud, and his Oscar-winning turn in Dallas Buyers Club.

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Sarah Michelle Gellar's absence from the big screen alone (between Veronika Decides to Die and Do Revenge) lasted 13 years, if you don’t count her role in the English dub for the Peruvian 2012 animated film The Illusionauts. However, she did not even have any small screen roles between 2016 – when she appeared in an unaired pilot for a Cruel Intentions sequel series and guest-starred on Those Who Can’t – and 2019, when she made a cameo as herself on The Big Bang Theory.

Tobey Maguire

Tobey Maguire played Bobby Fischer in Pawn Sacrifice in 2014, the same year he also starred in and produced the miniseries, The Spoils of Babylon. He would not appear in another live-action production until reprising his variation of Peter Parker in Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021, but did lend his voice to 2017’s The Boss Baby.

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence had an endlessly busy decade, including leading the Hunger Games movies and her Oscar win for Silver Linings Playbook, before deciding to take a break after saying goodbye to the X-Men movies franchise with 2019’s Dark Phoenix. She would return just two years later, however, with Adam McKay's Oscar-nominated satire, Don’t Look Up, in 2021.

Dave Chappelle

Dave Chappelle was at the top of his game in 2005 when he chose to leave his successful Comedy Central sketch comedy series, Chappelle’s Show, and leave the country, due to creative differences and pressures. He would make infrequent appearances at comedy clubs for the next decade before returning to acting in Spike Lee’s 2015 satire, Chi-Raq, hosting Saturday Night Live the following year, and releasing a series of acclaimed Netflix stand-up specials in 2017.

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder took a brief break from acting in the wake of media scrutiny following her shoplifting case. After her role in 2002’s S1m0ne, she narrated the 2003 documentary, The Day My God Died, and had an uncredited cameo in 2004’s The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things before returning in 2006 with The Darwin Awards and A Scanner Darkly. Of course, her big comeback came a decade later with her main role in Netflix’s Stranger Things.

Tom Holland

The Marvel Cinematic Universe's Spider-Man actor, Tom Holland, announced that he was taking a break from acting after filming his dark role in 2023’s The Crowded Room. It was revealed the following year that he was cast in Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey.

Rachel McAdams

Rachel McAdams has taken a few brief, periodic breaks throughout her career. For instance, at the dawn of her busy A-list status, she did not appear in a movie between 2005’s The Family Stone and 2007’s Married Life. She later took another two-year hiatus between 2018’s Game Night and the Netflix comedy Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.

Phoebe Cates

Phoebe Cates was one of the most popular stars of the 1980s, with memorable roles in the likes of the horror-comedy classic, Gremlins, and the high school movie favorite, Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Her popularity did not repeat in the '90s because, after starring in the title role of 1994’s Princess Caraboo, she would retire from acting, only to return just once more for 2001’s The Anniversary Party.

Gaby Hoffmann

Gaby Hoffmann came to prominence at a very young age with roles in enduring classics like Uncle Buck, Field of Dreams, Now and Then, and Sleepless in Seattle. Later in life, she did not appear in a movie between 2001’s Perfume and 2007’s Severed Ways, and eventually made a more memorable comeback with Emmy-nominated turns on Girls and Transparent.

Jim Carrey

After playing Dr. Robotnik in 2020's Sonic the Hedgehog, Jim Carrey's only acting roles since would be reprisals of the role for sequels to the video game movie. Perhaps this should be considered the retirement he had announced in 2022.

Emma Watson

Playing Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies made Emma Watson one of the biggest stars in the world. However, she would step away from acting for a while after starring in 2019’s Little Women as Meg March.

Chuck Norris

After starring in a straight-to-video action film called The Cutter and reprising Cordell Walker in a TV special called Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial By Fire in 2005, Chuck Norris took a break from acting. He would later to return in 2012 for an appearance in The Expendables 2.

The Harry Potter book series ended in 2007, and the finale of the book-adapted film series came in 2011. So until the Harry Potter TV series comes to Max sometime in 2026, that leaves us voided of The Wizarding World. All the more reason why fans of J.K. Rowling’s creation have created their own original stories that fill the online space. Tom Felton says that he and his former co-star Emma Watson feel that fan fiction is not necessarily their “cup of tea,” but still explains why he finds these fan-created stories “amazing.”

Fan fiction is a great way to feel like you’re still getting doses of your favorite pop culture material. Writers can make up their own interpretation of Harry Potter, whether it’s a spin-off, sequel, reinterpretation, or giving characters that were minor characters in the books the heroes of their own story. Then, some fans really take their imagination to a whole other level, creating romances that never would have existed in the original material.

Draco Malfoy actor Tom Felton spoke on Jake’s Takes on how he became aware of the fan fiction and the crazy objects of affection they shipped Draco with that I never would have guessed:

Ok, maybe with Draco and Harry I could see how fans could create a romantic tension between them. Even Daniel Radcliffe has attested to the spicy fan content that ships the two Hogwarts students. They definitely had plenty of dueling scenes throughout the Harry Potter movies that were hostile, but I can imagine fans finding romantic tension in there somewhere.

The apple, on the other hand, I had to Google myself to understand what the deal was with that. I never realized what a couple the Slytherin student and green apples were. We first saw him taking sweet bites of that juicy fruit in Prisoner of Azkaban during Hagrid’s Care of Magical Creatures class. Most notably was in Half-Blood Prince when Malfoy tested out of the power of the Vanishing Cabinet with an apple. I guess the longing gaze he gave to that apple and the way he caressed it when he opened the magical cabinet again made the duo ship-worthy?

If you want to talk about a magical friendship pairing, look no further than Tom Felton and Emma Watson. They had the most adorable moments in the Harry Potter 20th Anniversary special. Plus, the British actress played a huge part in Felton’s memoir with her sweet introduction and stories of their experiences acting together. Naturally, The Borrowers actor spoke about whether he and Watson have chatted before about the fanfics and what he found “amazing” about them:

Yes, even Draco with an apple has inspired hundreds of stories. I mean that literally, as fanfiction.net has 199 “Drapple” stories. As for Harry Potter stories as a whole, the popular fan fiction site has 850K fanfics from the fantasy series, and Wattpad has about 43.4K. Considering how expansive The Wizarding World is, the possibilities are endless for the stories that writers can come up with, no matter how mindblowing, funny, or unconventional they may be.

Harry Potter fan fiction may not be Tom Felton and Emma Watson’s “cup of tea,” but it is “amazing” that fans are inspired to create their own stories. An impactful piece of fiction can bring out the passionate writer or artist in anyone. The Harry Potter fandom can revisit the movies that sparked their creativity on your Max subscription and your Peacock subscription.

The Harry Potter cast grew up before our eyes, and have a soft spot in the hearts of many fans out there. The Harry Potter movies (which are streaming with a Max subscription) are re-watched by the fans all the time, some of whom ship either the characters getting together or the actors themselves. Case in point: There's plenty of AI which has imagined Tom Felton and Emma Watson getting married. Let's break it all down for Dramione fans.

AI Imagined The Wedding Of Emma Watson And Tom Felton

The cast of Harry Potter (which reunited for the Return to Hogwarts special) have some very strong bonds thanks to their years filming the beloved franchise. Felton and Watson have a friendship, although some fans have always hoped things might get romantic between the two actors, and there's a strong online fanbase for the characters getting together, too. AI fan art on Instagram imagined a wedding between the Hermione and Draco actors. Check it out below:

Honestly, they look incredible. Obviously this Dramione moment is not a real image, but you can't deny that Watson and Felton look good in full wedding garb. Although it's hard to tell where their Harry Potter characters and and where they begin. A different instagram account also imagined what their nuptials might look like, albeit in a retro feel. Check it out below:

Really, can you blame the generations of Potter fans at this point? These AI images are striking, and show what a handsome couple the two could make. Of course, there's no indication that anything romantic is actually happening between the pair of Wizarding World favorites, but it's worth pointing out this fan shipping doesn't come out of nowhere.

What Tom Felton And Emma Watson Have Said About Their Connection

It's happened among Harry Potter fans partly because of comments made by both Tom Felton and Emma Watson over the years. As an example, Felton wrote about his "secret love" for his co-star in his book. One section read:

This is definitely an intriguing look behind the curtain on the type of connection the two actors have shared, even if the timing never worked out. For her part, Emma Watson gushed about Felton in the forward for his book, showing just how mutual their love is. As she wrote:

With these type of public sentiments, it's no wonder fans have been hoping this pair of actors might bring Dramione to life. And because of that, we'll likely be treated to more of this AI art on social media platforms for the time being.

Fans can re-watch the Harry Potter movies on Max, which will also be the home of the developing Potter TV series.

Hermione Granger is a special character in the world of Harry Potter. She calls for someone special who can match the signature dynamics of the gifted pupil. Emma Watson reminded all those on set and the franchise’s fans why she was the perfect performer to take on the brainy witch. The small moment between the trio of Gryffindors truly shines a light on the actress, and she notes that it was just what she was like back then.

Before the upcoming Harry Potter series, which will be available with a Max subscription was even a seed of an idea, the book series was translated into the beloved HP movies. Daniel Radcliffe (Harry), Rupert Grint (Ron) and Emma Watson (Hermione) led us through the ins and outs and ups and downs of Hogwarts, all while (mostly) remaining true to their fictional counterparts. Little did we know that the performers had somewhat closer bonds to their characters than we realized.

A video of the Perks of Being a Wallflower alum has been circulating on Instagram. She reveals that during HP1 she had memorized her lines and the two boys’ parts as well. Not only that but you can see her mouthing Ron and Harry’s parts. She noted that, at that time, it was part of who she was, saying:

It’s safe to say that Watson’s commitment to Hermione was A+ material in her efforts to live up to the Granger name. Whenever I watch the OG movie again, I’ll be excited to look out for her murmuring her onscreen best friends’ parts. Assumingly, it’s when the trio has scenes all together, I’d love to know what the other two thought of this habit, or if they even noticed it.

While she may have cut that specific Hermione-like behavior, she continued to be a grounded force, like when Watson candidly scolded Pattinson's memory when he couldn’t recall her name. Throughout the series, it seems like the 34-year-old held her own, just more tailored ways. Recently the Little Women actress openly shared her humorous views on dating British vs American guys, it still gives the same bold yet fun energy, and I don’t see Hermione disagreeing.

Even though Emma Watson has grown out of that adorable Granger-like script habit she had on set for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, that sensibility still remains. If you’d like to search for those sweet scenes, you can stream HP1 with a Peacock subscription or Max subscription.

Years after breaking through as an actress as part of the Harry Potter cast, Emma Watson arguably remains one of the most recognizable stars in the Hollywood landscape. It’s not often, though, that fans actually get to see her smiling visage, though. The 34-year-old actress keeps a relatively low profile these days. So it was a treat when she recently stepped out and took in festivities for NBA All-Star weekend (airing amid the 2025 TV schedule). There’s even a sweet video of her blowing kisses, and the viral clip is just so delightful.

As a basketball fan, I’ve been taking in the events associated with the annual All-Star Weekend. (The Slam Dunk Contest proved to be particularly fun, thanks to the theatrics of Mac McClung). It’s customary to see celebrities sitting courtside and taking in the cool vibes, but I didn’t expect Emma Watson to be living it up at the All-Star Celebrity Game in Oakland, California on Friday. ESPN shared a video to TikTok that showed Watson chopping it up with musician Tucker Halpern. Check it out below:

What’s so sweet about this video is that the Little Women alum looks so happy and enthused. And, of course, the series of quick kisses she blows are also quite cute. Fans seem to be loving the clip as well, based on the comments below it. Some weigh in on the starlet’s seemingly happy nature, while others continuously comment on her beauty. Quite frankly, I’m just happy to see her out and about, and I’m also wondering how big a fan of basketball she might be.

It’s unclear if a love for the sport or some other factor led her to attending the celebrity game, which featured the likes of Kai Cenat, Danny Ramirez and Terrell Owens. Regardless, a source told People that the actress was “very low-key” during the game. They also said that she “seemed excited to be there,” which is evident based on the social media video above. It’s also worth noting that Tucker Halpern is a fellow Brown University alum, though whether or not that connection is what sparked their conversation can’t be said for sure.

The notion of Emma Watson trying not to draw attention to herself definitely tracks. Honestly, it feels as though in recent years, fans have seen her doppelganger more than they’ve seen content from the star herself. However, there’s a reason for that, as Watson has voluntarily opted to take a bit of a step back from acting.

A few years ago, the Perks of Being a Wallflower star attributed her decision to the fact that she “wasn’t very happy” with her career as it stood. More specifically, she found it daunting to receive such scrutiny from the press as she continued to navigate her professional obligations. There was also the fact that she’d been acting from a very young age. Today, she’s “glad” she made the decision, saying that she now has a “feeling of having my own voice and creative space and sovereignty in some way that I don’t think I did before – more autonomy.” She also appreciates that she can “be messy for a minute” in a way that any regular person can.

It’s great that Emma Watson has the opportunity to take some time for herself and live life as she deems fit. And, if that includes attending basketball games at her leisure, then I’m truly jealous. In any case, I’m just hopeful she had a good time at the game she attended – and that her outing in California resulted in such a sweet video.

You can check out the 74th NBA All-Star Game, which airs tonight at 8 p.m. ET on TNT. Those who aren’t really sports fans, though, can use that time to check out one of Emma Watson’s best movies.

Emma Watson memorably came of age while filming the Harry Potter movies in the UK, but I think it’s worth point out the actress also attended college in the US. So, she’s had experience with dating on both sides of the pond. She was once asked about the difference between dating British and American men and her take on the differences was rather hilarious.

What Dating A British Dude Is Like

She said during a talk show appearance on Ellen a while back that she feels British dudes are normally more “reserved.” In fact, there’s a whole complicated courting ritual that’s usually in place involving some instances where she might be “ignored” for a time until she really gets in with a guy.

However, when she headed to college, her eyes were opened up to a totally different way of doing things in the States.

What Dating An American Dude Is Like

She later stepped away from the public eye for a time, skipping over the Atlantic to do her undergraduate degree at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. She said it only took her a few days to realize the boys at her college were very different than the ones she had grown up with, recounting:

While Watson went to college a while ago, the moment went viral more recently and fans thought the comments were pretty stupendous. The video garnered thousands of likes and comments on the post that had me, a fan of the Harry Potter cast and an American in her own right, cracking up.

• Imagine being that guy at Brown hitting on Hermione Granger? (3.5 thousand likes)
• I went from “Emma Watson is so relatable” to “Emma Watson lives in an alternate universe from me ” in 20 seconds. Daaaamn (1.6K likes)
• She just explained her character arc in Goblet of Fire. (368 likes)
• For what it's worth, Emma, I'm not into flipflops. Ever. (15K likes)

So, Who Is Emma Watson Dating?

Intriguingly, in the present, Watson is back at school and studying for her Master’s Degree, this time at the prestigious Oxford University. While there she met Kieran Brown, a PhD candidate studying 19th century literature and economics. He's her first notable love interest since breaking up with Brandon Green (son of Sir Philip Green) back in 2023.

The 34-year-old actress has been less in the spotlight in recent years as she pursues other interests; however, she periodically does interviews and shares posts in relation to her family's luxury gin brand. She also periodically appears at fashion events and has spoken openly about being "glad" she stepped away from acting. But interest in the Harry Potter star's personal life has not seemed to wane one iota.

Back in 2009, David Holmes — who served as Daniel Radcliffe’s stunt double in the first six Harry Potter movies, suffered a tragic accident on set that left him paralyzed. Holmes has now written about the experience and rediscovering life after his injury in a book, The Boy Who Lived: When Magic and Reality Collide. Fellow Harry Potter star Emma Watson picked up a copy and shared her emotional reaction to his words, saying in a heartfelt review that she hasn’t stopped crying.

The Boy Who Lived was released in November and features a foreword by Daniel Radcliffe, who has remained close with David Holmes. Emma Watson — aka Hermione Granger in the beloved films — raved about the book on her Instagram Stories, writing:

The accident that forever changed David Holmes’ life happened during the filming of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1. The stunt double was instantly paralyzed from the chest down in a stunt testing accident. In 2023 he and Daniel Radcliffe starred in a similarly titled documentary David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived (available to stream with a Max subscription) about their enduring friendship.

It seems David Holmes has remained close with Emma Watson and other members of the cast as well, despite it being more than a decade since the final movie came out. He gushed over the actress on his own Instagram following her sweet review, even hilariously revealing that he once doubled as Hermione in one of the movies:

Fans have enjoyed watching the stars of the movie react to their life-changing childhood jobs as the years pass. Lots of other fun behind-the-scenes stories, videos and pics like the one above have come out over the years, including a pretty great one from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in which it seems Robert Pattinson couldn’t remember Emma Watson’s name, prompting her to call him “just plain rude!” She has also shared another memory from that movie that caused some extreme discomfort and probably just as much frustration.

The Harry Potter cast members will always be remembered for those roles, and that seems especially true for David Holmes. It’s great to see his former colleagues continuing to support him through his journey all these years later.

The Harry Potter movies made stars out of the three young actors who played Harry, Ron, and Hermione, making Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson household names. Or at least I thought they did. It turns out that even four movies in, not everybody knew Emma Watson’s name, and that includes her then-co-star, Robert Pattinson.

The British leading man was still a few years away from his Twilight fame when he appeared as Cedric Diggory in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. It was Pattinson’s first major film and, as an old clip that recently went viral on Instagram shows, Pattinson he couldn’t remember Emma Watson’s name. That appears to have genuinely frustrated her, with her calling her co-star “rude.” Check it out:

As the post accompanying the video suggests, it’s possible that Pattinson is just messing with Emma Watson and that he does know her name. Still, it doesn’t appear that Watson is in on the joke if that’s the case. And perhaps Pattinson really doesn’t remember her name. Watson had only been in three Potter movies up to that point and, if Pattinson hadn’t seen them, it’s not like literally everybody loves Potter, he wouldn’t know her name.

At the same time, she is one of the stars of the movie you’re in Mr. Pattinson. She may be a kid, but maybe make a point to learn her name. Considering the massive size of the Harry Potter cast and all the younger actors in it, I get it that Pattinson probably met a lot of people for the first time on set, and I’m terrible at remembering the names of all the people I met at my wife’s company Christmas party, but I was sure to remember the name of the boss.

Still, it’s wild to see Emma Watson and Robert Pattinson, two current movie stars, years before they would achieve that status. Pattinson certainly would know who Watson was before too long, even if he didn’t really know her here. And the rest of the world would know Pattinson’s name equally well after he starred in his own franchise of films based on popular books. Given that, Pattinson and Daniel Radcliffe had a lot in common.

And, to be fair, it’s not like Robert Pattison hasn’t had his own, perhaps slightly embarrassing, issues with not being properly recognized. While it doesn’t appear anybody has forgotten the actor’s name, some people have apparently not realized that he didn’t quit acting after finishing Twilight, despite being the big screen’s most recent Batman. Maybe after he finishes the Batman trilogy, people will stop thinking he's not acting anymore.

You can stream Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire now using a Max subscription.

While the Harry Potter movies were a massive success in so many ways that it’s difficult to count, nobody had quite the experience of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. The three young children became movie stars and household names thanks to leading the Harry Potter cast. Knowing that, it’s not exactly a shock that a lot of kids have auditioned for the main three roles in the upcoming Harry Potter TV series, which will be available for those with a Max subscription in a few years. However, the actual number is still stunning.

Francesca Gardiner, the showrunner for the forthcoming Harry Potter series, recently told Deadline that she received 32,000 auditions for the roles of Harry, Ron, and Hermione alone. Needless to say, that number is staggering. While the numbers are probably not evenly split among the three leads, you’re still looking at something like 10,000 auditions for each of the three characters.

How Do You Even Review 32,000 Auditions?

I don't even know how you review 32,000 audition tapes. Simply watching the tapes, if you gave each one five minutes, it would take you more than 111 days, and that assumes that you didn’t sleep and watched them 24 hours a day. If you plan to get any rest, it’s going to take even longer.

After watching the tapes, you’re still going to have a pool of potential candidates that you want to audition in person. And when you’re starting with 10,000 candidates per role, that pool could still be significant. Even if you have a clear favorite based on the tapes, you probably want to see their performance in person to make sure you’re on the right track. This is going to take some time.

On the plus side, while we almost certainly won’t recognize the names of the actors who are chosen when they are finally revealed, they certainly will have proven themselves to a significant extent considering they were picked out of a massive crowd.

Some Harry Potter Casting Is Reportedly Already Underway

It will likely still take several more months for the new Harry, Ron, and Hermione to be chosen based on the massive number of auditions to go through. However, the casting of other roles for the series, which is scheduled to begin filming next summer, is reportedly already underway.

Two major characters have reportedly been offered to actors, though it doesn’t appear that agreements have been reached.

Mark Rylance is reportedly being eyed for Dumbledore. The Hogwarts Headmaster was played originally by Richard Harris in the films, and then by Michael Gambon following Harris’ death.

Meanwhile, Paapa Essiedu has reportedly been offered the role of Severus Snape, who was played memorably by Alan Rickman in the original films. Essiedu’s casting would show a commitment to greater diversity compared to the films as well as confirm the plan to create a more book-faithful version of the characters, by casting Snape closer to his age in the books.

I do not envy those who will be working through 32,000 audition tapes to find the next Harry, Ron, and Hermione. They likely aren’t doing anything else right now. Eventually, however, they’re going to make three child actors very happy.

Think of your favorite movie character of all time. There is a good chance that the actor who ended up playing that part is not the first actor the studio approached. See for yourself by taking a look at this list of celebrities who decided to pass on a movie role that would turn out to make cinematic history.

Will Smith (Neo In The Matrix)

It is actually pretty easy for us to picture what the Matrix movies might have been like with Will Smith as Neo. However, the Academy Award winner seems to believe that Keanu Reeves was the better choice to play the chosen one in the mind-bending, dystopian sci-fi movie classic, claiming in a video on his YouTube channel that he would have "ruined it."

Jodie Foster (Princess Leia in Star Wars)

Fresh off her Academy Award-nominated breakthrough role in 1976's Taxi Driver, a teenage Jodie Foster was offered the chance to be a part of the Star Wars movies as Princess Leia Organa. As she revealed to Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show, the two-time Oscar winner had a contractual obligation to an unnamed Disney movie, allowing Carrie Fisher to win the role.

Tom Hanks (Jerry Maguire In Jerry Maguire)

Tom Hanks was on top of the world with two Oscar wins (for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump) when he was offered to play a sports agent down on his luck in Jerry Maguire. He ended up passing on the eponymous role from Cameron Crowe's 1996 dramedy and later told Access Hollywood (via FandomWire), "I think you look at it now and it couldn’t have been anybody other than Tom Cruise," who would receive a nod from the Academy for his performance.

Leonardo DiCaprio (Patrick Bateman In American Psycho)

Christian Bale once told GQ that every one of his roles was first offered to Leonardo DiCaprio and one confirmed example is Patrick Bateman in 2000's American Psycho. The future Oscar winner told The Morning Call that he passed on playing the sadistic yuppie because he felt the script “didn’t mean anything in the end," but rumor has it Bale's stepmom, Gloria Steinem, convinced DiCaprio that it would be bad for his post-Titanic, romantic heartthrob reputation at the time.

Jean-Claude Van Damme (The Predator In Predator)

The titular terrifying alien enemy from 1987's Predator looked a lot different when Jean-Claude Van Damme was still in the role, according to THR's oral history. The Belgian actor star actually shot some footage in the original insect-like suit before deciding he would rather not be hidden in his own movie, leading to a redesign of the costume and the casting of 7'2" Kevin Peter Hall.

Jack Nicholson (Michael Corleone In The Godfather)

While we cannot imagine anyone other than Al Pacino as Michael Corleone, Jack Nicholson probably would have been great in the Godfather movies. However, the three-time Oscar winner refused the offer, explaining to Movieline in 2004 (via ScreenRant) that he believed "Italians should play Italians."

John Travolta (Forrest Gump In Forrest Gump)

When speaking with MTV News (via Collider), John Travolta revealed that he had no regrets about turning down the title role of the Best Picture Oscar winner Forrest Gump and it is no wonder why. Not only did Tom Hanks embody the role to Oscar-winning acclaim but Travolta found career-rejuvenating success with Pulp Fiction in 1994 instead.

Burt Reynolds (James Bond In Live And Let Die)

In 2015, Burt Reynolds told USA Today that, when approached to be Sean Connery's replacement in the James Bond films, he believed the public would not accept a 007 with an American accent. However, he would later come to believe that, "It was a stupid thing to say. I could've done it and I could've done it well."

Eddie Murphy (Winston Zeddemore In Ghostbusters)

While appearing on The Tonight Show in 2019, Eddie Murphy was asked by Jimmy Fallon if it is true that he passed on playing Winston Zeddemore in Ghostbusters. The comedian confirmed that it was true but added that it allowed him the opportunity to lead an even bigger hit from 1984: Beverly Hills Cop.

John Lithgow (Seth Brundle In The Fly)

Jeff Goldblum's iconic role from David Cronenberg's 1986 remake of The Fly was previously offered to John Lithgow, who told IndieWire that he said no, not wanting to play "something so grotesque.” Having witnessed Seth Brundle's transformation into a half-human, half-insect in the intense body horror movie, we cannot say we blame him.

Tom Selleck (Indiana Jones In Raiders Of The Lost Ark)

Having already worked with Harrison Ford three times before, George Lucas was reluctant to cast the Han Solo actor as Indiana Jones, opening up the opportunity for a rotation of actors, including Tom Selleck. As he recalled on Today, the actor was forced to pass on 1981's Raiders of the Lost Ark, due to his commitment to the CBS crime drama, Magnum P.I.

Christopher Lee (Dr. Loomis In Halloween)

While already a horror movie icon at the time for his acclaimed portrayal of Dracula and role in 1973's The Wicker Man, Christopher Lee could have added one of the all-time best horror movies, 1978's Halloween, to his resume. According to The Digital Fix, he would come to regret the decision to pass on the role of Michael Myers' psychiatrist, Dr. Sam Loomis, who was immortalized by Donald Pleasance instead.

Christina Applegate (Elle Woods In Legally Blonde)

Before Reese Witherspoon made Elle Woods an icon among fictional lawyers in Legally Blonde and among fictional politicians in the sequel, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde, the role was offered to Christina Applegate. The former Married... with Children star later explained to Entertainment Tonight that she was afraid of repeating the ditzy blonde but jokes it was a "stupid move."

Emily Blunt (Black Widow In Iron Man 2)

Scarlett Johansson was perfect as Natasha Romanoff but Emily Blunt would have made a killing as the Avenger also called Black Widow. The English actor explained to Howard Stern that she could not originate the role for the MCU in 2010's Iron Man 2 because she was contractually obligated to appear in that year's adaptation of Gulliver's Travels.

Emma Watson (Mia In La La Land)

Playing Mia in 2016's La La Land earned Emma Stone her first Oscar win but the role of the aspiring actor had originally gone to another Emma: Emma Watson. The Harry Potter movies star said in a SiriusXM Town Hall interview (via Us Weekly) that her commitment to Beauty and the Beast and the hard work required to star in the musical led her to pull out.

Gwyneth Paltrow (Rollergirl In Boogie Nights)

Heather Graham made her mainstream breakthrough in 1998's Boogie Nights as "Rollergirl" – a role that was previously offered to Gwyneth Paltrow. The future Oscar winner told Howard Stern (via Us Weekly) that she passed because she feared the role, which required her to completely disrobe and simulate lewd acts on camera, would "kill" her conservative grandfather.

Jennifer Hudson (Precious In Precious)

Jennifer Hudson had previously said in her memoir, I Got This: How I Changed My Ways And Lost What Weighed Me Down, that she turned down the title role of Precious because she did not want to take a role that involved her weight. The Oscar winner later retracted that statement when speaking to The Huffington Post, explaining that Was not interested in what the role, which ultimately went to Gabourey Sibide, would have required her to do at that point in her career.

Matt Damon (Jake Sully In Avatar)

Sam Worthington became a household name when he led James Cameron's astonishingly successful sci-fi epic, Avatar, as Jake Sully – a role previously offered to Matt Damon. The Oscar winner once joked to Access Hollywood that not participating in the 2009 film cost the movie "a lot."

Ian McKellan (Albus Dumbledore In Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban)

The Lord of the Rings movies' Gandalf actor, Sir Ian McKellan, could have added another famous wizard to his resume and become the Harry Potter franchise's new Albus Dumbledore. Instead, the part went to Michael Gambon after, as he told BBC News, McKellan turned it down because he couldn’t “take over the part from an actor who I’d known didn’t approve of me,” referring to the late Richard Harris who was a vocal critic of the actor.

Drew Barrymore (Sidney Prescott In Scream)

Given Drew Barrymore's A-list status in 1996, audiences assumed that she was the lead of Wes Craven's Scream, which could have been the case, as she confirmed on Hot Ones. However, she requested to be killed off in the beginning as Casey Becker, knowing it would shock the audience, paving the way for Neve Campbell to become a Scream Queen in the role of Sidney Prescott.

Angela Bassett (Leticia Musgrove In Monster’s Ball)

Halle Berry became the first Black Best Actress Oscar winner for her performance in Monster's Ball as Leticia Musgrove – a role that was offered to Angela Bassett. According to EW, the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star felt the part of a Black call girl was too stereotypical.

Sean Connery (Gandalf In The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring)

Sir Ian McKellan mentions in an oral history about the Lord of the Rings series for The Independent that an earlier choice to play Gandalf the Grey was Sir Sean Connery. New Line Cinema executive Mark Ordesky notes that the former James Bond actor passed on the role of the wizard simply because he "did not get it."

Bette Midler (Annie Wilkes In Misery)

Despite having no qualms about playing an actual evil witch in 1993's Hocus Pocus, Bette Midler did have some reservations about playing Annie Wilkes in Rob Reiner's adaptation of Stephen King's Misery from 1990. The actor and singer told Variety that was interested in playing the sadistic nurse because of her violent, unfunny, and irredeemable qualities.

Warren Beatty (Bill In Kill Bill)

In 2003, Quentin Tarantino told BBC that he originally started writing the title role of Kill Bill with Warren Beatty in mind because he wanted to work with him and the Oscar winner was set to play the target of Uma Thurman's vengeful Bride for a bit. However, after realizing that David Carradine was a better fit, followed by consideration of the time commitment and martial arts training involved, the actor and filmmaker amicably agreed to part ways.

Michelle Pfeiffer (Clarice Starling In The Silence Of The Lambs)

Michelle Pfeiffer once told Today's Hoda Kotb (via People) that her reasons for passing on roles in the likes of Pretty Woman and Basic Instinct typically had to do with scheduling conflicts. However, she told The New Yorker she passed on playing Clarice Starling (which ultimately went to Jodie Foster) in 1991's The Silence of the Lambs because the “evil” in the film made her nervous.

Al Pacino (Han Solo In Star Wars)

In his memoir, Sonny Boy, Al Pacino reveals that, before Harrison Ford was cast in Star Wars, he was offered the role of Han Solo. The Oscar winner explains that he could not "make anything out of" George Lucas' script and chose not to play the pilot of the Millennium Falcon.

Bela Lugosi (The Creature In Frankenstein)

According to the book, The Immortal Count: The Life and Films of Bela Lugosi by Arthur Lennig (via SlashFilm), the star of 1931's Dracula had the opportunity to play two Universal Monsters in the same year, having also been offered to play The Creature in Frankenstein. However, the actor believed such a role was "beneath him," paving the way for Boris Karloff to rise up in the ranks of horror royalty as Dr. Victor Frankenstein’s creation.

Haley Lu Richardson (Dani Ardor In Midsommar)

Haley Lu Richardson, known for one of the best M. Night Shyamalan movies, Split, passed on the role of Dani Ardor in Ari Aster's 2019 sophomore effort, Midsommar. The A24 horror masterpiece was ultimately led by Florence Pugh, whom Richardson told Backstage she has nothing but praise for, despite not yet having the courage to watch the movie.

Julia Roberts (Annie Reed In Sleepless In Seattle)

The two most prestigious queens of the rom-com genre would have to be Julia Roberts and Meg Ryan but only one could play Annie Reed in Sleepless in Seattle. Roberts told InStyle (via ABC News) that she was offered the part but could not do it, adding that Ryan and Tom Hanks "are just such a jewel of a fit in that."

Jamie Lee Curtis (Regan MacNeil In The Exorcist)

Jamie Lee Curtis became horror royalty with her feature film debut in 1978's Halloween but her reign could have begun earlier if not for one thing: her mother, Janet Leigh. Curtis told EW that, when she was asked to audition for Regan MacNeil in 1973's The Exorcist (which would go to Linda Blair), the Psycho star spoke on the then-13-year-old's behalf and refused the offer.

Lee Marvin (Quint In Jaws)

Robert Shaw's performance as Quint in Jaws is nearly as famous as the man-eating shark itself but the English actor was actually not Steven Spielberg's first choice. The filmmaker told Vanity Fair that he previously approached Lee Marvin but the Dirty Dozen star was not interested.

Sarah Michelle Gellar (Amber In Clueless)

Elisa Donovan's character in Clueless, Amber, very nearly went to the future star of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sarah Michelle Gellar. Adam Schroeder, the co-producer of the 1995 high school movie classic, told Vanity Fair that the actor's commitment to the soap opera All My Children at the time forced her to recede from consideration.

There are plenty of celebrity fashion looks that have been immortalized on the big screen, but there are also plenty of other famous dresses that never hit a red carpet. Maybe they should have. We've compiled a list of some of the best gowns (and looks) from films that could totally have worked on a red carpet, if given the chance. Here are some of the coolest takes.

Lily James In Cinderella

When I think of a ball gown, to me the 2015 Cinderella look of Lily James is a great example of a dress that’s carpet ready. It’s somehow timeless and modern, it’s an indescribable blue color, and it brought an animated concept to life in just the perfect way. A top-notch stunner for any era.

Emma Watson In Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1

I know you thought I was going to bust out Hermione’s iconic Yule Ball gown look here, even though she’s said the scene was uncomfortable in the past. While it’s a sweet dress for a teenager, it’s the stunning red number Watson’s character wears to Bill and Fleur’s wedding I deem to be most red carpet-worthy.

Jennifer Lopez In Maid In Manhattan

Jennifer Lopez played a maid who borrowed a gown for a night out on the town in Maid in Manhattan. While the flick may not make anyone's list of best rom-coms, the dress is perfect for any best list. It was a peachy pink and very on trend in the early aughts, and its silhouette – and the iconic jewelry she paired it with – would very much still be on point on the carpet today.

Halle Berry In Die Another Day

Halle Berry may be more known for an iconic bikini scene in Die Another Day, but it's her purple dress that really stands out when she's playing Jinx. The color and silhouette are stunning years later, but this is one dress that's also even more brilliant once you see it from behind.

Julia Roberts In Pretty Woman

A far cry from the look we meet her in, Julia Roberts’ Vivian Ward dons a romantic red dress for a night out with Richard Gere’s Edward. The two end up entangling their lives in myriad ways, but the dress is still the most memorable moment from the movie for me.

Margot Robbie In The Wolf Of Wall Street

Black dresses will never go out of fashion, and Margot Robbie looks like a cool woman in a little black dress in Wolf of Wall Street. It's not the only fashionable moment in Scorsese's film, but it's the look I would choose if I were having to go to a fun event. The earrings amp the look up considerably, too. Her whole vibe has me rethinking my wardrobe.

Aubrey Hepburn In Sabrina

One of the most iconic ball gowns of all time, Hepburn’s famous Sabrina dress may never have happened if she hadn’t pushed and befriended designer Givenchy. They made movie history together, and red carpet history in other cases. This dress would not have been out of place there.

Natalie Portman In Black Swan

Black Swan may be one of the best psychological films, but the costume design is also superb, from outfits worn on the stage to everdaywear. The white gown Portman’s character wears from Rodarte has one of the coolest backs I’ve ever seen. Nearly 15 years later, I wish she or someone would bust it out again.

Lady Mary In Downton Abbey

Lady Mary was a bit of a fashionista across the entirety of the Downton Abbey series and its two subsequent movies, but this lush sapphire blue Prussian gown from 2019’s Downton movie stands out as a favorite and also the one that’s most red carpet worthy. Maybe in this day and age I’d drop the gloves, though (even if celebs like Taylor Swift and JLo are bringing gloves back).

Billy Porter In Cinderella (2021)

The Cinderella cast all had amazing outfits, but Billy Porter's fabulous godmother (Fab G) dress in the 2021 Cinderella is all bold colors and lush satin. It's very much a Porter-perfect look that still stands out years later.

Keira Knightley In Atonement

Keira Knightley’s green dress in Atonement is very much a dress of the era it is portraying, but it’s also the sort of classic look in the perfect color and fabric that could be worn by anyone, in any formal situation, in any time period. If I had to choose a dress to rock to a movie premiere or a wedding or pretty much any occasion, this look from the 2007 (but period) movie would be it.

Charlize Theron Snow White And The Huntsman

Hear me out: Charlize Theron looks so extra in Snow White and the Huntsman but she never looks more extra than when she’s wearing the dress with the extravagant shoulders. Puff sleeves come in and out, but I’m really ready for some avante garde looks to hit the red carpet and this is a great take on a totally unique style.

Kate Hudson In How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days

The early aughts were a prominent time for formalwear gowns dominating movie posters, and the Kate Hudson rom-com era was no exception. The good news is the gold dress she sported opposite Matthew McConaughey still holds up more than 20 years later and is a color she should continue to sport on the red carpet.

Grace Kelly In Rear Window

Grace Kelly had a lot of iconic dresses in a lot of movies that could have fit the criteria of this list, but my favorite has to be her tulle look from Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window. It's no wonder the ballet-inspired look has come back in 10 Things I Hate About You and other movies.

Jennifer Lawrence In Catching Fire

The Hunger Games has some solid fashion design, particularly when it comes to characters like Snow, Effie and others living in the capital. But if you really want to make a statement, how about a dress that catches fire and turns into a second fashion statement? Tell me you wouldn’t like to see this on the red carpet!

Kate Winslet In Titanic

When Jack and Rose meet in Titanic, she’s dressed for dinner in a gorgeous red and black beaded dress that would stand out in any crowd. It’s a good thing she catches Jack’s eye in this dress, or Titanic would have been a different movie.

Angela Bassett In Jumping The Broom

Listen: Paula Patton’s character has a lovely wedding dress in Jumping The Broom (not to mention a really cute purple plaid dress at the beginning of the movie), but Angela Bassett is the actress to keep your eye on. As the matriarch in a wealthy family, Bassett’s character is the one with the polished, structured looks I’d feel most confident in on the red carpet.

Rita Hayworth In Gilda

I’m not sure how many people revisit Rita Hayworth’s Gilda these days, but when I think of old Hollywood glamor, her satin gown and matching gloves always come to mind. This was the role that made Hayworth a household name and that dress would still have a moment if it debuted today.

Sonoya Mizuno In Crazy Rich Asians

There's a lot of just epic fashion in 2018's Crazy Rich Asians, but the stellar standout moment is Araminta's wedding, which just has so many great looks from the main cast. At the end of the day, despite the gorgeous setting and shiny, happy people, it's the dress that's to die for.

Vivien Leigh In Gone With The Wind

Leigh gets the opportunity to wear a lot of lovely fabrics in 1939’s Gone with the Wind but none seem as carpet worthy (somewhat ironically) as the dress made out of curtains. It's a memorable color combo and an all-time great movie look.

Hilary Duff In A Cinderella Story

While allegedly Sam is wearing an "old" wedding dress when she shows up in this gorgeous white number, the tulle look is a classic one. Hilary Duff wore the dress with pink Chuck Taylors on the cover for the film, and casualizing a dress with sneakers has become a popular trend in the time since.

Emma Watson In Beauty And The Beast

A Disney ballgown that really hits the mark, Emma Watson’s yellow Belle dress does the animated character justice while fitting the actress like a glove. The color might not work on everyone, but it’s such a perfect fit.

Whitney Houston In The Bodyguard

I think Whitney Houston’s Queen of the Night costume is probably the one we all think about first when we think about The Bodyguard, but it’s her simple black halter dress and beaded hair and bracelet accessories that would really stand out on a red carpet and give something a little special.

Aubrey Hepburn In My Fair Lady

Eliza may have made a bet with Professor Higgins to help her sound like a lady, but it's not hard to believe Audrey Hepburn at least looks like a lady in this dress. The thick, sparkling necklace gives it an additional upgrade. Beautiful.

Ariana DeBose In West Side Story

Ariana DeBose's yellow dress in Spielberg's West Side Story is a direct nod to the 1961 movie musical, but it's an updated take on the look. Originally, Rita Moreno wore a famous lavender dress, but DeBose's is an upgraded color and has a little more swish in it. It's gorgeous and the type of look I hope is popularized again.

Marilyn Monroe In How To Marry A Millionaire

Marilyn Monroe rocked lots of iconic gowns over the years, but the thing I like about this satin dress is the one shoulder strap. It's fitted like a glove and the pink color is fabulous. It's hard to pick one thing about this dress that is most successful. It's just perfect.

Barbara Bach In The Spy Who Loved Me

Plenty of Bond girls have had great outfits over the course of more than 50 years, but when Bond meets Anya Amasova, her navy gown really pops thanks to the Swarovski crystal trim. I love that it's not a flat color, and the leg slit adds a sweet extra touch.

Lana Condor In To All The Boys I've Loved Before: P.S. I Still Love You

Lana Condor has a lot of beautiful clothing in the To All The Boys movies. Of all her sweet looks, my favorite is the one in the sequel that Stormy lends her from her impeccable collection. It's vintage perfect, and a lovely color to boot.

Lori Singer In Footloose

Lori Singer’s Ariel dress looks great on her, and it fits the character well. Despite the movie coming out in the eighties, the off-shoulder style comes in and out, and its simple silhouette would be perfect for a low-key movie premiere. As vintage is making a big comeback, perhaps it’s a style we’ll see back on the carpet in coming years.

Rachel Leigh Cook In She’s All That

Laney’s red makeover dress is on-trend now the ‘90s and early aughts are making a comeback. Its spaghetti straps and slim silhouette are simple, but would still really would turn heads on the red carpet today. I love the matching red pumps she pairs the look with as well.

Margaret Avery In The Color Purple

Shug Avery's bright looks in The Color Purple stand out. It may be more of a show dress, but if I had to kick it on the red carpet, I'd want something just as sequiny. Maybe I'd throw in some pearls to boot.

Anne Hathaway In The Idea Of You

A lot of people would say Ms. Hathaway's iconic fashion movies are either The Princess Diaries or The Devil Wears Prada, and while neither are wrong choices, my pick has to go to her character in The Idea of You. When Solene meets Hayes in her beautifully tailored, creamy Fendi number, his head was turned, but so was mine.

Luckily, we're likely to see many more red carpet-worthy looks on the big screen for years to come!

This week, Dame Maggie Smith died at the age of 89. A celebrated actress, she was known for her iconic stage work as well as her performances in the Harry Potter films as Professor McGonagall and in Downton Abbey as Violet Crawley. Following her passing, many former co-stars have shared memories of Smith, including her scene partners on Downton, which she starred in throughout the series’ run. Now, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Tom Felton are paying tribute to the beloved Smith.

The Harry Potter movies were well cast. Child actors like Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint were at the forefront, but acclaimed British actors like Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman and of course, Maggie Smith were supporting players. The younger stars may not have realized they were working with such titanic talents at the time but later learned to appreciate the experience. Watson noted this in her tribute to Smith. The Hermione Granger actress shared a wholesome BTS photo of the two of them on her Instagram story and said:

Rupert Grint, who played Ron Weasley, also paid tribute to the late legend. He reflected on her fierce and funny presence on set as well as her immense talent. He also shared a photo of the two of them from a particularly memorable moment scene in Goblet of Fire, where Maggie Smith’s McGonagall teaches Ron to dance. You can see the photo and his message in the Instagram post below:

Tom Felton may have played the antagonistic Draco Malfoy in the Potter films, but his relationship with the rest of the cast was far from contentious. He shared his own special relationship with the late Sister Act star, who he said looked after the young cast from the very beginning. He chose to post one of his earliest scenes with his iconic co-star for his tribute on Instagram. Check out Felton's post, which calls back to a key moment from The Sorcerer's Stone:

The Secret Garden star clearly had an undeniably strong and inspiring presence on the Potter set, leaving a mark that will surely last for decades. The Oscar winner not only had a lasting impact on the Harry Potter cast, who learned from her over the years, but also on the audiences she shared her tremendous acting talent with. Smith was a once-in-a-generation performer, with a body of work that can’t be rivaled. She will be dearly missed by many.

You can revisit Dame Maggie Smith’s incredible performance in the Harry Potter movies now using a Max subscription. Fans of the actress should also consult our feature on the best movies and TV shows starring Smith, which includes a body of work spanning decades.

We here at CinemaBlend continue to send our thoughts and condolences to the family and friends of the iconic actress during this time.

The Harry Potter movies made stars of many young actors, chief among them, the main trio of Harry, Ron, and Hermionie, played by Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson. Almost as soon as the movies (which are streaming with a Max subscription) ended, fans wondered if we might see the actors play these iconic roles again, and the more evidence that we get, the more I think that they absolutely are going to return, and very soon, not in a movie, but in Epic Universe’s new Wizarding World dark ride.

While it has yet to be announced that the Harry Potter trio will be returning to the Wizarding World, it feels like it’s only a matter of time before that happens. We have regularly seen the actors from the films reprise their roles in the Universal Orlando theme park attractions when it’s appropriate and we already know that will be the case with the newest Wizarding World land.

Another Harry Potter Movie Star Will Return For The Battle At The Ministry Of Magic Attraction 

Over the last several months Universal Orlando Resort has told us almost everything we need to know about the Epic Universe theme park opening next year. The last land officially announced was the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic, a land which will combine the two eras of Harry Potter on the big screen, with some elements set in the worlds of the Fantastic Beasts movies, and others in the main Harry Potter series.

The main attraction in the new land will be a new dark ride set inside the British Ministry of Magic. The story will take place around the trial of Dolores Umbridge. It has now been confirmed by Universal Orlando in a video that Dame Imelda Staunton will reprise her role as Umbridge from the films for the attraction.

The other thing we know about the attraction is that Harry, Ron, and Hermione will all be part of it as well. The official description of the attraction says…

So if we’re joining Harry, Ron, and Hermione, then they will obviously appear in the attraction in some form. If that’s the case, somebody will need to play those parts, whether in person as characters on a screen, or possibly as voicing animatronics.

The promotional image for the new land also includes Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint all in character. It also includes Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander, and while that could all be marketing, it has been confirmed that Redmayne will appear in the new land as well.

Battle At The Ministry Of Magic Is Essentially A Sequel To The Films 

The trial of Dolores Umbridge isn’t part of any of the books or movies that most fans know. The event officially takes place sometime after the death of Voldemort. We also know from the same video, that elements of the attraction queue will reveal that Harry, Ron, and Neville Longbottom have all begun training as Aurors at the Ministry of Magic, which explains why they are present during the trial. It will also justify why Radcliffe, Grint, and Watson, should they appear could look significantly older.

The Harry Potter trio appears in other attractions in the two existing Wizarding World of Harry Potter lands at Universal Orlando. In some of them the actors played their parts, in others they were recreated via CGI with voice actors. So either could be done with the new attraction.

If the Battle at the Ministry of Magic Attraction is essentially a post-script to the Harry Potter films, then it would be fitting for the attraction to be a similar finale for the actors as well. They would be conspicuous by their absence, and fans will ultimately be disappointed if they have to be played by others, or if the story is forced to avoid ever showing them, despite the fact they are present.

All three actors are regularly asked if they could return to their Harry Potter roles again. None of them have ever completely written off the idea. Returning in a theme park attraction may be the best possible solution. It wouldn't require as much work from the actors as a full movie would need, but the ride will stand for decades, allowing Harry, Ron, and Hermione to live on.

With Epic Universe set to open in the summer of 2025, there’s still plenty of time to announce the official return of Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson. Such an announcement will be a big deal, which is likely why it hasn't been announced yet. It will deserve its own moment.

After working on the eight movies over the course of 10 years, the Harry Potter cast was making pretty good cash. The stars of the film ended up raking in the doe, making millions. When they were first cast as children, it was hard to wrap their heads around that kind of financial security. They were asked as kids what they would do with their earnings and in true Hermione fashion, Emma Watson knew exactly how she’d handle her money. However, Rupert Grint’s adorably “Ron” answer takes the cake.

In 2000, a press conference was held with the young stars of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone where they were asked all sorts of questions about the movie franchise, and becoming movie stars as pre-teens. In a newly resurfaced Instagram clip, Daniel Radcliffe, Watson, and Grint were all asked during the conference what they would do with their actor salaries for the movie. Watson, who was 10 at the time, was adorably practical, saying:

This is a pretty smart response for such a young girl, who understood the major responsibility such a paycheck was at her age. Grint however had a much sillier take on the question, saying that his newfound wizard status made “Muggle” money confusing. The 12 year old said:

For context, in the Harry Potter world, Muggles are what they call non-magical people. Grint’s response is its own brand of clever, knowing how to cutely answer a question he didn’t quite have the answer for. When he actually did get his hefty payday, Grint famously used it to buy an ice cream truck. He basically bought the thing that every child wishes they could, and made it a reality. I’m sure he saved up a lot of it as well, once he finally did understand “Muggle” money, but the fun purchases are always the most exciting to hear about.

The real question is, how much did the cast actually make for participating in eight Harry Potter movies? Apparently Radcliffe, who played the titular role, was paid between $145,000 and $1 million for the first film. That salary increased of course, and by the last two films, the Harry Potter actor was making $20 million per movie. Watson and Grint were also paid handsomely, each making $15 million a film by the end of the run. This doesn’t account for backpay, as the cast also continue to get checks in the mail from the numerous times the Harry Potter movies are played on TV or streamed.

If they all invested their money and kept it safe in a bank, as Watson claims was her intention, they all made the kind of cash that would allow them to never work again. However, they all decided to continue acting, as Radcliffe became a prolific stage actor and starred in movies like Swiss Army Man and The Lost City. Watson has been in films like Beauty and the Beast and Little Women, while Grint starred in the AppleTV+ series, Servant , and was a part of the Knock at the Cabin ensemble cast. Not bad for a bunch of Muggles.

You can revisit this Golden Trio of actors in the Harry Potter movies, which are now streaming with a Peacock subscription. For more information on what other flicks are available on the service, make sure to check out our feature on great movies streaming on Peacock.

Even the biggest and brightest stars of Hollywood have movies that they’d rather not mention being a part of in polite company. And the list you’re about to read has some of the most infamous examples of those types of projects making silver screen history…just not in the way one would have expected.

Tom Hanks - The Bonfire Of The Vanities

While we’ve seen Tom Hanks’ comments on why The Bonfire of the Vanities didn’t work, the movie’s infamy as a box office dud is something he probably doesn’t address all that often. And who could blame him, as the public considered America’s Dad to be the worst casting choice to lead a satire about the amorality of late ‘80s/early ‘90s stockbrokers.

Jamie Lee Curtis - Virus

The film adaptation of Dark Horse Comics’ Virus is uncompromisingly bad, no matter if you’re familiar with the book or not. But the most entertaining thing to come out of it was the fact that star Jamie Lee Curtis has taken every chance to roast this picture with the most cutting of remarks. It’s truly one of the best cases of entertainers who have trashed their own movies.

Michael Caine - Jaws: The Revenge

This is an example of using class and wit to politely stuff a movie like Jaws: The Revenge into the trash bin of life. Actor Michael Caine’s remarks about never seeing the film, but loving its payday, is something that always hits like the best line at a cocktail party celebrating the movies we love to loathe.

Emily Blunt - Gulliver’s Travels

History almost gave us an Iron Man 2 with Emily Blunt playing the role of Black Widow. And then contractual obligations forced Ms. Blunt to pass, in favor of starring in the Jack Black vehicle Gulliver’s Travels. So yeah, maybe it’s best not to mention this one to this star of A Quiet Place, no matter how much you think she might laugh.

Dennis Quaid - Jaws 3-D

All legendary actors have the gigs that make them, and the ones that they took so early in their career that they’d rather not think about them. Dennis Quaid’s role in Jaws 3-D more than likely falls into the latter bucket, as it’s one of the two Jaws sequels that failed to make the cut with even the franchise’s most devoted fans.

Viola Davis - The Help

Academy Award winner Viola Davis scored a nomination for her role in Tate Taylor’s film adaptation of The Help. Despite her performance’s excellence, Davis still maintains her opinion of regretting having taken part in the movie’s production, and the resulting product. 

Bill Murray - Garfield

No cinematic icon is immune to trickery, especially a trickster like Bill Murray. With his infamous Garfield casting story seeing the comedy legend mistake the movie’s writer for one of the Coen Bros, you can kind of see why he’d use his Zombieland cameo in 2009 to poke fun at the film being his only life’s regret.

Mariah Carey - Glitter

Glitter wasn’t enough of a disaster to kill Mariah Carey’s acting career, and to her credit, she went on to deliver some amazing performances in films like Lee Daniels’ Precious. But whoo-boy, does this musical drama still sting to think about from time to time? 

Elijah Wood - North

While there’s an interesting selection of beloved films Roger Ebert absolutely hated, North is one of the flops that the legendary film critic rightfully roasted. Though it definitely wasn’t Elijah Wood’s fault, it’s probably best if you don’t approach him about this one without some sort of care. 

Jennifer Lopez - Gigli

As a legendary turkey in the world of infamously bad movies, even Gigli’s director Martin Brest has pointed thoughts about that epic fail. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck’s colossal dud of a rom-com has more than earned its place on the bad side of history, and one could bet that even its mere mention would inspire the most withering side eye from J.Lo herself. 

George Clooney - Batman & Robin

If there’s a constant in George Clooney’s career as an entertainer, it’s his regret over Batman and Robin. Stepping in after Val Kilmer bolted on Joel Schumacher’s second Gotham-based tentpole, you can bet the ER heartthrob wishes he could use a time machine to go back and prevent this experience from ever happening. 

Renee Zellweger - Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation

Out of the Oscar-winning pair of Renee Zellweger and Matthew McConaughey, it’s a safe bet that Ms. Zellweger would be the one who’d want to keep Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation off the table of discussion. Then again, she might be a bit more relaxed on the subject since so much time has passed. 

Robert Downey Jr. - The Shaggy Dog

Early on in his mid-Aughts comeback, Robert Downey Jr. diversified his acting portfolio with everything from Kiss Kiss Bang Bang to Good Night, and Good Luck. And mixed in with the lot was his role as the antagonist in Tim Allen’s remake of The Shaggy Dog. Downey would probably talk about the movie if asked, but one has to wonder what he’d say? 

Emma Watson - The Circle

For someone like Emma Watson, an actor who chooses their projects with a level of mindfulness and message in mind, The Circle must have seemed like a good choice. But the eventual public reaction to the film may have caused the Harry Potter vet to think twice even before approaching source material with names as storied as author Dave Eggers and director James Ponsoldt attached. 

Eddie Murphy - The Adventures of Pluto Nash

The Adventures of Pluto Naash is a habitual punching bag when folks choose to talk about the most infamous disasters in movie history. And thanks to that distinction, even the very open Eddie Murphy wouldn’t be mistaken for keeping this sci-fi/comedy flameout away from the conversation. 

Lucy Liu - Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever

Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever is an infamous movie without even taking into account that it somehow managed to snag the star power of Lucy Liu into its clutches. Admittedly, so few people remember this one that it doesn’t feel like she’d have to be on guard for random fans mentioning its existence. 

Matt Damon - The Great Wall

You might think that the “white savior” worries of Matt Damon’s character in The Great Wall are the reason he might not want to talk about this massive box office dud. But the fact of the matter is, he’d probably politely decline any discussion on the matter because it was a thundering failure that didn’t really win him any new fans.

Jennifer Lawrence - Dark Phoenix

How much did Jennifer Lawrence distance herself from the X-Men movies by time she made Dark Phoenix? Well, not only was her time in makeup severely reduced/scaled back in quality, but she died quite early in the final X-Men prequel from the Fox days. Maybe that's part of why the two-part structure was abandoned prior to its release. 

Sylvester Stallone - Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot

It’s the movie so bad that Arnold Schwarzenegger tricked Sylvester Stallone into starring in it. Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot is still a punch line for the Rocky franchise star/director, even decades after the film was released and tanked. One has to wonder how awkward some of those Planet Hollywood openings were, thanks to this awkward piece of history existing.

Lily Collins - Rules Don’t Apply

Actor Lily Collins is a talent that has the old Hollywood look down to a tee and isn’t afraid to show it. That confidence is probably what got her cast in Warren Beatty’s misguided rom-com Rules Don’t Apply, and to be fair, she and co-star Alden Ehrenreich are two of the only bright spots in this mostly forgettable throwback. 

Eddie Redmayne - Jupiter Ascending

If anyone is ready to admit Eddie Redmayne’s Jupiter Ascending performance is bad, it’s the man himself. While some might be inclined to give him more credit for his work in the Wachowski’s far-flung space opera, Redmayne’s criticisms of his role do come with some important caveats. 

Jennifer Hudson - Sandy Wexler

Adam Sandler is a talent who’s able to draw a wide range of actors into his orbit, and his Netflix movie Sandy Wexler was no exception. Playing a talent agent who knows a good client when he sees one, Jennifer Hudson is one of the people he rightfully tries to fast-track to fame. By no means does that proper judgment mean that this movie is something she, or most viewers, would even remember.

Hugh Jackman - Pan

Some flops crash and burn with very little trace of the wreckage. Others, like the Hugh Jackman starring Peter Pan adaptation Pan, collapse under ill-fated ambitions that don’t end up adding up in the end. But at least we got Jackman’s Captain Hook singing “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” in a totally bonkers musical number.

Pedro Pascal - Wonder Woman 1984

Pedro Pascal is almost universally recognized as one of, if not the best part of Wonder Woman 1984. That still feels like a far cry from something The Mandalorian star would even want to discuss, as its infamy is something that still echoes pretty strongly so close to its initial execution.

Dame Judi Dench - Cats

You can always count on an acting talent as iconic as Dame Judi Dench to tell it like it is. And whether it was reacting to her Razzie award nomination or the final look of her character in 2019’s Cats, she certainly hasn’t left any of her thoughts to the imagination. 

Daisy Ridley - Chaos Walking

One would probably think that Daisy Ridley would merely not want to remember Chaos Walking because of its unsuccessful bid for box office success. However, the protracted production and crazy amounts of reshoots and edits have probably ensured that the Star Wars vet has actually forgotten the ins and outs of this failed YA franchise.

Ben Kingsley - A Sound of Thunder

You don’t get to be an actor as legendary as Ben Kingsley without logging some seriously wild projects like A Sound of Thunder on your resume. This 2005 sci-fi disaster is so ill-regarded that its Game Boy video game adaptation is seen as a more favorable experience. That’s both terribly unique and just plain old terrible. 

Brendan Fraser - Monkeybone

Brendan Fraser is a lovable actor who knows how, and when, to get goofy. It’s just a shame that a project like Monkeybone never understood how to use those skills to its advantage, saddling The Mummy star with a movie that he more than likely hasn’t thought about for some time. 

Scarlett Johansson - Ghost In The Shell

There are some who might defend the live-action adaptation of Ghost in the Shell starring Scarlett Johansson. Considering how much the movie has been rejected by even the source anime’s fans, and the kerfluffle that came from her casting as Major Mira Killian being seen as a bit of whitewashing, this project is probably one that the Marvel veteran would reasonably remain silent on.

Keanu Reeves - 47 Ronin

It’s not Keanu Reeves’ fault that 47 Ronin was a stinker for the ages. Although if one were to mention the movie to him in passing, he’d probably just smile and laugh, charmingly admitting defeat in that particular case of cinematic disaster. 

Will Smith - Gemini Man

What’s worse than a movie failing with one Will Smith in the starring role? Apparently, a technologically advanced picture like Gemini Man, which saw Smith playing against a CGI de-aged younger version of himself. Finally, a movie that rivals Wild Wild West for infamy on Mr. Smith’s resume.

Jack Nicholson - How Do You Know?

Jack Nicholson has been comfortably retired ever since making 2010’s How Do You Know? One has to wonder if he’d be equally as comfortable if he were to be prompted to remember the experience and the fallout that came from its release into theaters. 

As you can see, even the most talented of actors have their potential sore spots in conversation. Maybe they're not as shy about discussing these films as we'd think, and you can get a good story out of the deal. In any case, if there was a class of losers that the best and brightest of Hollywood wished they could forget, this is more than a formidable crop of titles that would fit that bill for good reason.

With AI artwork on the rise, people have used it to generate “what-if” scenarios. For example, if you ever wondered what Disney-fied Game of Thrones characters or gender-swapped celebrities would look like, AI has provided those in stunning and somewhat surreal fashion. Now, there's yet another AI imagining for anyone who's ever been curious about what the Harry Potter stars would look like as Baywatch characters. And I just can’t unsee Lord Voldemort in swim trunks.

At the end of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, viewers see Harry, Ron and Hermione as adults taking their kids to Platform 9 ¾ as they head to Hogwarts. What if instead of the magical characters staying in the Wizarding World, they hightailed it to the beach? If you’d like to know what the stars of Harry Potter would look like as your favorite Baywatch characters, the Instagram account potterzworld has the answer, which you can see below:

Despite looking a bit CGI-polished, it still amazes me how real these look. Stars like Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe sure look like they could be part of the cast of Baywatch! With the wind blowing in their hair, the trio look ready for their next lifeguard rescue. Even Tom Felton looks prepped to perform some CPR, based on that pic.

And, of course, there are other portraits of characters that one just can't unsee. For example, Voldemort showing bare legs and arms in those swim trunks is an image I didn’t need in my life. If I saw the Dark Lord approaching me as I was in the water, I’d surely wim in the opposite direction! And what about the dementor trailing behind the other lifeguard? With the guards of Azkaban prison known for sucking out souls, I doubt they’d help revive anyone.

Aside from that, it's funny to see Hagrid and Dobby running through the sand in full force. Not only that, but Severus Snape sure isn’t hiding those pecs of his in that zipped-down swimsuit. The funniest Potter/Baywatch mashup of all, though, involves Dumbledore. With the long hair, beard, and dark shades, he could almost pass as a beach bum. But, with Dumbledore being the most brilliant sorcerer of all, I’m sure he could certainly rescue someone in distress.

It’s always fun seeing the cast of the fantasy franchise against the backdrop of different worlds. You can’t help but get a chuckle in scenarios like the Potter cast as characters of The Office or if they were reimagined as Grey’s Anatomy doctors. The possibilities truly are endless and entertaining.

Many will probably agree with me when I say that such a combination of franchises is something that wasn't expected. However, for the most part, I'm not all that mad over seeing Emma Watson and co. against the backdrop of a beach. Still, if there's anything I wish I could do, it would be that I could obliviate the memory of Voldemort in those shorts.

To see the Harry Potter cast in their Wizarding World attire, stream all eight movies with the use of a Max subscription or with a Peacock subscription. You can also revisit nine seasons of Baywatch with a Prime Video subscription.

I think it’s safe to say that the main actors of the Harry Potter franchise will always be linked with their characters (likely until the day they die). Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint can’t seem to shake the Wizarding World fame, even though the last Deathly Hallows Part 2 premiered over a decade ago and they all have appeared in many other projects since then. All the while, they've had active personal lives, and Watson, for her part, is in a relationship. Some may be wondering how her beau feels about her fame, and an insider has now spoken to that.

The 34-year-old Perks of Being a Wallflower actress was recently spotted kissing her new boyfriend, Kieran Brown, who (like most of us) is not a celebrity. The two apparently met at Oxford University, where they are both students. More specifically, Watson was in the graduate program, and Brown earned his doctorate at the institution. A source spoke with OK! Magazine, dropping claims about the dynamic between the two. If this person is to be believed, it seems that the two are getting along just swimmingly:

We can't take the comments above as fact, at the moment, but they don't seem too far-fetched. After all, the Bling Ring actress has very much tried to step out of the limelight and keep her personal life more private over the past few years. After playing Meg in Greta Gerwig’s Little Women, Emma Watson announced an indefinite break from acting. And, given she worked for the entirety of her adolescent childhood, I don’t blame her. The Harry Potter actress and her co-stars have always been pretty outspoken about the difficult transition from Warner Bros. fantasy/adventure franchise into more adult-oriented productions. They've been carving out specific lanes for themselves, and Watson has proven that she's more than Hermione Granger.

It seems like the actress has taken time to get to know herself and follow passions other than acting. She apparently is very thankful for those opportunities in relation to her dating life as well. The Noah actress said the following to British Vogue in 2019:

I’m glad the Beauty and the Beast actress is allegedly very happy with her new guy. She deserves all the good in the world, in my opinion. Also, right now, all signs seem to point to her not wanting a public relationship. I think some part of me will always hold out hope for her and Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy, especially after seeing them act all cute together amid the Harry Potter reunion. The two have always been very close and have been a longtime ship for fans on the Internet. She helped inspire Felton to write candidly in his memoir, where he talks about his "unspoken" love for her. She even wrote an introduction for the book in which she called Felton her "soulmate." 

My love of that theoretical ship aside though, Emma Watson appears to have a firm relationship with Kieran Brown. And, if Brown really isn't fazed by her fame, then I imagine that makes their dynamic much easier. I also think it's great that she's enjoying her life outside of acting and celebrating other life milestones. All in all, I’m excited to see what she does next. But I am now also going to indulge in her past acting achievements by rewatching one of my all time favorite movies, The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Those who want to check out her Wizarding World fare, however, can rewatch all the Harry Potter movies on multiple streaming platforms.

Sometimes, a character and a project come around that impacts the zeitgeist deeply, and when that happens, the role becomes permanently attached to an actor’s legacy. This list includes over 30 actors from some of the greatest movies and TV shows who will forever be remembered for one role. 

Daniel Radcliffe – Harry Potter, Harry Potter 

While Daniel Radcliffe’s list of best movies is long and notable – with entries like Swiss Army Man and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story – he will always be known first and foremost as The Boy Who Lived. The actor took on the titular role of Harry Potter when he was 12 years old, and he’s the face of a franchise of movies that have raised countless people. So, while he is beloved for lots of things, nothing will ever be as big and prominent as his role in the Wizarding World.  

Aaron Paul – Jesse Pinkman, Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad and its cast truly took the world by storm, and the guys leading the charge, Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul, became certified legends because of it. It’s hard to separate Paul from Jesse Pinkman, and the impact he made with his fellow ensemble members in this incredible show.  

Sarah Michelle Gellar – Buffy, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

When you play one of the greatest TV characters of all time, obviously, it’ll be the thing you’re most remembered for. For Sarah Michelle Gellar, she’ll always be known as the legendary Buffy the Vampire Slayer after playing the empowering and strong titular character for seven seasons in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s. 

Robert Downey Jr. – Iron Man/Tony Stark, Iron Man

Yes, Robert Downey Jr. won an Oscar for Oppenheimer, and yes, he’s well known for roles in other films, like Sherlock Holmes. However, when you single-handedly help successfully start a cinematic universe like the one Marvel has and star in nine of those projects, yes, you are going to be known for playing that character forever.

So, when it comes to RDJ’s legacy, his role as Iron Man/Tony Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be the thing he’s remembered forever for.  

Elijah Wood – Frodo, Lord of the Rings

Like Daniel Radcliffe and Harry Potter, so many grew up with Elijah Wood and Lord of the Rings. His portrayal of the hobbit Frodo Baggins was incredibly impactful, and while he has gone on to play a variety of memorable roles, there’s no denying the power of the Rings. 

Carrie Fisher – Princess Leia, Star Wars

You can’t talk about the late great Carrie Fisher and her career without mentioning Princess Leia and the Star Wars movies. She inspired a whole generation as her intelligent, stubborn and empowering princess, and the five films she was a part of helped define sci-fi in film. 

Leonard Nimoy – Spock, Star Trek

Live long and prosper, my friend. Forever and always the legendary Leonard Nimoy will be known for originating the role of the half-Vulcan, half-human Spock in Star Trek. 

Christopher Reeve – Superman, Superman

Christopher Reeve’s legacy is rooted in him playing Superman in four films. Even the documentary that came out about his life in 2024 leans into his time playing Clark Kent, as it’s called Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story. 

James Gandolfini – Tony Soprano, The Sopranos

The Sopranos is considered one of the greatest shows on television, and James Gandolfini’s performance as Tony Soprano is a major reason why. The actor won three Emmys for his performance in the series, and his name, face and voice are synonymous with the beloved HBO drama. 

Alicia Silverstone – Cher Horowitz, Clueless

When I think of Alicia Silverstone, I immediately think of Cher, because she is and always will be best known for her iconic performance in one of the best movies of the ‘90s, Clueless. 

Sigourney Weaver – Ellen Ripley, Alien

Sigourney Weaver changed the sci-fi game when she starred in Alien. Ellen Ripley is a magnificent and strong leading woman in this sci-fi horror flick, which in 1979, was not something we saw very often. 

Jim Parsons – Sheldon Cooper, The Big Bang Theory

“Bazinga!” Will always follow Jim Parsons, and that’s because of his tenure playing Sheldon Cooper in the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory. The actor has four Emmys for playing the role, he starred in all 280 episodes of the comedy, and his character even inspired a spinoff, Young Sheldon, which came to an end in 2024 after its own seven-season run. 

Kit Harington – Jon Snow, Game of Thrones

The world was introduced to Kit Harington because of Game of Thrones, and he will always be remembered as the heroic Jon Snow. His role in the GOT cast was vital, and over the years, as we watched him battle it out at The Wall and work toward saving Westeros from winter, it was impossible not to fall for him. Now, while Harington has been in numerous other projects since then, it’s impossible not to think of him as this epic fantasy hero first. 

Emma Watson – Hermione Granger, Harry Potter

These days, Emma Watson doesn’t act anymore, and she’s killing with her gin company Renais. However, she’ll also always be remembered as a wonderful actress who brought life to the beloved witch Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter films. 

The Entire Cast of Friends

Yes, the cast of Friends all went on to have successful careers after the NBC sitcom. However, Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and Courteney Cox are best known as Rachel, Ross, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler and Monica, and they always will be, because they’re the ones with a hit TV show. 

Ralph Macchio – Daniel LaRusso, The Karate Kid

After three Karate Kid movies, and six seasons of its highly successful spinoff Cobra Kai, you’d be silly not to think that Ralph Macchio will always be remembered for playing Daniel LaRusso. 

Linda Hamilton – Sarah Connor, The Terminator

Linda Hamilton played Sarah Connor in The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Terminator: Dark Fate. She’s beloved for portraying the protagonist in this sci-fi franchise, and she’s synonymous with this series that she starred in alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

Chris Hemsworth – Thor, Thor

While many Marvel actors have become synonymous with their characters, one who really stands out is Chris Hemsworth and Thor. Physically, the Australian actor perfectly embodies the God of Thunder, and throughout his time playing the character he added an unexpected sense of humor to the role – especially post-Thor: Ragnarok – that he’ll be remembered forever for. 

Kristen Stewart – Bella Swan, Twilight

Twilight, the debate about Team Edward vs. Team Jacob and Kristen Stewart’s Bella Swan took over the zeitgeist between 2008-2012. To this day, while she’s gone on to star in incredible films like Spencer and Love Lies Bleeding, the role that made her a household name is one of the parts she’ll always be remembered for. 

Heath Ledger – The Joker, The Dark Knight

Heath Ledger is widely regarded as the best Joker, because of his commanding performance as the legendary Batman villain in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. This movie was also one of his last before his untimely death, and he won a posthumous Oscar for his incredible take on the infamous big bad. 

Millie Bobby Brown – Eleven, Stranger Things

Millie Bobby Brown has made quite a few successful films, like the Enola Holmes movies. However, it’s undeniable that the role that will define her career is Eleven in Stranger Things. She was only 12 when she started playing the mysterious super-powered human, and over the course of the show’s five-season run, both she and the ensemble of the Netflix series, have become pop culture icons because of the show. 

William Shatner – Captain Kirk, Star Trek

If you take a look at the four projects listed at the top of William Shatner’s IMDb page, all of them are Star Trek movies where he played Captain Kirk. The man starred in seven films and a long-running TV show as the beloved captain, so of course it’s what he’s best known for. 

Michael J. Fox – Marty McFly, Back to the Future

From Family Ties to Teen Wolf, Michael J. Fox and his shows and movies were ‘80s staples. However, there’s no denying that the project he’ll always be remembered for is Robert Zemeckis’ Back to the Future. To this day, the project is considered one of the best ‘80s movies, and Fox is still beloved for playing the charismatic, funny and heroic Marty McFly. 

Reese Witherspoon – Elle Woods, Legally Blonde 

In the over two decades since Legally Blonde’s release, so many have been inspired to pursue their dreams and wear lots and lots of pink. That’s because Elle Woods truly left an amazing mark on the zeitgeist, and it’s because of Reese Witherspoon’s heartfelt, funny and preppy performance as the incredible lawyer-in-training. 

As Elle Woods would say, “What like it’s hard” to create one of the best characters and movies of the 2000s? 

Jon Hamm – Don Draper, Mad Men

While Jon Hamm is a wicked comedic actor, and he’s starred in a myriad of fun movies, nothing will ever come close to Mad Men. For 92 episodes, Hamm led the Mad Men cast as Don Draper – which he took an Emmy home for in 2015 – and he’ll always be recognized for playing the charismatic creative director of Sterling Cooper.

Judy Garland – Dorothy, The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz is a film that has raised generations of kids since 1939, and it’s still a family classic. So, when you lead a beloved musical like that, as Judy Garland did, and it remains relevant and loved for over eight decades, obviously, the role you’ll always be known for is that one. 

David Tennant – The Doctor, Doctor Who

While everyone who has played the titular timelord on Doctor Who is known for that role specifically, David Tennant is a fan-favorite Doctor, and it’s single-handedly the project he’s best known for. While he’s dabbled in many other critically acclaimed projects, like Good Omens and Broadchurch, he is and always will be the beloved actor who graced our screens as the Tenth and Fourteenth Doctors first and foremost. 

Anthony Hopkins – Hannibal Lecter, The Silence of the Lambs

Silence of the Lambs is one of the greatest horror movies of all time, and it’s in part thanks to Anthony Hopkins' truly terrifying cannibal Hannibal Lecter. In fact, his character became so popular that it inspired three more movies and a TV show. 

Sarah Jessica Parker – Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City

I’m sure Carrie Bradshaw inspired many women to become writers, and I know she left many of us fantasizing about living out our lives in New York City. Sarah Jessica Parker truly slayed the role, and her own sense of style and charismatic personality meshed perfectly with Carrie. Along with playing the writer in the OG series Sex and the City, SJP has also portrayed her in two movies and the series And Just Like That. 

Emilia Clarke – Daenerys Targaryen, Game of Thrones 

Khaleesi, Mother of Dragons, Daenerys Targaryen, those are all the names Emilia Clarke’s dragon rider went by in Game of Thrones, and she gave an absolutely commanding performance as her. While her ending wasn’t what most wanted, there’s no denying how amazing it was to see Daenerys rise from a woman trying to survive to a powerful leader, and that’s because of how brilliant Clarke was in the role. 

Mark Hamill – Luke Skywalker, Star Wars

He was the face of the original trilogy, and you can’t think about Star Wars without thinking about Mark Hamill and Luke Skywalker. While the actor is well-known for other roles, especially in the world of voice acting, his most prominent part has to be this. 

Gal Gadot – Wonder Woman, Wonder Woman

Sadly, there aren’t many superhero movies led by women. However, luckily, we do have a few wonderful ones, and that includes Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman. She played the beloved hero with so much grace, poise and strength, and she’ll 100% always be remembered for it. 

Obviously, while all these actors have played other prominent roles in well-known movies and shows, there’s no question that when we consider their legacies, these parts will be the first ones we think about. They’re that iconic, and we have these performers to thank for them. 

The $2 billion lifetime box mark for all their movies is a major milestone for actors and only the most popular ones have reached that level. The full list, per The Numbers, includes a lot of names you'd expect, and a few you wouldn't. Many on the list play major characters in the MCU, though we've limited those somewhat here, to get a fuller picture. So here it is, our list of actors who've topped the $2 billion mark all-time at the box office.

Daniel Radcliffe

There are some huge franchises out there, and few are bigger than the Harry Potter series, so naturally, the actor who played its protagonist, Daniel Radcliffe, is going to find his way onto this list. With a box office total climbing north of $2.6 billion, Radcliffe has supplemented Harry Potter with big movies like Now You See Me 2 and The Lost City.

Tom Cruise

For four decades Tom Cruise has been one of, if not the, most bankable stars in Hollywood. The biggest chunk of the more than $4 billion he's earned has come from the Mission: Impossible movies, but almost every one of his movies, from Top Gun to War of the Worlds and beyond are usually big money makers. 

Harrison Ford

When you star in two of the biggest franchises in Hollywood history, you're going to make this list. As Han Solo in the Star Wars movies and as the titular character in the Indiana Jones series, Harrison Ford has been raking in box office receipts for decades.  He's also had big money earners outside those series as well, like the two Jack Ryan movies he starred in, and movies like The Fugitive and the two Blade Runner flicks.  

Tom Hanks

It's hardly a surprise to see Tom Hanks on this list. With a total box office of over $5 billion, Hanks has consistently crushed it in some of the most iconic roles in Hollywood history. The list of Hanks' best movies includes Saving Private Ryan, Forrest Gump, Philadelphia, Big, and many more, but the movies that make the biggest contribution to that box office number come from the Toy Story franchise. 

Jack Black

Jack Black movies have brought in more than $2.7 billion. Before you wonder where that has come from, you have to remember just how huge the Kung Fu Panda series of movies have been. They all have collected huge box office numbers. Throw in School of Rock, and the Jumanji series, and all of a sudden, you're climbing in some pretty rarified air. Oh - and it might surprise you that the Super Mario Bros. Movie earned more than a billion on its own.  

Morgan Freeman

Is there a more beloved actor in Hollywood than Morgan Freeman? With movies like The Shawshank Redemption, Driving Miss Daisy, and Unforgiven he's proven he's one the best actors, and with huge movies like The Dark Knight trilogy, he's brought in a ton of money, with over $2 billion total. 

George Clooney

There isn't anyone in Hollywood who quite personifies a classic movie star than George Clooney. He's brought in more than $2 billion lifetime, with only one superhero movie on his resume (and a forgettable one at that, with Batman & Robin). Of course, the Ocean's movies have been his biggest box office successes, but he mostly has just put out great movie after great movie. 

Liam Neeson

While Liam Neeson isn't alone in actors we'd like to see in the MCU one day, he's still earned bank at the box office. He's appeared in a number of other big franchises, like Star Wars, The Dark Knight, and The Chronicles of Narnia, and the franchise he's most known for, the Taken movies. 

Steve Carell

It may surprise you to see Steve Carrell on this list until you remember how huge the Despicable Me franchise is. Those movies print money and Carell has been a monster piece in that puzzle. Of course, he's also had huge hits like The 40-Year-Old Virgin and the Anchorman movies. 

Meryl Streep

It's hard to argue against Meryl Streep being the finest actress of a generation, and perhaps even ever. With more than 20 Oscar nominations, she's built a career that is unparalleled. She has also managed to kill it at the box office despite not being a part of any huge franchises. The Mamma Mia! movies are the closest she's come to something like that, which makes her $2 billion+ that much more impressive.  

Eddie Murphy

Year after year Eddie Murphy just cranks out hit after hit. Sure, he's a long way away from his peak as a comic in the '80s, but you can't argue against the results, with over $3.5 billion in total receipts. The biggest contributors, of course, are the Shrek movies. 

Johnny Depp

Of course, Johnny Depp has to be on this list. Depp led one of the biggest franchises of the early 21st Century with the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. He's had a lot of hits outside of his work for Disney, but the role of Jack Sparrow has translated to a big chunk of his more than $3.6 billion total box office. 

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence hasn't been in the MCU proper, but in full disclosure, she did appear in the X-Men franchise when it was outside of the MCU proper. So there is that. Still, she's also got another franchise under her belt with the Hunger Games movies. Outside of that, she's known for taking on serious roles in movies like Winter's Bone and Mother. It all adds up to more than $2.6 billion.

Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro has been one of the most famous actors in Hollywood for more than 50 years and with that has come a lot of success at the ticket window. in total, his movies like Cape Fear, The Godfather II, Killers of the Flower Moon, and, the films that have contributed the most to his more than $2.6 billion lifetime box office sales, the Meet The Parents movies. 

Emma Watson

As one of the key cast members of eight Harry Potter movies, it's hardly a surprise to see Emma Watson on this list. That franchise alone has made billions. She also appeared as Belle in the Disney live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast in 2017, which made a cool billion as well. 

Leonardo DiCaprio

The great Leonardo DiCaprio is another actor on this list who has built remarkable box office numbers – well over $2 billion – without the benefit of a major franchise. It helps to have Titanic on your resume though. 

Julia Roberts

Since the late '80s, Julia Roberts has been box office gold. In all, her movies have made more than $2 billion, and without the benefit of a major franchise, aside from the first two Ocean's movies. Instead, she's built her legendary career on movies like Pretty Woman, Erin Brockovich, and Eat Pray Love.

Bruce Willis

There are few action stars as loved as Bruce Willis. Before he retired due to aphasia and dementia, he not only starred in the Die Hard series, but he consistently churned out hits like Pulp Fiction, 12 Monkeys, and one of his biggest movies, Armageddon. He also popped in two of the Expendables movies, earning an overall $3 billion or so. 

Dwayne Johnson

Dwayne Johnson may have started out in professional wrestling, but he's owned Hollywood since making the transition to acting. In addition to the Fast and Jumanji franchises, Johnson's box office totals include two Mummy movies and a slew of other hits. It all adds up to well over $3 billion. 

Owen Wilson

There is a small caveat here. Owen Wilson has technically appeared in the MCU, but it was on the Disney+ show Loki and he's never been in one of the movies, so nothing in the MCU is reflected in his box office numbers. What does count is movies like Meet The Parents, Night At The Museum, and The Cars franchise. It all adds up to more than $2.3 billion.

Adam Driver

While he may not have the MCU on his resume, Adam Driver does have three huge Star Wars movies on it. That's a great way to pad your box office numbers. Driver is hardly a one-hit wonder though. House of Gucci, BlacKkKlansman, and others all add up to more than $2.3 billion.

Sandra Bullock

Sandra Bullock has put together an impressive career that's spanned over three decades. Despite not starring in many major franchises aside from Ocean's 8 and Minions. Still, over her career, she's generated more than $2.6 billion in box office totals. Impressive, to say the least. 

Kevin Hart

Everyone loves Kevin Hart, but it's sort of surprising just how successful his movies have been over the years. He's in rarified air here with over $2.4 billion in tickets sold to movies he's appeared in. It certainly helps that's his popped up in the Fast franchise, as well as the Jumanji movies, of course. 

Jim Carrey

Other than Batman Forever Jim Carrey has avoided major franchises over the years. Still, at one point, he was Hollywood's highest-paid actor because his movies almost always make big bucks, bringing in more than $2.9 million overall. Movies like Bruce Almighty and the Sonic movies have contributed greatly to that haul. 

Will Ferrell

What can you say about Will Ferrell that hasn't already been said? Frankly, he's the premier comedic actor over the last couple of decades. With movies like the Anchorman series, Elf, Step Brothers, and maybe his biggest contributor to his more than $2.8 billion in receipts, the Lego franchise, Farrell movies continue to clean up in theaters. 

Will Smith

Before the infamous "slap" at the Oscars in 2023, Will Smith was one of America's most beloved movie stars. His reputation has taken a hit, but his box office numbers over the years don't lie. With franchises like Bad Boys and Men In Black, in addition to a huge number of other hits over the years, Smith's total take is among the highest ever at over $3.8 billion. 

Keanu Reeves

You don't need comic book movies when you've got monster franchises like John Wick and The Matrix. Those two series have contributed a huge part to Keanu Reeves' amazing box office numbers, which stretch over $2 billion now. Throw in one of the Toy Story movies and a handful of other big hits and you're on top of the world. 

Denzel Washington

Until The Equalizer series, Denzel Washington had never even starred in a sequel, much a franchise. He has still managed to rack up more than $2.5 billion in box office numbers though. Washington has been one of the world's most famous actors for decades and has won a slew of awards, including two Oscars, so it's hardly a surprise, but it's still darn impressive. 

Brad Pitt

If Brad Pitt's Ocean's franchise co-star George Clooney isn't the most famous movie star in the world, Brad Pitt might be. Like Clooney, he's mostly built his box office record without the help of any major franchise, aside from Ocean's. It is worth mentioning that he had that infamous cameo in Deadpool 2, but that's still technically outside of the MCU. 

Adam Sandler

He's not everyone's cup of tea, sure, but Adam Sandler has put together one of the most impressive careers in Hollywood history with his unique brand of humor. Movies like Big Baddy, Mr. Deeds, You Don't Mess with the Zohan and Grown Ups have all tucked away huge amounts of money, as have others, meaning Sandler's overall box office is up over $2.8 billion. 

Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck does benefit from his time as Batman in the ill-fated DCEU, which has since been replaced with the reboot DCU. Those movies, despite mostly middling reviews, did all make a lot of money. When you add in movies like Armageddon, Pearl Harbor, and Gone Girl, it's easy to see how his total haul adds up to more than $2.4 billion. 

Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg might be the most surprising person on this list, believe it or not. Then you remember he was in some of the Transformer movies, and think about how much the Ted and Daddy's Home movies made, and you realize it's not actually all that shocking. In total, his movies have brought in well over two and a half billion dollars. 

Accents are incredibly difficult and to be clear, this isn't knocking any of the people on this list's acting talents. Some of the best actors in the world often struggle with accents. In fact, everyone on this list should be praised for taking the risk and even attempting one. That said, this is still a list of actors with bad accents in a role. 

Dick Van Dyke – Mary Poppins

Quite possibly the most notorious of an actor messing up an accent is Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins. The Midwest native's take on a London Cockney accent is... rough. The rest of his performance is legendary, of course, but boy, it's rough to hear him talk sometimes. 

Keanu Reeves – Bram Stoker's Dracula

Keanu Reeves is an icon, but let's be real, some of his acting performances in the past haven't been the best. The most glaring example is his performance in Bram Stoker's Dracula. It's a stilled example of an English accent that comes across as really unconfident. He's much better in the John Wick movies, to say the least. 

Don Cheadle – Ocean's Eleven

Don Cheadle is one of the best actors in Hollywood and is proof that even the best get it wrong sometimes. His cockney accent in Ocean's Eleven is brutal. In a way, it can be excused, as everyone in the movie is just chewing the scenery the whole time, but still, you expect more. Especially because we've all seen him do amazing accents like in Hotel Rwanda, a movie so good you never want to see it again. 

Daniel Craig - Knives Out

This one might get some pushback from fans – and I am a huge fan of Daniel Craig and Knives Out – but the accent is distracting. Cajun accents are tough, so for even attempting it, Craig gets credit, but he's been much better at other accents, like his straight southern accent in Lucky Logan. 

Kevin Costner – Thirteen Days

Thirteen Days is one of the best movies about the Cold War we've ever seen, but Kevin Costner's Boston accent isn't what makes it great. Costner's performance outshines the accent, but it's still pretty distracting, as it's way off. Boston accents are hard to do, so we'll forgive him. 

Tom Cruise – Far And Away

Another one of the most notorious accents in Hollywood history is Tom Cruise's attempt at an Irish accent in Far And Away. The movie itself is a lot better than its reputation would have you believe, but Cruise, one of the biggest movie stars of the last few decades, has a rough go of it. He's not alone in that, either. 

John Malkovich – Rounders

John Malkovich's career is filled with amazing, and often over-the-top performances. Maybe his most over-the-top is that of the Russian "KGB" in Rounders. His accent is presumably supposed to be Russian, but wow, who knows what it really is? It's wild, that's for sure. He even joked to co-star Matt Damon that he is a "terrible actor," which, of course, is false, even here. 

Brad Pitt – Meet Joe Black

This one is on the list because it's a popular choice as one of the worst ever, but I'm here to defend it...sort of. His Cajun patois is not great, that's true, but, for one, that's a really hard accent to nail, and some have defended it. It also could be argued that it fits his character to not quite understand how to speak normally, as he talks about in other parts of the film. Pitt gets a pass here. 

Mickey Rooney – Breakfast At Tiffany's

In one of the most indefensible roles in the history of Hollywood, Mickey Rooney's bad accent is actually the least offensive part. You can argue about 1961 being a different time, but it wasn't that different, and having Rooney play an offensive caricature of a Japanese man was called out even at the time for how offensive it was. 

Julia Roberts – Michael Collins

The beloved Julia Roberts has been in some of the best movies of the last 30 years. Michael Collins isn't a bad movie, but it's also not among Roberts' best films. While she can usually be counted on for great performances, her Irish accent here misses the mark. 

Anne Hathaway – One Day

Anne Hathaway is an Oscar winner for good reason. She's consistently great in her movies, and in roles that range from rom-coms to comic supervillains. In One Day, she adopts a British accent...sort of. It's not bad when she nails it, but it's wildly inconsistent. 

Brad Pitt - Seven Years in Tibet

Seven Years In Tibet is an underrated movie in my opinion. In all honesty, I don't know if Brad Pitt's accent is truly bad, or if it's just really annoying. I tend to think it's a combo of both. Her performance otherwise is great, and the movie's visuals are stunning, making it well worth suffering through the iffy accent. 

Jack Nicholson – The Departed

This is one that might get some pushback, but I think Jack Nicholson's Boston accent in The Departed is terrible. Given all the great accents in the movie, some by Boston natives, some not, this one really sticks out as not being all that great. Nicholson is awesome as the menacing Frank Costello, but he should have just played it straight. 

Angelina Jolie – Alexander

Okay, what in the ancient world is going on here? Angelina Jolie's accent in Alexander is just wild. It's sort of Greek, sure, but we're not even sure what the ancient Greeks sounded like, so why even go here with this acting choice? Jolie is a wonderful actor and director, but this is not her finest moment. 

Emma Watson – The Bling Ring

Emma Watson's biggest accent sin in The Bling Ring is how inconsistent it is. Maybe the hardest part for an actor is staying consistent, but this one still needs to be highlighted here. A Valley Girl, Watson is not. 

Ewan McGregor – Black Hawk Down

Black Hawk Down has an amazing cast, many of whom are not American, all playing American servicemen. To be honest, all the accents in the movie, from Orlando Bloom, Tom Hardy, and others are a little dicey. It probably isn't fair to only call out Ewan McGregor, but it's not his finest work, either. 

Kevin Costner – Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

What can be said here? It's the bad accent that beats them all. Kevin Costner's accent (or sometimes lack of) in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves has been knocked ad nauseam over the years and there isn't much more to say about it. It's not just poor, it's not even there sometimes. 

Cameron Diaz – Gangs Of New York

Let's be clear, Cameron Diaz is not alone with her poor accent in Gangs of New York. Leonardo DiCaprio isn't at his best, either. It's maybe a little more striking in Diaz's case though. It's hard though, when you are going up with Daniel Day-Lewis, who probably spent months and months perfecting his American accent for the role.  

Blake Lively – The Town

If you're not from Boston, it had be a deceptively difficult accent to master. It's not as simple as dropping the Rs, though that is hard to do consistently also. It's also the long vowels and other more nuanced parts of the accent that make it very tricky. Blake Lively is great in The Town, but her accent leaves a lot to be desired. 

Vanessa Hudgens – The Princess Switch

In one of the weirder choices on this list, Vanessa Hudgens decided to go with what is ostensively a British accent in The Princess Switch when she easily could have just gone with her regular accent. Sure, she needed to differentiate herself from...herself as she was also playing the other role in the movie in this Parent Trap-like movie, but still, she was a princess of a fictional country, the accent could have been anything 

Scarlett Johansson – Don Jon

Scarlett Johansson is from New York, and is an excellent actor. That's why it's such a surprise that she missed with a New Jersey accent in Don Jon. Once again, it's an example of a great performance losing a point or two because of the dodgy accent.

Jared Leto – House Of Gucci

Most of the actors in House Of Gucci struggle a little with the Italian accents. Jared Leto, however, sounds like a cartoon character. It's more like Mario than Paolo Gucci. I give him props for trying, heck I give them all props for trying, but it just doesn't work. 

Mel Gibson – Braveheart

I have a lot of problems with Braveheart. The history is notoriously poor, and the acting by Mel Gibson is so over the top, that it's comical, hence all the memes, right? Often lost in that is how sketchy Gibson's Scottish accent is in the movie. 

Quentin Tarantino – Django Unchained

Quentin Tarantino is arguably the best director of the last 30 years with nine (or ten, depending on how you count Kill Bill) great movies out of nine directed. Django Unchained is no exception, but you can't excuse the Australian accent Tarantino tries to pull off in his acting role in the movie. It's not good - and it's not like he's a bad actor, either. 

Harrison Ford - K-19: The Widowmaker

With all due respect to the Gods of the 1970s and '80s, I don't want to besmirch the great Harrison Ford. Sadly, I have to for his messy attempt at a Russian accent in K-19: The Widowmaker. We all love Ford's gruff voice, but it's better when he sticks with his natural accent. 

Nicole Kidman – Far And Away

Tom Cruise gets a lot of gruff for his Irish accent in Far and Away, but that shouldn't distract from Nicole Kidman's sketchy work. The Aussie struggles as much as the American in the film. 

Alan Rickman - The Butler

Alan Rickman, who is one of my favorite actors ever and responsible for some amazing performances, has one of his most uneven in The Butler as President Ronald Reagan. It's not just the accent, though that is part of it. He speaks weirdly softly and it feels like a shallow performance, which was unlike Rickman, most of the time.  

Michael Caine - On Deadly Ground

The great Michael Caine has but one accent – the Michael Caine Accent. It's so iconic, that it's as imitated as Christopher Walken's. When he gets away from it, it gets a little bizarre, as it does in On Deadly Ground. Now, the semi-retired Caine is co-starring in a Steven Seagal movie, so you can't blame him for really going over the top, even if he misses. 

Brad Pitt – The Devil's Own

In The Devil's Own, Brad Pitt makes a go at an Irish accent. I'll always applaud Pitt for going for tougher roles, but he really does struggle with accents, and here is no exception. It is distracting, but I appreciate that he goes for it. 

Jennifer Lawrence – Red Sparrow

As the winner of one Oscar and owner of three more nominations, Jennifer Lawrence is clearly one of the best actresses so far in the 21st Century. Red Sparrow is not her best work though. The movie is surprisingly boring, and her Russian accent, while far from the worst here, is in and out throughout the whole film. 

Ana De Armas – Blonde

Make no mistake, Ana De Armas made a bold decision to play not only an American actress but one whose voice is very familiar to movie fans everywhere, Marilyn Monroe. Blonde was a challenging choice for the Cuban actress and for that she should be celebrated, but when the brass tacks were down, her accent was not the best part of her performance. 

Charlie Hunnam – Green Street Hooligans

If you want to understand how hard accents can be, look no further than Englishman Charlie Hunnam's attempt at a cockney accent in Green Street Hooligans. While Hunnam is English, he's from Newcastle, not East London, and boy does it show. Hunnam was decent doing an American accent in Sons of Anarchy, but he doesn't kill the cockney accent here, in fact, he's so inconsistent it's distracting in an otherwise super fun cult classic. 

Out of all the memories the Harry Potter cast have shared over the years, there’s a fair share of moments where shooting the eight-film saga got to be a bit much for all involved. Actor Emma Watson’s contribution to that particular subject was a day of extreme discomfort that saw a scene from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire turn from a symbolic moment in our hero’s teenage journey into a literal fall down the stairs.

How Emma Watson’s Fall Down The Stairs Came To Be

During Max’s Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts reunion special, the Beauty and the Beast performer who put herself on the map as Hermione Granger shared this unfortunate happening. As she described the scene where Hermione first steps out in her pink gown for the Yule Ball, Watson painted the following picture of distress:

With so many instructions being given during the production of this Harry Potter moment, Emma Watson’s lack of surprise falling down the stairs is understood. Those iconic stone walkways already looked difficult to walk down while wearing those flowing Hogwarts school robes; and introducing such a fine gown into the mix probably felt like a recipe for disaster from the jump.

Two factors seem to mitigate this unfortunate happening during its mention among the many memorable Harry Potter reunion moments. Thankfully, the first is that Emma Watson doesn’t mention any serious injuries from her tumble. Secondly, it's because of that lack of injury that probably helped her still see why this piece of Goblet of Fire was so important in the first place.

Why This Harry Potter Scene Was Such An Important Deal In The First Place

On the surface, Hermione’s first, and potentially only moment of glam in the Harry Potter movies came at a crucial time in the plot to J.K. Rowling’s best selling epic. With Book 4 seeing the trio of Hogwarts’ iconic students heading into adolescence, the Yule Ball was a watershed moment for the way they related to each other.

Emma Watson recalled that importance in her own recollection of the scene. But more importantly, she further explained just why that stair-based scene was so uncomfortable in the first place:

Ultimately, we know that Hermione and Ron eventually fall in love and end up together. But even with that knowledge, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’s twists and turns to that story make up some of the pivotal moments that help make it all happen. Though judging by how rude Ron was to his friend and future love of his life at the Yule Ball, you’d be forgiven if you forgot that’s how things played out.

That’s part of the fun of the Harry Potter movies, which make up a cinematic saga that was as uncertain and exciting in its time as some of the biggest filmmaking triumphs. If you're feeling nostalgic after reading this tale, you'll need access to Peacock to watch Goblet of Fire and its connecting installments at this time. Meanwhile, Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts is available for rental, or streaming through a Max subscription.

Some actors are best known and even defined by a single character that has captured the hearts of audiences all over the world. However, in many cases, said iconic character does not necessarily reflect the performer’s strongest performance, which they often tend to save for the role that they hope will earn them an Academy Award nomination or, at least, challenges them the most. The following is our attempt to distinguish the most iconic roles from our choices picks for the absolute best roles of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars.

Chris Evans

The role that skyrocketed Chris Evans to the A-list and the one he will always be most famous for is Steve "Captain America" Rogers from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, his talents are even better utilized in his scene-stealing performance in the Knives Out cast as the hilariously smug and conniving Ransom Drysdale.

Amy Adams

The world first fell in love with Amy Adams when she absolutely nailed the Disney Princess schtick as Giselle in 2007’s Enchanted. Yet, she is truly a captivating, commanding, and heartbreaking force to be reckoned with in Denis Villeneuve’s powerful 2016 alien invasion movie, Arrival, as linguistics expert Louise Banks — which, surprisingly, is not one of the six roles that earned her an Oscar nomination.

Kurt Russell

For many people, when they see Kurt Russell, they see the dystopian anti-hero Snake Plissken in Escape from New York from 1981 or helicopter pilot R.J. MacReady in another great John Carpenter movie, 1982’s The Thing. Yet, even the actor’s biggest fans might agree that those performances pale in comparison to his acclaimed portrayal of Wyatt Earp in the 1993 Western movie classic, Tombstone.

Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie first captivated audiences everywhere as Naomi Lapaglia in 2013’s The Wolf of Wall Street and her portrayal of Harley Quinn in the DCEU immediately became one of the Batman villain’s most essential iterations. However, the Australian actor gave, arguably, her most captivating and essential performance as infamous figure skating champion Tonya Harding in the 2017 biopic, I, Tonya, which also earned her her first Oscar nomination.

Nicolas Cage 

Nicolas Cage is at his most iconic when he is at his most unhinged and few characters define that better than Castor Troy — a ruthless terrorist who switches faces with FBI agent Sean Archer (John Travolta) in Face/Off. Of course, it is Cage's performance as severe alcoholic Ben Sanderson in Leaving Las Vegas that earned him an Oscar win.

Julia Roberts 

Having been referred to as the Queen of rom-coms, it would make sense to call Julia Roberts’ strongest contribution to the genre — Vivian Ward from 1990’s Pretty Woman — the most iconic of her career. Yet, her strongest contribution to cinema might actually be her Academy Award-winning performance in the title role of 2000’s Erin Brockovich, which is based on the true story of a legal assistant’s crusade in a California water pollution scandal. 

Tom Hanks

Our choices for both the most iconic role and the best role of Tom Hanks’ career each earned him an Academy Award. While the lovable title hero of 1994’s Forrest Gump is easily the more famous, the actor is at his most gripping and moving as gay, HIV-positive lawyer Andrew Beckett in Philadelphia from the previous year.

Ryan Gosling

Playing Noah in 2004's romantic instant classic The Notebook broke Ryan Gosling into the mainstream and playing the nameless wheelman protagonist of 2011's Drive showed his action star potential. The first time critics and audiences truly began to notice his strengths as a versatile performer, however, was when he played a teacher wrestling with his vices in 2006's Half Nelson.

Robert Downey, Jr.

There was no better choice to play Tony "Iron Man" Stark — the role that effectively resurrected Robert Downey Jr.'s career — in what would become the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Yet, has the actor truly ever been better than when he played Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer cast in 2023? Just ask the Academy.

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence breathed refreshing new life into the cinematic version of YA dystopian novel hero Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games movies. She especially breathed refreshing life into the already beautiful story of love and self-acceptance at the center of Silver Linings Playbook with her Oscar-winning performance as the widowed Tiffany Maxwell.

Jim Carrey

The one role that best represents Jim Carrey’s one-of-a kind erratic style of physical comedy is the ceaselessly goofy title hero of 1994’s Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. There are certainly traces of that persona in unwitting TV star Truman Burbank from 1998’s The Truman Show, but the performance brought out a certain emotional depth and devastating earnestness we had not yet seen from the actor.

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson was already a top A-lister when she was cast as Natasha “Black Widow” Romanoff for the MCU — a role that, arguably, became bigger than the actor herself. Yet, her infectious, Oscar-nominated performance in 2019’s Jojo Rabbit as Rosie — the mother of a young aspiring Nazi who is secretly hiding a young Jewish woman — is the heart and soul of Taika Waititi’s dazzling World War II-era satire.

Matt Damon

Is there anything better than watching Matt Damon kick butt in the Jason Bourne movies as the titular amnesiac spy? How about watching him pour out his heart and soul as a young and brilliant, but emotionally troubled custodian in 1997’s Good Will Hunting, which he also co-wrote the Academy Award-winning screenplay for?

Jamie Lee Curtis

Playing Laurie Strode in Halloween may have made her the ultimate horror Scream Queen and playing IRS inspector Deirdre Beaubeirdre in Everything Everywhere All at Once may have finally earned her an Oscar, but neither reflect her absolute best work in our opinion. Her Golden Globe-winning role as Helen Tasker — a woman who discovers her husband (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a spy — shows the extent of her versatile range and is easily the performance from 1994’s True Lies.

Michael Keaton

When you think of Michael Keaton, the first character you picture could be Bruce Wayne from Tim Burton's live-action Batman movies or the title role of another Burton classic called Beetlejuice. Yet, the actor's defining role might really be the one that earned him his first Academy Award nomination: down-and-out actor Riggan Thomson in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).

Adam Driver

Typically, any Star Wars actor can call their role in the celebrated sci-fi franchise the most famous character they have ever played and Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren is certainly no exception. His performance as the Sith Lord is an essential highlight of the sequel trilogy, but his rich, emotionally devastating, and uniquely funny performance as Charlie Barber in 2019’s Marriage Story — his second Oscar-nominated role — really proved he was a force to behold.

Clint Eastwood

The Mount Rushmore of Western Movie Stars undeniably includes Clint Eastwood, whose own carving into the monument would probably be dressed like his three roles from Sergio Leone's "The Man with No Name" or "Dollars" Trilogy — made of up A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. Well, forgive us, but we believe that coldblooded-killer turned mild-mannered family man William Munny from 1992’s Unforgiven — which he also directed — is his stronger and deeper contribution to the genre.

Rachel McAdams

Rachel McAdams is transcendent as the ultimate ruthless teen queen, Regina George, in the 2004 high school movie classic, Mean Girls. Yet, she is at her most grounded and most captivatingly understated in her Oscar-nominated portrayal of Boston Globe investigative journalist Sacha Pfeiffer in 2015’s Spotlight.

Tom Cruise 

Among Tom Cruise’s many iconic roles — especially Maverick in the Top Gun movies and Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible movies — we are not sure that we would include Ron Kovic in that least. Yet, we do believe the actor has never been better than in his impassioned, Academy Award-nominated portrayal of the real-life Vietnam vet-turned-war-protester in Oliver Stone’s Born on the Fourth of July.

Emma Watson

Most people — especially Harry Potter fans — still see Hermione Graigner whenever they see Emma Watson. However, one role that came closest to replacing the talented wizard as the British actor’s most celebrated work is Sam Button from the tender 2012 coming-of-age drama, The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford is the face of two of cinema’s most iconic action movie heroes: Indiana Jones and Han Solo from the Star Wars movies. Yet, we have seen the legend give a performance as intense, grounded, and human as Detective Captain John Book in Witness, which also earned him his sole Academy Award nomination.

Jeff Bridges

Jeff Bridges had already achieved a storied and widely acclaimed career by the time he landed his definitive role as freewheeling burnout, The Dude, in Joel and Ethan Coen’s 1998 cult favorite comedy classic, The Big Lebowski. It would take another 12 years before he gave his definitive performance as disillusioned country singer Bad Blake in Crazy Heart, which made him an Oscar winner.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Jack Dawson from James Cameron’s high-grossing Best Picture Oscar winner, 1997’s Titanic, remains the one role Leonardo DiCaprio is most often associated with despite winning his Oscar for 2015’s The Revenant. However, it is his remarkable portrayal of Howard Hughes, from his rise as an inventive aristocrat to his falls as a disturbed recluse, that earns the highest praise from us. 

Nicole Kidman

Nicole Kidman has an extraordinary collection of unique characters under her belt, but none are quite as distinct or recognizable as Satine in Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 musical smash, Moulin Rouge! Yet, the following year saw her give a transformative, Oscar-winning performance in The Hours as renowned author Virginia Woolf during a dismal time in her life.

Christian Bale

Christian Bale had audiences floored by his performance as Bruce Wayne in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy, which solidified him as one of the best Batman actors in cinematic history. However, we believe we already saw him at his best in 2000’s American Psycho, giving a brilliantly nuanced performance as a strangely compelling sociopath named Patrick Bateman.

Natalie Portman

Rewatching the Star Wars prequel trilogy is made easier for even its harshest critics by Natalie Portman’s empowering, grounding, and ultimately heartbreaking performance as Naboo’s queen-turned-senator, Padmé Amidala. Yet, we have it on good authority that even those fans of a galaxy far, far away would rather rewatch 2010’s Black Swan and experience her unsettling, bravura, Academy Award-winning turn as Nina Sayers — a ballerina driven mad by her devotion to the lead role of Swan Lake.

Daniel Radcliffe 

Daniel Radcliffe certainly made for a great “The Boy Who Lived” in the Harry Potter movies, but even some of the franchise’s biggest fans might agree that the English actor has only gotten better since exiting the Wizarding World. In fact, some might say he has gotten better as the roles got weirder, and none have been weirder than when he starred in 2022’s Weird: The Al Yankovic Story as a hilariously exaggerated version of the legendary musical parodist.

Kate Winslet

Much like Titanic made Leonardo DiCaprio a star, starring in the blockbuster historical tragedy as Rose Bukater turned Kate Winslet into one of the top actors of her time. In spite of her wonderful performance there, many would agree the role mainly paved the way for even better opportunities, such as her Oscar-winning performance in 2008’s The Reader as Hanna Schmitz.

Oscar Isaac

Oscar Isaac was certainly on the path to achieving A-list status before joining the cast of 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but playing the charming resistance pilot was his one-way ticket across the bridge. That same year, however, he delivered a captivatingly complex and intriguingly layered performance as tech innovator Nathan Bateman in Alex Garland’s classic A24 sci-fi drama, Ex Machina

Reese Witherspoon

As Elle Woods in 2001’s Legally Blonde, Reese Witherspoon brings warmth, humor, and authenticity to a character who could have easily been an annoying, one-note stereotype. As June Carter Cash in 2005’s Walk the Line, she absolutely steals the show from Joaquin Phoenix’s Johnny Cash with her powerful, Oscar-winning portrayal of the legendary singer.

Henry Cavill

Being, essentially, the spitting image of Clark Kent made Henry Cavill an ideal choice to play Superman in 2013’s Man of Steel, but not quite the perfect choice. The English actor’s signature charm, charisma, and sense of humor shine through much stronger as American secret agent Napoleon Solo in Guy Ritchie’s The Man from U.N.C.L.E., which we think is gleaming proof of his 007 material.

Brie Larson

You could say that Carol Danvers has become such a popular character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe because Brie Larson is the one portraying her in Captain Marvel and subsequent films. For that, we can likely thank her magnificent, heart-wrenching, Oscar-winning performance in 2015’s Room as a single mother held captive with her son.

There are the characters we cherish and the performances we adore. Both are equally important reasons for why we love our favorite actors.

Emma Watson may have stepped away from acting, but that hasn’t taken away from how beloved she is by many, namely for her time playing Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies. But even with performing behind her, she’s still living her best life, which includes writing, directing and other work behind the camera. Now Watson has turned 34, and she celebrated the big milestone with a candid and graceful portrait.

Last year, Watson commemorated her 33rd birthday by reflecting on her dog, the then-recent Harry Potter reunion (which can be streamed with a Max subscription) and other life milestones. This year, she went for a more minimalistic approach, sharing the below two pictures on her Instagram page:

What a beauty! These portraits speaks for themselves, with Watson only writing her new age and including an Aries sign in the caption. It was enough, as the post has collected more than two million likes, and of course many people have wished her a happy birthday in the comments section. This post follows roughly a year after Watson went viral on social media for a different kind of picture, as she was seen wearing what looked like a floating dress.

In addition to the eight Harry Potter movies, Emma Watson’s other notable credits include The Perks of Being a Wallflower, This is The End, Beauty and the Beast and Little Women. The latter remains her last film appearance, meaning it’s been five years since she starred in a movie. As far as why Watson left acting behind, it boils down to her simply not being “very happy.” She felt “a bit caged” and found it “difficult to have to be the face and the spokesperson for things” where she wasn’t “involved in the process.”

All this isn’t to say we’ll never see Watson act again, but at this stage of her life, she’s obviously enjoying her other creative endeavors. And even if she does resume acting, it’ll likely be in projects where she has at least some amount of creative control over the story being told. But again, just because she’s not in front of the camera doesn’t mean we’re not getting to hear from Watson every now and then. For example, back in late January, she talked about how she “misspent” her youth playing table tennis with Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint.

If you’re in the mood to stream the Harry Potter movies, they can be accessed both on Max (which is where the upcoming Harry Potter TV series will also be housed) and with a Peacock subscription. Otherwise, learn what movies are coming out later this year with the 2024 release schedule and keep checking back with us for more news about Emma Watson.

Starting in 2001, Emma Watson played Hermione Granger in all of the Harry Potter movies until the film series conclusion The Deathly Hallows: Part Two came out in 2011. Growing up with Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint on a film set for a decade means there are plenty of memories to cherish looking back. The British actress shares how she “misspent her youth” after she and her Harry Potter chums enjoyed a fun hobby on the set of the fantasy series 

Emma Watson may not have magical spellwork in common with her Hermione Granger character. On the other hand, she can cook up a mean potion like her Hogwarts alum counterpart in the form of classic cocktails. While speaking to British Vogue, she worked her own magic shaking up those cocktails and sharing something really fun she, Daniel Radcliffe, and Rupert Grint would do together while on the set of Harry Potter.

Sounds like Emma Watson is a table tennis pro in the making. I can absolutely understand how competitive it can be when you keep whupping your co-stars. According to a 2009 article from Asian News International via The Free Library, Daniel Radcliffe said to Zoo Magazine that Watson “wipes the floor with me every time I play her” on the set of Half-Blood Prince. It’s because of this that he and Rupert Grint would be too frightened to play her. That’s some girl power right there.

Table tennis wasn’t the only thing that Emma Watson was able to do better than her Harry Potter co-stars. After sreturning to set for the first time in 10 years for Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts, the trio spoke about a totally “on-brand” story when Prisoner of Azkaban director Alfonso Cuarón wanted them to write an essay on their characters. Radcliffe wrote one paragraph on Harry and Grint failed to turn in anything which is a very Ron Weasley thing to do. The Little Women actress, however, did a very Hermione thing by writing a 16-page character study on Hogwarts’ brightest witch. That’s 10 points for table tennis athleticism and another for doing her assigned homework on set.

When Emma Watson was concluding her cocktail-making, she spoke about other skills she wished to strengthen. When talking about what she was doing in her life right now, the Perks of Being a Wallflower actress revealed she’s taking a real interest in screenwriting and directing. She clarified that she doesn’t necessarily see it as stepping away from acting, but more like a step forward towards expanding her talents. The 33-year-old said that she would prefer to return to acting if it was a work she directed or wrote. It seems like Watson would rather her upcoming projects be more personal to her with an emphasis on having more of a behind-the-scenes role than anything else.

With all of the intense moments that Harry, Ron, and Hermione had growing up in The Wizarding World, it’s nice Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, and Rupert Grint had some downtime for a little table tennis on set. While she jokingly saw practicing her backhand as how she "misspent her youth," I see it as fun times she had with her long-time Harry Potter pals. But, it’s a lesson learned for everyone that going against Watson in table tennis means you have some tough competition. 

You can watch the Harry Potter trio in all eight films on your Max subscription and your Peacock subscription. Make sure to check our 2024 movie releases if Watson’s next projects appear there.

A.I. continues to push the boundaries of what it can do. For all we know, its power of realistic graphics and details could eventually shape casting decisions one day, like picking the perfect James Bond actor. On top of that, artificial intelligence has also taken up creating gender-swapped realities, so if you’re curious what certain stars, like Emma Watson, Johnny Depp, and more, look like as the opposite gender, A.I. has worked its magic to show you. Fair warning, though, you won’t be able to unsee its unbelievable results.

First off, the Instagram account the_ai_dreams showed us what Emma Watson would look like as a man. Take a look at the rather dashing photo below:

The Harry Potter cast member has shown us her beauty through very lovely fashion posts, but seeing her as a man, you can see that her good looks transcend gender. With that fancy suit and hairy chest, I forgot this photo is originally Emma Watson. Comments have compared her to those like Stranger Things’ Dacre Montgomery or even her brother Alex. The latter I see more of since the two siblings really do have a strong resemblance. 

Next in the gender swap swarm of photos is what Johnny Depp would look like as a woman. As you look at this scarily realistic A.I. picture, see if you have your own comparisons to who you think the Pirates of the Caribbean star looks like. 

It’s interesting how the gender swap photo of Johnny Depp has him still in 18th-century clothes. Instagram users compared the Edward Scissorhands actor to many gorgeous female A-listers like Katie Holmes, Charlize Theron, and even his Sweeney Todd costar Helena Bonham Carter. In my opinion, though, he actually has an uncanny resemblance to his ex-wife Amber Heard if she was a brunette. And all-around, the gender-swapped post of Depp is much easier for me to look at compared to him dressed as Cinderella and other Disney princesses for sure.

As for the rest of the A.I. generated photos, I decided to make it interesting and see if I could guess the stars in the photos before looking at the captions. For ones like Uma Thurman, Tom Cruise, Scarlett Johansson, Keanu, Reeves, and Nicolas Cage, I was able to see through their photos. Their distinctive features still shine through even as a different gender. 

Then there were those I’d never recognize like the ones for Nicole Kidman, Jude Law, Emilia Clarke, and Zendaya. They really do look like different people. Even the one for The Rock looking like J-Lo is so cringy that I find it better to see him reimagined as Snow White or other Disney princesses.

Now these A.I. generated photos will be at the back of your minds all day, huh? Having artificial intelligence showing our favorite A-listers as the opposite gender is just the start of what advanced technology can do. Examples can include getting a glimpse of what the ill-fated characters of Harry Potter would look like with happy endings or the assumed looks of the imagined children of famous exes. The possibilities really are endless. 

If you’d like to see more of these celebrities in their real-life forms, make sure to check out their upcoming projects on the 2024 movie schedule.

After spending the majority of her life acting, Emma Watson has used the last few years to pursue other passions outside of the profession. While the iconic Harry Potter cast member has been open about why she stepped away from performing, now she’s opened up about why she’s “glad” she did it.  

Emma Watson is now 33, and in an interview with British Vogue, she explained how entering her 30s was also a “moment of real change.” This shift led to her directing her first commercial, starting her master’s in creative writing, and ultimately stepping away from acting. When asked if it’s been easy to turn down roles, she said:

Continuing to speak about what she’s done since making her last film, which was Greta Gerwig’s 2019 adaptation of Little Women, Emma Watson explained that sometimes her characters felt “much realer” than her. She had been consistently working since she was 10, so I can totally see where she’s coming from. Continuing to explain this point and why she’s left the spotlight, she said that she’s made an effort to try new things:

It’s nice to see that Watson has found some of her “own voice and creative space and sovereignty” by taking a break from acting. She has said in the past that she “wasn’t very happy” performing, noting that it made her feel “a bit caged.” Now, she feels more free.

In between being part of the Little Women cast and now, the Meg March actress has directed a Prada commercial, continued her work as an activist and even started a gin brand with her brother Alex, called Renais. However, while she’s taken a substantial break from acting, make no mistake, Emma Watson is not retiring, as she said she’ll “absolutely” return for the right project.  

While we likely won’t be seeing an Emma Watson project on the 2024 movie schedule, she still has a lot going on to get excited about! So, as we wait to see what she does next, you can stream the films that started her career – the Harry Potter movies – with a Max subscription.  

I’m no fashion enthusiast by any means, but I am enough of a movie and TV fan that sometimes certain outfits will call to mind onscreen entertainment I’ve seen. This could range from thinking that a dress someone is wearing to a red carpet event reminds me of something one of the Disney Princesses would wear, to even just thinking some dude in a tuxedo resembles James Bond. And then there’s Emma Watson’s latest fashion choice: she wore a bra with a blazer to a movie premiere, and all I can think about is Seinfeld… not that there’s anything wrong with that.

Before we get into why this is calling to mind the popular sitcom that ran from 1989 to 1998, let’s first look at Watson’s distinctive outfit as seen below. Below the Harry Potter actress is pictured next to education activist Malala Yousafzai and director Waad Al-Kateab while attending the world premiere of the latter’s new movie, We Dare to Dream, at Cineworld Leicester Square in London.

Once again, I’m the least-qualified person to comment on whether Emma Watson showing off her bra is fashionable or not. What I’m more than qualified to do is talk about how this reminds of the Seinfeld Season 7 episode “The Caddy.” While not necessarily one of the best Seinfeld episodes, it is still quite memorable, particularly for its plot concerning one Sue Ellen Mischke, the arch-enemy of Elaine Benes and heir to the Oh Henry! Candy bar fortune, played by Supergirl’s Heidi Swinberg. 

Annoyed that Sue Ellen never wears a bra, Elaine passive aggressively gives her one for her birthday, but Sue Ellen turns the tables by walking out in public wearing that as a top with her blazer. Not only does this inspire Elaine’s boss Peterman to start selling bras as tops at the J. Peterman Company, but Kramer accidentally crashes his car because he was distracted by Sue Ellen’s outfit while driving around. He sues her on Elaine’s suggestion, and the story culminates in an amusing parody of the O.J. Simpson murder trial, where Kramer unwisely takes legal advice from his caddy Stan and has Sue Ellen try on the bra over her leotard. It doesn’t fit, thus losing Kramer the case, much to his lawyer Jackie Chiles’ frustration.

I’m not saying that Emma Watson was inspired by Seinfeld to wear a bra as a top, though I’d certainly be delighted if that was the case. Still, it’s been almost 30 years since “The Caddy” originally aired, and I’m sure plenty of other women have worn bras as tops out in public without being aware of the episode either, and Watson could easily have been following in their footsteps. In any case, this is just another way the actress has shined on the fashion front this year. She also shared photos of herself glamoured up following the 2023 Oscars and caught attention on social media for a “magic” dress she wore that looked like it was floating.

As far as her professional life goes, Watson doesn’t have any movies or TV shows lined up, but you can stream her last movie, 2019’s Little Women, if you’re subscribed to Star either directly or through an add-on to your Hulu subscription. If you’re now in the mood to watch Seinfeld, it can be accessed with a Netflix subscription.

Leading characters draw us into the movies. But every once in a while, a strong supporting player can leave us talking about their scene-stealing performances, or the untapped potential they left on the table because they didn’t get as much screen time as we thought they deserved. The following characters all stood out in their respective films. And the main thing they all have in common is that we all wish they got more time on screen, because they were so much fun.

Les Grossman

The Hollywood satire Tropic Thunder took huge swings at the entertainment industry, with a group of spoiled actors tasked with making a war picture getting mistaken for actual soldiers and getting captured behind enemy lines. But it was an unrecognizable Tom Cruise, playing tough-talking studio executive Les Grossman, who danced away with the picture. There was talk of a Les Grossman movie coming out one day. I hope that’s still on the table. 

Lester Bangs

There’s nothing better than when a young up-and-comer finds the perfect mentor. Philip Seymour Hoffman played that role to perfection in Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous. Rock journalist Lester Bangs showed William Miller (Patrick Fugit) what his future could hold, and it wasn’t always bright. But in Hoffman’s hands, it was raw, honest, real, and very uncool.

Blake

Always be closing. It’s a mantra we can all recite because Alec Baldwin was so convincing in the movie adaptation of the brilliant stage play Glengarry Glenn Ross. His character, Blake, is supposed to be motivating a team of salesmen, played by a murderer’s row of character actors (Al Pacino, Ed Harris, and Jack Lemmon). So for any actor to come in and dominate that room is impressive. Plus, the moment Blake’s gone from the screen, you immediately want him back. Leave them wanting more.   

Megan Price

It takes a lot to emerge from the pack of gifted comedians assembled for Bridesmaids and be the one that people are talking about. Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph were at their peak, while Rose Byrne and Ellie Kemper were making noise leading into it. But Melissa McCarthy ripped Bridesmaids away from those ladies, partially by doing something nasty in a sink, but also by creating an unforgettable character who had quirks, compassion, and a formidable funny bone.

Floyd

We didn’t realize at the time of True Romance that we were watching an actor who would go on to become one of the biggest movie stars on the planet. But in his scant few scenes as couch surfer Floyd, Brad Pitt demonstrated his ability to completely lose himself in a character, sell a vibe, and hang with fellow heavy hitters like James Gandolfini and Christian Slater. A star was born. 

Spider-Ham

When the multiverse opened up in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) met all sorts of strange versions of his spider hero. The strangest, and most interesting, had to be the heroic Spider-Ham, a pig in costume who… ate hot dogs? Spider-Verse remains one of the best Spider-Man movies ever made, and it’s because of unexpected inclusions in the cast like this. 

Rod Tidwell

Show him the money, Jerry. At its heart, Jerry Maguire is a love story. It’s also a human journey, where a self-centered sports agent learns how to love himself again. But Jerry Maguire takes flight every time Cuba Gooding Jr. lights up the screen. His football star Rod Tidwell gives Jerry purpose, and Gooding gave Cruise the ideal foil on screen. Like so many people on this list, the role was so good, it earned him an Oscar win. Well deserved.

The Wolf

His name is Winston. He solves problems. He shows up in Quentin Tarantino’s masterpiece, Pulp Fiction, at a time when Jules (Samuel L. Jackson) and Vincent (John Travolta) have a very big one. Harvey Keitel owns the role, but there are so many questions we have regarding The Wolf (including the party he’s throwing, his tuxedo, and how he got to be known for this task), you could easily do a Pulp Fiction spinoff all about him, and I’d watch it a thousand times.

Spike

We have a few people on this list who are bummy roommates stealing scenes by loafing around. That’s how Rhys Ifans steals Notting Hill away from Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. The film is as romantic as they come, but Ifans makes sure all of his scenes as Spike are equally hilarious.

Ken

There are so many Kens to choose from. Barbie Land has its fair share of male dolls. But I have to go with Simu Liu’s competitive Ken, who holds a grudge against Ryan Gosling’s Ken, seems to have the upperhand on him at every turn, and practically demands more screen time so we can figure out what makes this Ken tick.    

Mark Hanna

I don't exactly know what Matthew McConaughey is channeling in his The Wolf of Wall Street scene. I know it's primal. I know it's unpredictable. I know it's unlike anything I have ever seen before. And I know that the movie needed more of it... whatever it is. Now, start beating your chest. 

Captain Dickson

Ice Cube might be a teddy bear in real life, but he portrays “angry” so easily that if he were to yell at me, I’d turn into a puddle. So there’s something special about the way that he yells at Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill in 21 Jump Street and its sequel. He makes it funny. Still scary. But also pretty hysterical.

Paloma

The most recent James Bond thriller, No Time to Die, was structured as a sendoff for Daniel Craig. But throughout it, we met a new 007 in Lashana Lynch, and watched Bond fight alongside a feisty agent, Paloma (Ana de Armas), who we’d love to see on screen again.

The Critic

Pixar’s classic, Ratatouille, focuses on a fledgling cook and the rat who helps him create vivid dishes. But they mostly want to please a discerning critic, who picks and chooses his moments, then excels with a return to his childhood courtesy of a bite of food that brings him back. I loved every scene with the Critic in Ratatouille, and wanted more of him. 

Nigel

The three women at the head of The Devil Wears Prada dominate the scene, Meryl Streep is flawless as a fashion editor, while Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt excel as worker bees earning her favor. But the character I wish we had more time with is Nigel, played to crisp perfection by the wonderful Stanley Tucci. He has history with Miranda Priestly, and more story to be told there. 

Rudy Reyes

In a superhero movie, all eyes are on the hero (and also usually the villain). And DC’s most recent Blue Beetle delivered plenty of exciting new twists to the story of Jaime Reyes (Xolo Mariduena), including leaning on his family. And in that tight-knit group we found Rudy Reyes (George Lopez), the paranoid uncle with one eye on the government who also ended up being one of the funniest characters in the DCU. More Rudy, whenever Blue Beetle shows up again in James Gunn’s comic universe. 

Grace

Edie McClurg is a legend. She created so many memorable characters in classic 1980s comedies. For the purpose of this feature, I’m going to single out the clueless receptionist Grace that she played in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. She made a pencil funny. But there has to be an extra shout out for her turn opposite Steve Martin in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. The lady knew how to make the absolute most of her screen time, and it was never enough. 

Chet

The late Bill Paxton made every movie better. Be it Aliens, Apollo 13, Twister, or the hilariously bizarre Weird Science, Paxton committed fully, and demonstrated immense range. Chet might be one of the worst characters created for the screen… but he’s so deliciously evil to his brother in the teen comedy that we relished every moment Paxton was on the screen. Even when he was a blob of garbage. 

Emma Watson

This is a fun aspect of this list. Some people are able to steal scenes by playing themselves. The armageddon spoof This is the End allowed several celebrities to play enhanced versions of their Hollywood personas, and Harry Potter icon Emma Watson seemed to really enjoy lampooning her image during her too-brief cameo. 

Gin Slagel

Bernie Mac left us too soon. The man was a powerhouse comedian, a larger than life personality that owned the screen every moment he occupied it for a comedy, or even a comedic thriller (like as part of the ensembles of the Ocean’s movies). Some might forget that he was a part of Bad Santa, a holiday staple marked by Billy Bob Thornton’s memorably dark performance. But Mac’s role as mall security makes him the ideal foil for Thornton, and he needed plenty more time on the screen. 

Pizza Poppa

If there’s one thing we know about Pizza Poppa (Bruce Campbell), it’s that he gets paid. Sam Raimi loves Campbell. And we love Campbell in Raimi movies, including  when he showed up for an all-too-brief and strange (no pun intended) cameo in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The appearance makes good use of Campbell’s physical comedy, and also leads to a spot-on end credits scene.  

The Bus Driver

There’s a trend on this list. Comedic performers who left us too soon. Chris Farley belongs on that list. And while he will always have his standalone hit in Tommy Boy, but it’s his cameos that hit me the most. I loved him in Adam Sandler’s Billy Madison as the disgruntled bus driver, who amuses himself by stealing kids’ lunches. 

Boris Podgorny

Another one of the classic mentor roles, this one appearing in Steven Spielberg’s autobiographical winner, The Fabelmans. Young Sammy Fabelman needed a voice of reason at an important point in his maturation. It came in the form of his visiting uncle (Judd Hirsch), who shared tales of the circus, and a life spent entertaining. Hirsch was a spark that ignited the story, and his absence was felt during the remainder of the film. 

T.D.K.

Mind you, almost everyone in the opening scene of James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad could be on this list. They all exit the screen in spectacular fashion, and much earlier than anticipated. But I’m going with Nathan Fillion’s T.D.K., mainly because of what his power is. And if you don’t know yet, go put this movie on now and enjoy.

Large Marge

Alice Elizabeth Nunn doesn’t have a long list of acting credits. If you, like me, grew up on Tim Burton’s Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, though, you will remember her as Large Marge. Her legend grows by the day. So when you get to the rest stop, tell them Large Marge sent you.

Steven

John Cena has mastered the art of scene stealing. The all-star wrestler seamlessly transitioned over to the silver screen, thanks to hilarious and go-for-broke performances like the one he gives opposite Amy Schumer in Trainwreck. Part of me wishes that Cena got the girl in this movie. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. 

Gloria Cleary

I miss the days when Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson were good for an annual comedy. Wedding Crashers probably ranks as the duo’s best, and while many single out Will Ferrell’s bathrobe-wearing bachelor as the standout character, I wanted more screen time with the irascible Isla Fisher, who goes toe-to-toe with Vaughn and emerges as the most memorable comedian in this wild ensemble. 

Trudi Frazer

Quentin Tarantino is a master at creating unforgettable characters. Even one of the smaller roles will still grab you, and not let go. Young Julia Butters owns the screen opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. She’s a savvy kid actor with more confidence than DiCaprio’s Rick Dalton will ever have. I want to know the type of career that Trudi went on to have, because she’s a fascinating slice of a complicated pie that only Tarantino can cook up.

Whiskey

On the surface, it seems like Whiskey (Madelyn Cline) doesn’t belong with the group that has gathered on the island in Glass Onion. But the more that you learn about her, the more you realize she has as many games to play as the rest of them. Cline leaves us wondering how Whiskey earned her seat at the table, but that’s the point of this list. Lingering questions surround almost all of these interesting characters.

Peter

Sugar Bear. Peter (Rob Delaney) is Deadpool’s favorite member of his new super-powered team, X-Force. Peter has no powers. He’s just positive, and willing to play along. He’s the best part of Deadpool 2, and the movie definitely needed more of him.

Gary

"How can that be profitable for Frito Lay?" All that Gary (Jesse Plemons) wants to do is participate in Game Night. Sure, he’s socially awkward. But given the problems that surface in the group as the movie unfurls, Gary would be an ideal player. Just, keep the blood off of his dog, please. 

Chirrut Imwe

Listen, I want more Donnie Yen in everything. He blew us away in John Wick: Chapter 4, and has a rich history of dominating Asian cinema. But it’s his blind hero in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story that I think demands more time. And given the existence of Disney+ shows like Andor, I think more Donnie Yen in that Galaxy far far away is a distinct possibility. 

The acting world lost a true icon last week, as the incomparable Sir Michael Gambon passed away at the age of 82 after a bout with pneumonia. Gambon was arguably most recognized for his fan-favorite performance as Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter franchise. However, aside from his turn as the powerful and amiable wizard, he played a plethora of other roles and amassed quite a body of work. He teamed up with quite a few Hollywood heavyweights in the process as well, including Kevin Costner and Hugh Jackman, who shared memories of working with him over the years.

Kevin Costner had the pleasure of collaborating with Michael Gambon on the 2003 western Open Range, which he directed. The Yellowstone star took to his Instagram stories to honor his colleague by sharing a still of Gambon from the movie. Costner also included a message about having had the opportunity to direct the actor. You can see his social media post down below

In that movie, the Irish-British performer played a despicable rancher who rules a small Montana town with an iron fist. That was surely a major departure from his role as the jovial headmaster of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Then again, the Othello star was something of a chameleon, as he seemingly had no trouble jumping into a variety of roles. Hugh Jackman appears to be one of the many who was impressed by his work as indicated by his own Instagram stories post. Jackman also recalled getting to work with him on the short film Standing Room Only, which was directed by Deborra-Lee Furness – his wife, from whom he just separated:

After his death, Michael Gambon also received sweet tributes from his Harry Potter co-stars, who made note of his talent and humorous presence on set. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Jason Isaacs were among those to pay their respects. Another notable icon of the Wizarding World franchise to weigh in was Emma Watson. The beloved Hermione Granger actress shared a still of Gambon in character as Dumbledore and penned a message about how he approached his work: 

Another person who was fortunate enough to work with the star during his career was Marvel and Mission: Impossible star Hayley Atwell. She worked with the acclaimed stage and screen actor on the 2008 drama Brideshead Revisited. Atwell posted through Instagram as well, sharing a still from the movie and some lovely sentiments: 

The outpouring of love for Michael Gambon has been simply wonderful to see, and fellow actors aren’t the only ones celebrating his life. A number of fans at Universal Studios Orlando lovingly marked his passing by raising their wands in front of the Hogwarts replica at the park. Said moment was meant to resemble a scene from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, in which the residents of the school honored Dumbledore after his own death. 

It’s always tough whenever a beloved talent passes away, and that’s certainly the case when it comes to the Amazing Grace alum. Thinking more positively though, you can’t help but smile over the fact that he’s getting his flowers from Hollywood A-listers and fans alike. 

We here at CinemaBlend continue to extend our condolences to the family and loved ones of Michael Gambon during this time. Those who'd like to honor the actor's past work can also read up on the best films starring Gambon that are available to watch.

Emma Watson is one of the most underrated stylish celebrities. She keeps it simple, using elements of traditional Hollywood glam and comfortable streetwear to generate adorable looks. To me, the best thing about her style is that it’s replicable, making it easy for fans to pull from some of her best fashion moments for their own style. She hasn’t been seen on the big screen in a while, but her Milan Fashion Week ensemble was enough to satisfy fans of the actress, as the Harry Potter alum sported a stunning look at the fashion event. 

Some use fashion week as an opportunity to experiment with big, maximalist outfits, but Watson took it back to the basics when she stepped out in Italy this week. The Little Women star rocked a preppy white mock-neck sweater, paired with a classic double-breasted black mini skirt. She styled the look with a simple pair of nude heels and a casual hair and makeup look. The ensemble was adorned with gold buttons, adding a '60s flair. You can see her below:

The entire street style was designed by Prada, a brand Watson is an ambassador for. She makes the basics look effortlessly chic, showing a cute outfit idea as the colder months begin. You can see another photo below:

She looks so incredible in this outfit; I’m about to buy a million white sweaters and black skirts ASAP. While experimenting with fashion is such a fun part of the industry, there’s something so magnetizing and cool about styling classic elements that people have access to. Watson has worn unique pieces before, like the viral floating dress she posted on her Instagram, but her inner beauty truly shines with more understated pieces. I’m still not over that elegant lace Fendi gown The Beauty and the Beast actress wore to the Oscars this year. 

While Watson may be seen frequently in the fashion world, rocking cute looks and directing Prada campaigns, she hasn’t been seen on the silver screen in a while. After starring as Meg March in Little Women back in 2019, she stepped away from acting, prompting many to speculate the 33-year-old was retiring from the biz. She later cited her own unhappiness in the creative process as her reason for taking a break from movies. 

This hasn’t stopped the Bling Ring star from pursuing other professional endeavors, including owning a gin brand called Renais with her brother, and expressing an interest in working behind the camera. Watson also continues to be a UN Ambassador and a women’s rights activist. 

Fans may be missing Watson gracing us with her acting talents, but, they still can rely on her being a consistent source of fashion inspiration. Many celebrities have been embracing the subtle “quiet-luxury” trend as seen on shows like Succession, and in the closet of influencers like Sofia Richie. However, Watson has been showing off low-key looks for decades. Her outfits have always been as gorgeous as they are timeless, just like the actress herself. 

You can see Emma Watson's most recent performance in Greta Gerwig’s Little Women, which is available now on Starz. Fans should also check out our feature on what else to watch from the Hermione actress, including some of her roles outside of the Potter-verse. 

Emma Watson is known for many of her iconic movies from over the years, including Belle in the live-action Beauty and the Beast, and, of course, Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series. And we can't forget about her role as Sam in the indie, coming-of-age drama The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Since its release, Sam has lived on through the hearts of many who saw the movie during their formative years. It seemingly has stuck with Watson as well, who recently revealed she still carries around a gift from the writer and creator of the movie. 

The movie was adapted from a book by Stephen Chbosky, who also wrote and directed the film. Both the movie and book are full of literary references to classic novels, so giving Emma Watson one of these classics is very fitting. The Little Women star revealed that the author gave her a T.S. Eliot book of poems, with an absolutely touching inscription when she graduated college. She read Chbosky’s message during a Vogue interview, and it said:

What an unbelievably sweet and profound message, and so perfectly fitting for the content of the movie that they made for each other. In the film, Logan Lerman’s Charlie writes down the happenings of his young adulthood in a series of letters, and he gives books as gifts. Also the quote “we were infinite” is one of the most memorable from the source material, and it has lived on in pop culture. Its utilization here is so special, and clearly means a lot to Watson if she still carries it with her. 

The movie in question was released in 2012, and starred Lerman and Watson, along with Ezra Miller, Paul Rudd, and Nina Dobrev. It has immensely emotional and adult themes, while also being targeted towards young adults, which is why Perks of Being A Wallflower still ages great on the rewatch. While there are several differences between the Chbosky novel and the film, the movie is still very faithful, which likely can be accredited to the shared creative mind behind the projects. Watson plays a complicated character, and the actress's own intellectualism shines through in Sam, making her perfect for the part. 

The coming-of-age nature of the Chbosky/Watson collaboration makes the author the perfect person to give the Harry Potter alum something for such a coming-of-age moment. Graduating from college was a massive achievement for Watson, and it's something her character really strives for during the film. I truly can’t think of anything more perfect. I’d love to see these two work together again someday, but in the meantime, Watson still has a piece from this wonderful past experience to take with her everywhere. 

You can revisit Emma Watson’s touching performance in The Perks of Being a Wallflower with an Amazon Prime subscription. Fans of the actress can also check out our feature on what else to watch from The Bling Ring star.

When you've acted in a film franchise for many years, it's natural that one would get very close to their castmates. It’s a bonding experience that very few people can relate to and, often, the people you share it with become your closest friends. That was true for the cast of the Harry Potter series who essentially grew up together on the set, due to starting work on 2001's Sorcerer's Stone as tweens. They even almost got tattoos to commemorate their experience. However, Daniel Radcliffe couldn’t commit to getting inked alongside Rupert Grint and Emma Watson, and he had a good (and funny) reason why.

What Was Being Planned For The Group Tattoos?

It's not out of the ordinary for stars to get tattoos to commemorate a movie experience, especially those who are part of a long-running franchise. The main cast of the Avengers all got matching tatts after Avengers: Endgame, except for Mark Ruffalo, who remains a holdout. The Lord of the Rings cast also got inked to mark the three films that they did together. The cast of Suicide Squad even received tattoos, despite only doing the one movie. It's understandable that after spending 10 years working on Harry Potter, that its triumvirate of co-leads would want to do the same. In an interview with The Mirror, Rupert Grint (who played Ron Weasley) said at the time:

A lightning bolt would’ve been perfect. It would be small and easily concealable, while also being a great tribute to the series. A little Deathly Hallows symbol also would’ve been a good pick, as it so specifically relates to the lore of the franchise. Designing something new and unique like the Avengers did could've also been neat. However, those tattoo dreams eventually died. While there may have been talk, they all never ended up going through with it. I suppose even a small tattoo was just too big of a commitment.

Why Daniel Radcliffe Was The Hold Out

It’s hard to commit to cast tattoos when Harry Potter himself doesn’t want to get inked. In a past interview with The Guardian, Daniel Radcliffe revealed he doesn’t have any intention of ever getting tatted. That's mostly because of the cover-up situation that would’ve had to take place while playing different characters, and the roles the Swiss Army Man actor has booked post Potter. He explained his aversion to body art, saying:

You might chuckle at the logic, but he makes a good point. Since Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe has taken a lot of projects that involve nudity like Horns and Equuis, which was a stage production. Because he had to show off his body for these roles, he prefers being a blank canvas (physically) in order to fully embody a character. Radcliffe has gone out of his way to take very different roles following HP, doing so to establish himself as a character actor. A lightning bolt tattoo probably would’ve been somewhat distracting for those watching him in the audience. Plus, the star probably also wanted to further distance himself from his iconic role.

Still, it's been so long since Potter finished and, at this point, all of the primary actors have taken on different roles and established themselves as versatile actors in their own right. The Imperium star is one of the most interesting character actors working today, seamlessly playing a kooky action movie villain in The Lost City and Weird Al Yankovic in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (despite any worries) all in one year. He hasn't done too much nudity in his more recent roles. All in all, he's come a long way since playing The Boy Who Live. Unfortunately though, I still think the tattoo ship has sailed. 

You can catch Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe in all eight Harry Potter movies, which are streaming now with a Max subscription. Fans of Radcliffe can also check out his Emmy nominated performance in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story which is streaming on The Roku Channel. 

While actor Emma Watson is known for the various blockbusters in her acting career,  she is also known as someone who stands for kindness and equality. The intersection between such noble efforts and her Hollywood work has once again been explored, thanks to Watson revealing how she saved a mouse from being attacked by her house pets. Which, of course, triggered a bunch of magical responses, despite her role in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 closing out her participation in the Wizarding World over a decade ago.

Emma Watson revealed her new little friend, whom she named Jerry, to the world on social media. Along with the photo you see below, the Beauty and the Beast star lays out the terrible fate little Jerry almost suffered, in the caption included below:  

Oh Jerry, those chocolate digestive biscuits are tasty. But I’m not that sure that I’d jump into a pit of tigers and wolves to grab one. Though I think I could face off against a cat and dog in that sort of scenario, depending on what their temperaments were like. Judging by Watson’s previous gushings on her dog Sofia, I’d say my chances would be good; and I’d be doing her a favor, as chocolate is poison to dogs. 

As one would have expected, and as I promised in the beginning of this mousterpiece, Harry Potter fans have thrown a lot of key references into the comments of this post. Admittedly, even though Emma Watson stepped away from acting partially because of feeling unhappy after riding the Potter wave, even she probably chuckled when reading the selection of responses you can see below: 

• “Oh no I thought you adopted scabbers.” - cafedisco96
• “Wait, is that Peter Pettigrew?” - mhariamancia
• “Hermione feeding Wormtail to Crookshanks. The plot twist we all deserved.” - wizardingworldinsta
• “just like Hermione helping Goblins” - sohlth
• “Most importantly, did Jerry get the chocolate digestive biscuit?” - pcallahan_12

Ok before we dive into the jokes that reference Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’s big twist that Scabbers the Rat was secretly Voldemort simp Peter Pettigrew, I have to highlight that last response. While this story of Jerry the Mouse surviving his run-in with Ms. Watson’s pets is touching, I too need to know if he got the biscuit he coveted so much he risked his life. Putting that aside, let’s get back to the Harry Potter comedy.

Of course Peter Pettigrew’s secret life was going to be the recurring theme here. I still remember reading J.K. Rowling’s novels for the first time and discovering that all was not right with Ron Weasley’s pet. After almost three whole books of Hermione’s cat Crookshanks trying to eat him, that smart cat seemed to take after its human in trying to save the day with knowledge.

So when there are jokes about Wormtail getting eaten before he can start the story down a horrible path, I know myself and other Harry Potter fans truly feel that. Though it should also be noted that the mention of Hermione’s support of equality throughout the Wizazrding World aptly mirrors Emma Watson’s profile as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador.

It's also a good reminder about all the Hermione subplots we might finally see realized on screen. That last thought is especially exciting, since what we know about Max’s Harry Potter series calls for a “decade-long series” to adapt all seven books. So just when you thought the tale of Peter Pettigrew had potentially faded from memory, these comments have arrived to prove that assumption wrong for some time to come. 

For now, the world has another reason to hold Emma Watson in high regard, as well as the potential demand for a follow-up on the story of Jerry and his digestive chocolate biscuit quest. And as for the executive who caught heat for securing the rights to Harry Potter, this is just another effective reminder that sometimes, you've gotta go for the risk.