BATMAN BEGINS (2005)
CHARACTER: Rachel Dawes (Katie Holmes)
As the one recurring character whose actor was not asked back for the sequel, you have to wonder: Where did Katie Holmes go wrong? Holmes’ casting as Bruce Wayne’s childhood crush turned Assistant District Attorney feels like a throwback to earlier superhero films that dropped any old hot young actress into the fold (Alicia Silverstone, et al), except that here she’s the lone American surrounded by brilliant UK thesps (Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Liam Neeson) and oddly sounding like the only one faking an accent.
FANTASTIC FOUR (2005) & FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER (2007)
CHARACTER: Dr. Doom (Julian McMahon)
It’s funny that Dr. Doom is encased in metal, because we know exactly what’s inside that tin can: HAM! Tim Story’s two Fantastic Four flicks are not known for their subtlety, yet McMahon always seems to be reaching for a phantom mustache on his face to twirl, lest even the most emotionally tone-deaf three year old in the audience forget he’s the bad guy. We only hope Toby Kebbell can tone it down a tad as the good Doctor for next year’s reboot.
Head to the final page to see when good actors go bad, very bad.
