16 Times Actors Wished They’d Said No to These Roles

Not every movie or TV show turns out to be a masterpiece. Some become timeless classics that fans revisit for years, while others fade into obscurity—or worse, become infamous for all the wrong reasons. Sure, there are those “so bad they’re good” films that earn a cult following, but that’s not what we’re diving into today. Instead, we’re looking at actors who later regretted taking on certain roles.

Now, it’s not always about the quality of the film or show itself. Some of these projects were actually well-received, but the experience of playing the role took a toll on the actor. Whether it was the emotional strain, the physical demands, or being typecast so heavily that they couldn’t escape the shadow of the character, these stars found themselves wishing they’d passed on the opportunity.

Take Daniel Radcliffe, for example. He’ll forever be known as Harry Potter, and while he’s embraced that legacy, not every actor feels the same way about being tied to a single role. For some, it’s a source of frustration or regret.

So, let’s take a closer look at some actors who, for one reason or another, ended up wishing they’d turned down certain roles. Keep scrolling to see who made the list.

#1 David Schwimmer in Friends

Even though Friends became one of the most iconic sitcoms of all time, David Schwimmer has admitted that playing Ross Geller wasn’t always a walk in the park. While the show brought him fame and success, he struggled with being so closely associated with the character. At one point, he even considered leaving the series early on, fearing he’d be typecast forever. Though he ultimately stayed, the role of Ross became both a blessing and a burden for Schwimmer.

#2 Jared Leto in Morbius

Jared Leto is no stranger to polarizing roles, and his take on the Joker in Suicide Squad already had fans divided. But Morbius? That was the final straw. The film was universally panned, and Leto’s intense method-acting approach behind the scenes only added fuel to the fire. While he’s known for fully immersing himself in his characters, this time it didn’t translate well on screen—or with audiences. For Leto, Morbius became a career low point that even his dedication couldn’t salvage.

#3 Camila Cabello in Cinderella

Camila Cabello stepped into the world of acting with high hopes, taking on the lead role in this modern musical adaptation of Cinderella. While her singing was, unsurprisingly, a highlight, her acting fell a bit flat. The movie itself didn’t quite hit the mark, leaving fans and critics underwhelmed. For Cabello, it was a bold first step into acting, but one that didn’t quite live up to expectations.

#4 Michael B. Jordan in Black Panther

Black Panther is widely celebrated as a groundbreaking film, and Michael B. Jordan’s portrayal of Killmonger, the complex and sympathetic villain, was a major reason for its success. However, the emotional weight of the role took a toll on Jordan. He’s spoken openly about the mental and emotional challenges he faced while bringing Killmonger to life. While the performance was praised, the personal cost was something Jordan had to grapple with long after the cameras stopped rolling.

#5 Angelina Jolie in Eternals

When Angelina Jolie joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fans were thrilled. After all, she’s an Oscar-winning actor with a stellar reputation. But Eternals didn’t quite deliver the magic everyone hoped for. Jolie’s performance, while solid, felt underutilized in a film that struggled to find its footing. For someone of her caliber, the project was a rare misstep in an otherwise impressive career. It’s safe to say this Marvel venture didn’t live up to the hype—for Jolie or the audience.

#6 Pamela Anderson in Barb Wire

Pamela was convinced this film would catapult her into Hollywood’s A-list—maybe even land her an Oscar. Instead? She walked away with a Golden Raspberry. Not quite the career boost she was hoping for.

#7 Madonna in Die Another Day

Madonna has talent, no doubt. But this Bond flick? Oof. Her brief role as a fencing instructor was so widely panned that it put an abrupt halt to any serious acting ambitions she had.

#8 Dev Patel in The Last Airbender

Dev Patel is a phenomenal actor, but not even he could save The Last Airbender from disaster. With a script that bad, no one could. Safe to say, he’s steered clear of superhero-esque roles ever since.

#9 Emile Hirsch in Speed Racer

Sometimes a movie is so bad it drags the actor down with it. That’s exactly what happened with Speed Racer. While Hirsch has managed to rebuild his career, it was never quite the same after this neon-fueled train wreck.

#10 January Jones in X-Men: First Class

Her performance in X-Men: First Class was widely criticized, and rumors of a behind-the-scenes romance with director Matthew Vaughn didn’t help matters. Unfortunately, it all put a dent in her Hollywood trajectory.

#11 Meg Ryan in Proof of Life

The movie itself wasn’t a total disaster, but Meg’s highly publicized affair with Russell Crowe overshadowed everything else. The controversy led her to step away from the spotlight for a while.

#12 Faye Dunaway in Mommie Dearest

Playing Joan Crawford took a serious mental toll on Faye, and whispers about her alleged diva-like behavior on set didn’t do her any favors. The film is now a cult classic, but it didn’t do her career any good at the time.

#13 Mischa Barton in The O.C.

Mischa skyrocketed to fame with The O.C., but the pressure of stardom was overwhelming. She stepped back from Hollywood for three years before making her return.

#14 Jessica Alba in An Invisible Sign

Jessica Alba has always had star power, but this film was a major misstep. Her performance was widely criticized, leading her to be much more selective about roles moving forward.

#15 Hugh Grant in Did You Hear About the Morgans?

Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker had about as much chemistry as oil and water. The movie flopped, and Grant’s career took a nosedive—at least until he made a strong comeback with films like Cloud Atlas.

#16 Jessica Chastain in The 355

The 355 was, well…forgettable. Jessica wisely moved on as quickly as possible, jumping into new roles to put this misfire in the rearview mirror.