Actors Who Have Bad Memories of the Characters They Played

Not all roles are played by actors for their artistic value or the genuine connection they feel with a given character. Some stars later regret getting involved in a project that now evokes only bad emotions in them, is the opposite of their worldview, and promotes stereotypical or toxic attitudes. Interestingly, even characters that made them internationally recognizable can today be their least favorite in their careers. Here are examples of actors who certainly wouldn’t take on their famous film or TV characters today.

Robert Pattinson – Edward Cullen (“Twilight”)

It’s hard to find an actor who has expressed public disdain for his character more often than Robert Pattinson. His role in “Harry Potter” and then in the “Twilight” series brought him international popularity and sympathy, especially from female fans. However, the actor has never hidden that he doesn’t understand the public’s fascination with Stephanie Meyer’s saga and has given even highly controversial interviews criticizing not only his character but the entire universe. Right after the premiere of the first film, he faced a firestorm of criticism following his famous statement in which he expressed surprise that the books, being a kind of sexual fantasy of the author, were even published. In an interview with Empire magazine, he admitted that the more he read the script, the more he hated Edward. He also emphasized in his statements that, in his opinion, the “Twilight” mania among teenagers was just a fashion trend that did not represent high quality.

Viola Davis – Aibileen (“The Help”)

Viola Davis is another actress who regrets one of her most recognizable roles. Practically the entire cast of “The Help” deserves laurels, but Aibileen and Minny irreversibly stole viewers’ hearts (for Octavia Spencer, participation in the film even earned her an Oscar). Nevertheless, years later, Davis decided to speak candidly about what she thought of Tate Taylor’s project. In an interview with The New York Times, the actress clearly emphasized that working with such talented actresses was an honor for her and that the friendships made on set would stay with her for life. However, what she regrets about the production is the way the stories of black maids were told. In her opinion, the film paid insufficient attention to the characters played by her and Spencer, instead focusing on the experiences of the white elite, represented in the film by characters played by Jessica Chastain and Bryce Dallas Howard. Taylor’s work became a cult project that opened doors to careers for many cast members, but both Davis and several others involved in the production remain decidedly critical of it today.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt – Tom Hansen (“500 Days of Summer”)

Viewers remember him as a charming romantic who experiences a full spectrum of emotions over the titular 500 days, from infatuation to building a relationship, and ultimately the pain of losing his beloved Summer (Zooey Deschanel). However, actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who played Tom, does not recall the role in only positive terms. Although “500 Days of Summer” appears on almost every list of the best romantic films of recent years, according to the actor known for “Inception” and “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” his character’s behavior could be considered toxic. In an interview with Playboy, he advised fans who sympathize with Tom to watch the film again carefully and see that he actually has an unhealthy obsession with the girl he sees as the only purpose in life. The “I want you so badly” approach seems attractive to some people, especially the younger ones. Many boys and girls think their lives will gain meaning if they find a partner who wants nothing but them. That’s not healthy. Though the interview is from 2011, the actor still holds this opinion today – in 2018, he even engaged in a Twitter discussion with a fan, trying to make him realize that the breakup of the characters was mainly due to Tom’s behavior.

Katherine Heigl – Alison Scott (“Knocked Up”)

“Knocked Up,” directed by Judd Apatow, is the story of Alison and Ben, who face unexpected consequences after a night together. Alison gets pregnant and, before making a final decision about her future, decides to get to know the father of her child better. The actress playing the lead character, Katherine Heigl, did not mince words, describing the film as sometimes sexist, degrading, and depicting women in a bad light. Apatow’s work often balanced on the edge of good taste with stereotypical jokes and obscene behavior from the main character and his friends. Heigl expressed her regret about the production most strongly during an interview on Howard Stern’s show. Some characters were exaggerated, and it was sometimes hard for me to accept. Why am I playing such a bitch? Why is she always unhappy? Why are women portrayed this way? 98% of the film was a great experience, but it was hard for me to love it.

Jamie Dornan – Christian Grey (“Fifty Shades of Grey”)

Both Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan, who played Anastasia and Christian, are doing everything they can to erase the memories of the image failure that the contract for three erotic films based on E.L. James’ prose was for them. Dornan has repeatedly mentioned that although the whole world saw him as a commanding and uncompromising seducer since 2015, he and his character are as different as possible. I don’t know if I’ve ever played a character more unlike myself (…) All my friends are open and very funny – I can’t imagine sitting in a bar with him (Christian). He wouldn’t be my type of friend – the actor summarized in one interview. Dornan had several other reasons to genuinely hate his character. In an interview with The Independent, the Irishman revealed that after the worldwide success of the film, his family life suffered – the most stressful experience was for him and his loved ones was a stalker breaking into their private property unnoticed.

Marlon Brando – Stanley Kowalski (“A Streetcar Named Desire”)

One of the most famous actors of all time, a proponent of method acting, Marlon Brando also hated the role that went down in history, made him a sex symbol, and opened doors to other unforgettable projects. The artist, who played Stanley Kowalski in the original 1947 Broadway production of “A Streetcar Named Desire,” reprised his role four years later for the film adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ work. And it was this character that he disliked the most of all he played. In a 1957 interview with The New Yorker, he said of his character: I am the absolute opposite of Kowalski, who was everything I despise – he was utterly insensitive, primitive, and cruel.

Gwyneth Paltrow – Rosemary (“Shallow Hal”)

Gwyneth Paltrow, an Oscar winner for “Shakespeare in Love,” has been choosing her projects more carefully in recent years, likely influenced by roles in films like “Shallow Hal.” Her character Rosemary is portrayed as neglected and unattractive solely because she has extra pounds. It’s no wonder that Paltrow doesn’t have positive memories associated with her role; moreover, she calls it the one she regrets the most in her entire career. In a 2001 interview with W Magazine, the actress spoke about her difficult experiences on the film set and some important life lessons she learned from it. On the first day, I put on a fat suit and walked through the lobby of the Tribeca Grand Hotel. It was so sad. No one made eye contact with me because I was obese (…) For some reason, clothes for overweight women are awful. I felt humiliated because people were very dismissive. The film with Paltrow and Jack Black did attract quite a large audience in theaters, but from today’s perspective, it’s one of those projects better left in the past.

Penn Badgley – Joe Goldberg (“You”)

Playing a villain, even one beloved by fans and critics, can be a heavy burden for an actor. Penn Badgley, who gained fame for his role as Joe Goldberg in the series “You,” has almost nothing good to say about his character. He is a deplorable guy (…) [Joe] is capable of stalking, murder, manipulation, and violence, he told Vanity Fair. Beyond these obvious reasons why the main character of Netflix’s popular series wasn’t his favorite, Badgley pointed out the numerous love scenes, which were particularly difficult for him, considering how much he values fidelity in a relationship.