Have you ever heard the expression “going through the motions for a paycheck?” It’s something that hapens a lot in corporate America; we gotta make money to pay our bills, after all.
Believe it or not, the same can be said for certain actors when it comes to their performances in a film. You can really tell when someone is beyond checked out and they’re only there for a contractual commitment, or the paycheck.
To be fair, its common for movies to go through rewrites and reshoots, which means the film actors were hoping to make has turned out quite differently. Regardless of the reason, it was easy to tell these actors were ready for move on from the very movies they were starring in.
Jennifer Lawrence – X-Men: Dark Phoenix
After a strong showing as Mystique in X-Men: First Class, the X-Men franchise wanted to utilizes Jennifer Lawrence’s star power and make her one of its main attractions.
That’s totally understandable, except for one problem: the character’s story arc had already run its course and should have been killed off in X-Men: Apocalypse. Instead, she returns yet again for Dark Phoenix, even though its abundantly clear that Lawrence is ready to move on before the cameras even begin rolling.
Wesley Snipes – Blade Trinity
There’s a scene in Blade Trinity where Snipes refuses to open his eyes. It forces the filmmakers to use crappy early 2000s CGI to have his character open them up.
That was just one of several instances where Snipes made his frustration with the film known. Director Davis S. Goyer said that the process of making the film was “the most personally and professionally difficult and painful thing I’ve ever been through.”
Robert Pattinson – Twilight
Pattinson’s commentary of the original Twilight film is legendary because he makes it quite obvious how much he hates the source material.
That was the first movie, too! He’d have to come back for more of these! Thankfully, Pattinson has moved on to bigger and better things that let him show off his talent.
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Oscar Isaac – Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker
One of the worst lines in modern movie history is “Somehow, Palpatine returned.”
You can see the complete lack of passion from Isaac as he delivers this nonsensical line, referencing the fact that Emperor Palpatine is inexplicably back from the dead. The movie doesn’t explain this either; he came back in Fortnite of all things. The entire cast was fully aware what a trainwreck this film was, and moviegoers certainly agreed.
Harrison Ford – The Star Wars Holiday Special
Oscar Isacc wasn’t the only Star Wars actor to make it apparent he’d rather be anywhere else.
Just look at Harrison Ford’s face. He’d rather be anywhere else, especially as Carrie Fisher sings about Life Day.
Alec Guinness – Star Wars
Okay, one more from Star Wars.
Guinness is, without a doubt, the most accomplished actor to ever appear in Star Wars. He also found the film to be beneath him, calling the story “fairy tale rubbish.” He reportedlyed asked George Lucas to kill off the character, which he did.
And then the character appears as a Force Ghost in the sequels, delivering lines with zero emotion and complete disdain for the source material.
Bill Murray – Ghostbusters II
To be fair, you can’t tell that Murray didn’t wan tot be in the film since he’s still pretty funny. Then again, Billy Murray reading a phone book in the 1980s would still be funny.
That said, Murray had made it known about his displeasure for sequels. Combined with his frustrations over the film’s story and focus, and you have one checked out, but still funny, actor.
Ed Norton – The Italian Job
A true professional, Norton honestly gave it his all during the filmmaking process despite not wanting to make The Italian Job. He was under a contractual obligation from Paramount, however, so he had to make the movie.
So how did Norton “rebel?” By refusing to do any press for the film.
Cate Blanchett – Borderlands
Blanchett is one of the most accomplished actors of our generation. She’s also able to go from zero to ten in the blink of an eye and deliver an over-the-top performance when necessary, as was the case in Thor: Ragnarok.
Borderlands is another film that needs such a performance, but instead, Blanchett doesn’t bother trying. I don’t blame her one bit.
Channing Tatum: G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Do you know who continually surprises audiences with great performances? Channing Tatum. We know he has the acting chops, but we also know he’s incredibly charismatic and funny.
Yet none of that was on display in Rise of Cobra despite him being the film’s lead character. Instead, he spent the entire time wishing he was literally anywhere esle. He’d get his wish, though, when his chacarcter was quickly killed off in the sequel.
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