This article was originally published on JustStarz
It's every budding actor's dream to star in a Hollywood blockbuster. These movies take the world by storm, thrust them into the limelight, and make them the most in-demand artists in the movie world. But every role an actor takes is a risk, and while sometimes it can pay off, other times it can have disastrous consequences and ruin their careers in an instant. Unfortunately, these Hollywood icons know that more than most. These are the movies that almost totaled their careers.
Ben Affleck's Role in 'Gigli' Earned Him a Razzie
No actor ever wants to earn a Razzie nomination, let alone win the award. However, Ben Affleck's worst fears came true in 2004 when he starred alongside his then-girlfriend (and now current girlfriend again), Jennifer Lopez, in the mob-comedy movie Gigli. By this point, Ben had earned his reputation as a varied and talented actor. However, Gigli just didn't cut the mustard. In fact, the film won a total of six Razzie Awards that year.
Not only did the movie win "Worst Movie," but both Ben and Jennifer took home the award in the "Worst Actor" and "Worst Actress" categories. Thankfully, he was able to save his career after that.
Halle Berry Had No Idea People Would Hate 'Catwoman' so Much
For the most part, people love superhero movies. These films have dominated the box office as blockbusters for decades, which is why superhero fans were over the moon to learn that Oscar Award winner Halle Berry would be bringing Catwoman to life in 2004. Halle thought this movie would thrust her further into the spotlight. But instead, she was awarded a Razzie for "Worst Actress" thanks to this movie flop.
While it took Halle a while to regain her reputation after this Catwoman disaster, she's since gotten back into her groove. In recent years she's starred in hits such as Bruised and John Wick: Chapter 4.
Jake Lloyd Failed to Live up to Fan Expectations in "The Phantom Menace"
The Star Wars franchise is iconic. Ever since the first movie dropped in 1977, fans have fallen in love with the storylines and the characters. However, this can be tough on new additions to the franchise as they have a lot to live up to. Former child actor Jake Lloyd felt that pressure when he joined Star Wars: The Phantom Menace in 1999, and fans were quick to condemn him for his role.
Although Jake was excited to play a young Anakin Skywalker, his career slumped when he received negative reviews. After that, the child star struggled to stay in the limelight - and he's since been diagnosed with schizophrenia and has spent time in a psychiatric facility.
Mike Myers Didn't Make People Laugh in 'The Love Guru'
When it comes to comedians who are also actors, Mike Myers has always been at the top of that list. He's put his comedic talents into franchises such as Shrek and Austin Powers and won over fans with his impressive accents. However, you may have noticed that he's been pretty quiet in recent years. Many believe that has something to do with his performance in the 2008 movie, The Love Guru.
Unfortunately, this movie just didn't seem to hit the mark with critics, and Myers was slated for the movie - especially as he also wrote and produced it. Since then, he's only had small roles here and there.
Chris O'Donnell Didn't Know What to Do After 'Batman & Robin'
Although many people assume that Batman actors will be set for life once they've answered the bat signal, this isn't always the case. Sure, when Chris O'Donnell landed the coveted role of Dick Grayson in Batman Forever, his social standing certainly went up a notch. He became the "it" man in Hollywood, and all eyes were on him to star in a sequel that superhero fans would be proud of. However, things don't always work out as planned.
The much anticipated 1997 sequel Batman & Robin didn't excite critics, and this left Chris in an awkward position. Unsure of what to do, he faded from the limelight before seeking a resurgence in NCIS: Los Angeles in 2009.
Elizabeth Berkley's 'Showgirls' Performance Left Little to the Imagination
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Elizabeth Berkley was one of the most famous women in Hollywood. Her time on Saved By The Bell saw her thrust into the limelight, and when her co-stars all left the show and became even bigger stars, it was assumed that Elizabeth would follow suit. However, she decided to take a gamble on a movie that would either make or break her career.
In 1995, Elizabeth took off most of her clothes for a major role in the movie Showgirls. However, her lack of clothing didn't seem to sit well with casting directors, and they struggled to find a place for her in Hollywood after that.
Terrence Howard Had to Work Extra Hard After 'Iron Man'
Getting the chance to star in a Marvel movie is most actors' dream, but it turned into a bit of a nightmare for Terrence Howard. Although he shined as Colonel James Rhodes in the first Iron Man movie, he felt he had no option but to turn down his place in the sequel when he was offered a pay cut. Instead of fighting for him, Marvel producers replaced him instead.
Upon leaving the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Terrence Howard had to work extra hard to get himself noticed. Thankfully, he didn't have to wait too long to bag a major role in the 2015 TV show Empire.
Lori Petty's Career Started to Tank After 'Tank Girl'
One wrong career move can affect the rest of your life, and Lori Petty realized that for herself in 1995. Although she'd already made a name for herself as a talented actress in movies such as A League of Their Own, Point Break, and Free Willy, her appearance as the lead character in Tank Girl saw her popularity tank. Unfortunately, the movie was not well received and lost a huge amount of money at the box office.
After that, Petty struggled to regain her place in the limelight. And while she's continued to act and even landed a minor role in Orange is the New Black, her career has never been the same since.
Sean Connery's 'The League Of Extraordinary Gentleman' Stint Went South
It was a sad day when Sean Connery passed away, especially for James Bond fans. This Scottish actor blew fans away as 007 and became an icon in Hollywood thanks to this role. However, choosing the right movies for your career gets more different the older you get, and unfortunately for Sean, his last film was considered a major flop. In fact, one critic even went as far as to call it a "mess."
Sean Connery's last movie was in 2003's The League Of Extraordinary Gentleman, and while fans still remember the actor fondly, the same can't be said for his last Hollywood blockbuster.
John Travolta Was Criticized for Starring in 'Battlefield Earth'
Sci-fi movies often make the best blockbusters, but they can also be extremely hit-and-miss. And while John Travolta worked hard to maintain his place in the limelight after early success in the likes of Grease and Pulp Fiction, his hard work was squashed when he appeared in the 2000 movie Battlefield Earth. As this movie was inspired by Scientology, the movie - and Travolta himself - was hit with criticism from every angle.
To make matters worse, the movie took such a financial hit that it forced the production company into bankruptcy. But thankfully, Travolta was able to bring it back for himself in 2015 when he became Robert Shapiro in American Crime Story.
Brad Pitt's Appearance in 'War Machine' Knocked Him Down
You probably don't need us to tell you that Brad Pitt is a major Hollywood A-lister. He's starred in blockbuster after blockbuster, and he's one of the richest actors in the world today. And while he's certainly had the chance to star in some amazing movies and show off his acting talent, War Machine was not one of those chances. In fact, critics slated the movie - and they also slated the actor's strange voice.
Although Pitt's reputation was knocked a little by these critics, there's no doubt that he's still a huge name in Hollywood. So, he didn't burn too many bridges with this role.
Scarlett Johansson's Casting in 'Ghost in the Shell' Didn't Sit Well
Although there is an abundance of Japanese actors ready and willing to take on Japanese roles, Hollywood made a major boo-boo when they decided to cast Scarlett Johansson in a Japanese role for Ghost in the Shell. To make matters worse, the actress stated during an interview that she didn't know the character she was playing - called Motoko Kusanagi - was Japanese. And as you can imagine, this didn't sit well with fans.
Although the blockbuster movie wasn't badly received, Scarlett did receive a huge amount of backlash that did knock her for six. However, her career wasn't stunted too much - and she's still a huge name in Hollywood.
Geena Davis Even Lost Her Marriage After 'Cutthroat Island'
By the time the 1980s and 1990s came around, Geena Davis was a household name. She'd already taken the world by storm thanks to her roles in blockbusters such as Thelma and Louise and Beetlejuice, and fans were excited to see what was next from her. However, she made a bad choice when she chose to star in Cutthroat Island in 1995 - a movie that was so badly received it forced the production company into bankruptcy.
As if that wasn't enough, this movie also led to her divorce from Renny Harlin, who just so happened to be the director of the movie. Because of this, she decided to lay low for a few years.
Chris Kattan's 'Corky Romano' Comedy Didn't Make People Laugh
In the past, countless SNL cast members have been able to transition to the blockbuster world. Comedians such as Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Pete Davidson, and Adam Sandler have all made their mark in major movies. And popular SNL cast member Chris Cattan hoped to do the same when he was allowed to lead the 2001 film Corky Romano. However, this plan didn't work out as he'd hoped, as the movie was poorly received.
Although this movie didn't catapult Chris into the realm of A-list movie stars, he's still famous today. Now, he's most famous for his recurring role in the popular sitcom, The Middle.
Roberto Benigni's 'Pinocchio' Got a Zero Percent Rating
The success of many movies and their directors is based on their Rotten Tomatoes score. And in 1997, Roberto Benigni scored the jackpot when his movie Life is Beautiful scored 80% on the website. Because of this, all eyes were on him to see what he would do next. And while his next project came in the form of the 2002 movie Pinocchio, he didn't quite get the same rating.
In fact, Pinocchio scored a dismal 0% on Rotten Tomatoes - which was an embarrassing blow for the director. Since then, he went on to direct one more movie before changing tact and focusing on his acting instead.
Sofia Coppola's 'The Godfather' Debut Was One of Her Last
The Coppola family is Hollywood royalty. That's why fans found it a little suspect when a young Sofia Coppola - who had no acting experience - was cast in The Godfather Part III. It was clear for everyone to see that nepotism had played a role in this casting and that Francis Ford Coppola probably shouldn't have replaced Winona Ryder with her daughter. After all, Sofia's presence in the movie was slated as wooden and unprofessional.
After her acting debut, Sofia appeared in another movie before hanging up her acting boots. However, there's no doubt about the fact that she's been celebrated as a filmmaker.
Mark Hamill Isn't Really Known for Anything Other Than 'Star Wars'
You probably don't need us to tell you that Mark Hamill is one of the most celebrated actors in Hollywood. After all, he's Luke Skywalker. And while this actor struck gold when he was offered this main role with very little acting experience, it seems as though starring in a blockbuster hit can also have a negative effect on your career. Sure, Mark Hamill will forever be famous for Star Wars - but can you name anything else he's starred in?
Since leaving Star Wars behind, Hamill has been able to bag himself a few voice roles here and there. However, he's never been given his big break to work on anything else.
Cuba Gooding Jr. Struggled to Make a Comeback After 'Boat Trip'
1996 was the year that Cuba Gooding Jr. really started to shine. Not only was he a major character in Jerry Maguire, but he even had his very own catchphrase. And while someone on his team may have told him the risks of appearing in the 2002 movie Boat Trip, he decided to go ahead and sign on anyway. Unfortunately, this didn't work in his favor, as the movie was not well received at all.
Although he struggled to make a comeback after this movie flop, his persistence paid off when he was offered the chance to play O.J. Simpson in the American Crime Story TV show.
Tom Green's Career Took a Dive After 'Freddy Got Fingered'
During the 1990s, Tom Green was an MTV legend. He'd put his name to The Tom Green Show, and it was this show that ultimately gave him the chance to star in a few movies here and there. Eager to show off his creativity, though, Tom decided to co-write a movie of his own, which he called Freddy Got Fingered. Sadly, this project didn't become the blockbuster he was hoping for.
After the movie flopped, Tom's career took a bit of a dive. And while he tried to then get into the late-night talk show game, he's since changed course to focus on a career in music.
Jamie Kennedy Should Have Turned 'Son of the Mask' Down
Some blockbusters are best kept solo. But that doesn't stop filmmakers from taking the risk and trying to make a sequel. That's exactly what happened in 2005 when Lawrence Guterman decided to take on the challenge of Son of the Mask, the sequel to the hugely popular The Mask movie. Jamie Kennedy was cast as the lead this time, which was exciting for those who loved him in the Scream franchise.
However, the film failed at the box office and made a huge financial loss. This did nothing for Kennedy's career, either. And while he was out of work for a while, he's since found success on the smaller screen.
Alicia Silverstone Got Extra Baggage From the Movie 'Excess Baggage'
In 1995, a young Alicia Silverstone was thrust into the world of fame and fortune when she was cast as the lead Clueless. It was this movie that made her a household name, but with newfound fame comes a huge amount of responsibility - and Alicia knew that she needed to make smart career choices if she wanted to maintain her place in the limelight. But, sadly, Excess Baggage was slated.
Although the movie was criticized from every angle, the actress has been able to maintain her place in the limelight thanks to the cult status of Clueless. She hasn't worked much since the '90s, though.
Topher Grace's Role in 'Spider-Man 3' Stunted His Career
From 1998 until 2006, Topher Grace stole the show as the star of That '70s Show. And when the show ended, all eyes were on the young actor to make a smart decision that would thrust his career even further into the limelight. And while you'd think that accepting a role as the villain in the third Spider-Man movie would do that, it turns out that things didn't work out the way he'd hoped.
Like many third installments to a popular franchise, Spider-Man 3 wasn't well received, and Topher's chance at future stardom was stunted. Since then, he's had a few minor roles here and there, but nothing major.
Hayden Christensen Didn't Win Over Fans in 'Star Wars: Attack of the Clones'
Although the Star Wars franchise has given actors such as Harrison Ford and Ewan McGregor the platform to progress their careers, its also torn some down. And when Hayden Christensen joined the cast of Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, he hoped that he'd find himself in the "successful" category. For some reason, though, fans weren't taken with him. Critics accused him of being a whiny character and one that was extremely unlikeable.
Although he did return for Revenge of the Sith, his career began to stall after that. Thankfully, he bagged himself a major comeback in 2022 when he was cast as the main antagonist in the Disney+ series Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Brandon Routh Was Criticized for His Role in 'Superman Returns'
Many people would love the chance to play Clark Kent/Superman. It's a coveted role in Hollywood, as almost all of the Superman movies have gone on to become blockbusters. But people also expect a lot from these movies, which puts a lot of pressure on actors like Brandon Routh. He scored this leading role in 2006's Superman Returns, but it's fair to say that fans were divided when it came to his performance.
Although some people loved him, others felt his performance was wooden and strained. It took him a while to get back into the game after this, but he then reprised his role as Superman in the more-popular Legends of Tomorrow and Arrow TV shows.
Demi Moore Was Stripped of Fame After Her Role in 'Striptease'
On paper, 1996's Striptease was the ultimate career booster for Demi Moore. It was her chance to showcase a new side of her after the likes of Ghost and A Few Good Men, and her $12.5 million paycheck made her the highest-paid actress in Hollywood history. But while expectations were high for this movie, Striptease didn't quite hit the mark with fans who had fallen in love with the book.
Unfortunately, the movie flopped and was awarded six Razzies as a result. And it was this movie that sparked the downturn of Demi's career, as directors struggled to take her seriously afterward.
Chris Klein's Role in 'Rollerball' Was Considered a Flop
When you think of Chris Klein, you probably think of American Pie. He became a Hollywood legend of the late '90s and '00s thanks to his role in this iconic franchise, but he was always part of a larger cast. And while he attempted to go out on his own and lead a movie in 2002, Rollerball was not the hit he hoped it would be. Although there was nothing wrong with his acting, the script and the production of the movie were considered a flop.
Unfortunately, this had a major knock-on effect on Klein's career. Since then, he's only really managed to bag minor roles in projects such as the TV shows The Flash and Sweet Magnolias.
Vin Diesel Didn't Win Over Moms With 'The Pacifier'
For the most part, Vin Diesel is associated with fast cars, explosions, and epic fight scenes. Yes, he's considered to be one of Hollywood's greatest action men, which means that he has one portion of the market cornered. However, in an effort to break out of this stereotype and win over different fans, Diesel decided to star in the 2005 movie, The Pacifier. And while it was certainly funny, fans thought Diesel was just so out of place.
Diesel obviously looked at this movie's Rotten Tomatoes score and realized that branching out wasn't worth it. Since then, he's stuck to what he knows and has brought more action movies to life.
Al Pacino Wants People to Forget 'Misconduct'
Al Pacino is one of those legendary actors whose career and legacy will live on for decades after he's gone. He's starred in blockbuster movies such as The Godfather, Scarface, Donnie Brasco, and so much more. But not all of his roles have thrust him even further into stardom. We have a feeling that he wants his stint in the movie Misconduct to be forgotten, as the movie was not well received.
In fact, Pacino's performance was criticized, too. But this was just one blip in his career, and Pacino has since proved his worth in the likes of House of Gucci and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Neve Campbell Caused Too Much of a Stir in 'Wild Things'
The 1990s was a prime time for Neve Campbell. The up-and-coming actress stretched her acting legs in movies such as Scream and Party of Five, and most people assumed that she'd be able to star in blockbuster after blockbuster. However, a poor decision from Neve changed everything - especially as Wild Things caused too much of a stir in Hollywood. The movie featured a whole load of nudity and erotic scenes, and this left many reeling.
Although Neve's acting talents were celebrated in this movie, the scandal surrounding the film had a negative effect on her career. She's still working today but isn't as famous as she once was.
Bruce Willis Was Deemed "forgettable" in 'Precious Cargo'
In February 2023, the family of Bruce Willis confirmed that he would be stepping back away from Hollywood to focus on a devastating health diagnosis. And while he'll forever be remembered for his iconic appearances in legendary movies, there's no doubt that he's also starred in some flops. This was the case in 2016 when he starred in Precious Cargo. This film was poorly received, and critics even claimed that Willis's performance was flat.
Although this movie wasn't a success for the actor, this was just a small blip in his impressive career. He received negative reviews, but he was later cast in more successful projects that upped his game once again.
Dwayne Johnson Messed up With 'Tooth Fairy'
By the time Tooth Fairy came into our lives in 2010, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson had been trying to break into the comedy for years. Although he'd been able to crack Hollywood as an action man, he wanted to open up new doors and become a well-rounded actor with countless strings to his bow. And while we have to admire his determination, Tooth Fairy wasn't the project he hoped it would be.
The movie was slammed by critics and audiences alike, knocking Johnson for a while. However, he's since been able to crack the comedy world thanks to appearances in the likes of Central Intelligence, Jumanji, and more.
Madonna's Career Was Swept Away in 'Swept Away'
It's no secret that Madonna is one of the most famous singers in the world. She'll forever be remembered as the 'Queen of Pop,' but there was once a time when she tried to make herself the queen of Hollywood, too. After the success of Evita in 1996, she decided to team up with her director husband, Guy Ritchie, to bring Swept Away to life. Sadly, it was Madonna's acting career that got swept away instead.
After receiving a huge amount of criticism for her role, Madonna decided to step back from her acting career and focus on her music. Since then, she's only acted in two other projects.
Will Smith Took a Two-Year Break Following 'After Earth'
Men in Black II, The Pursuit of Happyness, and After Earth all have something in common - they were father-and-son movies starring Will Smith and Jaden Smith. And while fans originally loved this duo, they were a little confused when After Earth came onto the big screen. This movie tried to become a blockbuster but failed to hit the mark when they realized that Will had a very minor role in the film.
It seems as though Will himself was embarrassed by his performance in this movie, as he decided to take a two-year break from acting after this. Of course, he then came back with a bang.
Charlie Hunnam's Role as 'King Arthur' Didn't Offer King Status
When you think of Charlie Hunnam, you probably think of Sons of Anarchy. This actor thrived in his role as Jax Teller, and following his successful run in a motorcycle game, he decided to dip his toe into the movie world. He landed the lead in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, and fans hoped that this blockbuster hit would make Charlie the greatest actor in Hollywood. Unfortunately, it didn't.
The movie wasn't slated but wasn't the huge success the filmmakers hoped for. This led many to believe that Charlie was more of a TV guy than a movie guy, and it wasn't until 2019's The Gentleman that he proved otherwise.
Jada Pinkett-Smith Disappeared After 'Woo'
Today, Jada-Pinkett Smith is known for being the wife of Will Smith, the mother of Jaden and Willow Smith, and the host of her own talk show. But how many of her acting credits can you name? Well, that might have something to do with the fact that many of her roles were slated during the middle stages of her career. This was the case for the 1998 comedy-romance, Woo.
Although this movie gave Jada a leading role, the movie was slated by almost all who watched it. Since then, she's starred in a few movies and television shows, but her acting career doesn't seem to be a priority.
Jim Caviezel Has Struggled to Stay Relevant After 'The Passion of Jesus Christ'
The Passion of Jesus Christ is one of the most infamous movies out there. And while Jim Caviezel was actually praised for his impressive and believable role as Jesus himself, the movie divided viewers. Some saw it as a piece of art, while others shunned its place in Hollywood as a blockbuster. Because of this, Caviezel's career was caught in the crossfire, and he's struggled to stay relevant since its release.
Although he's managed to stay fairly busy with movies such as G.I Jane, Angel Eyes, and The Count of Monte Cristo, he didn't get the fame and fortune he really deserved.
Colin Farrell's Stint in 'Alexander' Was Filled With Inaccuracies
Every year, Hollywood tries to bring historical dramas - and they hope that they'll be the next big blockbuster. And while some are, you have to be incredibly careful when it comes to bringing real-life stories to life. It's incredibly easy for these projects to be torn down by historical inaccuracies, and that was the case when it came to the 2004 movie Alexander. And Colin Farrell suffered as a result of this blow.
Many people questioned Farrell's talent and career when this movie flopped, and there's no doubt that he took a tumble. But after a couple of years, he proved that he was worth more than that one movie.
Shaquille O'Neal's Debut in 'Kazaam' Was a Major Flop
Everyone knows that Shaquille O'Neal is one of the greatest basketball players of all time. But like many famous sportspeople, Shaq decided to dip his toe into the acting world during the 1990s. And while his fans hoped that he'd win them over with his acting talent, almost all of his acting credits have been slated by critics. This was especially the case with the 1996 movie Kazaam, which has a very poor rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Although Shaq's acting career took a tumble after this, it seems as though he didn't mind too much. Apparently, he received a whopping $7 million for his appearance in this movie.
Taylor Lautner's Role in 'Abducted' Almost Abducted His Career
When you think of Taylor Lautner, you probably think of his role as Jacob in the Twilight Saga. It was this movie series that thrust him into the spotlight and made him one of the most desirable actors in Hollywood. But when it came to an end, all eyes were on Taylor to see what he did next - and he chose to appear in the movie Abducted. Sadly, this movie almost abducted his whole career.
The movie was slated by critics and viewers alike, and fans struggled to take Lautner seriously afterward. And since then, he's only really landed smaller roles in movies and television shows.
Natalie Portman's Role in 'Star Wars' Was a Curse
Although many actors would sell their souls to star in Star Wars, Natalie Portman doesn't look back on her time as Padme with fondness. While she acknowledges that this movie thrust her into the limelight and allowed her to star in some of the biggest-grossing movies of all time, she also believes that Star Wars stunted her growth in Hollywood. Apparently, nobody wanted to work with her after these movies.
Thankfully, Portman persevered and was able to move away from the sci-fi world. Since then, she's become one of the most famous women in Hollywood, with countless blockbusters under her belt.