And how about Harry Anderson as Harry Stone on Night Court. It was a big surprise to me to learn that the role wasn’t written for him.
You misspelled BRIAN BLESSED (It’s never Brian Blessed, it’s always BRIAN BLESSED!), and, yes, the casting was perfect. I was struck at just how closely the makeup-aged Livia resembles the now elderly Sian Phillips.
Similarly, the part of Arthur Dent was written for Simon Jones, and I just can’t accept anyone else in that role.
You misspelled Jeremy Brett. No one before or since (even the iconic Frazzled Bathrobe) comes close.
OK I know everyone here is mentioningd movie and TV actors. But for a slightly different answer I have to say-- as pro wrestling fan for over three decades now—I’d be hard pressed to think of another wrestler who could played the character of The Undertaker as long and as effectively as Mark Calaway has.
If anyone here has read “The Expanse” novels by James S.A. Corey, as well as watched the TV show, they’ll probably agree that Wes Chatham was a particularly inspired bit of casting as Amos. The rest of the crew is good as well, but none of them are as… peculiar(?) as Amos is, and consequently as much of a challenge (IMO) to portray correctly on film.
Ian McKellen as Gandalf.
I left out John Rhys-Davies (Macro) and Patrick Stewart (Sejanus). I can’t watch ***TNG ***without thinking of I, Claudius.
Speaking of Patrick Stewart, I can’t imagine anyone else playing Captain Picard. Or William Shatner as Captain Kirk. Or Leonard Nimoy as Spock. Or Brent Spiner as Data. Or Armin Shimmerman as Quark. As much Trekkies despise that character, even Will Wheaton’s performance as Wesley Crusher was excellent. The producers for Star Trek always did an excellent job casting the roles.
James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano. Yeah, there’s tons of actors that have done a great job playing mobsters but Gandolfini captured Tony perfectly. TS, although a loathsome character had an almost child like side that came out at times and at times showed a softer, gentler side with some conflicting emotions when faced with the option of being a better person. JG was spectacular.
Who could top Rex Harrison as Professor Henry Higgins? Or Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley?
Cary Grant, if he’d felt like bothering.
Leslie Howard was at least as good, but that was in a non-musical production.
A related question might be: Who was the best Liza Doolittle? Wendy Hiller, Julie Andrews, or Audrey Hepburn?
I respectfully disagree. I’m not a reader of the book series, but it’s my understanding that Jack Reacher should be physically imposing, like 6’5” and well over 200 pounds. Cruise is cast against type.
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My vote goes to Arnold Schwarzenegger in Twins. The role required somebody to play a foreigner (check) with an outsize physique (double check) who also had great comedic timing (triple check).
Don Adams as Maxwell Smart in Get Smart.
Steve Martin showed just how true this is for certain actors & roles–simply could not buy him as Clouseau, at all. Should have just given him a completely different character (& movie) name.
One of the recent Classic Trek knockoffs [forget which one-the one with Doohan’s son playing Scotty] demonstrates just how singular Nimoy was in the role-the guy is just another white-bread Vulcan to me, none of Nimoy’s pathos or cutting wit or eyebrow-raising double takes. Nor could Zachary Quinto pull it off.
Andre the Giant as Fezzik in The Princess Bride. Arnold Schwartzenegger was the original choice but by the time the movie was going to be made he was too expensive, so he recommended his friend Andre. I can’t picture anyone else making that role work the way he did, even with his physical limitations.
Thinking more on this, you could substitute a few actors and make a similar movie. The actor would need to be quirky, like Bill Murray, Joaquin Phoenix, or maybe Keanu Reeves. Obviously it wouldn’t be the same role, but it could be a great movie.
Alex Winter and Keanu Reeves as Bill and Ted. If anyone ever was born to play a role, it was these two!
Clark Gable/Vivian Leigh as Rhett and Scarlett.
{Emphasis Added}
That hair, though!
Val Kilmer as Doc Holiday in Tombstone