- 2 months ago
From fantasy epics to whodunits and crime sagas, some franchises just got casting so right it feels almost impossible to imagine anyone else in the roles. Join us as we count down the movie and TV universes with performances that defined entire characters, from magical heroes to stylish masterminds and unforgettable icons. Did your favorite ensemble make the list? Let us know in the comments below!
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00:00You're a wizard, Harry.
00:03I'm a what?
00:05Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most effective, accurate, or appropriate casting decisions
00:11from film and TV.
00:13A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early.
00:20Number 10, Scooby-Doo Franchise.
00:22There is absolutely, absolutely no such thing...
00:33How could filmmakers possibly capture the zany energy of the animated series?
00:38For the 2002 version of Scooby-Doo, the cast came together with four talented actors from the late 1990s and
00:45early 2000s.
00:46Matthew Lillard stands out as Shaggy, becoming the lovable goof we all remember with the creaky voice.
00:52Fred, you're the big banana.
00:55Daphne, you're the pastrami and bubblegum flavored ice cream.
00:59And Velma, you're the sweet and sour mustard sauce that goes on top.
01:05That sounds pretty good, doesn't it, Scooby?
01:07He's the standout among three co-stars that feel like cartoons come to life.
01:11There's also the leadership qualities of Freddie Prinze Jr. as Fred competing with Sarah Michelle Gellar's glamorous Daphne.
01:18You can't have a good adaptation without a proper Velma, though.
01:21Rounding out the group, Linda Cardinelli is the perfect know-it-all to provide key information.
01:27We gotta take over the protoplas to that.
01:29How?
01:30The pincer.
01:30Come on.
01:31Come on.
01:33Come on!
01:33Come on!
01:35Okay!
01:37You all need to step back.
01:39This princess got his groove on it.
01:419.
01:42Ocean's Franchise
01:43To plan the perfect heist, you need an assorted group of misfits.
01:48Ocean's Eleven seems like a cash grab remake until it turned out amazing.
01:58Part of why it works is the casting, with George Clooney leading a group of A-listers
02:03and character actors.
02:05Each man fulfills a role with precision and comedic timing.
02:09From Brad Pitt's eating habits to Elliot Gould's cigars, the franchise includes details that
02:14elevate every moment.
02:15The original trilogy allows you to watch professionals work their way through a process.
02:20You have a little over $160 million in your vault tonight.
02:23You may notice we're only packing up about half that.
02:26The other half we're leaving in your vault, booby-trapped, as a hostage.
02:31You let our $80 million go, and you get to keep yours.
02:34That's the deal.
02:35Even in the underrated Ocean's Twelve, audiences get to hang out with goofballs in gorgeous
02:40locations.
02:41From Andy Garcia to Julia Roberts, the cast contains some true acting gems.
02:578.
02:59Knives Out Franchise
03:00Taking on the murder mystery, filmmaker Rian Johnson brings an Agatha Christie-style plot
03:06into the 21st century.
03:19The first Knives Out introduces audiences to Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc.
03:24He's the southern detective with an eye for detail, investigating the death of an author
03:29with many eager successors.
03:31The original features an impressive cast, including Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Chris Evans.
03:37Each actor comes along and makes you think they could be a killer.
03:52While a sequel might have ruined the fun, Glass Onion instead showcases entertaining performances
03:59from Janelle Monae and Edward Norton.
04:01At every step of the way, Craig remains a scene-stealer alongside the eclectic lineups.
04:06This includes the third entry, Wake Up Dead Man, with another array of possible criminals.
04:12Oh, would you look who it is?
04:13It's Judas Judd.
04:14Father, you are not welcome here.
04:17Alright, stop!
04:18Here's what's gonna happen.
04:19Benoit Frickin' Blanc and I are gonna ask you all some questions, and you're gonna answer
04:23them, and we're gonna get to the bottom of Who Killed Monsignor Wicks, AND WHY!
04:267.
04:28The Sopranos
04:28As one of the most popular HBO shows, The Sopranos only works with its incredible casting.
04:35My uncle's just asking for what my father would've given him if he was boss when Richie
04:38got out of prison, and it had nothing to do with they were brothers.
04:41You respected my father, and you respect Richie.
04:43Those who want respect, give respect.
04:47James Gandolfini fits perfectly into Tony Soprano's shoes.
04:51Mixing humor and existential dread, Gandolfini leads a cast known for their mob film parts.
04:57Michael Imperioli plays the troubled Christopher, while guys like Tony Sirico bring in authenticity
05:02to their supporting roles.
05:12Lorraine Bracco is brilliant as Dr. Melfi, trying to get through to her patient where
05:17Eddie Falco's Carmella can't.
05:20Established actors such as Steve Buscemi and Joe Pantoliano also lend their talents to
05:25later seasons.
05:26Throughout the show, you're treated to grounded characters and convincing performances.
05:30It's also fitting that The Many Saints of Newark include some real family ties to the original
05:36series.
05:37What's the matter with you?
05:37Go give your father a proper hello.
05:39Stunar.
05:40Heh heh.
05:43Come here.
05:47I missed you, Dad.
05:48Miss you too, kid.
05:49James Bond franchise.
05:53With Dr. No in 1962, James Bond quickly became a cinematic hero thanks to Sean Connery.
05:59World domination, same old dream.
06:03Our asylums are full of people who think they're Napoleon or God.
06:07His suave and sophisticated performance set a standard that all future Bond actors tried
06:13to follow.
06:13So, these men also got a little help from some fantastic recurring characters, love interests,
06:19and dastardly villains.
06:20I have never failed on a mission, Commander.
06:23Any mission.
06:26In that case, Major, one of us is bound to end up gravely disappointed.
06:31There's neither of us.
06:32Each incarnation of 007 needed the right casting to entice a new generation of filmgoers to watch.
06:39Regardless of their larger careers, most actors are forever marked by their inclusion in the
06:43series.
06:44This is no place for you, Q.
06:46Go home.
06:46Oh, don't be an idiot, 007.
06:48I know exactly what you're up to, and quite frankly, you're going to need my help.
06:52With each new era, performers like Judi Dench lent even more gravitas to side characters
06:57like M.
06:58More recent stars like Daniel Craig rose to the occasion and gave audiences a stripped-down
07:03spin on the secret agent.
07:05You've got your armor back on.
07:09I have no armor left.
07:13You stripped it from me.
07:15Number 5.
07:16Game of Thrones
07:17When you play the Game of Thrones, you win, or you die.
07:22There is no middle ground.
07:23With so many people to keep track of, this George R. R. Martin adaptation could have been
07:28a disaster.
07:29David Benioff and D. B. Weiss assembled the various houses without taking audiences out
07:35of the dense plot.
07:36Let me give you some advice, bastard.
07:39Never forget what you are.
07:41The rest of the world will not.
07:44Wear it like armor and it can never be used to hurt you.
07:48Each family feels like they really could have been related, even setting up connections in
07:52the spin-off series like House of the Dragon.
07:55The showrunners also weren't afraid to kill off beloved characters with reckless abandon.
08:00With ruthless efficiency, everyone from Sean Bean to Peter Dinklage came along to enhance
08:05this fantasy franchise.
08:07Emilia Clarke and her story as Daenerys also did a lot of heavy lifting with a separate
08:11plotline.
08:22By interweaving allies and enemies, this long-running series became event television with its skillful
08:29take on Martin's work.
08:304.
08:31The Addams Family Franchise
08:33Echoing the original show, The Addams Family updates the material for a 1990s audience.
08:39And our credo, Sic Gorgiamus Allos Subjectatus Nuc, we gladly feast on those who would subdue
08:47us, not just pretty words.
08:515.
08:51Raul Julia and Angelica Houston might be the best version of the central couple.
08:56Morticia and Gomez Adams must have a palpable passion, whilst also having actors tap into
09:02the gothic personas.
09:03You also need kids who can embody the precocious child characters.
09:16With Christina Ricci as Wednesday, the first film and its sequel, Adam's Family Values,
09:21stand out.
09:22Ricci essentially inspired Jenna Ortega's show on Netflix.
09:26Along with Christopher Lloyd as Uncle Fester, the series lives and dies because of its finely
09:31tuned comedic parts.
09:43There's also a whole host of bit players that react with horror to this odd family.
09:493.
09:50Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise
09:52It went from a Disney ride to a blockbuster franchise.
09:55Gentlemen!
09:57M'lady.
09:58You will always remember this as the day that you almost caught Captain Jack Sparrow!
10:04With the help of a fun cast, Pirates of the Caribbean became an important part of 2000s
10:10pop culture.
10:11Johnny Depp was the devilish, funny, and always surprising Captain Jack Sparrow.
10:16His roguish rock star turned into an iconic character, letting the actor explore increasingly
10:22absurd plots.
10:23Where's Elizabeth?
10:25She's safe, just like I promised.
10:28She's all set to marry Norrington just like she promised.
10:31And you get to die for her just like you promised.
10:33So we're all men of our word really.
10:36Except for Elizabeth who is in fact a woman.
10:38Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, and Keira Knightley filled out the ensemble with their enjoyable
10:44work.
10:44We wanted to spread equal time with the heroes and villains, with series casting plenty
10:49of British actors to twirl their metaphorical mustaches.
10:52Even celebrities like Paul McCartney joins the latter entries with their cameos.
10:57The oceans have turned to blood.
10:59Best to stay on dry land where it's safe.
11:02I'm about to be executed on dry land.
11:05Good point.
11:06Everyone eagerly put on their makeup, wardrobe, and wigs, playing into the campy nature of
11:12this supernatural adventure.
11:132.
11:15The Lord of the Rings Franchise
11:16Peter Jackson and his team performed a miracle with the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
11:30From hobbits to elves, the cast was a treasure trove of breakout performers, veterans, and movie
11:36stars.
11:37Each of them breathed life into a classic fantasy tale about good and evil.
11:41people.
11:41Using visual trickery, Jackson packs dozens of worthy artists into both huge scenes and intimate
11:47ones.
12:02He also allowed motion capture pioneer Andy Serkis to share his talents with the world.
12:08Ian McKellen competes with Viggo Mortensen, Hugo Weaving, and Christopher Lee in a densely packed ensemble.
12:15Every individual performance adds to a beautiful tapestry set in Middle-earth.
12:20Drawing you in with its massive spectacle, the series also succeeds in its more human moments
12:25thanks to these gifted actors.
12:27Die now.
12:40I am no man.
12:421.
12:43Harry Potter Franchise
12:45It was a million to one shot, and somehow they made it work.
12:49Before you can take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses.
12:55They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.
13:02The book series turned into a movie franchise in 2001, featuring young actors that would have
13:07to carry on for a decade.
13:09Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson could not have been better suited for their roles.
13:14Each one brings a distinct look, demeanor, and character arc as they grow older.
13:19There's also the impactful work of Michael Gambon, Maggie Smith, and the ever-changing dark arts professors.
13:26Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times.
13:32If one only remembers to turn on the light.
13:35Fan favorites like Hagrid and the Snape wouldn't be the same without great casting,
13:40giving performers like Alan Rickman more incredible roles.
13:44Every gamble paid off as the ensemble aged gracefully until Deathly Hallows.
13:49Back?
13:50Yeah.
13:51Jumpa?
13:53Yeah.
13:54Come to sleep.
13:56Here they come.
13:57Did we forget another incredible ensemble cast?
14:00Let us know in the comments below!
14:07We've ALONG here!
14:07Let's find a kind.
14:07We've got to keep it by joining as well.