I Will Become More Powerful Than You Could Ever Imagine: What Happens When An Actor Becomes More "Important" Than The Franchise

TV & Film

Apr 16

There have been a lot of rumours over the past few months around certain actors’ feuding with DC leadership, demanding appearances of other characters, or even banning their own flagship role from appearing in other DCU films.

There. That was subtle enough to avoid litigation. However, many actors go on to become Producers, Executive Producers, or even Directors in their particular franchises. Today we take a look at five examples of projects where an actor became more than just the name on the marquee, with varying degrees of success.

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5. Robert Downey Jr

One of the biggest comebacks in recent cinema. RDJ re-exploded onto screens in 2008 to the proto MCU as Tony Stark/Iron Man…and the results were universally lauded. Despite being considered a risky hire for the titular Ferrous Male, RDJ owned the role and arguably went on to become the face (and ironically heart) of the MCU. Because of this Team Downey was able to command some eye-watering salaries and a cut of the profit – because He is Iron Man.

4. Tom Cruise

Cruise has been producing his own films since Mission: Impossible, and many of these have been huge successes! However, when Cruise decided to wrest the helm of Universal’s Dark Universe franchise reboot, restart (it’s complicated) The Mummy. Cruise’s excessive control of the movie and substantial change to the creative direction resulted in tepid reviews and an incredibly lacklustre financial performance. However, it’s not fair to blame this entirely on Cruise as an untested director, a Studio looking to launch an established universe right out of the bag, and a model that still relied on A-List stars as a draw, rather than using the IP’s themselves all played a significant part.

3. Harrison Ford

Rumours of reboots, prequels, and probably multiverses, of Indiana Jones have been in circulation for about three decades at this point, with numerous big names supposedly attached to it at one point or another. But, as Solo showed, no matter how good the creative team and “young Harrison Ford” are…it’s just not the same as our OG Indy. With The Dial of Destiny on the horizon, Lucasfilm has confirmed that they have no intention of ever recasting Indy. Let’s hope they stick to that.

2. Johnny Depp

Very few actors have become as synonymous with their characters, as Johnny Depp and Captain Jack Sparrow. Regardless of any off-screen issues with the man himself, he is arguably the strongest and most memorable part of the five Pirates movies and their relevant other media spin-offs. Disney has even axed its upcoming Margot Robbie-led Pirates film, leading many fans to speculate that Depp may be returning to the franchise and the role.

1. James Earl Jones

The man is Darth Vader. No further questions. The Grand Moffs at Disney agreed so much that after 45 years of voicing the character, they have purchased the rights to the baritone legend’s voice to use with their AI systems to ensure that Jones is Vader forever.

Impressive. Most Impressive.

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