MovieChat Forums > Experimenter (2015) Discussion > Just Terrible Casting of Cameos: Anthony...

Just Terrible Casting of Cameos: Anthony Edwards, Leguizamo, Gaffigan

posted 8 years ago by skat1140
7 replies | jump to latest

Really bad casting choices for "everyday" people involved in the Obedience Test. Perhaps for a supporting cast member it makes sense. But it really destroys the Fourth Wall when you cast a extremely well known actor in a bit part like this. All you're thinking is "Why is X in this bit part?" With Leguizamo and Gaffigan it's doubly difficult because they both have well known typecast roles (Leguizamo as conniver, Gaffigan as a bumbler).

And, sure, the whole movie breaks the Fourth Wall constantly (the elephants, the obvious fake staging, talking to the camera), but this effect was almost certainly unintentional.

Would've been much better to cast talented no-names in those roles, God knows there are thousands of qualified actors who could've filled those spots.

[–] Seth_Rogue_One 8 years ago

I think they cast famous people just so that fans of them would want to see it... It worked on me.

However I think they did well.

I'm gonna refuse you an offer you can't make

[–] NoEasyBucketsBro 8 years ago

Couldn't you say that about an actor in any role? Why have Daniel Day Lewis play Abraham Lincoln? He's a famous actor and we know he's not Abraham Lincoln, so they should have got an unknown to play the part.

[–] mlspaur 8 years ago

Yes, you could say that about an actor in any role. A few years ago, there were two movies. released only weeks apart, about Truman Capote and his book "In Cold Blood." One of them starred Philip Seymour Hoffman. And throughout that whole movie, I never believed I was watching Truman Capote - only P. S. Hoffman. The other movie starred an actor I was unfamiliar with, Toby Jones. And I never once thought I was watching some player playing the part of Truman Capote. That WAS Truman Capote to me. So, big name stars can have a negative effect in a production.

[–] JW-7 8 years ago

Interesting point. It's very very difficult to do a movie about a famous person because it's just too obvious that it's an actor. The exception that leaps to mind is Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles. Man, did he nail that!!

But think about it. Angela Basset as Tina? No. Anthony Hopkins as Nixon? No. Frank Langella as Nixon? A big NO. That Phoenix guy as Johnny Cash?? No No No No.

And on and on. Anybody got any contributions--positive or negative?

[–] mel-holden 8 years ago

I agree.

For me also, it 'broke the wall,' and took me out of the plot.

Plus, they just didn't seem like the best fit.

Plus, the petite woman from Orange is the New Black. I can't see her in another role without thinking of that TV show.

Agreed, no-name people in those roles would have worked better, and been more believable.

[–] sartor023 8 years ago

Some minor talking parts.. the guest actors probably did it for free or whatever the base pay is.. (for scale?)

[–] 8 years ago

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