You know how some actors/actresses tend to keep playing the same kinds of roles over and over? I always enjoy seeing an actor try something new, even if it might seem odd at first. I remember when I first saw Pineapple Express and was shocked to see James Franco in the "dumb stoner" role, especially next to Seth Rogen who was pretty much born to play those parts. Now I have a hard time seeing him as anything else. Sometimes, it doesn't always work out as well, such as Will Ferrell trying more serious movies (I just can't take him seriously). What are some of your favorite movies where an actor stepped outside of their typical roles?

James Franco is pretty versatile, one of my favorite actors. Check him out in This Is The End too, oh my god that's hilarious.

 

Conversely, seeing him in the first new Planet Of The Apes movie is great, or the Spiderman trilogy early 2000's, or Oz, or 11.22.63 are just great.

 

Saw Robin Williams playing a villain in Insomnia, a remake film by Christopher Nolan from 2002. That was really cool.

 

Or Jim Carrey doing a serious role in the movie The Number 23. Also very interesting.

I feel like Johnny Depp is one of those people that seem to play the same type of character in every film but it suits him so I won't complain. I really liked Hugh Jackman in Les Miserables. It was definitely different from what I'm used to with him. I also love Sam Waterson in Grace and Frankie. He's completely different from the character he played in Law and Order.

@Zack T Franco is incredibly versatile. I think he's an underrated actor. This is the End is one of my favorite movies of all time. It's what made me start loving Michael Cera. I thought Franco was great in all of the other films you mentioned too, although I haven't seen the last one. I haven't seen Insomnia yet because I was afraid seeing him as the villain would traumatize me when it first came out. I'd honestly forgotten that movie existed until now. I'll have to give that a watch.

 

@Lumos, Johnny Depp does, but honestly, it makes me appreciate his "normal" roles even more. For instance, I thought he was spectacular in Finding Neverland. I loved that it was outside of his typical wheelhouse.

Tom Hanks for me is the versatile actor as he can do action, comedy, drama, voice-over animation, and even documentary films. I wish he would try a superhero role and that would make him the best actor ever, if he performs it well.

I can't see Tom Hanks in a superhero movie. Unless he does a cameo of himself in which he plays the straight, reality based person against a backdrop of glorified cartoon characters. That would be too cool.

I would love to see Anthony Hopkins play a comedy simply because his personality doesn't exude humour. At the same time, I like to see Will Ferrell to play a dramatic role just for the fun of it.