Hollywood may be the land of glitz, glamour, and red carpets, but even the biggest stars sometimes take on roles they wish they could erase from their résumé. Whether it’s creative conflicts, controversy, or just personal misgivings, plenty of actors have looked back on certain projects with regret. Here’s a countdown of ten actors who’ve admitted they’d do things differently if given the chance.
10. Christopher Plummer – The Sound of Music
Even classics are not safe from regret. Christopher Plummer is known for hating his role as Captain von Trapp, which he said was “awful and sentimental and gooey.” He admitted that he had to work incredibly hard to inject even a tiny bit of humor into the role. Over time, he came to appreciate the film’s legacy, but the experience itself was far from enjoyable.
9. Kate Winslet – Titanic
Titanic launched Kate Winslet onto the world stage, but she’s been her own harshest critic. She has said she cringes at nearly every scene, along with her American accent. Despite the movie’s enduring success, Winslet has said she wishes she could redo her performance-proof that even legendary films can leave actors second-guessing themselves.
8. Zac Efron – High School Musical
High School Musical made him a teen idol, but not always looked upon fondly by Zac Efron. He has mentioned that he would caution his younger self against taking the role, realizing after the first film that musicals weren’t his preferred path. He’s reflected on those Disney days, even joking he wants to “kick that guy’s ass” for signing up.
7. Ryan Reynolds – Green Lantern
Ryan Reynolds’ turn as Green Lantern is infamous, and not in any positive way. It tanked both critically and commercially, and Reynolds has continuously mocked his involvement in interviews and even in Deadpool. The project is one that he now wishes he had passed on.
6. George Clooney – Batman & Robin
Clooney’s performance as Batman is often cited as one of the franchise’s low points. He himself has said that he regrets the role, going so far as to joke that he wouldn’t redo the film under any circumstances. In fact, he keeps a photo from the set as a humorous reminder of the rare Hollywood misstep.
5. Timothée Chalamet – A Rainy Day in New York
Timothée Chalamet joined the cast of Woody Allen’s A Rainy Day in New York, an association he later regretted due to the surrounding controversy. He made a public apology for taking the role and donated his entire salary to charity, thus claiming not to profit from the project. This was an early moment of reflection and accountability in his career.
4. Eddie Redmayne – The Danish Girl
Eddie Redmayne’s Oscar-nominated performance as Lili Elbe sparked controversy over the casting of a cisgender man as a transgender woman. Since then, Redmayne has said that he wouldn’t do it now, realizing that he should have been more aware of what’s going on in Hollywood when it comes to the need for more inclusive casting.
3. Shailene Woodley – The Secret Life of the American Teenager
The first big role for Shailene Woodley came with some unexpected challenges. Contractually bound to portray some ideas that she didn’t necessarily believe in, Woodley says her experience was among the toughest times in her career. It taught her to fight for her values in future projects-even when those fights mean giving up on certain opportunities.
2. Jennette McCurdy – iCarly / Sam & Cat
Jennette McCurdy knew fame as Sam Puckett, but that didn’t equate to happiness. She has referred to her time on iCarly and Sam & Cat as “hellish,” feeling trapped by the roles and the pressures of being a child star. Eventually, she stepped away from acting to pursue a life that aligned with her personal values and well-being.
1. Dakota Johnson – Madame Web
Dakota Johnson has called her Madame Web experience a “learning experience”-but not one she’d repeat. Critically panned and poorly received, Johnson felt out of place in the superhero genre. She’s said she probably won’t return to similar roles, proving that even major stars have projects they simply can’t connect with.
From timeless musicals to high-profile superhero films, these stories show that even the biggest stars have moments they’d love to erase. The next time you’re watching a blockbuster or a cult classic, just remember this: behind the scenes, some of those actors might be quietly hoping they’d said “no.”