Random Most Controversial Casting Decisions (25 items)

(#13) Tonto
- Fictional Character
Johnny Depp promised to "reinvent" Tonto's relationship with the titular hero in The Lone Ranger. But audiences were wary, not only because it seemed sketchy to cast a non-Native-American in the part, but because his performance as Tonto seemed to rely on offensive cultural stereotypes, making his promise a non-starter.
(#22) Edward Cullen
- Fictional Character
Interestingly enough, Twilight fans initially hated the man they would come to love so fervently. When little-known English actor Robert Pattinson was cast as Edward Cullen, fans of Stephenie Meyer's novels felt "unanimous unhappiness" over the thespian meant to sparkle his way into their hearts as the vampiric hunk.
(#5) Heimdall
- Fictional Character
Kenneth Branagh’s choice to cast Idris Elba as the Norse God Heimdall in Thor brought the race issue to the forefront for Marvel. Whether there are a lot of narrow-minded nerds or they just fear change (or maybe a mix of the two), the fans flipped out.

The criticism was proved wrong when Elba turned in one of the best performances of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
(#7) Scarlett O'Hara
- Fictional Character
Casting British actors to play iconic American roles is commonplace nowadays, but back in the '30s, producers feared a backlash if they cast Vivien Leigh to bring the heroine of Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind to life.
(#14) Mr. Yunioshi
- Fictional Character
In one of the most absurdly and overtly inappropriate roles off all time, Breakfast at Tiffany's casts Mickey Rooney, who openly plays an Asian stereotype complete with ridiculous buck teeth, gigantic glasses, and excessively squinted eyes.

He looks like a piece of walking, talking, uncultured propaganda.
(#6) Katniss Everdeen
- Fictional Character
J. Law took her criticism for her casting as rugged, resourceful Hunger Games heroine Katniss Everdeen in stride. "I'm a fan too. I get it," Lawrence said in response to fans who thought she was too old, too pretty, and not tough enough for the character. Some people went as far as to say that Lawrence was "too big."

Thanks to her now acclaimed performances as the Mockingjay, Oscar-winner Lawrence is arguably the biggest action heroine around.