Random Worst Superhero Performances In Comic Book Movies (14 items)

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  (#5) Chris O'Donnell

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  So much of Batman Forever hinged on the evolution of Robin's character after losing his parents. But in Batman & Robin, all that seemed to be thrown out of the window. While this film was chock full of puns, it was not full of particularly great acting. Chris O'Donnell was incapable of selling whatever was left of the character.

  At various points, Robin (née Dick Grayson) is under the influence of Poison Ivy's pheromones or in heated conflict with Bruce Wayne, and yet all of it seems like the same flavor of... well, nonexistent.
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  (#10) Ben Affleck

  • 46

  While Ben Affleck didn’t make the best Matt Murdock, his performance in Daredevil seemed almost like a pre-emptive audition for the role of Batman. Affleck wasn't the worst Caped Crusader to ever grace the screen, but it does seem like audiences weren't exactly here for Batfleck. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice was a tough enough sell. The impressive early trailers promised something the final product couldn't quite deliver.

  By the time Justice League rolled around, Affleck was dealing with a lot of pressure and backlash. In what turned out to be his final go-round as the beloved character, Affleck wasn't able to capture Batman's inherent darkness nor the savvy intellect required to plausibly embody the so-called World's Greatest Detective. He didn't have Bruce Wayne's charm either. You can practically see the bat-defeat in his eyes. It's highly doubtful the oft-rumored, never-seen Snyder Cut would fix this particular performance.
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  (#6) Brie Larson

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  In Marvel's long-overdue first solo female superhero movie, Brie Larson takes center stage as one of the most powerful heroes the MCU has to offer. And yet she leaves little permanent impression beyond that. While her part-human, part-alien character spends the bulk of the film figuring out her identity, the performance never figures out its own. This is a character wading through an existential crisis and an actual narrative mission, and yet Larson delivers a robotic performance that doesn't succeed on either level.

  To be clear: She's a great actor, worthy of the Best Actress Oscar she won for Room. And there was a bit more brass to the character in her Avengers: Endgame appearance. But our collective introduction to a living, breathing Carol Danvers was a far cry from the much more memorable character from the comics.
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  (#14) Jeremy Renner

  • 48

  Jeremy Renner's presence in the Marvel Cinematic Universe can sometimes feel like the centerpiece of a game of "Which One of These is Not Like the Other?" His character, Hawkeye, can best be described as a member of the Avengers B-team, and Renner himself lacks the characteristic pop that has helped define most in the Avengers ensemble.

  Characters like Falcon (Anthony Mackie), Drax (Dave Bautista), Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) all have similar supporting roles in the MCU, but the performers have defined those characters clearly and memorably. Hawkeye has a body count that rivals Black Widow, but none of her pathos. He has an entire family to take care of, but just sort of seems like a regular, indistinct guy. He has so much working for him, and so much to play off of, but does little more than fill in the background of a franchise filled with much more vivid characters.
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  (#9) Sylvester Stallone

  • 72

  Sylvester Stallone is a bonafide action hero - he's just not necessarily a superhero. Judge Dredd has long been considered one of his worst films. It was panned by critics and flopped financially. While Stallone may not be anyone's first choice for King Lear, he's really not a bad actor. But even in this one minute of him in character as Judge Dredd, it's clear he can barely deliver his lines coherently.

  It also turns out he had his hands in too many other pies. Director Danny Cannon had such a tough time working with Stallone, he swore off working with big-name actors. Apparently, Stallone pushed for both a PG-13 rating and more comedic scenes. This really threw a wrench into the adaptation of a comic characterized by its aggression, ironic tone, and social commentary. Maybe he should have focused more on delivering his lines in an organic way than backseat producing.
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  (#1) Shaquille O'Neal

  • 46

  Shaquille O’Neal was an amazing basketball player. And at the time of Steel's production, at the height of his athletic prowess, he certainly looked like he could play the post-Death of Superman character of Steel. The problem? Shaquille O'Neal cannot act. Buying him as an engineer was a virtual impossibility. He delivers every line like he's starring in a commercial - which is certainly more in his wheelhouse.

  The tone of this film is predominantly a family-style superhero flick, but Shaq didn't bring much super nor hero. He's believable enough as a veteran who wants more for his community, but he lacks the seriousness and edge to pull off a heroic character covered head-to-toe in steel. His performance in the film took it more into the territory of unintentional comedy than lighthearted family adventure.

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