Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, Joker: which actor played them better?

Kurt Russell as Elvis Presley
Austin Butler as Elvis Presley
Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe
Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe
Elvis and Marilyn: not the only characters changing once in a while
Choose your favorite
Robert Pattinson as Batman
Ben Affleck as Batman
Christian Bale as Batman
George Clooney as Batman
Val Kilmer as Batman
Michael Keaton as Batman
Joaquin Phoenix as Joker
Jared Leto as Joker
Heath Ledger as Joker
Jack Nicholson as Joker
Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka
Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka
Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft
Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft
Tom Holland as Spiderman
Andrew Garfield as Spiderman
Tobey Maguire as Spiderman
Richard Harris Albus Dumbledore
Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore
Brie Larson as King Kong's crush
Naomi Watts as King Kong's crush
Jessica Lange as King Kong's crush
Fay Wray as King Kong's crush
Henry Cavill as Superman
Brandon Routh as Superman
Christopher Reeve as Superman
Amy Adams as Lois Lane
Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane
Margot Kidder as Lois Lane
Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander
Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander
Claire Foy as Lisbeth Salander
Mark Ruffalo as Hulk
Edward Norton as Hulk
Eric Bana as Hulk
Tom Hardy as Mad Max
Mel Gibson as Mad Max
Kurt Russell as Elvis Presley

It was 1979, but some may still remember: Kurt Russell played Elvis Presley in the TV film 'Elvis' Directed by John Carpenter, the actor's performance of Elvis had a good reception: Primetime Emmy nominations for Russell and the film, as well as a Golden Globe nomination for the movie.

Austin Butler as Elvis Presley

History will still have to judge the total success of the 2022 'Elvis' film, but the first reviews of Austin Butler's performance are overall positive. He's even being mentioned as a potential Oscar nominee.

Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe

This Marilyn Monroe has yet to hit the screen, but we've already seen previews of Cuban/Spanish actress Ana de Armas playing the legendary movie star. 'Blonde' is coming out in September 2022.

Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe

'My Week with Marilyn' (2011) starred Michelle Williams as the legendary blonde. She won a Golden Globe for the role and was nominated for an Oscar. Not bad!

Elvis and Marilyn: not the only characters changing once in a while

For various reasons - an actor left or passed away, or the entire saga was remade - the same movie character has sometimes been played by different Hollywood stars. In the end, the audience always has its favorite.

(In the image, 'Elvis & Nixon,' with Michael Shannon playing the former and Kevin Spacey the latter)

Choose your favorite

Which of the following characters and actors are your favorites for the role? And, if your favorite is missing, who should be the number one for the mythical character?

(In the image, Helen Mirren who played Queen Elizabeth in 'The Queen' in 2006 and won an Oscar for the performance)

Robert Pattinson as Batman

2022 saw a new Batman in cinema. Robert Pattinson was the new Bruce Wayne in the film trilogy by director Matt Reeves. In the first film, a younger version of Batman appears, and we will see him develop with every new installment.

Ben Affleck as Batman

Previously, this character was played by Ben Affleck, who gave up on the role in Batman's solo film after 'Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice' (2016) and 'Justice League' (2017). Affleck explained that he dropped Batman because he could not make a good version of him in a new solo film, as he would be its director as well. Though it seems a wise decision, viewers have come to appreciate Affleck as Batman more and more over time.

Christian Bale as Batman

Christian Bale was also the face of Batman. In fact, he helped revive the success of the franchise. Bale starred in 'Batman Begins' (2005), 'The Dark Knight' (2008), and 'The Dark Knight Rises' (2012).

George Clooney as Batman

George Clooney wore the superhero suit in 'Batman and Robin' (1997),  but this film didn't convince anyone. It got a whopping 11 nominations for the Razzie Awards, which means it was convincingly bad. But perhaps there are some Clooney fans who would disagree.

(In the photo, Cat Woman Alicia Silverstone and Robin Chris O'Donnell accompany the unfortunate Batman.)

Val Kilmer as Batman

Val Kilmer starred in 'Batman Forever' (1995) under Joel Schumacher.

Michael Keaton as Batman

Michael Keaton's interpretation of Batman is still remembered because his dark style for the character (with director Tim Burton) made the film a hit in 1989. He then also shot 'Batman Returns' (1992).

Joaquin Phoenix as Joker

Joaquin Phoenix caused a stir for his psychological interpretation of 'Joker' in 2019. He won the Golden Globe for Best Actor with the performance and was nominated for an Oscar.

Jared Leto as Joker

Jared Leto played this villain in the film 'S****** Squad' (2016). Although his possible return in a future Joker film had been suggested, it never materialized. DC Comics canceled the project.

Heath Ledger as Joker

Of course, the late actor Heath Ledger is still remembered for his masterful performance of the Joker in 'The Dark Knight' (2008). It was one of his best and his last roles before he passed away. Ledger posthumously won the 2009 Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for this film.

Jack Nicholson as Joker

But don't erase this masterful Joker either! Jack Nicholson personified him in the film 'Batman' (1989)  with his characteristic mean voice, smile, and laugh.

Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka

In 2005, Johnny Depp filmed 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,' where he played the popular Willy Wonka.

Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka

This role was made famous by Gene Wilder in the film 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory' (1971). Two very different but equally iconic Willy Wonka's: Who's your favorite?

Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft

If there is one role where Angelina Jolie left her mark, it is the one she played in 'Lara Croft: Tomb Raider' (2001) and 'Lara Croft Tom Raider: The Cradle of Life' (2003). She gave life to the attractive video game character who immerses herself in great action scenes.

Alicia Vikander as Lara Croft

Fifteen years later, Alicia Vikander put herself in the shoes of Lara Croft in the film 'Tomb Raider' (2018), where she undoubtedly managed to bring the heroine to life.

Tom Holland as Spiderman

Spiderman is one of those superheroes who has had several faces in the movies. The most recent Spiderman has been Tom Holland. He played the legendary role in the films 'Captain America: Civil War' (2016), 'Spider-Man Homecoming' (2017), 'Avengers: Infinity War' (2018), 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019), and 'Spider-Man: Far from Home' (2019).

Andrew Garfield as Spiderman

Andrew Garfield played Peter Parker in the films 'The Amazing Spider-Man' (2012) and 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' (2014).

Tobey Maguire as Spiderman

Tobey Maguire was in the trilogy that the filmmaker Sam Raimi made of this superhero: 'Spider-Man' (2002), 'Spider-Man 2' (2004), and 'Spider-Man 3' (2007).

Richard Harris Albus Dumbledore

Richard Harris was initially Professor Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter saga. He participated only in 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' (2001) and 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' (2002). Unfortunately, Richard Harris died in 2002.

Michael Gambon as Albus Dumbledore

After Harris's death, the Harry Potter saga recruited Michael Gambon to play Dumbledore for the role. He played the iconic magician in the next six films. The last one was 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2' (2011).

Brie Larson as King Kong's crush

There have been many different actresses for the 'women of King Kong.' Brie Larson stole the heart of this popular giant in the film 'Kong: Skull Island' (2017), where she played war photojournalist Mason Weaver. Her 'King Kong woman' interpretation replaced his former 'crush,' Ann Darrow.

Naomi Watts as King Kong's crush

Naomi Watts brought Ann Darrow to life in a remake of this cinema classic: 'King Kong' (2005).

Jessica Lange as King Kong's crush

Previously, in the first remake of King Kong in 1976, Jessica Lange was the female lead.

Fay Wray as King Kong's crush

Fay Wray was the first woman to play Ann Darrow in 1933. She was the first to steal King Kong's heart.

Henry Cavill as Superman

Superhero movies tend to change their lead actors quite a lot. Maybe it's because there are simply so many of them. Some actors may want to play other roles than the eternal superhero as well.

Superman has been played by several actors on television and in cinema. Henry Cavill is a recent Superman: he debuted in 2013.

Brandon Routh as Superman

Before Cavill, Brandon Routh starred in 'Superman Returns' (2006). Director Bryan Singer chose him because he didn't want too much of a familiar face for his film.

Christopher Reeve as Superman

Christopher Reeve the iconic Superman in the 1970s and 1980s. He made four films: 'Superman' (1978), 'Superman II' (1980), 'Superman III' (1983), and 'Superman IV: The Quest for Peace' (1987).

Amy Adams as Lois Lane

If we are talking about Superman, we must also mention the several actresses for his girlfriend, Lois Lane. The most recent was Amy Adams, who played the partner of Henry Cavill's Superman in 'Justice League' (2017), 'Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice' (2016), and 'Man of Steel' (2013).

Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane

Before Adams, Kate Bosworth was Lois Lane in the film 'Superman Returns' (2006). She was Brandon Routh's partner.

Margot Kidder as Lois Lane

Margot Kidder was Clark Kent's girlfriend in all four of Christopher Reeve's films.

Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth Salander

Noomi Rapace played Lisbeth Salander, the female character in Stieg Larsson's famous 'Millennium' saga. The films of the year 2009 were shot in her native language, Swedish.

Rooney Mara as Lisbeth Salander

The American version was by actress Rooney Mara, who only made one film, 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' in 2011.

Claire Foy as Lisbeth Salander

Years later, Claire Foy played Lisbeth Salander in a new installment of the saga, 'The Girl in the Spider's Web' (2018).

Mark Ruffalo as Hulk

Mark Ruffalo has earned the sympathy of many by playing Bruce Banner/Hulk in the Avengers movies. He first appeared as the character in 2012 and then returned in 'Avengers: Endgame' (2019).

Edward Norton as Hulk

Before Ruffalo, the superhero was played by Edward Norton in 'The Incredible Hulk' (2008), a film directed by Louis Leterrier.

Eric Bana as Hulk

We must also remember the performance of the green giant by Australian actor Eric Bana, who starred in the film 'Hulk' directed by Ang Lee in 2003.

Tom Hardy as Mad Max

Director George Miller resurrected the Mad Max saga more than 30 years after its first release. And he did so with actor Tom Hardy, who starred in 'Mad Max: Fury Road' (2015). After this film came 'Mad Max: The Wasteland' (2018).

Mel Gibson as Mad Max

But 'Mad Max' was originally played by Mel Gibson in 1979. Following its success, he shot 'Mad Max 2' in 1981 and 'Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome' in 1985.