Even the biggest artists may encounter unforeseen difficulties in the entertainment world, which is full of shocks. Despite their success and notoriety, several legendary superstars have nearly had their careers end abruptly because of unfavorable reviews or contentious roles. 
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Once regarded as career-defining films, these films ran the risk of undermining the well-established legacies of some of Hollywood’s most well-known figures. These movies caused actors who were previously at the top of their game to have moments of doubt and uncertainty, whether it was because of bad acting, poorly written screenplays, or simply bad timing.
Even the most seasoned celebrities can be put to the test by the harsh reality of the business; one mistake could ruin years of arduous work. These movies serve as a reminder that, despite an actor’s prior level of recognition, success in Hollywood is never assured. Some of these celebrities managed to overcome the setbacks and reach even higher levels of success, while others struggled to regain their prominence.
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Halle Berry: “Catwoman”
Many people consider Halle Berry’s performance as Catwoman in the 2004 movie of the same name to be a major blow to her storied career. Even though she won an Oscar for her role in “Monster’s Ball” (2001), “Catwoman” was a box office failure and garnered a lot of bad reviews. Despite having a $100 million budget, it only made $82 million worldwide. 
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Berry proceeded to land important roles in the years after “Catwoman,” such as those in “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” and the “X-Men” television series. With “Bruised” (2020), she also dabbled in directing, demonstrating her adaptability and will to develop as a creative.
Berry’s experience with “Catwoman” highlights how erratic the movie business can be, with even seasoned actors experiencing difficulties. Her ability to bounce back and keep giving amazing performances demonstrates her tenacity and dedication to her art.
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The Rock: “Tooth Fairy”
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has had a lot of success since switching from professional wrestling to Hollywood. His 2010 family comedy *Tooth Fairy*However, it was a serious obstacle to his career. Johnson plays minor league hockey player Derek Thompson in this movie, who is given a sentence to act as a tooth fairy in real life.
The film’s difficulties were exacerbated by its poor box office result. Despite having a production budget of about $48 million, *Tooth Fairy* made about $112 million globally, which was a respectable amount considering the marketing and production expenses of the movie. 
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After *Tooth Fairy* was released, Johnson’s career was uncertain for a while. Due to the studio’s reluctance to cast him in big-budget productions, the kinds of roles that were given to him temporarily decreased as a result of the film’s response. The unpredictability of the film industry during this time was highlighted by the fact that an actor’s career path can be greatly impacted by the success of a single picture.
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Johnson was able to overcome this setback, nevertheless, thanks to his tenacity and range as an actor. He expanded his acting career by playing more action-packed roles and eventually becoming the head of popular franchises like *Jumanji* and the *Fast & Furious* series. His position as a major player in Hollywood has been cemented by his ability to modify and develop his acting technique.
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Will Smith: “After Earth”
The 2013 movie *After Earth* dealt a serious blow to Black* and *The Pursuit of Happiness*. The film, which was directed by M. Night Shyamalan, followed Smith and his son Jaden Smith in a post-apocalyptic post-science fiction story.
*After Earth* had a 12% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes when it was first released and was largely criticized by critics. The film’s predictable plot and mediocre acting drew criticism from critics, who also said that the film’s idea fell short of expectations.
Photo:@RedditDespite having a $130 million production budget, the movie did not fare well financially, earning about $60.5 million at home and $183 million abroad, for a total of about $243.6 million globally. Both Will and Jaden Smith struggled to land important parts in the aftermath of *After Earth*.
Notwithstanding this setback, Will Smith’s career took off thanks to standout roles in movies like *Concussion* (2015), in which he played Dr. Bennet Omalu, a forensic pathologist who identified American football players’ chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). His performance received praise from critics and showcased his range as an actor. 
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Topher Grace: “Spider-Man 3”
After the success of “Spider-Man” (2002) and “Spider-Man 2” (2004), Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy continued with “Spider-Man 3,” which came out in 2007. The film included new enemies and recurring characters, as well as the well-known villain Venom, played by Topher Grace.
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Critics and viewers gave “Spider-Man 3” varying reviews, despite the film’s high expectations. The movie has a 63% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which indicates that it has received mixed reviews overall. While critics commended the film’s action scenes and special effects, they also pointed out its convoluted plot and inconsistent tone. In his review, Roger Ebert called the movie “a mess,” saying there were “too many villains, too many pale plot strands, too many romantic misunderstandings.”
Particular attention was paid to Topher Grace’s performance as Venom. The portrayal of the character, according to several fans, did not fit the deeper, more sinister tone of Venom in the comics. Reddit discussions point out that the character’s lackluster performance was a result of the film’s narrative, pacing, and costume design. 
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Through these difficulties, “Spider-Man 3” was a huge box office hit, earning over $890 million globally. But because of its positive reviews, the franchise’s course was reassessed, opening the door for more Spider-Man reboots and adaptations.
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Geena Davis: “Cutthroat Island”
The 1995 film “Cutthroat Island,” is frequently regarded as one of the worst box office failures in Hollywood history. Geena Davis and Matthew Modine starred in the Renny Harlin-directed movie, whose failure had a long-lasting impact on both careers. 
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Despite continuing to appear on television and in movies like *Stuart Little*Davis was unable to secure any significant film parts following the film’s poor box office result. Her prospects for big-screen movies were significantly limited due to her lack of success.
Following the film’s failure, Matthew Modine, who portrayed William Shaw, as the male lead, also experienced a change in his career path. Modine had a strong reputation from previous roles, but the financial failure of *Cutthroat Island* caused him to play fewer high-profile parts in the years that followed. 
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The director of *Cutthroat Island*Renny Harlin was most affected since the film’s failure led to the demise of the studio that produced it, Carolco Pictures. When adjusted for inflation, the film lost over $147 million, making it one of the worst box office failures in Hollywood history. Harlin’s image as a director suffered, and his later works—like *Die Hard 2* and *Cliffhanger*—performed worse than his previous hits. The movie’s failure also had wider effects on the business, which made it reluctant to make action movies with female leads for a while.
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Chris Klein: “Rollerball”
The 2002 reimagining of the 1975 cult film, “Rollerball,” is generally considered a critical and financial disaster. Set in a dystopian future where a violent sport called Rollerball is the main source of entertainment, the picture, which was directed by John McTiernan and starred Chris Klein, was supposed to be a high-octane action extravaganza. But the movie’s performance didn’t live up to the hype, and it became known as a major setback for the participants’ careers.
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Every critic expressed disdain for “Rollerball.” Based on 119 reviews, the movie has a pitiful 3% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with most critics agreeing that “This updated version of Rollerball is violent, confusing, and choppy, removing the social critique of the original.” According to Roger Ebert, it was “an incoherent mess, a jumble of footage in search of plot, meaning, rhythm, and sense.”
“Rollerball” was a major setback for Chris Klein’s acting career. Klein’s comedic skills were on display in “American Pie” and “Election,” which brought him acclaim before this movie. His performance as Jonathan Cross in “Rollerball” was critiqued, nevertheless, for being unconvincing and lacking the passion that an action hero needs. 
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The film’s execution fell short of the high standards set by its premise and the participation of well-known performers, making it a significant setback in the careers of those involved.
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Natalie Portman: “Star Wars”
Known for her ability to play a variety of roles, Natalie Portman encountered several difficulties in her career after playing Padmé Amidala in the “Star Wars” prequel trilogy. Even though she’s well-known from movies like “Léon. The prequels, “The Professional” and “Heat,” were widely criticized for their performances and dialogue, which caused a backlash that impacted Portman and the rest of the ensemble. 
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Following the completion of the “Star Wars” trilogy, Portman struggled to land big parts. Because they thought her prequel performances lacked nuance, many filmmakers were reluctant to cast her.
Portman’s performance in Anthony Minghella’s 2003 film “Cold Mountain” marked a turning point in her career. She played Sara in this movie, a young widow who starts dating Inman, the main character. 
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She received a lot of praise for her portrayal and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. This part was a major turning point in her career, demonstrating her capacity to play nuanced roles and establishing her reputation as a versatile Hollywood actor.
Well-known Movies That Nearly Finished Star’s Careers
The failure of a single movie has caused major setbacks to the careers of numerous Hollywood superstars, demonstrating how brittle success can be in the entertainment sector. Despite prior successes or a devoted following, these films serve as warnings about how easily a star’s momentum can be stopped by a poorly received endeavor. 
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These obstacles caused periods of uncertainty and hardship for celebrities like Halle Berry, The Rock, and Will Smith, but their fortitude and flexibility enabled them to overcome these setbacks and carry on thriving in their professions. Although these were significant setbacks, movies like *Catwoman*, *Tooth Fairy*, and *After Earth* did not determine the careers of these performers.
However, after their careers were permanently impacted by films like *Spider-Man 3*, *Cutthroat Island*, and *Rollerball*performers like Topher Grace, Geena Davis, and Chris Klein found it difficult to get back on their feet. Finally, these instances demonstrate that success is never assured in the film industry due to its unstable nature, regardless of an actor’s fame or skill.
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