12 Iconic Book Characters Played by Different Actors and Actresses

The actors involved in film adaptations of famous literary works awaken different emotions in their viewers: some are outraged by the inconsistency of the interpreter in relation to the character described in the literary text, while others start reading the book inspired by the dazzling performance of an actress. or a talented actor. Currently, many novels have two or even more film adaptations, so we can easily find several “versions” of the same character.

We, from awesome.clubwe love both books and films and decided to compare the characters of some classic literary works, embodied on the screen by different performers.

The 1959 epic Ben-Hur, inspired by the book by Lew Wallace, was the most successful film of the year and won 11 Oscars, including in the Best Actor category. The public evaluated the performance of Charlton Heston in the role of the protagonist as brilliant.

In 2016, director Timur Bekmambetov presented viewers with his version of the story, in which the role of Ben-Hur fell to British actor Jack Huston. The film was considered one of the biggest disasters of the year and received a lot of negative comments. Critics pointed out that Huston looks more like a Disney prince and, unlike Charlton Heston, failed to portray the character’s leadership qualities. However, in the opinion of the spectators, Huston’s performance is so good as for Charlton Heston.

The novel by the famous American writer Francis Scott Fitzgerald has been adapted for the screen several times. In the 1974 production, the memorable Jordan Baker was played by Lois Chiles. some spectators found her introverted and seductive character, and others classified the performance of the actress as simply perfect.

In the 2013 film adaptation, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, the character was embodied by Elizabeth Debicki. “I am madly in love with Elizabeth, she is amazing in this role”, he wrote a Twitter user.

The Turkish novel about the relationship between the beautiful girl Feride and the arrogant doctor Kamran has been adapted for film several times. In the 1986 series, the protagonist was played by Kenan Kalav, who, according to viewers, showed on the screen the character romance classic.

In 2013, the literary work won a new film adaptation with Burak Özçivit in the lead role. The spectators loved it the actor’s charm and good looks, but found his performance monotonous🇧🇷 And some internet users opined that both actors don’t look like the character described in the book and just disappointed The fans.

In the 1990 film The Witches Convention, inspired by Roald Dahl’s novel of the same name, hotel manager Mr. Stringer, was played by Rowan Atkinson. The British actor is best known as Mr Bean, from the eponymous comedy series, and for viewers it was difficult realize it as a character different.

In the 2020 remake, the same character is played by Stanley Tucci. Those who have seen the movie described his performance as magnificent.

The main antagonist of The Chronicles of Narnia saga is the intelligent, cunning and calculating Jadis. In the series, which ran on TV from 1988 to 1990, the character was played by Barbara Kellerman. Some viewers considered his interpretation perfect, while others found it quite exaggerated: “It’s a disgrace. Villains should remain silent as much as possible.”

In the most famous adaptation of the work, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the White Witch was embodied by Tilda Swinton. The actress’ performance is so impeccable and strong, that the public feels scared just looking at her. As commented a spectator, Tilda’s performance in the role of the White Witch is perfect.

William Shakespeare’s historical play was performed on the big screen by dozens of actors. Kenneth Branagh not only played King Henry V, he directed the film. “I love Kenneth! He’s a great actor, a great director and he really understands what people want to see.” he wrote a Twitter user.

Tom Hiddleston “tried on” Henry V’s crown in the 2012 series The Empty Crown. Fans praised her acting and your talent, highlighting your beauty.

In 2019, a new film version of the play was released, entitled The King and starring Timothée Chalamet. Some viewers found his role tedious, while others liked it. “He added an unexpected seriousness to the character. But I watched The Empty Crown and Timothée just doesn’t compare to Tom Hiddleston.” shared by a Twitter user.

In his play, William Shakespeare immortalized King Richard of England as a lame and hunchbacked tyrant, an eloquent villain, willing to do anything to reach the throne. The brilliant Laurence Olivier managed to convey this image in his 1955 film production.

History professor Richard Harrison said, “So compelling is this character that most of us who have thought of that king immediately see the twisted incarnation of evil as played by Laurence Olivier.”

In a recent adaptation, the role of Richard III was played by Benedict Cumberbatch who, incidentally, is a descendant of the king. The public stayed delighted with the image created by the actor and the ranked as sinister and dark.

The first adaptation of Ted Lewis’s book is recognized as one of the best British films of the 20th century, and Michael Caine, who took on the role of the protagonist, is considered by the public an unsurpassed interpreter.

The second attempt to embody the ruthless Jack Carter on the big screen failed to repeat the success. “I’m watching the remake with Sylvester Stallone, realizing he’s totally lost the nuance and sparkle of the original character,” lamented a viewer on Twitter. “It’s a failure” agreed another netizen.

The 1967 feature was planned with Sophia Loren in the lead role, however, the character ended up being played by Elizabeth Taylor. The film became a classic and viewers still praise the actress’s performance.

In 2005, a TV adaptation of William Shakespeare’s plays was released, and one of its episodes is a modern version of The Taming of the Shrew. The role of Katharina fell to Shirley Henderson, who fans of the Harry Potter universe know as Moaning Myrtle. the spectators consider Shirley is an excellent actress and devalued🇧🇷

Julien Sorel is an intelligent, vain and ambitious young man. In the first French adaptation, the character was played by Gérard Philippe. Critics noted that the actor showed Julien as a rather balanced and attractive young man.

In the 1997 version, the role went to Italian actor Kim Rossi Stuart. the spectators admired the beauty of the young and highlighted that he fit the role perfectly.

In 1987, comedian Steve Martin adapted Edmond Rostand’s classic French romantic play into the screenplay for the film Roxanne, in which he played the lead role. For social media users, your version is considered perfect until today.

Cyrano, played by French actor Gerard Depardieu in the 1990 production, is described how impressive. Recently, a film adaptation of Cyrano starred Peter Dinklage. The audience rated the actor’s performance as powerful🇧🇷

English writer Thomas Hardy’s novel was first adapted for the cinema in 1913 (sadly, this silent version has been lost). The two most famous adaptations are the one from 1979 and the one from 2008. Nastassja Kinski was Enchanting as Tess in Roman Polanski’s film.

Already the performance of British actress Gemma Arterton as Tess, in the 2008 version, for some viewers he was irritating.

If you could choose an actor or actress to star in the adaptation of your favorite book, who would it be? Tell us in the comments!