While some actors land roles that elevate them to stardom, others take on projects that nearly sink them. Whether it’s a poor script, bad timing, or just the wrong fit, these 17 stars took risks that didn’t pay off. Some bounced back. Others… not so much.

Let’s dive into the performances that nearly erased everything these actors worked for.

Dwayne Johnson in Black Adam

This was supposed to be Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s superhero breakthrough. But Black Adam fizzled at the box office and was panned by critics. Despite Johnson’s nonstop promotion, the film failed to spark excitement. Worse, he was dropped from future DC projects. What could’ve been a turning point turned into a cold stop.

Video: Black Adam – Official Trailer

Camila Cabello in Cinderella
Known for her musical success, Cabello stepped into acting with Cinderella. It bombed—hard. Critics tore into the film, calling her performance flat. Even with solid vocals, the character felt one-dimensional. After that, Cabello quickly returned to her comfort zone: music.

Jared Leto in Morbius
Morbius should’ve been a moody, compelling superhero film. Instead, it became a meme. Critics bashed Leto’s performance, and despite modest box office returns, the film flopped creatively. It was even re-released as a joke. Yet, Leto is still eyeing a sequel.

Anne Hathaway in The Witches
Hathaway took a risk with the Grand High Witch role in the remake of The Witches. The backlash came quickly—not just for the odd tone and poor effects, but for how the character was portrayed. Disability advocates spoke out, and Hathaway was forced to publicly apologize. The film turned from whimsical to controversial overnight.

Meg Ryan in Proof of Life
Meg Ryan, the darling of ‘90s rom-coms, took a dramatic turn with Proof of Life. Unfortunately, the film disappointed, and rumors about her off-screen relationship with Russell Crowe only made things worse—especially since she was still married to Dennis Quaid. The fallout? Her image took a hit, and her leading roles nearly vanished.

Ezra Miller in The Flash

The Flash was meant to reboot the DC universe. Instead, it became a PR nightmare. Though the movie underperformed, the real issue was Miller’s off-screen behavior—arrests, scandals, and backlash. Studios have since distanced themselves, and Miller’s future in Hollywood remains in limbo.

Video: The Flash – Official Trailer

Pamela Anderson in Barb Wire
Barb Wire was supposed to be Pamela Anderson’s bold leap into action stardom. She even got a barbed wire tattoo for the role. But the movie was a disaster, both critically and commercially. It earned her a Golden Raspberry and stalled her film momentum.

January Jones in X-Men: First Class
While X-Men: First Class had its fans, Jones’ performance as Emma Frost didn’t. Her portrayal was labeled stiff and forgettable, and rumors of off-screen drama with the director didn’t help. After that, her film roles dwindled and she mostly disappeared from the spotlight.

Dev Patel in The Last Airbender
Fresh off the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire, Patel took a swing at fantasy with The Last Airbender. It flopped. Hard. The film is still considered one of the worst adaptations of all time. Patel distanced himself quickly and vowed never to do another superhero movie again.

Michael B. Jordan in Black Panther
As Killmonger, Jordan delivered a powerful, layered performance. But it came at a price. The emotional weight of the role reportedly took a toll on him, and he later admitted he sought therapy after filming wrapped. While it didn’t hurt his career, the role had deep personal consequences.

Mischa Barton in The O.C.
Barton’s rise on The O.C. was meteoric—but so was her exit. Fame hit fast, and she struggled with the attention. She eventually left the series and stepped away from Hollywood altogether for several years, only returning much later in low-key projects.

Taylor Lautner in Abduction

Post-Twilight, Lautner was hyped as the next big action star. Abduction was supposed to kick things off. Instead, it flopped and exposed his limited acting range. Studios stopped calling, and Lautner’s leading man status faded quickly.

Video: Abduction (2011 Movie) – Official Trailer – Taylor Lautner

Jessica Alba in An Invisible Sign
Alba’s early 2000s popularity gave her a lot of momentum—but An Invisible Sign slammed the brakes. The movie scored a brutal 0% on Rotten Tomatoes. The fallout lingered, and Alba shifted her focus away from acting toward her business ventures.

Hugh Grant in Did You Hear About the Morgans?
Pairing Grant with Sarah Jessica Parker looked good on paper. The result? A disaster. Critics hated the lack of chemistry, and the movie’s failure prompted Grant to step away from acting for three years. He only returned once the embarrassment had faded.

Jessica Chastain in The 355
Chastain spearheaded this all-female spy thriller—but it fell flat. Despite the ambition behind it, The 355 was forgettable and criticized for wasting its strong cast. Chastain bounced back with new projects, but this misstep left a mark.

Angelina Jolie in Eternals
Marvel usually equals success, but Eternals was a rare miss. Jolie’s performance felt muted, and the film was labeled dull and underwhelming. Even big names couldn’t save it. For Jolie, it wasn’t a career-breaker—but it certainly wasn’t a highlight either.

Brendan Fraser in Monkeybone
Fraser was at the peak of his powers when he took on Monkeybone, a strange mix of animation and live-action. Unfortunately, the movie bombed—and not just commercially. It was critically panned and marked the start of Fraser’s long struggle in Hollywood. It took years—and a stunning comeback—for him to reclaim his status.

The film industry can be brutal. These stories remind us that even the most beloved stars can stumble. A bad script, poor direction, or off-screen controversy can turn a dream role into a career nightmare.

Some actors recovered, rebuilding their careers with patience and smart choices. Others vanished from the spotlight altogether. In Hollywood, every role is a gamble—and not everyone wins.