Image via Complex Original
Audition tapes are awesome to watch, as we get to revisit footage of Hollywood’s biggest stars and Z-listers showcase their acting chops in hopes of winning the film or TV role of a lifetime. Or at least that’s what they’re dreaming of when entering these casting calls. Though in most cases, these on-screen performers fail to get the part—screwing up huge by going off-script, overacting, or simply freaking out the producers. Ask Chris Klein about that one.
With all the horror stories circulating across the Net, we discovered a number of actor audition fails on YouTube that serve as prime examples of what never to do when called in to do a screen test. Take notes.
Sandra Bullock Goes All Guidette in Unknown Audition Role
Even at the age of 50, Sandra Bullock is still considered “America’s Sweetheart.” Which makes it even more excruciating to watch this clip of the Oscar winner go all Italian on us in this lost audition tape from the '90s. Whether it’s the guidette accent or Snooki hairdo, the character just doesn't fit her. Call it the spoils of Marisa Tomei.
Chris Klein Goes Cuckoo for Mamma Mia
The American Pie alum became the poster child for epic fail audition tapes when his tryout for Mamma Mia leaked online years back. To call it disastrous would be an understatement. Even Klein admits to having no clue why he showed up for the casting call: "I don't know why I was in there. But I took a chance! ” From the uber-energetic deliver to selling producers more on hiring Mandy Moore than himself, this is painful to watch.
50 Cent's Wanksta American Gangster Demo
Maybe it’s the insurmountable reports of him being an informant and snitch for the police, but we can’t envision 50 Cent playing the right hand of Harlem’s most notorious drug lord. The blank stares into the camera, dull emotion, and weak attempt at crying serve as proof why Universal chose to rock with Chiwetel Ejiofor for the role of Huey Lucas. Adding more insult to injury, his off-screen assistant does a better job selling her role than he does. Exactly why Mayweather hasn't used this to troll 50 on Instagram remains unknown.
Megan Fox Delivers a Michael Bay-Worthy Performance for Transformers Audtion
Megan Fox isn't a hard sell as a female lead for a blockbuster film, especially for a Michael Bay production. A prelude to the real audition tape, which supposedly features the actress washing the director’s Ferrari, Fox gets dumped with the worst dialogue from the script—making it seem like she’s naturally messing up her lines.
Jason Momoa Breaks Into Game of Thrones War Chant
Producers really put actors through some foolish stuff on auditions. Just ask Jason Momoa, who was forced to perform a haka, the ancestral war dance of the Maori people, to secure the part of KhalDrogo in HBO’s hit program. Despite the role calling for someone with a monstrous physique and ability to speak in a foreign tongue, it also called for the normally laid-back actor to put some extra pep in his step during the casting call. The end result is comically terrifying.
Gerard Butler Sucks Life Out of Dracula 2000
They say every actor should come dressed for the role they’re aspiring to score. In the case of Gerard Butler, dude came in full costume, caveman weave, and even fake teeth. Overselling the intensity of the character to the Miramax casting director, he somehow managed to win everyone over in the room and won the lead in the modern Dracula adaptation. Just another reason why the film sucked.
Farrah Abraham Gives You Secondhand Embarrassment With Her Days of Our Lives Audition
We know, we know, get your digs in. But the fact that this Teen Mom personality has been featured in a commercially distributed porn/sex tape categorizes her as an actress. Looking to take her career in a more serious (and standard) direction, she put together this acting reel in hopes of snagging the role of a hooker named Destiny on Days of Our Lives. This makes Farrah Superstar: Backdoor Teen Mom look like Oscar-worthy material.
Kurt Russell Weenies-Up Han Solo in Star Wars Tryout
One would figure an actor of Kurt Russell’s stature would be a shoe-in for the role of Hans Solo. Right? Well, not exactly. Before solidifying his badassery in breakout roles like Snake Plissken (Escape from New York) and Jack Burton (Big Trouble in Little China), the actor had his sights on playing the rogue captain of the Millennium Falcon. Only problem was he came off looking softer than Jar Jar Binks and super fidgety during his test run.
Call Him Bond...Diddy Bond!
No stranger to marketing spectacles, the Sean Jean mogul dropped $750,000 to create a short film for his I Am King fragrance, which he also promoted as his audition tape for the James Bond franchise. A five-minute clip with no on-screen dialogue, it’s nothing more than one-shots of the record exec stuntin’ his wealth. This is one time we didn't want to see some shine.
Ashley Greene Gets Directed to The Open Door
Before starring in the Twilight film saga, Ashley Greene was in search of her first big-screen break. After seeing her tryout for the indie Aussie horror The Open Door, it’s clear why she didn’t become a tween sensation till her mid-20s. Sense the emotional absence throughout the entire audition. Come to think of it, this is exactly what the producers of Twilight and The Apparition were looking for. Funny how Hollywood works.