Nothing is better than hearing about a up and coming actor or actress, who takes a big leap in Hollywood once they land a role in a blockbuster movie. But the reverse can also happen — some movies have effectively derailed the careers of promising talents. There are many factors that can affect an actor's career, but some movies have gone down in infamy for essentially destroying the careers of those involved, either due to bad performances, critical vitriol or the movie just not connecting with audiences. Here are some examples when a film, which had high expectations, contributed to the fall of promising careers.
Halle Berry’s career was on an upward trajectory before Catwoman came out in 2004. She was an Oscar winner for Monster’s Ball (2001) and one of Hollywood’s top actresses. However, *Catwoman*, which was widely panned by critics for its incoherent plot, lackluster performances, and poor special effects, marked a drastic shift. The film was a commercial and critical disaster, with many critics attributing its failure to Berry’s miscasting in the role.
Berry herself later acknowledged that *Catwoman* was a career low, but it didn’t just ruin her career—it set back her standing in Hollywood. Despite her previous accolades, *Catwoman* is often cited as a major reason why she struggled to land significant roles in the years following its release.
### 2. **"The Lone Ranger" (2013) – Armie Hammer**
Armie Hammer seemed poised for a successful career after starring in *The Social Network* (2010) and *J. Edgar* (2011), but his leading role in *The Lone Ranger* (2013) almost completely derailed his career. The film, directed by Gore Verbinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, had massive expectations but turned out to be a bloated, underwhelming spectacle that failed to connect with audiences and critics. It grossed less than expected and became notorious for its poor reception, with some critics even blaming Hammer’s performance for the film’s failure.
While Hammer had built a reputation as a promising actor, *The Lone Ranger* forced him into the shadows. Despite his previous success, the failure of such a high-profile project cast doubt on his abilities and left him struggling to regain the momentum he had built early in his career.
### 3. **"Showgirls" (1995) – Elizabeth Berkley**
Elizabeth Berkley, famous for her role as the goody-goody Jessie Spano on the beloved teen series *Saved by the Bell*, was seen as a promising talent when she was cast in *Showgirls* (1995). The film, directed by Paul Verhoeven, was marketed as a provocative, adult-themed drama. However, its excessive sexuality, melodramatic plot, and lackluster performances, particularly Berkley’s over-the-top portrayal of Nomi Malone, led to it being universally panned.
*Showgirls* became infamous for its absurdity, and Berkley’s performance was a focal point of its criticism. The film’s failure and the subsequent backlash severely damaged her career. While she later became a cult figure in the world of "so bad it’s good" films, *Showgirls* was a career killer in the eyes of mainstream Hollywood, effectively ending her prospects of landing serious roles in big-budget movies.
### 4. **"Gigli" (2003) – Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck**
*Gigli* (2003), a romantic comedy starring Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, was one of the most infamous box office failures of the early 2000s. The film, which starred the then-couple, was widely panned for its weak script, lackluster direction, and poor chemistry between the two leads. While Lopez was already an established star at the time, *Gigli* was a commercial and critical disaster that significantly impacted both actors' careers.
Jennifer Lopez, who was once on top of the world with hits like *Selena* (1997) and *Out of Sight* (1998), saw her career temporarily take a hit after *Gigli*. Although she eventually bounced back with *The Wedding Planner* (2001) and *Monster-in-Law* (2005), *Gigli* remains one of the most notable examples of a movie that nearly derailed a promising career.
### 5. **"The Postman" (1997) – Kevin Costner**
Kevin Costner was one of the biggest stars of the late 1980s and early 1990s, with hits like *The Untouchables* (1987), *Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves* (1991), and *Dances with Wolves* (1990), which won him multiple Academy Awards. However, *The Postman* (1997), a post-apocalyptic epic that Costner directed, starred in, and produced, became one of the most infamous box office flops of the decade.
Despite Costner's previous success, *The Postman* was savaged by critics for its slow pace, bloated storytelling, and overly ambitious tone. It tanked at the box office, and many felt that Costner's overreach and ego were the reasons for its failure. After *The Postman*, Costner’s career suffered a significant downturn, and he was no longer