20 Actors Who Defended Their Box Office Flops

It’s common for actors to be involved in projects that don’t succeed, but sometimes they still choose to support the work. Whether it’s a big-budget movie that didn’t perform well or a personal project that didn’t connect with viewers, these actors have spoken about their intentions, why the film was important to them, and why box office numbers don’t always tell the full story. Here’s a look at twenty actors who publicly defended films considered failures, and what they had to say about them.

Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck has often defended his film ‘Gigli,’ explaining that its poor reception taught him valuable lessons about how the media and marketing can shape public opinion. He’s clarified that the making of the movie was more complex than reported and that its failure unfairly diminished his other work. Affleck has also noted that taking creative chances doesn’t always pay off, and he’s used this experience to discuss bouncing back from setbacks and the distinction between creating a film and promoting it.

Dwayne Johnson

Despite negative reviews, Dwayne Johnson pointed to positive audience responses and strong international attendance as signs that ‘Baywatch’ resonated with viewers. He explained the film was intentionally made as a fun, over-the-top summer comedy and succeeded in entertaining its target audience. Johnson also suggested the movie could find a larger audience through streaming and home video. He characterized the response as a difference of opinion between critics and viewers, rather than a complete failure.

John Travolta

John Travolta has consistently stood by ‘Battlefield Earth,’ explaining that he’s been a fan of the original story for years and that the movie was intentionally designed to feel like a classic, over-the-top science fiction adventure. He also points out that even if a film isn’t financially successful, it doesn’t diminish the hard work of everyone involved, and taking creative risks sometimes doesn’t pay off, but that doesn’t negate the effort.

Taylor Kitsch

Taylor Kitsch still feels proud of ‘John Carter,’ emphasizing that the film’s ambitious scope and detailed world were a rewarding experience. He believes the cast and crew successfully created the movie they envisioned, despite a marketing campaign that didn’t resonate with viewers. Kitsch views the project as a valuable lesson in managing expectations and acknowledges that the film later gained a dedicated fanbase who appreciated its grand scale.

Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie stood by her film ‘Babylon,’ predicting it would find an audience and gain appreciation later on. She explained that the movie’s wild and over-the-top nature was intentional, meant to reflect the chaotic energy of old Hollywood. Robbie also emphasized that the film’s high level of artistry and skill in all areas deserved recognition, even if it didn’t perform well at the box office. Ultimately, she believes that even controversial art can still be meaningful and worthwhile.

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence defended the film ‘mother!’ by pointing out it was intentionally made to challenge audiences, not entertain them. She noted the film’s symbolic nature was meant to be unsettling, and she saw the negative reactions as proof it had a strong impact. Lawrence consistently expressed her pride in both her acting and the collaborative filmmaking process. She viewed the film’s poor box office performance as an expected result for such a daring and divisive project.

Kevin Costner

Kevin Costner disputes the idea that ‘Waterworld’ was a disaster, pointing out that it earned significant money internationally and through other revenue streams like home video. He feels the focus shifted to the difficult production – specifically, the storm issues – rather than the movie itself. Costner also emphasizes that the film delivered impressive visual effects that people still remember, and that its lasting popularity and cultural impact don’t fit the label of a ‘flop’.

Colin Farrell

Colin Farrell has openly discussed the difficulties surrounding the film ‘Alexander,’ but still stands by the original goal of creating a large-scale historical movie. He explained that the different versions of the film were attempts to improve it, not to justify any mistakes. Farrell insists that even though critics didn’t love the movie, it was still a worthwhile effort and helped him become a better actor.

Kristen Stewart

Stewart explained that ‘Charlie’s Angels’ wasn’t aiming for broad, mainstream appeal and successfully delivered what its target audience wanted. She emphasized the film’s tone and strong relationships between the characters were deliberate choices, offering a fresh take rather than simply repeating old ideas. Stewart also pointed out how online discussions can significantly influence expectations for a movie’s box office performance, but ultimately expressed her pride in the film and everyone involved.

Elizabeth Banks

Elizabeth Banks, who starred in and directed the film, felt that ‘Charlie’s Angels’ was unfairly criticized based on limited expectations for female-led action movies. She explained that the film was designed as a lighthearted action-comedy and did well internationally when viewed as such. Banks also noted that because the franchise hadn’t been active for a long time, many people weren’t familiar with it. She stood by the actors’ performances and the film’s fun, playful style.

Melissa McCarthy

Melissa McCarthy repeatedly spoke out in defense of ‘Ghostbusters,’ urging people to see the movie before forming an opinion, especially given the negative reaction before its release. She believed the film was a fun, original comedy and pointed out that strong online criticism doesn’t necessarily reflect what most people think.

Dan Aykroyd

Dan Aykroyd gave his public support to the new ‘Ghostbusters’ film, complimenting both the actors and the director. While he admitted the movie had some budget challenges, he emphasized that there was still a lot to enjoy. Aykroyd believes the ‘Ghostbusters’ series is strong enough to allow for new versions without diminishing the impact of the original films, and he encouraged fans to focus on the movie itself rather than getting caught up in online debates.

Emile Hirsch

Scott Hirsch argues that ‘Speed Racer’ was innovative for its vibrant visuals and fast-paced editing, and that these choices were ahead of their time. He believes the Wachowskis made a genuine family movie that eventually resonated with a dedicated audience. Hirsch highlights how the film’s style was initially criticized but later appreciated by viewers, proving that the filmmakers’ bold creative choices were ultimately successful.

Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. views the movie ‘Dolittle’ not as a failure, but as a valuable learning experience. He says the difficult production process made him rethink his working relationships and what’s truly important, especially after being involved in long-running franchises. Downey Jr. also realized how easily projects can become unfocused when ambition takes over, and he’s openly shared the lessons he learned from the film’s struggles.

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp explained his involvement with ‘The Lone Ranger’ by saying critics had already made up their minds about the film before it even came out. He felt its unique style and ambitious scope didn’t lend themselves to typical promotion. Depp also highlighted the strong teamwork on the project, calling it a bold attempt, and suggested that some films are appreciated more once the initial buzz dies down.

Matt Smith

After ‘Morbius’ didn’t perform well in theaters, Smith argued that box office numbers aren’t the only way to judge a film’s success. He pointed out that even well-known franchises can be unpredictable, and that actors can only do their best work while filming. Smith urged audiences to keep things in perspective if a movie doesn’t resonate with viewers.

Iman Vellani

Iman Vellani responded to the box office performance of ‘The Marvels’ by saying that was a matter for studio executives, and she was proud of the final film. She emphasized how much she enjoyed telling a story about teamwork and the bond between women. Vellani encouraged viewers to appreciate the movie for what it is, focusing on the artistry and the sense of community it created rather than its financial success.

Brie Larson

Brie Larson expressed her support for ‘The Marvels,’ highlighting her faith in the film’s message and the people who made it. She recognized that it’s a challenging time for superhero movies, but emphasized that the film prioritizes its characters. Larson also spoke about the importance of diverse representation and how much she enjoyed working with her fellow actors. She noted that focusing solely on a film’s financial performance can overshadow what audiences actually think of it.

Zac Efron

Zac Efron described how ‘Baywatch’ intentionally subverted expectations and embraced over-the-top humor. He explained the rigorous physical training he underwent to prepare for the role, which he felt matched the film’s comedic style. Efron also praised the original show’s creators for their contributions and the filmmakers’ boldness. He believes the movie is a deliberately bold comedy that resonates more with general audiences than with professional reviewers.

Naomi Watts

You know, as a movie lover, I always appreciate when actors take on challenging roles, and Naomi Watts really went for it with ‘Diana.’ She’s talked about how incredibly tough it was to play someone who was constantly in the public eye, and all the research she did to get it right. She admitted the reviews weren’t great, but she made a good point – just because a movie doesn’t hit with critics right away doesn’t erase all the hard work and intention behind it. It really got me thinking about how risky it is for actors to portray real-life icons – it’s a tough balance!

Share the actor–movie pairing you think deserves a second look in the comments.

2025-11-05 21:46