Over the years, some actor-director pairings have been so unexpected, they make us do a double-take and wonder, “Did that really happen?” Fromacclaimed auteursteaming up with action stars tolegends of Japanese cinemacasting mainstream Hollywood actors, these surprising collaborations have left us genuinely stunned.
Whether it’s Martin Scorsese spotting a pop star on a magazine cover and deciding she was perfect for his next film or Vin Diesel teaming up withthe director of12 Angry Menfor a courtroom drama, Hollywood has never shied away from unexpected casting choices.Some of these odd pairings have flown under the radar, but they’re well worth remembering.
10Vin Diesel & Sidney Lumet
Find Me Guilty (2006)
As a star known for blockbuster franchises and action movies, many will be shocked to learn that Vin Diesel worked with the legendary director of socially conscious dramas like12 Angry MenandDog Day Afternoon, Sidney Lumet. However, the two came together in 2006 forFind Me Guilty,a courtroom comedy-drama based on the longest Mafia trial in American history.
With Diesel as the real-life gangster Jackie DiNorscio,Find Me Guiltytold the story of him representing himself in court as he and 19 of his colleagues were on trial for racketeering. Diesel gave a convincing performance that showcased his dramatic talents, and this surprising addition to his filmography makes us wish he would challenge himself more often with serious roles.
9Rihanna & Luc Besson
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017)
Luc Besson has been behind some of the most acclaimed action and sci-fi movies of the past 30 years, and classic releases likeLéon: The Professionalacted as the breakout role for child star Natalie Portman. However, many will have forgotten that Besson also worked with pop sensation Rihanna on his divisive sci-fiValerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.
This disappointing space opera was bursting with potential as it adapted a beloved French graphic novel series, yet it was woefully miscast, andthe addition of names like supermodel Cara Delevingne and singer Rihanna didn’t do the film any favors. There was hopeValeriancould match the appeal of Besson’s classic release,The Fifth Element, but the results were underwhelming.
8Michael Jackson & Francis Ford Coppola
Captain EO (1986)
Francis Ford Coppola directed some of the most acclaimed movies of all time, asThe GodfatherandApocalypse Nowstand as defining movies of the 1970s. While Coppola has plenty of undisputed classics, he’s also been involved in some very unusual projects, including the Disney theme park short filmCaptain EOstarring none other than Michael Jackson.
This 17-minute short was shown at several Disney parks from 1986 to 1998and told the story of Captain EO (Jackson) and his ragtag crew on an interstellar mission. With elements ofStar Warsand other classic sci-fi movies,Captain EOwas a strange movie musical that paired two unlikely masters of their craft for a fun-filled adventure in space.
7Richard Gere & Akira Kurosawa
Rhapsody in August (1991)
With Richard Gere as a mainstream American movie star and Akira Kurosawa as the filmmaker behind Japanese samurai epics likeRashomon, these two vastly different creatives feel like an unlikely pair. Yet Gere appeared in Kurosawa’sRhapsody in August, which told the story of an elderly hibakusha who lost her husband in the atomic bombing of Nagasaki caring for her grandchildren.
When this elderly woman discovers her long-lost brother was living in Hawaii, she decides to visit him and meets his son, Clark, played by Gere. To see Gere appear in this meditative Japanese-language release was a striking cross-cultural anomaly, althoughit aligns perfectly with Gere’s reputation as a practicing Buddhist.
6Billy Ray Cyrus & David Lynch
Mulholland Drive (2001)
Whilemost will know Billy Ray Cyrus as the “Achy Breaky Heart" singing father of Miley Cyrus, lovers of the late great filmmaker David Lynch will know him as Gene inMulholland Drive. As a strange, surreal, neo-noir that’s often ranked as one of the greatest films of the 21st century, this is not where you’d expect to see Cyrus.
InMulholland Drive, Cyrus proved his ability to step outside of the mainstream and embrace the dreamlike cinematic world of Lynch. However, Cyrus has been critical of the effect of the role on his career, and he even blamed Lynch (via AV Club) for setting in motion a domino effect that would ruin his life.
5Marlon Brando & Frank Oz
The Score (2001)
Marlon Brando, whose naturalism and method style inOn the Waterfronthelped define modern acting, hardly seems a likely match for puppeteer-turned-director Frank Oz. However, the pair came together in 2001 for what would be Brando’s final film role in the heist filmThe Score.
Brando’s eccentric behavior led to clashes with Oz, and co-star Robert De Niro had to take over directing, with Oz instructing him via an assistant director (viaMontreal Gazette.) While there were plenty of behind-the-scenes troubles,The Scorewas still a critical success, and it was exciting to watch the young and old versions of Vito Corleone share the screen.
4Lindsay Lohan & Paul Schrader
The Canyons (2013)
Paul Schrader’s erotic thrillerThe Canyonsfeatured an unusually diverse assortment of surprising, notable names. With a screenplay by theAmerican Psychoauthor Bret Easton Ellis and starring Lindsay Lohan,The Canyonsreceived poor reviews, althoughLohan’s performance was the one aspect that critics singled out for praise.
The Canyonscoincided with a succession of downturns in Lohan’s career, as her personal life, legal problems, and arrests meant she was no longer gaining lead roles in mainstream comedies. While Lohan working with Schrader came out of left field, it also proved she was capable of working on mature dramas and showcased a side to her we hadn’t previously seen.
3David Bowie & Christopher Nolan
The Prestige (2006)
The late glam rock icon David Bowie’s career slowed down during the 2000s as he stopped releasing new music and only acted infrequently. That’s why it came as such a surprise to see him portray the real-life inventor Nikola Tesla in Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi psychological thrillerThe Prestige.
The casting of Bowie was a stroke of genius, as his otherworldly aura perfectly represented the unusual appeal of the eccentric inventor. Nolan stated that Bowie was the only person he had in mind to portray Tesla (viaIGN) and that he flew out to New York to pitch the role to the musician in person.
2Paris Hilton & Sofia Coppola
The Bling Ring (2013)
The melancholic tone of Sofia Coppola’s films may seem worlds apart from the flashy, tabloid-fueled persona of Paris Hilton, yet she was central toThe Bling Ringand its exploration of the hollow allure of celebrity culture. As a genuine target of the real thefts that inspired the movie, Hilton stood as both the subject and symbol of the fame-obsessed world the film critiques.
Hilton’s appearance inThe Bling Ringis an interesting one because it showcases her as a self-aware star who recognizes the irony of her role in this movie. Hilton wasn’t the only one who had a cameo appearance inThe Bling Ring, asCoppola’s frequent collaborator Kristen Dunst also showed up as herself.
1Gwen Stefani & Martin Scorsese
The Aviator (2004)
While GwenStefani got her start with No Doubt, it was in Martin Scorsese’sThe Aviatorthat she made her major acting debut. Stefani’s role in the film came about by happenstance, as Scorsese spotted her on the cover ofTeen Vogue(viaMTV) and immediately thought she’d be perfect to appear in this Howard Hughes biopic alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.
With little acting experience, Stefani was an interesting choice for the role of the film star Jean Harlow, as her platinum blonde hair powerfully embodied the glamour of old Hollywood. While there was a lot of hype around Stefani’s appearance at the time,The Aviatorremains her most substantial role, and it did not kickstart a major acting career.
