8 Iconic And Famous Roles: Certain sequels, such as Mad Max: Fury Road and Terminator 2, can successfully launch enduring film franchises. On the flip side, movies like Jaws: The Revenge or Basic Instinct 2 run the risk of damaging the reputation of the original and appearing as mere attempts at easy profit in Hollywood. Notable actors like Jodie Foster and Daniel Day-Lewis have famously rejected sequels, wary of potential typecasting, but the allure of a lucrative payday and positive publicity sometimes proves too tempting.
Despite concerns about being pigeonholed, some actors find returning to beloved roles increasingly appealing.
1) Zachary Levi – Flynn Rider from Tangled
Zachary Levi, who voiced Flynn Rider in the 2010 animated film Tangled, has shown interest in reprising his role for the rumored live-action remake of the Disney classic. Speaking at FAN EXPO in Chicago, the 42-year-old actor expressed openness to playing Rider again, though he acknowledged concerns about the character’s age, given that Rapunzel is originally 17 or 18.
While there are no confirmed plans for a live-action Tangled, it would align with Disney’s recent trend of revitalizing franchises through live-action adaptations, as seen with The Little Mermaid this year.
2) Jessica Chastain – Celia Foote from The Help
During a recent appearance on Entertainment Weekly’s The Awardist podcast, Jessica Chastain expressed a desire to reprise her role as Celia Foote in the 2011 period drama The Help. Chastain played the character, a social outcast who employs Minny, portrayed by Octavia Spencer, as a housemaid. The Oscar-winning actress feels there’s more to explore with Celia and would like to see where the characters end up after the events of the film.
Despite the initial acclaim, The Help has faced criticism for its use of the “white savior” trope, prompting stars like Viola Davis and Bryce Dallas Howard to express regret about their involvement.
3) Jim Carrey – Ace Ventura from Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
Although the Canadian actor has contemplated retirement, the star of Ace Ventura, Jim Carrey, expressed openness to reprising the character if a talented filmmaker led the project. Carrey mentioned to E! News that he would consider returning to Ace Ventura if someone like Chris Nolan proposed a more intriguing and realistic take on the character.
While the idea of Nolan directing a film about a pet detective may seem unlikely, recent rumors suggest that Evan Peters from American Horror Story could potentially star as the eccentric pet detective’s son in a new Ace Ventura film.
4) Chris Evans – Johnny Storm from Fantastic Four
While the Captain America star has expressed reluctance to reprise his role as Steve Rogers, he revealed in a recent MTV News interview that he would be open to returning as Johnny Storm (the Human Torch) in The Fantastic Four. Chris Evans expressed the belief that Storm “didn’t really get his day” in the 2005 and 2007 Fantastic Four films.
Despite the criticism received by the first two movies, the franchise is making a comeback with a new Fantastic Four film scheduled for release in 2025, with Vanessa Kirby and John Krasinski rumored to star.
5) Viggo Mortenson – Aragorn from Lord of the Rings
In a 2021 interview with Collider, Viggo Mortensen expressed openness to reprising his role as Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings franchise. He highlighted the expansive source material from J.R.R. Tolkien’s universe, presenting limitless possibilities. Mortensen also expressed enthusiasm for Amazon’s The Rings of Power series.
However, given that the Amazon series is set thousands of years before the events of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the likelihood of Aragorn making an appearance in the show seems improbable.
6) Jonah Hill – Seth from Superbad
The star of 21 Jump Street, Jonah Hill, shared with W Magazine his interest in a Superbad sequel, envisioning it decades from now when the original cast would be in their 80s. While he hasn’t pitched the idea to any studios, Hill imagines a “Superbad 2” set in an old-folks home, exploring the characters’ lives after losing their spouses.
However, co-star and writer Seth Rogen has expressed a different view, stating that Superbad is a film he probably wouldn’t revisit for a sequel or reboot, believing it doesn’t need improvement.
7) John C. Reilly – Dale Doback from Step Brothers
The 2008 comedy, featuring Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly as step brothers, was a huge success, earning nearly $130 million against a $65 million budget. John C. Reilly mentioned in 2018 that the cast had considered a sequel since the movie’s release, but he noted that sequels can be unappealing as they may harm the established legacy of the original film.
Mary Steenbergen, another cast member, expressed openness to reprising her role but doubts a sequel will happen. The possibility of a Stepbrothers sequel is now highly unlikely, especially given the fallout between Will Ferrell and director Adam McKay, who ended their business partnership in 2019.
8) Christian Bale – Bruce Wayne from the Batman Franchise
While Robert Pattinson currently portrays Gotham’s Dark Knight, Christian Bale expressed his willingness to return as Batman if Christopher Nolan were to direct a fourth installment. Bale conveyed to Screenrant that he would be open to reprising the role if Nolan decided to tell another story. He stated, “In my mind, it would be something if Chris Nolan ever said to himself, ‘You know what, I’ve got another story to tell.’ And if he wished to tell that story with me, I’d be in.”
Although Bale isn’t set to return as Bruce Wayne anytime soon, he recently entered the Marvel Cinematic Universe, portraying the supervillain Gorr the God Butcher in 2022’s Thor: Love and Thunder.