Worst2First: Films Where the Supporting Actor Overshadowed the Lead

Worst2First: 

Films Where the Supporting Actor Overshadowed the Lead

There has been some amazing performances by leading actors and actresses.  From Marlon Brando ("On the Waterfront") to George C. Scott ("Patton") to Tom Hanks ("Forrest Gump"); from Vivian Leigh ("Gone With the Wind") to Meryl Streep ("Sophie's Choice") to Charlize Theron ("Monster").  Yet, for each actor and actress that showed they had what it took to have the lead, there's been supporting actors and actresses who show they got what it takes to not only stand next to the lead, but in many cases overshadow them.

Here are ten films where the supporting actor/actress overshadowed the lead, Worst2First.

**There will be no spoilers.**

#10

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman

Lead Actor Overshadowed: Henry Cavill/Ben Affleck

Even though she only had 16 lines in the film, it was Wonder Woman that everyone was really dying to see, and we weren't disappointed.  The beautiful Gal Gadot electrified the screen as the sultry Diana Prince in her interactions with Bruce Wayne, and then dominated each frame when she appeared to fight with Batman and Superman against Doomsday.  Audiences have been waiting decades for Wonder Woman to be done right, and their long wait has finally ended.

#9

Les Miserables

Anne Hathaway as Fantine

Lead Actor Overshadowed: Hugh Jackman

Having only appeared for fifteen minutes, Anne Hathaway delivered a powerful (and Oscar-winning) performance as the brutally troubled Fantine in the classic "Les Miserables."  Even though Hugh Jackman held his own (and also earned an Oscar nomination), it was Hathaway's breathtaking performance of "I Dreamed a Dream" that still resonates today, and is one of the best, most heart-breaking scenes in the entire film.

#8

Creed

Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa

Lead Actor Overshadowed: Michael B. Jordan

In 1976, the world was introduced to boxing legend Rocky Balboa.  Although he was never a real person, Sylvester Stallone brought a deeply humanistic feel to this boxing phenomena.  It even earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.  Flash forward to 2015, and Stallone dusted off his boxing gloves to return to the ring one more time, but this time as a mentor to Apollo Creed's son.  Michael B. Jordan was exceptional, but it was seeing Rocky once again dominating the big screen that audiences fell in love with, and he came thisclose to winning an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

#7

Bridesmaids

Melissa McCarthy as Megan

Lead Actress Overshadowed: Kristen Wiig

No matter how you put it, "Bridesmaids" wouldn't have been the surprise success without having comedic genius Melissa McCarthy.  Even though she wasn't the bride, she was front-and-center as rowdy, raunchy, no-holds-barred friend Megan, who had you in stitches every time she was on screen.  She was so good that she even earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress - something rarely seen coming from a comedy.

#6

Whiplash

J.K. Simmons as Terence Fletcher

Lead Actor Overshadowed: Miles Teller

J.K. Simmons earned an Oscar for his portrayal as tough-as-nails conductor Terence Fletcher, who mercilessly berates first-year drummer Andrew Neiman unmercifully.  Simmons encapsulates his role to pitch perfect perfection and commands you to immerse yourself into the experience and feel how Andrew feels.  A truly once-in-a-lifetime performance by an impeccable actor.

#5

Dreamgirls

Jennifer Husdon as Effie White

Lead Actress Overshadowed: Beyonce

With "American Idol" mercifully ending this season, you have to look back to the third season to find a then-unknown singer named Jennifer Hudson, who was eliminated early in the competition.  Who knew that, years later, she would appear in a film where she not only got to show off her singing ability, but acting chops as well, earning her an Oscar for her performance?  She portrays Effie White as a powerhouse, yet someone who is also clearly scarred from past hurts and showcases in her performances, especially the powerful "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going."

#4

 

Precious

Mo'Nique as Mary

Lead Actress Overshadowed: Gabourey Sidibe

"Precious" is a powerful tale of young Precious Jones, a 16-year-old obese girl living in the ghetto of Harlem, who has been repeatedly abused physically, mentally, and even sexually by her mother Mary.  Mo'Nique gives a gritty, unrelenting performance here that makes you feel for Precious and also, in a deeply visceral way, hate Mary.  She is so brilliant in the role that she easily won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, among other accolades.

#3

No Country for Old Men

Javier Bardem as Anton

Lead Actor Overshadowed: Tommy Lee Jones

Jarvier Bardem (in his Oscar-winning role) plays hitman Anton, a man with an interesting hairstyle and even more interesting weapon of choice (a captive bolt pistol), in this underrated Coen brothers masterpiece.  As he murders his way through Texas in search of stolen money, his steely gaze, unrelenting pursuit and nerve-shattering calmness glues your eyes to the screen, grabs a hold and doesn't let go.  His best line comes after flipping a coin, as he looks at his victim and calmly says, "call it, friendo."  Gives me goosebumps to this day.

#2

Star Wars

David Prowse/James Earl Jones as Darth Vader

Lead Actor Overshadowed: Mark Hamill

Now this may not be a direct overshadowing, as pretty much everyone has heard the name Luke Skywalker, but it's Darth Vader that sends shivers in even the hardest of hearts.  There's hardly a villain more iconic, more feared, and even more respected than the deeply graved-voice of Darth Vader.  He is listed as one of the most terrifying, ruthless villains in cinematic history, yet in the first "Star Wars" movie he's on screen for a total of...twelve minutes.  It's a testament to George Lucas, David Prowse and especially James Earl Jones that this main bad guy can be on screen for such a short amount of time, and also make such a lifetime impact.

#1

The Dark Knight

Heath Ledger as The Joker

Lead Actor Overshadowed: Christian Bale

Every now and then, there comes a performance that is so universally praised, so deserving of recognition, and delivered in a way that it will be viewed for decades to come as one of the best performances of a generation.  This is Heath Ledger's legacy, as he portrays The Joker to perfection, showcasing his maniacal ways with such brilliance and showmanship that you forget you're watching a Batman movie.  Because of his performance, it catapulted "The Dark Knight" from mere comic book movie to critically acclaimed masterpiece, and he was posthumously awarded the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor - something deemed impossible for a comic book movie.  Sadly Heath Ledger is gone, but his performance will live on for generations to come, and will show future moviegoers what a true actor is like.