Cameos can potentially create incredibly fun surprises for viewers, and they are often anessential aspect in franchises such as the MCU, including the recent successful release ofDeadpool & Wolverine. Cameos and fan service create meaningful nods to beloved characters, or they simply provide fun moments with high-profile celebrities. When they are done thoughtfully, cameos can absolutely add to the thrill and quality of a movie.
However, cameos that seem out of place, unnecessarily silly, or overshadow the plot, have the power to completely tank the flow and overall substance of a scene, and in worst cases, the entire film.
With the growing number of spin-offs, sequels, prequels, and remakes, filmmakers often feel the need to include fun cameos, which obviously results in an abundance of moments that viewers would be perfectly happy without.
10Madonna as a Fencing Instructor
Die Another Day (2002)
Madonnaacts as Verity, the fencing instructor who teaches the Blades under Gustav Graves. Though this cameo seems like it would be a perfect fit, since Madonna can act and sing, Madonna still sticks out as Madonna.
Die Another Day
Madonna Looks and Acts Like Herself in This Bond Film
Bond movies have never subjected themselves to too much realism, especially when it comes to theiroverlooked female characters.Madonna’s role as Verity sadly continues this tradition, and Verity simply comes off as an out-of-place copy of Madonna herself. This breaks the already disjointed film as Verity wears a non-fencing-efficient and risqué outfit, Madonna’s classic curly short hair, and she sports the same personality as the Queen of Pop.
None of these things are Madonna’s fault, it is just as if the film was not sure exactly what to do with her, so they tried to insert her as a nondescript Bond girl, and they avoid showcasing the talent she does have.
9Bill Murray as a Paranormal Debunker
Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016)
Bill Murrayplays the role of Martin Heiss, a professional ghost non-believer who confronts theGhostbusterscrew. Though funny hypothetically, many fans were expecting Bill Murray to reprise his original role as Dr. Peter Venkman.
Ghostbusters 2016
Murray’s Cameo Is a Disappointing Afterthought
With sucha legendary franchise asGhostbusters, fans were obviously upset that Bill Murray’s role was completely changed to an unimportant character that has barely any screentime. The cameo’s ignorance of the beloved nature of Bill Murray and his role as Dr. Peter Venkman left fans feeling dissatisfied with the film as a whole.
The film promised to be something as good as the originalGhostbusters, but this is virtually impossible without any of the key characters from the original film, and it feels like a tease to include Bill Murray as a nondescript character for the sake of comedy over legacy.
8David Hasselhoff as Ego
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
The belovedBaywatchactor and singer briefly appears as a transformed version of Kurt Russell’s Ego. A cameo from such a personality likeDavid Hasselhoffis not necessarily unexpected or uncommon from a director like James Gunn; however, this is the pivotal moment where fans finally find out who Peter Quill’s father is.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Set to the sonic backdrop of Awesome Mix 2, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the adventures of Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, and Baby Groot as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics reappear.
Hasselhoff’s Cameo Upends the Tone of the Scene
Peter Quill finally reunites with his father, and he learns the tragic fate of his mother at the hands of Ego. This tone is eventually thrown away as Kurt Russell’s form turns into David Hasselhoff. Accordingly, the scene becomes a goofy portrayal of what should have been the biggest moment in the entireGuardians of the Galaxyfranchise.
Along with this, James Gunn’sGuardians of the Galaxyfranchise alreadyhas plenty of comedic levity, and this was certainly a moment that should have been spared from the flash of David Hasselhoff.
7Trump as a Hotel Guest
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
There is no doubting the comedy found in this small moment inHome Alone 2. When Kevin finds himself trying to check in at a hotel in New York, he asksDonald Trumpfor directions, and he plainly guides Kevin. Though this cameo used to be minimally distracting, Trump’s title of former President of the United States tends to be a little shocking when you giveHome Alone 2a rewatch.
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Trump’s Relevancy makes this a Very Distracting Cameo
With recent context, Donald Trump’s past cameo as just another rich patron reminds viewers of his original start as a businessman, and more importantly,a TV star and personality.And of course, his impact as a president makes it almost impossible to watchHome Alone 2today and not pause and laugh or reflect. Outside his presidency, the moment also feels like a cheap ploy from a wealthy person who just wants to say they’ve been in the movie, which is quite common on this list.
6Quentin Tarantino as a Miner
Django Unchained (2012)
A Quentin Tarantino cameo is not a rare phenomenon in his movies as he has anotherinfamous role inPulp Fiction. However,Quentin Tarantino’s cameo inDjango Unchainedreminds viewers of his inability to act in spite of his incredible films.
Django Unchained
Tarantino’s Stiff Acting and Stiff Accent Adds to the Awkwardness
InDjango Unchained, Quentin Tarantino plays an Australian miner who is convinced by Django to free him and the other slaves the miners have kept captive. Quentin Tarantino’s dramatic and goofy attempt at an Australian accent proves to be incredibly distracting and silly.
The difference in talent is especially noticeable, as Tarantino is acting alongside actors who successfully tackle the accent and overall tone of the scene. Luckily, this cameo is brief, but it still ultimately takes away from the severity of the film and of Django’s story.
5Elton John as Elton John
Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)
Elton John plays himself in this eclectic movie thatfollows Eggsy as he works to take down the Golden Circle. InKingsman: The Golden Circle,Elton Johnsporadically appears as he’s held captive by the villain, Poppy. The use of Elton John is also fun with the context of Taron Egerton’s role as him inRocketman. On the other hand, some viewers consider his prevalence inKingsman: The Golden Circlebe distracting.
Kingsman: The Golden Circle
Elton John’s Hilarious Cameos Are Eventually Overdone
Elton John’s cameo perfectly captures the uniqueness of a franchise likeKingsman. But since he shows up multiple times in his flamboyant costumes, the bit becomes old quite quickly, some viewers find. Elton John’s acting and presence is incredible, of course, but it turns repetitive as every mention of his character turns into a big and distracting moment for the overall story and commentary on celebrity culture.
4Elon Musk
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Elon Muskmingles with Tony Stark at a party briefly. It is a very fitting picture with two extremely rich people rubbing elbows with each other. On the other hand, the cameo adds to the number of very obviously self-indulgent movie appearances.
Iron Man 2
Elon Musk’s Cameo Feels Like Marketing
Elon Musk’s extremely brief appearance inIron Man 2is a quick reminder of just how rich and powerful he is. Robert Downey Jr. even based part of his performance off of Elon Musk, which reveals just how indulgent this cameo is for him. Also, with Musk’s recent relevancy with X, tech inventions, and his opinions on politics, this cameo now comes off as incredibly distracting and self-serving.
Similar to Trump’s appearance inHome Alone 2, viewers find it an inevitable reminder of their wealth and influence throughout industries and the overall artificiality it adds to the films and their premises.
3John Krasinski as Reed Richards
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
John Krasinskiwas already heavily fan-casted as one of Marvel’s Fantastic Four, andhis cameo was a massive thrillinDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. However, this was quickly stifled.
Doctor Strange 2 in the Multiverse of Madness
Doctor Strange teams up with a mysterious teenage girl from his dreams who can travel across multiverses, to battle multiple threats, including other-universe versions of himself, which threaten to wipe out millions across the multiverse.
Krasinski’s Cameo Was Too Brief
John Krasinski’s role as Reed Richards led to massive outrage among fans as his appearance was abruptly ended after just a minute of screentime. Confronting Wanda, Reed Richards was almost instantly killed off after his brief appearance.
Though Marvel’s focus on multiverses means it is not the end for Reed Richards, the film’s quick use of his character was a huge disappointment to fans who had craved a Fantastic Four revival within theMultiverse of Madness. The perfect casting of John Krasinski as Reed Richards also felt like a waste due to his quick defeat, and he had no chance of even fighting back against Wanda.
2Nicolas Cage as Superman
The Flash (2023)
Nicolas Cagemakes a brief appearance donning Superman attire as Barry Allen looks through other universes. This scene includes other classical representations of the character such as Helen Slater and Christopher Reeves. This leaves Nicolas Cage’s appearance a little out of place compared to the legendary and undoubtedly famous portrayals of Superman.
Nicolas Cage’s Cameo Was Surprising but Confusing to New Fans
Those unfamiliar with the Superman franchise were left perplexed by Nicolas Cage’s sudden flash in between popular portrayals in the DC universe. Die-hard fans recognized that this was from the scrapped Tim Burton film: Superman Lives, where Nicolas Cage was meant to play the role of the beloved character.
Though Cage’s cameo was an interesting look into other universes, such a strong personality showing up with zero context for new fans made the moment a little off-putting. Additionally, the rushed CGI of the entire film made the castinglook even more strangeand confusing for new and old fans.
1Michael Jackson as Himself
Men in Black II (2002)
Michael Jacksonplayed himself as a trainee wanting to join the Men in Black under the moniker, Agent M. Michael Jackson pleads Zed for the position for an uncomfortable and brief moment. With Michael Jackson playing himself, while being projected onto a massive screen that becomes the full focus, it is nearly impossible for the moment to not distract from the overall plot.
Michael Jackson’s Cameo Was Random and a Waste
With Michael Jackson’s immense talents, this cameo felt very similar to Madonna’s Verity inDie Another Day. Michael Jackson’s role as himself was extremely random, and it served no greater purpose in the scene than Zed implying that he was an Alien. The King of Pop’s presence was intensely distracting only for there to be a joke about his appearance. Though theMen in Blackmovies are often comedic, Michael Jackson’s cameo felt forced and unimportant.
