There’s nothing like the feeling of witnessing ajaw-dropping momentin a film viewers didn’t see coming. Whether it’s the introduction of a character audiences were certain was gone, or the confession of an ally who turned out to have ulterior moments all along. While some people don’t mind learning about spoilers before seeing a film, for others it can greatly sour the viewing experience. This strong reaction is one of many reasons actors stay so tight-lipped about what happens in their films.
But we’ve all had moments where we put a foot in our mouths or couldn’t stop blabbing. And though it can be hard to remember, celebrities are humans after all. Plenty of actors have let too much slip about their films before most people had a chance to watch them. For some,it happened during the press tourof said movie. For others, they snuck in details for stories the public wouldn’t see for years. Here are 15 actors who, whether accidentally or purposely, spoiled their own movies.
15Michael Keaton - Batman (1989)
Bruce Wayne aka Batman is one of the most recognizable superheroes of all time. In the late 1980s, filmmakerTim Burton took on the task of bringing him, the Joker, and other beloved characters from the original DC Comics to life on screen. InBatman, viewers see how he played a pivotal role in turning the Joker into the crazed villain everyone knows and loves.
Face Palm Moment
ActorMichael Keatonwas cast in the titular role. Plenty of pressure comes with stepping into the latex suit of this superhero. Translating a 2D figure into someone that feels whole yet still reminiscent of the original, nailing the action scenes, oh, and not spilling crucial details of the villain’s motivation.
Keaton nailed the first two but fell short of the third when hetold David Lettermanand the audience about the Joker and Batman’s juicy history.Stream on Max.
14Jiang Wen - Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Storyis an epic space opera and another thrilling installment in theStar Warsfranchise. It follows Jyn, who has been imprisoned but is rescued by a group of rebels. They didn’t do it out of the kindness of their hearts. Rather, they need her assistance to locate her father, which can lead them to a valuable resource. Among the many people Jyn and the rebels meet is a man named Baze Malbus, a warrior and mercenary.
Did He Just Say That?
Jiang Wen played the unexpected fan favorite, Baze. He has worked on both sides of the camera, as an actor, director, and screenwriter, thoughRogue Oneis his largest project as of 2024. The film had a huge marketing push and went on to grossover $1 billion. Perhaps all that excitement got to Jiang and he couldn’t contain his excitement.
As he answered a question during a high-profile panel he revealed the death of a very important character. A major fumble, but the reactions of his co-stars made it a funny rather than infuriating moment.Stream on Disney+.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
13Channing Tatum - Dog (2022)
Channing Tatumis best knownfor his projects likeStep Upwhere he played an inner-city kid who connects with a girl at a new school through dance, orMagic Mikeas a stripper who is mentoring a newbie in the business. Both are major departures from his directorial debut and acting role inDog. The movie is about a ranger named Jackson who learns his friend died in a car accident. Jackson is asked to bring the friend’s dog to the owner’s funeral before it is euthanized.
A Calculated Spoil
A common joke people make online is if there’s a dog in a film that it “better not die.” By this point, it seems like a cheap way to get viewers emotionally invested in a story. Tatum was aware of this worry some have when a dog is central to a story and wanted to put those fears to rest.
While on Jimmy Kimmel, Tatum ensured the dog would be alive and well. He stated, “It’s a good ending, just so everyone knows.” The reveal didn’t discourage viewers from seeing it, as it made over five times its budget at the box (according toBox Office Mojo).Stream on Prime Video.
Channing Tatum stars as two former Army Rangers are paired against their will on the road trip of a lifetime.
Related:The Best Dog Movies of All Time
12Anne Hathaway - The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
The Dark Knight Risesis the final film inThe Dark Knighttrilogy, directed by Christopher Nolan. Set almost a decade after the previous movie, it centers on Bruce Wayne who is struggling to navigate the grief surrounding the loss of his childhood sweetheart. Everything in his life has been put on hold, but villain Bane returns to Gotham City with a vengeance and implicates Batman in his crimes. If Batman needed a sign to make an explosive comeback, this is it.
Saying Everything By Saying Nothing
Unlike some actors who spoil films,Anne Hathawaywasn’t a green actress excited about her first big role when she let major spoilers slip. She has done it all in her career. Musicals, comedies, dramas, science fiction, you name it. And she portrayed the iconic Selina Kyle, orCatwoman, flawlessly here.
Technically, she didn’t divulge the spoiler when interviewed on David Letterman’s talk show, but her reaction to his statement that Batman dies at the end told audiences everything they needed to know.Stream on Peacock.
The Dark Knight Rises
11Will Smith - I Am Legend (2007)
Will Smith’s career has largely been built on his comedic roles that co-existed nicely with his affable, goofy personality. But he has refused to be typecast and the post-apocalyptic filmI Am Legendremains one of his most unique movies, and one his most loved. In that world, a deadly virus has killed off most of the population except for Dr. Neville (Smith), a dog, and mutants he must fend off as he searches for a cure.
Smith Blabbed About the Ending
The plot of the film may not be too unique from others in the genre, but it still managed to hook audiences. Hopefully, those who listened to the press conference he gave in Tokyo were equally invested.
Smith told reporters (and the world) all about the ending, leading one of the filmmakers to interject. It was a major blunder, but luckily it didn’t spread as hastily as some of the other slip-ups on this list. If theproposed sequelwith Michael B. Jordan is indeed happening, let’s hope Smith can hold his tongue.Rent on Apple TV.
I Am Legend
10Billy Dee Williams - Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The Empire Strikes Backis the sequel toStar Wars,and revolves around the battle between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance. Darth Vader sends out droids to locate Princess Leia and the rebels. Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker needs to learn to wield the force to help take down Darth Vader. Among the many characters introduced is the governor of Cloud City, Lando Calrissian, who is used as a pawn to draw Luke to his enemies.
A Passionate Response
Lando is portrayed byBilly Dee Williams. Movie lovers will not only recognize him from numerousStar Warsfilms, but from other hits likeBatman,Lady Sings the Blues, andThe LEGO Movie, among others.
During the press tour forThe Empire Strikes Back, Williams bristled at aTodayshow interviewer referring to Lando as an “evil guy.” Not only did Lando refute that, but he went on to say his character would return in future films. His admission showed his love for the character and also ruined a major twist for fans.Stream on Disney+.
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
9Hugh Jackman - Logan (2017)
Hugh Jackmanhas dazzled on the screen for decades now. Whether he’s belting out tunes forThe Greatest Showmanor inducing deep belly laughs with his impeccableawards show hosting skills, he’s always a treat to watch. The role that helped him break through to A-lister status is as Wolverine in theX-Menfranchise.
One Last Hurrah… Kind of
Wrapping up the end of a trilogy withLoganmust have been bittersweet for the actor. In an interview withEntertainment Weekly, “The idea that, in the end, [Logan] must give his life to save someone else… I thought that was really powerful.”
That statement, while vague, certainly hints at a particular fate for his character. Perhaps he couldn’t help getting sentimental after almost two decades of playing Wolverine.Loganwas meant to be his final time suiting up for the role, but he’ll co-star with Ryan Reynolds inDeadpool & Wolverine.Stream on Disney+.
Related:Hugh Jackman’s 20 Best Movies, Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes
8Rachel McAdams - The Time Traveler’s Wife (2009)
Rachel McAdamsraised the bar for teen comedies with her portrayal of the queen bee we are equally scared of and enamored by inMean Girls. But her range expands far beyond the popular, blonde bully. The same year she played Regina George she also depicted Allie Hamilton inThe Notebookand has continued to challenge herself in subsequent projects.
See Rachel McAdams spoilThe Time Traveler’s Wifeon Jon Stewart’s show here.
No Plot Point Left Unturned
The Time Traveler’s Wifeis a drama with heavy science fiction and romantic elements. McAdams was cast as Clare, the romantic interest of a man who time travels. With the weaving in and out of timelines, it can be a bit tricky to keep all the pieces together.
While McAdams spoke to Jon Stewart, she revealed that her character’s husband would be able to see his own death. She and the host recognize the blunder, yet she keeps going. Even with Stewart’s attempt to rein it in, McAdams appears to be on a mission to recount the entire plot.Rent on Apple TV.
The Time Traveler’s Wife
7Jason Momoa - Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)
Aquamanis about the titular character, played byJason Momoa. He also goes by Arthur and is half-human, half-sea creature with superhuman abilities. The first film was asurprise success, raking in over $1 billion at the global box office. In the sequel,Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, he has to team up with his half-brother (whom he has a rocky past with) to keep his family and the world safe.
Momoa Spoiled the Final Scene
There’s something about actors in superhero films and spoilers. To cut them some slack, many of these actors are in several of these films. It can be hard to keep track of who knows what.
A year prior to the film’s release, Momoa divulged what the final scene in the movie entailed. The spoiler came as he was talking about how the film is in conversation with climate change talks, so perhaps he got too passionate.Stream on Netflix.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
The follow-up to the smash hit DC adventure Aquaman, starring Jason Momoa as the King of Atlantis.
6Sylvester Stallone - Creed (2015)
Creedis the first spin-off of the sports seriesRockythat took the seventies and eighties by storm. Michael B. Jordan stars as Donnie, an amateur boxer and son of a heavyweight champion. A few setbacks to achieving his dream of greatness shake Donnie, but he eventually heads to Philadelphia to get mentored by Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone). Rocky was a friend of his dad’s and may be the push he needs to get his career back on track.
Stallone Posted a Photo of the Script
Stallone’s depiction of Rocky is still remembered today, over forty years since the original hit theaters. He put a lot of heart into the project, as he not only starred in the film butwrote and directedvarious of the installments. One could imagine the thrill he had seeing the story get revived for a modern-day audience.
To express this gratitude and excitement, Stallone posted a photo of the script. Eagle-eyed fans zoomed in and saw a cancer diagnosis for his character. Safe to say it dulled the shock such a revelation would bring.Stream on Peacock.
