Some careers crumble after just one bad year, while others survive flop after flop without any real consequence at all, ever. Certain stars keep landing huge roles no matter how badly their last project performed.
This roundup looks at ten stars who studios refuse to give up on, despite repeated box office disappointments or controversy. Their staying power says as much about Hollywood itself as it does about them today.
Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Johnson has delivered a long run of box office disappointments, including Black Adam, Red One, and The Smashing Machine, despite his massive star power. Critics increasingly question whether his name can sell tickets anymore.
Despite this, Disney cast him in the live action Moana remake and a new Jumanji sequel for next year. Studios continue betting on Johnson, banking on nostalgia and his enduring global brand recognition with audiences.
Channing Tatum
Channing Tatum has starred in several recent box office disappointments, including Fly Me to the Moon and Roofman, both of which underperformed despite largely positive reviews from critics worldwide. Audiences simply did not show up.
Yet Tatum keeps landing major roles, reprising Gambit in Avengers Doomsday and continuing his ongoing producing career simultaneously. Marvel clearly still views him as a valuable asset worth investing in for future franchise installments ahead.
Jared Leto
Jared Leto has starred in some of the most poorly reviewed studio films in recent memory, including Morbius and the Masters of the Universe reboot entirely. In 2025, nine women publicly accused him of misconduct.
Despite the allegations and weak box office returns, Leto continues landing major roles in franchises like Tron and upcoming heist films too today. His casting choices suggest little professional consequence from either issue at all.
Shia LaBeouf
Shia LaBeouf settled a lawsuit with former partner FKA Twigs in 2025 after she accused him of abuse during their earlier relationship. He was also convicted of battery in 2026 following a Mardi Gras altercation.
Despite this troubled record, acclaimed directors keep hiring him anyway, including Francis Ford Coppola for Megalopolis and Ridley Scott as producer on God of the Rodeo project. His talent keeps outweighing his off screen reputation.
Millie Bobby Brown
Millie Bobby Brown starred in The Electric State, a three hundred twenty million dollar Netflix film that earned Razzie nominations for Worst Picture and Worst Director. The expensive gamble failed to resonate widely with audiences.
Netflix later scrapped an entirely different project after Brown exited over creative differences in early 2026. Despite these setbacks, she remains deeply embedded in franchises like Stranger Things and Enola Holmes going forward into 2027.
Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway endured years of intense public backlash after a poorly received Oscars hosting gig and an earnest acceptance speech that critics mocked relentlessly online for years. Many directors avoided casting her during this period.
Christopher Nolan ignored the criticism and cast her in his films regardless, crediting his choice with keeping her career afloat during that time. She has since returned fully to major franchises and acclaimed independent projects.
Halle Berry
Halle Berry has starred in several poorly received films in recent years, including Moonfall, The Union, and Never Let Go, none of which performed especially well with critics or audiences. Reviews have grown increasingly mixed.
Despite this pattern, major studios keep casting her in high profile ensemble films, including an upcoming thriller alongside Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo together. Her star power evidently still carries significant weight in casting rooms.
Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe has appeared in numerous critically panned films recently, including Poker Face, The Exorcism, and Kraven the Hunter, all of which scored extremely low with most reviewers. Audiences largely avoided theaters as well too.
Despite the streak, Crowe keeps landing prestigious roles, including playing Hermann Goring in Nuremberg and an upcoming Roman epic film project. Studios still view him as a very reliable name worth significant financial investment overall.
Dakota Johnson
Dakota Johnson starred in Madame Web, a critically savaged superhero film that won three full Golden Raspberry Awards, including one for her own performance. She later said the entire failure was not really her fault.
Despite the very public embarrassment, Johnson continues landing major roles, including Verity alongside Anne Hathaway and the acclaimed drama Materialists too. Studios still clearly view her star power as unaffected by one notable flop today.
Vin Diesel
Vin Diesel has faced production turmoil across recent Fast and Furious sequels, including a director departure and reported on set clashes over his preparation and punctuality habits. Budgets and release dates kept shifting repeatedly throughout.
He also faced a sexual battery lawsuit filed in 2023, though a judge dismissed the case entirely in November 2025 on jurisdictional grounds. Despite the controversy, Universal still continues moving forward with the franchise finale.
Featured Image: Photo by Laviru Koruwakankanamge on Wikimedia Commons
