14 Actors and Actresses Who Clearly Learned the Art of Transformation From Chameleons

It would seem that actors are masters of transformation. Sometimes you may have to pause the film and look at the credits, just to be sure of who, exactly, it is that we’re seeing on screen. After all, a genuinely talented artist is able to portray any image and even embody the opposite gender for a while.

Emma Thompson

• Cruella (2021) — haute couture fashion designer, Baroness Von Hellman;
• Matilda the Musical (2022) — stern headmistress, Miss Trunchbull.

Rhys Ifans

• House of the Dragon (2022) — the cunning knight, Otto Hightower, who served as Hand of the Court of King Viserys Targaryen;
• Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang (2010) — the cowardly Uncle Phil, up to his neck in debt.

Gwendoline Christie

• The Sandman (2022) — Lucifer, the main adversary of the lord of the dream realm;
• Wednesday (2022) — Larissa Weems, former principal of Nevermore Academy.

Michael Sheen

• Underworld (2003) — Lucian, the werewolf rebel;
• Good Omens (2019) — the angel Aziraphale, determined to stop the Apocalypse.

Tilda Swinton

• Suspiria (2018) — psychiatrist Dr. Jozef Klemperer;
• Three Thousand Years of Longing (2022) — Alithea Binnie, a literary scholar and lover of intimate conversations with the genie.

Zendaya

• The Greatest Showman (2017) — Anne Wheeler, a circus performer;
• Dune (2021) — Chani, the mysterious blue-eyed inhabitant of the planet Arrakis.

Nicole Kidman

• Big Little Lies (2017–2019) — Celeste, a mother of twins, in a difficult relationship with her husband;
• How to Talk to Girls at Parties (2017) — Queen Boadicea, head of the London punk scene.

Meryl Streep

• Mamma Mia! (2008) — a hostess of a small inn with a very complicated personal life;
• Florence Foster Jenkins (2016) — a socialite with no ear for music who decides to become an opera star.

Jim Broadbent

• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) — the cautious and practical Professor Slughorn;
• Game of Thrones (2011-2019) — Ebrose, a resident of the Citadel and one of the leaders of the Order of Maesters.
  

Jenna Ortega

• Stuck in the Middle (2016–2018) — Harley Diaz, a teenager from a large family;
• Wednesday (2022) — Wednesday Addams, a cynical and straight-talking student of a special school.

Richard Roxburgh

• Moulin Rouge! (2001) — a duke who dreams of winning the heart of the dancer Satine;
• Van Helsing (2004) — the cunning and charming Count Dracula.

Colin Firth

• The Last Legion (2007) — the Roman commander Aurelius;
• Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) — Secret Service agent Harry Hart (aka Galahad).

Jessica Chastain

• Crimson Peak (2015) — sister of the ancient estate’s owner, Lady Lucille Sharpe;
• The Help (2011) — the hapless housewife, Celia.

Stanley Tucci

• The Lovely Bones (2009) — the outlaw, George Harvey;
• Jack the Giant Slayer (2013) — Lord Roderick, adviser to the King and Princess Isabelle’s fiancé.

Have you ever not recognized your favorite actor in a new role? What film or TV series springs to mind?