We couldn’t believe our eyes when we stumbled upon the news that Justin Bieber and Ashton Kutcher were set to star in a movie together. The film, titled “What Would Kenny Do?”, tells the story of Ashton as an older version of Justin who travels back in time to guide his younger self through the trials of adolescence. Many were quick to dub this potential collaboration as the worst buddy movie ever. But is it really? Let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit some of the most disastrous on-screen duos that have graced our screens.
Dennis Rodman and Jean-Claude van Damme in Double Team
Both Dennis Rodman and Jean-Claude van Damme have their own unique talents. Rodman’s eccentricity and van Damme’s martial arts skills have garnered them a fair share of fans. However, when the two were paired together in the film Double Team, it was nothing short of a casting disaster. The film not only failed to showcase their individual strengths but also included cringe-worthy basketball references that added insult to injury.
Tom Hanks and a dog in Turner and Hooch
Animal movies often tug at our heartstrings, aiming to manipulate our emotions with their cute and lovable protagonists. Turner and Hooch is no exception, as it follows the timeless formula of pairing a charismatic actor with an adorable dog. Unfortunately, even Tom Hanks couldn’t save this film from being a forgettable endeavor. And this trend of actor-dog pairings is not limited to Hanks; Chuck Norris, Owen Wilson, James Belushi, and even Whoopi Goldberg have all had their fair share of canine co-stars.
Eddie Murphy and Robert De Niro in Showtime
Showtime serves as a prime example of lazy and cynical casting in Hollywood. The film, which was widely regarded as terrible, was seemingly built on the premise of having a black guy and a white guy team up to solve a crime. The performances from both Eddie Murphy and Robert De Niro felt predictable and clichéd, lacking the depth and originality that their talents deserved. The film relied on tired stereotypes and failed to deliver anything groundbreaking.
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito in Twins and Junior
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s decision to venture into comedy during the early ’90s remains a head-scratcher. Twins and Junior may have elicited a nostalgic chuckle from those who grew up during that era, but upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that the films heavily relied on a single joke: Arnie’s size contrasted with Danny’s height. Beyond that initial gag, these movies failed to leave a lasting impression or provide genuine laughs.
George Clooney and Chris O’Donnell in Batman & Robin
The Batman franchise had already seen its fair share of ups and downs before Batman & Robin graced the screens in 1997. However, the pairing of George Clooney and Chris O’Donnell as Batman and Robin took the series to an all-time low. From the infamous nipple-suited costumes to the cringe-worthy ice skates, the film was an absolute train wreck. Both actors later expressed their dissatisfaction with the project, and it’s safe to say that this disastrous duo played a significant role in the film’s downfall.
Jeff Goldblum and Will Smith in Independence Day
Independence Day may have been a blockbuster hit, but it didn’t escape criticism for its jingoistic and often ridiculous plot. The unlikely duo of Jeff Goldblum and Will Smith as the action hero and geeky scientist respectively provided plenty of eye-rolling moments and clichéd performances. The film’s reliance on American exceptionalism and its disregard for the rest of the world did not age well, to say the least.
Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson in Guest House Paradiso
Rik Mayall and Adrian Edmondson’s comedic partnership had its moments, most notably in the cult-classic series The Young Ones. However, when their act was extended to the feature-length film Guest House Paradiso, it fell woefully flat. The movie lacked substance and relied on the duo’s established dynamic of being horrible to one another, which failed to translate into an enjoyable viewing experience. Even the actors themselves seemed bored and embarrassed by the end of it.
Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, generally
These two names might not ring a bell, but their movies certainly do. Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer are responsible for a slew of “parody” films such as Date Movie, Epic Movie, and Disaster Movie. Their brand of humor consists of mindless piggybacking off other people’s work without adding anything substantial or genuinely funny. Their movies are a perfect example of cheap and mean-spirited attempts at parody.
George Lucas and dialogue, generally
George Lucas undoubtedly made a significant contribution to cinema with the Star Wars franchise. However, one area where he consistently falls short is the writing of dialogue. While the excitement of the plot and innovative special effects compensated for this flaw in the original trilogy, the second trilogy exposed Lucas’s inability to create convincing dialogue. The painfully awkward “love” scenes between Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen stand out as prime examples of this weakness.
In conclusion, the duo of Justin Bieber and Ashton Kutcher in their upcoming movie might have raised eyebrows, but it remains to be seen whether they will surpass the infamy of the disastrous on-screen duos that came before them. As audiences, we can only hope that future collaborations will be thoughtfully cast, showcasing the talents of the actors involved and delivering memorable performances that live up to their potential.
