Filmmakers love to surprise us with famous characters popping up in their movies. It’s like a secret treasure hunt for fans, adding an extra layer of excitement. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is especially notorious for this, using these unexpected appearances to tease future films. Some might argue that these moments can be distracting, but they also bring unexpected delight to the movie-watching experience.
Of course, there are times when a cameo falls flat and leaves audiences cringing instead. Maybe it’s a weird accent or the person just doesn’t quite fit in with the rest of the story. However, even these cringe-worthy moments can still serve a purpose and contribute to the overall narrative. So, let’s take a look at a few examples of these groan-inducing cameos that, surprisingly, still manage to be pretty great.
1. John Hurt In ‘Spaceballs’
In 1987, the movie Spaceballs took a hilarious swipe at the Star Wars films when they were at the peak of their popularity. They also didn’t hold back from poking fun at another sci-fi favorite, Alien. Remember that iconic scene in Alien where John Hurt’s character, Gilbert Kane, has an alien burst out of his chest? Well, the Spaceballs producers brought Hurt back to reprise the role for their parody.
Once again, the alien bursts out of his chest, and all Hurt can do is groan, “Oh no, not again.” But instead of causing chaos like in Alien, this time the alien surprises everyone by breaking into a showtime number called “Hello, My Ragtime Gal.” Complete with theatrics and a dance routine, it’s a scene so ridiculously funny that it’s impossible not to crack a smile.
2. Matt Damon In ‘EuroTrip’
EuroTrip is not afraid to push the boundaries and go all out with its outrageousness. The story revolves around Scotty and his group of friends who embark on a journey to Europe to meet his German pen pal, Mieke. The catalyst for Scotty’s search for Mieke is the shocking revelation that his girlfriend, Fiona, is cheating on him at their graduation party.
Right at the beginning of the film, we witness a band performing a song that spills the beans about Fiona’s unfaithfulness with their lead singer. It’s worth noting that the lead singer is none other than Matt Damon, almost unrecognizable with his tattoos, piercings, and bald head. Although Damon isn’t the actual vocalist (that credit goes to Chris Baird of the rock group Lustra), this scene has become one of the most iconic moments in EuroTrip. And let’s be honest, “Scotty Doesn’t Know” is still an absolute banger even today.
3. Dan Aykroyd In ‘Casper’
In 1995’s Casper, Dan Aykroyd takes on his famous role as Ray Stantz from Ghostbusters. He is brought in by Carrigan Crittenden (played by Cathy Moriarty) and her lawyer Dibs (played by Eric Idle) to help rid Whipstaff Manor of its pesky ghosts. However, Ray’s encounter with the mischievous spirits prompts him to quickly flee the mansion, leading him to modify the iconic Ghostbusters motto: “Who you gonna call? Someone else.”
This playful joke implies that not even the Ghostbusters themselves could handle the spooky and mischievous uncles of Casper. Although it may seem like an easy punchline, it fits perfectly within the delightful atmosphere of the family-friendly film. Ray’s response is completely in line with his character, adding a touch of humor to the story.
4. Keith Richards In ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End’
According to producer Jerry Bruckheimer, Johnny Depp drew inspiration from a mix of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards and the smelly, love-obsessed cartoon character Pepé Le Pew for his portrayal of Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Eventually, Richards was invited to join the cast in the third film, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, where he takes on the role of Jack’s father, Captain Teague.
In a truly remarkable way, Richards essentially plays himself in the movie – and surprisingly, it meshes well with Depp’s interpretation. The chemistry between the two actors feels genuine, making it believable that they could be related. As Captain Teague, Richards weighs in on Jack and Elizabeth’s (Keira Knightley) mission to declare war on behalf of the Brethren Court of pirates. Richards later made a memorable cameo appearance in the sequel, On Stranger Tides.
5. Mike Myers In ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’
Bohemian Rhapsody, released in 2018, is a biopic that celebrates the entire British rock band Queen, with a special focus on the lead singer Freddie Mercury, played by Rami Malek. The film takes us on Mercury’s journey as the band rises to success, with particular emphasis on their iconic hit, “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
In a delightful cameo, actor, writer, and comedian Mike Myers appears as Ray Foster, a music executive who questions the potential popularity of “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Foster boldly states, “We need a song teenagers can bang their heads to in a car. ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is not that song.” This line cleverly alludes to a memorable scene from the 1992 film Wayne’s World, where Myers’s character, Wayne, and his friends headbang to the very same song. It’s a playful nod to the impact of both Myers’s and Mercury’s work.
6. Hugh Jackman In ‘Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb’
In the third installment of the series, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, the laughs and historical adventures continue. Our main character, Larry Daley (played by Ben Stiller), is still on duty as the guardian of the New York City Museum of Natural History, where the exhibits magically come to life at night. However, things take a turn when Sir Lancelot (portrayed by Dan Stevens) suddenly comes to life and snatches the tablet of Ahkmenrah. His mission? To find the love of his life, Guinevere.
While exploring the bustling streets of New York, Lancelot accidentally stumbles upon a theater production of the musical Camelot. Surprisingly, the role of King Arthur is played by none other than Hugh Jackman, with Alice Eve taking on the role of Guinevere. It seems that Jackman is not too pleased with Lancelot’s attempt to steal his spotlight and win Guinevere’s heart. In response, Jackman channels his famous character Wolverine from the X-Men films, unleashing a fierce roar and menacing gestures as if he were about to unsheath his claws. The humor here lies in Jackman’s intense performance, which is so over-the-top that it becomes downright hilarious. And the best part? Lancelot remains completely oblivious to the reference, leaving Jackman and Eve to explain it to him.
7. Vanilla Ice In ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze’
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze is often remembered for its larger-than-life characters like Super Shredder and the mutant duo of Tokka and Rahzar. But there’s another scene in this 1991 film that perfectly captures the essence of the ’90s era. It’s the dance club sequence where the Turtles take on the Foot clan, while Vanilla Ice takes the stage to provide the soundtrack.
It may seem a little odd to see Vanilla Ice, the rapper who was all the rage in the ’90s, in this movie. However, his track “Ninja Rap” brings a burst of energy and amps up the excitement of the moment. The Turtles showcase their dance moves and put on a choreographed performance, entertaining the crowd while also taking down Shredder’s henchmen. Fans of TMNT will definitely enjoy this fun cameo.
8. Quentin Tarantino In ‘Django Unchained’
Quentin Tarantino, a renowned filmmaker, is often lauded for his talent behind the camera. However, his acting skills leave much to be desired, despite his persistent appearances in his own films. In Django Unchained, Tarantino takes on the role of Frankie, an Australian miner involved in transporting Django (played by Jamie Foxx).
Unfortunately, Tarantino’s attempt at an accent in this cameo is nothing short of atrocious. He appears visibly uncomfortable in front of the camera, struggling to embody the character convincingly. Nevertheless, his portrayal takes an unexpectedly hilarious turn when Django shoots him, causing the dynamite in his hands to detonate, resulting in a comically explosive demise.
This moment of vengeance serves as a satisfying turning point for Django as he breaks free from his captors. Moreover, it demonstrates Tarantino’s willingness to poke fun at himself by making his own cameo character the subject of the joke.
9. Bruce Willis In ‘Ocean’s Twelve’
In the 2004 heist comedy Ocean’s Twelve, things take a meta turn when Tess Ocean (played by Julia Roberts) joins her husband Danny (George Clooney) in a plan to steal a valuable Fabergé Egg. To get closer to the egg, Tess disguises herself as a pregnant Roberts, the actress, in a sequence that is both hilarious and unbelievable.
However, Tess’s plan hits a snag when Bruce Willis, known for his role in the Die Hard franchise, unexpectedly appears as himself. He recognizes his friend “Jules” and strikes up a conversation. The highlight of their interaction is when Tess gets on the phone with the “real” Julia Roberts. While this joke may seem a bit obvious, Willis’s natural performance and willingness to play along elevate this cameo from being cheesy to absolutely glorious.
10. Lance Armstrong In ‘Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story’
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story is a hilarious parody of sports films. The plot revolves around Pete, played by Vince Vaughn, who finds himself in a high-stakes dodgeball tournament. His main goal is to save his independent gym from being taken over by a corporate chain. Just when things seem impossible and Pete is on the verge of giving up, an unexpected source of inspiration comes along.
Enter Lance Armstrong, the famous cyclist. In the movie, Armstrong makes a cameo appearance and urges Pete to keep fighting, despite the overwhelming odds. At the time of the film’s release in 2004, Armstrong was considered a symbol of the indomitable human spirit. He had triumphed over cancer to become a legendary figure in the world of cycling. However, it is worth noting that after the movie came out, Armstrong faced an investigation and was eventually stripped of his Tour de France titles due to the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
Despite the controversy surrounding Armstrong’s personal life, the moment in the movie remains inspiring. It adds a touch of excitement to the storyline and leads to an entertaining climax where Pete rises to the occasion and wins the tournament. The film manages to capture a genuine sense of fun throughout, making it an enjoyable watch for fans of both sports movies and comedy.
11. Wolf Blitzer In ‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’
In the sixth installment of the action-packed Mission: Impossible series, Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018), we see the return of Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt. This time, Hunt is on a mission to recover plutonium from a dangerous group of extremists who aim to use it for making bombs. To aid him in this mission, his colleague Benji Dunn, played by Simon Pegg, takes on a disguise as CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer. The plan is to create a fake broadcast to deceive their enemies and extract crucial information from them.
The disguise is truly amazing because, believe it or not, it’s not Pegg wearing heavy makeup and prosthetics. It’s the real Wolf Blitzer himself, playing his own role. Although the scene doesn’t require Blitzer to do anything out of the ordinary, it is a respectful nod to his extensive and illustrious career as a journalist. Some may question why Blitzer’s cameo wasn’t written as a character assisting Hunt and Dunn in their mission, rather than pretending to be Dunn in a flawless disguise. However, regardless of the rationale, it’s a lighthearted and enjoyable appearance that adds a touch of fun to the movie.
