These Movie Costumes Caused Some Serious Controversy
There are many components that make a great movie. Whether it’s the quality of the script or the effectiveness of the soundtrack, great cinema happens when key elements fall into place. Movie costumes are no different and are far more important than you might think. Great outfits can bring a film to life and help the actors truly embody their characters. The yellow jumpsuit worn by Uma Thurman in Kill Bill, for example, is almost as famous as the movie itself. However, when wardrobe doesn’t get things right it can be a bit of a disaster, like the following examples will demonstrate.
Jennifer Lawrence’s Bodypaint In X-Men: First Class
If you’ve seen X-Men: First Class then the chances are you’ll remember Mystique, played by the excellent Jennifer Lawrence. The shape-shifting mutant certainly wasn’t one to mess with, and Lawrence did a great job bringing her to life — thanks, in part, to her incredible blue bodypaint. Going through the long process of becoming Mystique every single day was heavy going for Jennifer, and it would take six girls about 7 hours to paint her full body.
The hard work definitely paid off, however. Although the original comic book Mystique wore a white dress, Lawrence’s updated “naked” version was brave and exciting, and a real highlight of the 2011 blockbuster.
Milla Jovovich’s Barely-There Costume In The Fifth Element
The Fifth Element was so futuristic when it was released in the late 90s that it still feels quirky and dystopian today. The movie was a real moment for cutting-edge cinema and its excellent cast did a great job of bringing humor to what has become a SciFi cult classic. Milla Jovovich starred alongside Bruce Willis in costumes designed, no less, by the French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier — which might explain the controversy around Jovovich’s outfit.
Milla’s character, Leeloo, is actually naked when she is first introduced on screen. Not much changes by the time she has an outfit, however, after she dons a bandage-like strappy number that certainly got audiences talking!
Ryan Reynolds’ CGI Suit In Green Lantern
It’s hard not to love Ryan Reynolds. The Canadian actor brings his self-deprecating humor to the big screen in a unique way and always leaves fans wanting more. Green Lantern notwithstanding, that is. Considered by many critics to be one of the worst superhero movies ever made (which takes some doing), the 2011 effort starring Reynolds alongside his now-wife Blake Lively left a lot to be desired. In fact, the actor famously waited a decade to watch the movie!
For many people, the crux of the problem was the movie’s over-reliance on CGI, which even extended to Green Lantern’s costume. Instead of letting wardrobe do its thing, the outfit was rendered entirely in post-production with comical results.
Margot Robbie’s Less-Is-More Outfit In Suicide Squad
Anyone who has seen 2016’s Suicide Squad will be familiar with Margot Robbie’s character, Harley Quinn. An ever-popular Halloween costume since the movie’s release, Quinn has become arguably the most popular character in the DC Universe, eclipsing fellow villains like The Penguin, The Riddler, and Poison Ivy, even though she only made her first appearance in the animated series as opposed to the original comic books.
Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn outfit was an immediate talking point for fans of the franchise, who were mesmerized by her risque shorts and fishnet tights. Since playing the role, Robbie has admitted that the costume made her feel a tad self-conscious.
Olivia Munn’s Out-There Outfit In X-Men: Apocalypse
Comic book fans were super excited when X-Men: Apocalypse was released in 2016. The ninth installment of the franchise saw the introduction of a number of new characters, including the popular Psylocke, played by Olivia Munn. A beautiful mutant who possesses psionic powers, Munn’s portrayal of Psylocke was a real highlight of the Bryan SInger-directed blockbuster. As is always the case with superhero movies, a lot was made of Psylocke’s costume — or lack of, in this case.
Anyone familiar with the original comics will know that Psylocke wore an extremely revealing outfit and producers of the movie — somewhat controversially — followed their lead. That being said, Munn’s costume was actually less risque than the comic book version.
George Clooney’s Batsuit In Batman & Robin
When you think about actors who have played Batman, the likes of Val Kilmer, Michael Keaton or Christian Bale probably spring to mind. People often forget that George Clooney had the role of The Caped Crusader in 1997’s Batman & Robin, alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger and Uma Thurman. And for good reason. Batman & Robin is the lowest-grossing live-action Batman movie to date and often appears on many critics’ lists of worst films ever made.
What didn’t help Clooney’s turn in Batman was his Batsuit. One of the superhero’s most recognizable possessions, Batman’s unique costume can be the difference between his enemies (and the audience) taking him seriously and, well, laughing at his nipples. It’s a shame because the rest of the suit was pretty cool!
Jamie Foxx’s Ass-Kicking Shades In Django Unchained
One of the great movies of modern times was Quentin Tarantino’s epic Revisionist Western, Django Unchained. Not only was the cast stellar — Samuel L. Jackson, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Christoph Waltz to name a few — but the film itself was the perfect blend of action, humor, and thought-provoking storytelling. The protagonist, Django, was played with style by the imitable Jamie Foxx, who showcased some incredible looks throughout the duration of the movie.
One slight issue, however, was the sunglasses Foxx wore. Sure, they looked awesome, but shades like those weren’t actually invented until the 20th Century! He’s so cool we’ll give him a pass, though.
Rebel Wilson’s Sailor Outfit In Pitch Perfect 3
The Pitch Perfect franchise was an incredibly popular collection of comedy films. First released in 2012, the story follows a university’s all-girl a capella group, and its ensemble cast, starring Rebel Wilson and Anna Kendrick, went down a storm with audiences. As fans were getting excited for the release of the third installment in 2017 however, a promo picture was leaked and it caused some controversy to say the least.
In the photo, Wilson posed with two of her co-stars, all of them wearing sailor outfits — except hers was different. While the other two had sleeveless tops, Rebel’s had sleeves that covered her arms. Fans accused the producers of body discrimination, but it had been the star’s choice to wear that particular version.
Carrie Fisher’s Metallic Bikini In Return of the Jedi
Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe came along, Star Wars seemed to dominate the blockbuster landscape. Return of the Jedi was released in 1983 and was the third installment of the original trilogy — following on from 1977’s Star Wars and 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back. One of the shining stars of Star Wars was, of course, Princess Leia, played by the beautiful Carrie Fisher. Return of the Jedi saw Fisher in her most revealing outfit to date, when she was “Slave Leia”.
Her metallic bikini was a jaw-dropping moment for audiences — some loved it, while others question it. Leia had always been portrayed as a fiercely independent warrior, which was at odds (some said) with this outfit.
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Shefali Chowdury And Afshan Azad Underwhelm In Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was the fourth installment of the mega-popular franchise, and it saw the story’s stars begin to grow up somewhat. One of the most memorable scenes from the movie was the Yule Ball, a formal dance held on the evening of Yule during a Triwizard Tournament year. This particular moment felt more like a high school rom-com than a fantasy novel, as both Harry and Ron secure last-minute dates for the ball.
Their dates were the Patil sisters, who both wore traditional Indian dresses for the occasion. Unfortunately, wardrobe really missed an opportunity as the girls’ outfits were far less glamorous than they could have been. According to the costume designers, they did this so as to not take the spotlight away from Hermione.
Ben Affleck’s Red Leather Look In Daredevil
2003’s Daredevil isn’t exactly a superhero movie for the ages. Directed by Mark Steven Johnson, the blockbuster received a frosty reaction from fans and critics alike — although it did surprisingly well at the box office, raking in an impressive $179m. There were also some decent performances, by Daredevil himself, Ben Affleck, and the menacing Michael Clarke Duncan, but the movie as a whole didn’t bring anything new to the genre.
One of the fiercest criticisms of Daredevil was the choice of outfit for the superhero himself. Even though the original Daredevil red, the decision by production to make the suit leather made Affleck look a bit… silly.
Joaquin Phoenix’s 70s Style Joker
2019’s Joker was a fascinating departure from the cookie-cutter approach to comic book movie adaptations. Directed by Todd Phillips, the film was all about an eerily dark Joaquin Phoenix, who showed his class and helped Joker to 11 Academy Award nominations. In fact, the movie surpassed $1bn in box office takings, the first R-rated title to do so.
The Joker’s outfit wasn’t particularly controversial, but it certainly got audiences talking. Tom make Phoenix’s iteration stand out, wardrobe went for a 70s style take on the outfit, which worked extremely well.
Ryan Reynolds’ Unmemorable Outfits In X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Given how much cinematic joy he has brought audiences, it seems unfair that Ryan Reynolds is mentioned once again on this list. However, his foray into superhero movies hasn’t been particularly kind to him — until the Deadpool installments, that is. Prior to this, Reynolds appeared in 2009’s underwhelming X-Men Origins: Wolverine, where he played the mercenary Wade Wilson, who eventually turned into the superhuman Deadpool thanks to the Mutant Workshop program.
To say they didn’t exactly nail the costume would be an understatement. The X-Men Origins: Wolverine version of Deadpool looked nothing like he did in the comics and it all felt a bit clumsy. Fortunately, we all know Ryan made up for it in style!
Tom Hiddleston’s Pants In Thor
Directed by the legendary Kenneth Branagh and released in 2011, Thor was the first in a popular series of blockbusters starring Chris Hemsworth as the might hammer-wielding God of Thunder. While the hero of the story may have been the focal point of the movie, it was his brother Loki, the God of Mischief, played by the excellent Tom Hiddlestone who stole the show. As a character, Loki divided opinion — he’s a villain after all, but his presence on screen captivated audiences.
Having said that, there was something slightly controversial about Hiddlestone’s outfit. His pants fit in a way that exaggerated a particular area — not that some fans were complaining!
Jena Malone’s Garish Avant-Garde Number In Nocturnal Animals
2016’s Nocturnal Animals was a classy-looking psychological drama with an A-list cast, including Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal. Directed by the multitalented Tom Ford, the movie was always going to be a hit from a wardrobe perspective if nothing else but it was also extremely well-received by critics and scooped 9 BAFTA nominations during awards season. While the film’s costume department was undoubtedly on-point, there was certainly some controversy around the choice for Sage Ross — played by Jena Malone.
Malone’s character stuck out for all the wrong reasons in an overly avant-garde number that seemed silly compared to the rest of the cast. Tom Ford later confirmed that it was his intention to dress the character of Sage Ross in the most ridiculous outfit he could find!
Theda Bara’s Groundbreaking Get-Up In Cleopatra
The J. Gordon Edwards-directed Cleopatra, released all the way back in 1917 towards the end of World War I, caused quite a stir. Theda Bara, one of the most popular actresses of the silent era and an early cinema sex symbol, played the title role. Given that it was released in the prudish early 20th Century, Cleopatra was incredibly pioneering, baring female flesh to audiences in a way that had never been seen before.
Edwards and the production team didn’t put Theda in a provocative outfit for shock value, however. They were staying true to what the Egyptian queen would have worn in her life, hence the risque costume choice.
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Evangeline Lilly’s Ab-Tastic Ant-Man And The Wasp Outfit
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is arguably the most dominant franchise in movie history, and it’s impressive how popular the spin-off Ant-Man installments have been with audiences. The follow-up to 2015’s Ant-Man, starring Paul Rudd, was one of the most anticipated sequels in superhero movie history, and the Peyton Reed-directed 2018 release certainly didn’t disappoint. Ant-Man and the Wasp introduced a new female superhero, played by the fantastic Evangeline Lily.
As you might expect, Lily’s character the Wasp was initially due to wear a bright yellow and black costume, but that slightly obvious idea was canned. Instead, she appeared in a more menacing outfit, which raised eyebrows due to its incredibly ripped chest plate.
Brie Larson Goes Green In Captain Marvel
The Captain Marvel comic books are among the most popular of all the comic book series, so fans were understandably excited to learn that Brie Larson would be playing the lead role in the 2019 blockbuster. With Larson leading a stellar cast that included the likes of Samuel L. Jackson and Jude Law, Captain Marvel became the first female-led superhero film to pass the billion-dollar mark. There was panic in the fanbase, however, when some behind-the-scenes photos were released showing Brie in a green outfit on set.
Captain Marvel wears blue and red, of course, so what was she doing in a green costume? The film’s producers quickly reminded fans that she originally wore green in the comic books before switching to the classic blue and red. Panic over!
Matthew Goode’s Batman Tribute Outfit In Watchmen
2009’s highly-anticipated Watchmen was a retelling of the 1986-87 DC Comics limited series. Directed by Zack Snyder, the movie remained incredibly loyal to the original novel, although there were one or two differences that irritated comic fans, the most obvious being the bizarre decision to rewrite the ending! Story aside, another issue that left audiences upset was the costume worn by Ozymandias, the German-American anti-villain and “smartest man on the planet”.
Instead of the purple, bejeweled outfit Ozymandias sports in the comic, production had Matthew Goode in a black superhero suit that looked almost identical to Batman’s Batsuit — nipples and everything!
Robert Downey Jr. ‘s Unfortunate Makeup In Tropic Thunder
Tropic Thunder was one of those movies that got people talking. A satirical look at the movie industry, Ben Stiller directed and starred in the comedy, which was a huge success with critics — audiences lapped it up too. Not only was Tropic Thunder funny, well, hilarious, it also had a stellar cast which included Tom Cruise and Jack Black. The one area of controversy, though, was Robert Downey Jr.’s character, who wore blackface.
Even though Downey Jr.’s makeup had a meaning behind it — taking a swipe at Hollywood’s obsession with method acting — it still left a number of people feeling understandably offended.
Princess Merida’s Reserved Appearance In Brave
2012 saw the release of Brave, an animated fantasy film by Disney that follows the journey of a strong, independent archer called Princess Merida. Brave was popular for many reasons, but particularly since it bucked the trend of cliched princess tales, where the damsel is very much in distress and needs rescuing — usually by a strapping young prince. Merida is anything but, defying her father’s wishes to marry one of his allies and instead embarking on her own adventure.
Merida’s outfit was praised by audiences, who applauded the fact that she looked like a “real girl”, rather than the standard beauty queen, although more recent 2D depictions of the princess had her looking more glamourous and unrealistic.
Marilyn Monroe’s Iconic Dress In The Seven Year Itch
In many respects, Marylin Monroe was the original influencer. An A-List celebrity with a high-class lifestyle, Marylin was forever making headlines, whether it was her whirlwind romances, iconic outfits or star turns on the big screen. While we look back on Monroe as a mid-century icon, she was completely ahead of her time and many folks back then didn’t quite know what to make of her. A great example is her appearance in 1955’s The Seven Year Itch, where Monroe seduces her neighbor, a married man played by Tom Ewell
The iconic scene of the movie comes when Monroe’s dress flies up dramatically as she stands over a New York City subway grate. This moment may have propelled Marylin towards superstardom, but her husband was, apparently, less than impressed.
Chris Evans’ Outdated Outfit In Avengers
One of the most consistent characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Chris Evans’ Captain America has been a fan-favorite since his debut appearance in 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger. The actor has reprised his role in numerous installments of the franchise since, and while his performances have never been in question, the costume he is made to wear has consistently raised a few eyebrows. We get that the character of Captain America is a throwback to the 1950s, but poor Chris looks a little bit outdated and out of place compared to his fellow Avengers.
Evans’ outfit, based on the stars and stripes of the American flag, certainly looked generically superhero-like, but standing next to the likes of Iron Man and Black Widow fans were rightfully crying out for a redesign.
The X-Men Swap All Bright For All Black In X-Men (2000)
The turn of the Millenium saw the introduction of the Marvel franchise to cinemagoers, in the form of X-Men. Directed by Bryan Singer and starring an A-list cast that included Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, and Patrick Stewart, comic book fans were understandably excited to witness the first in a long line of incredibly successful blockbusters. While the 2000 edition of X-Men probably isn’t the standout of the series so far, the fact that it was the original means we should be understanding of a few wobbly details.
To attract a modern audience, Bryan Singer decided to deviate from the comics when it came to the costumes, swapping the garish bright yellow and blue for an all-black leather look. We might have liked it, but the choice didn’t go down well with a number of hardcore fans!
January Jones’ Emma Frost Was More Spicy Than Icy In X-Men: First Class
If we’re being really honest, the producers of X-Men: First Class did the character of Emma Frost a huge disservice in the 2011 hit movie. Don’t get us wrong, January Jones was an inspired choice for the role of the powerful mutant telepath, but the lines she was given left audiences viewing her as one-dimensional and not much more than eye candy. This couldn’t be further from the truth, as the Ice Queen has a fascinating story arc in the comics, in a journey that takes her from major villain to force for good in the X-Men.
Emma Frost’s costumes were a huge part of her underestimation. She was dressed in an unimaginative white suit for the most part, at one point stripping down to her lingerie.
Kristen Stewart’s Wig In Twilight: Eclipse
The Twilight Saga was nothing short of a movie series sensation, launching the careers of Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, and Kristen Stewart. Eclipse was the third installment of the franchise, released in 2010, and followed on from the two mega-hits Twighlight and New Moon. The three main actors were understandably in high demand by the time Eclipse came around, and Stewart had been a movie called The Runaways shortly before production began.
Kristen’s hair was cut pretty short in The Runaways, so, for continuity reasons, the team on Eclipse had little choice other than to have her wear a wig. Even though fans immediately noticed, the movie went on to be a smash hit.
Lily James’ Waist Of Wonder In Cinderella
2015’s Cinderella was an epic live-action retelling of the beloved Disney romantic fantasy. Directed superbly by Kenneth Branagh, the star of the show was Lily James, who blew audiences away with her portrayal of the protagonist. While there wasn’t controversy around the costumes in Cinderella, fans couldn’t believe that James’ waist was that tiny in real life.
After accusations of CGI and post-production airbrushing, the production had to assure fans that yes, this really was Lily James’ actual waistline! The corset she wore also helped with the overall look.
Evan Peters’ 70s Swag In X-Men
X-Men saw the introduction of a comic book fan-favorite in Quicksilver. Played by Evan Peters, the mutant with super speed has featured in a number of Marvel installments since his 2000 debut and never fails to impress, not only for his speed but also for his great sense of humor. Comic book purists, however, might have taken umbrage with the X-Men production team’s decision to completely revamp Quicksilver’s costume.
In the books, the super-fast hero wears a classic tight-fitting superhero suit featuring a lightning bolt design. Modern-day Quicksilver was given a 70s-style outfit which, regardless of its authenticity, proved a big hit.
Emily Browning, Jena Malone, Jamie Chung, Abbie Cornish, And Vanessa Hudgens In Sucker Punch
While Zack Snyder might have directed some blockbuster gems, his 2011 movie, Sucker Punch, was not one of them. Starring Emily Browning as ‘Babydoll’, the film seemed to just meander without any meaningful plot and received generally negative reviews. Furthermore, Sucker Punch didn’t perform at the box office in a way that Snyder had come to expect. in fact, it only just broke even.
Essentially, this forgettable fantasy action film was about getting beautiful actresses in schoolgirl outfits. Not much else. This explains the criticism it received.
Halle Berry’s Sexy Halloween Costume In Catwoman
In between her appearances as the superhero Storm in X-Men, Halle Berry took on the role of Catwoman in the Pitof-directed 2004 flop. The truth is, Catwoman was a moment to forget in an illustrious career for the Oscar-winning actress and is generally considered one of the most disappointing superhero movies ever released. Everything about the film was poor, from the bizarre storyline to the lack of character depth. Halle’s costume wasn’t without fault, either.
For some reason, production decided to ditch Catwoman’s signature leotard in favor of ripped leather pants and bra top — presumably to make the most of Halle’s incredible figure? Sadly it was more reminiscent of a sexy Halloween costume.
Henry Cavill’s Gritty New Look For Man of Steel
Much like Christopher Nolan did with Batman, Zack Snyder took Superman to a far darker place than had been seen before, in 2013’s Man of Steel. Henry Cavill seemed a natural fit in the role of Clark Kent AKA Superman and the British actor was an instant hit with audiences. To reflect this grittier take on a comic classic, Snyder chose to mute the colors of the Superman costume and dispense the bright blues, reds, and yellows that had become synonymous with the character
In fact, the blue of the new Superman costume was almost as dark as Batman’s jet black Batsuit. This change of direction didn’t win over every fan, but they were all in agreement about the red underwear being ditched!
Willem Dafoe’s Strange Mask In Spider-Man
Comic book fans were understandably excited when, back in 2004, a brand new Spider-Man movie was released, starring Tobey Maguire as the Spidey superhero. An absolute smash hit, the movie was the first ever to reach $100 million in a single weekend and became the sixth highest-grossing film overall at the time of its release. One of the reasons for the movie’s success was its compelling cast, which included the talented Willem Dafoe as the Green Goblin.
Dafoe was excellent in the role, but some fans weren’t happy about his appearance. In the comics, the Green Goblin wore a creepy mask with a purple hat, whereas the movie had him in a highly stylized armored helmet.
Sylvester Stallone’s Unmasking In Judge Dredd
Without meaning to sound rude, casting Sylvester Stallone in the title role of a movie means you’re likely to get a certain type of movie. The Rocky series and First Blood were examples of this being a stroke of genius, but comic book fans weren’t entirely convinced when he donned the Judge Dredd mask in 1995. The producers of the movie seemed more concerned with Stallone-style action than paying homage to the books the movie was based on.
The most obvious example of this was Sly’s decision to remove his Judge Dredd mask. Fans will tell you that the character never did this, but apparently, Stallone didn’t like the idea of hiding his face for an entire movie. Diva much?
The Redcoats In Pirates of the Caribbean
First released in 2003, Pirates of the Caribbean was an insanely successful series of movies starring Johnny Depp as the eccentric, swashbuckling Jack Sparrow, the former captain of a pirate ship called the Black Pearl. Depp was the star of the show, of course, but his hilarious antics required an opposing force, which came in the form of the blundering British soldiers known as the redcoats. But should their coats have been red?
Historically speaking, British soldiers didn’t don red uniforms until the late 1700s, where it became synonymous with the colonial rule over America. Pirates of the Caribbean is set in the early 1700s, making this costume choice a frustrating one for any history buffs in the audience.
Raquel Welch’s Furry Bikini In One Million Years B. C.
One Million Years B.C. caused quite a stir when it was released in 1966. The adventure fantasy film set in a harsh prehistoric world introduced fans to Raquel Welch — and her unforgettable furry bikini. One Million Years B.C. has achieved cult status and to many is considered a groundbreaking moment in cinema history.
While Welch’s costume wouldn’t bat any eyelids in today’s society, the audiences of 1966 thought differently. The outfit caused a number of complaints — although not from the hordes of teenage boys who had Loana posters on their bedroom walls!
All The Characters In Inception
Undeniably one of the great movies of our time, Christopher Nolan’s 2010 SciFi epic Inception was a critical and commercial success, picking up 4 Academy Awards and grossing over $828m worldwide. The incredibly well-written storyline was delivered impeccably by a cast that included Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon Levitt, and Tom Hardy. The costumes in Inception weren’t controversial per se, but they were much talked about due to their extra meaning.
If you watch the movie a few times, you’ll notice subtle details about the outfits that communicate extra information about the characters wearing them. The costumes reflected a residual self-image and spoke a lot about their personality.
Maureen O’Sullivan’s Jungle Rags In Tarzan And His Mate
Tarzan and His Mate was released all the way back in 1934, so the likelihood is you haven’t seen it — unless you’re slightly older or a certified movie buff! Directed by Cedric Gibbons, the film was, in many ways, ahead of its time, featuring scantily clad cast members (something that’s become the norm today). The controversy wasn’t so much around Johnny Weissmuller’s half-naked Tarzan, but more so because of Jane, played by Maureen O’Sullivan.
Audiences were shocked to see O’Sullivan’s character roaming around the jungle dressed only in a few rags. However, the original script suggested full nudity for the role of Jane, so all things considered, the production team kept it quite conservative!
Doug Jones’ Amphibian Man Costume In The Shape of Water
2017’s The Shape of Water was an innovative moment in cinema. Directed by Guillermo del Toro, the movie tells the story of an unlikely love between a humanoid amphibian and a mute woman in the early 1960s. Many people hadn’t heard of the film when it won Best Picture at the Oscars, but those who had seen it weren’t surprised. The one area of controversy, however, was the costume of the Amphibian Man.
Some viewers thought the outfit looked a little silly, although to be fair to the production team this was always going to be a challenge. The costume was realistic enough to not distract from the beauty of the film, however, so really it was mission accomplished.
Mickey Rooney’s Offensive Casting In Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Breakfast at Tiffany’s is one of the most iconic movies in cinema history, much in part to Audrey Hepburn’s star turn as the beautiful socialite Holly Golightly. Released in 1961, this was an era we look back on today and cringe at certain things, such as the casting of Mickey Rooney as Mr. Yunioshi. At the time, racist humor was widely accepted in American culture, although thankfully this general attitude began to change later in that decade.
The costume Rooney wore wasn’t the controversy as such, rather his casting as a Japanese man and use of offensive Asian stereotypes. The Mr. Yunioshi character has been the subject of extensive critical review since the movie’s release.
Natalie Portman’s Midriff In Star Wars: Attack Of The Clones
Released in 2002, Star Wars: Attack of the Clones did what many installments of the franchise did — received mixed reviews but grossed a huge amount at the box office. The cast was stellar, and this included a very young Natalie Portman, who played the role of Padmé Amidala Naberrie. While she wasn’t forced to wear a metallic bikini, Portman still had to expose a fair amount of flesh throughout the movie.
During one scene, her clothes were torn off by a monster, exposing a bare midriff. Some fans didn’t appreciate this — the exposure, that is, not Natalie’s toned stomach.