Not a fit. I've heard it a million times from hiring managers over the years when giving me feedback on a candidate they interviewed. Not a fit for any number of reasons. Didn't have this skill, or that experience. Most of the time their expectations of the right fit are based on the experience and skill-set of the incumbent in the role or rigidly sticking to a job description (Also based on the incumbent's skills and experience and nothing more than a wish list).
14 years ago someone took a chance on a relatively unknown actor from Australia to take on the role of one of Marvel's most legendary characters. Hugh Jackman was not the right fit to play the part of Wolverine. He's too tall, not ugly enough, too clean cut and probably too skinny. He doesn't fit the job description at all!
Since the first X-Men movie came out in 2000 he's played the role of Wolverine 7 times across all of the films (by my count). He's done such a great job and become so identified with the character that it's become impossible to picture anyone else in the role. He's probably the only actor from the series that has the presence and popularity to succeed in stand alone films based on their character. He's made the part his own and is now the standard bearer for the next person to play the role. Someone else will eventually take it on.
Imagine what might have happened if they had tried to stick with the job description. How big is the candidate pool for 5'3" actors with the right look, build, attitude and charisma? Maybe bigger than I think, but how long would it have taken to find them and could they have made the same mark on the part over the years? I don't think so.
The same dilemma will be faced the next time the part is cast. Now we have a new job description based on Jackman's skills and experience.
What's my point? Finding the right person is a lot more about the qualities and energy they bring to the job than comparing them to the person who did it before. They need the chance to bring something different to the job and put their own stamp on it. It's also worth mentioning that I've never come across ANYONE who was an absolute perfect fit for a job, but I've seen plenty of imperfect fits do great things!
14 years ago someone took a chance on a relatively unknown actor from Australia to take on the role of one of Marvel's most legendary characters. Hugh Jackman was not the right fit to play the part of Wolverine. He's too tall, not ugly enough, too clean cut and probably too skinny. He doesn't fit the job description at all!
Since the first X-Men movie came out in 2000 he's played the role of Wolverine 7 times across all of the films (by my count). He's done such a great job and become so identified with the character that it's become impossible to picture anyone else in the role. He's probably the only actor from the series that has the presence and popularity to succeed in stand alone films based on their character. He's made the part his own and is now the standard bearer for the next person to play the role. Someone else will eventually take it on.
Imagine what might have happened if they had tried to stick with the job description. How big is the candidate pool for 5'3" actors with the right look, build, attitude and charisma? Maybe bigger than I think, but how long would it have taken to find them and could they have made the same mark on the part over the years? I don't think so.
The same dilemma will be faced the next time the part is cast. Now we have a new job description based on Jackman's skills and experience.
What's my point? Finding the right person is a lot more about the qualities and energy they bring to the job than comparing them to the person who did it before. They need the chance to bring something different to the job and put their own stamp on it. It's also worth mentioning that I've never come across ANYONE who was an absolute perfect fit for a job, but I've seen plenty of imperfect fits do great things!
