Daniel Radcliffe, Prabhas & Kit Harington: The cost of committing years to a single role

Committing several years to a single project can be incredibly taxing for an actor. The extensive dedication needed not only takes a physical and emotional toll but also impacts the actor's overall well-being. While the effects of burnout might not be immediately apparent, over time, the strain can manifest in various visible ways that the audience can't easily overlook.

Recently, Kit Harington was asked about the controversial Game of Thrones finale from 2019. Even though it's been nearly five years since that final episode aired, the conclusion still feels like a sore spot for fans who invested almost 8 years in the saga.

Credit: HBO

Agreeing to the collective emotion, Kit who played the role of Jon Snow on the popular show, shared in an interview with GQ, "I think if there was any fault with the end of Thrones, it is that we were all so f***ing tired, we couldn¡¯t have gone on longer. And so I understand some people thought it was rushed, and I might agree with them. But I¡¯m not sure if there was any alternative."

The actor, who spent a decade working on the show, noted that looking at old photos from the series, he saw how "exhausted" he appeared. He admitted, "I look spent. I didn¡¯t have another season in me." In response to the criticism of "Game of Thrones" Season 8, he acknowledged, "Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I think there were mistakes made, story-wise, towards the end, maybe. Some of the choices were interesting but didn¡¯t quite work."

Kit Harington was set to star in a Jon Snow spinoff, but the series got shelved.

Sharing his two cents on the same, Harington said, ¡°What I can tell you is it was HBO that came to me and said, ¡®Would you consider this?¡¯ My first reaction was no. And then I thought there could be an interesting and important story about the soldier after the war. I felt that there might be something left to say and a story left to tell in a pretty limited way. We spent a couple of years back and forth developing it. And it just didn¡¯t, nothing got us excited enough. In the end, I kind of backed out and said, ¡®I think if we push this any further and keep developing it we could end up with something that¡¯s not good. And that¡¯s the last thing we all want¡¯.¡±

In fact, in the same interview he also spoke about battling with alcoholism and entering rehab for "stress and alcohol use" ahead of the airing of the "Game of Thrones" series finale, which "really hit him hard."

After reading this, I couldn't help but wonder about the first two names that popped in my head that seem to have tread on a similar path like Harington.

It¡¯s been 13 years since the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, yet Daniel Radcliffe has still struggled to shake off the image of Harry Potter.

Credit: Jio Cinema

While Daniel Radcliffe has certainly made a substantial amount of money and will continue to earn royalties, his post-Harry Potter career hasn't consistently featured in standout projects with acclaimed or not-so-acclaimed directors. He's explored a range of roles in quirky films like Guns Akimbo, Swiss Army Man, Escape from Pretoria, and Victor Frankenstein, and has also ventured into theater, including a notable performance in Equus where he appeared fully nude. Despite these efforts, his career hasn't reached any notable milestones that resonate strongly with fans.

Radcliffe himself remains unconcerned with chasing fame or financial gain. In multiple interviews, he's emphasized that he chooses projects based on what he finds enjoyable rather than on their potential for monetary reward. However, for Potterheads and the world he will always be Harry Potter.

Last but not the least, Prabhas's post-Baahubali struggles are well known including the debacle that was Adipurush

Prabhas is probably one of the highest-paid pan-India stars in the entertainment industry and is among the few actors who have had the opportunity to star in high-budget films one after the other, ranging from Rs 100 to 500 crores and beyond. Thanks to SS Rajamouli and the Baahubali franchise, Prabhas rose to unprecedented stardom in India. However, his post-Baahubali films have struggled to maintain that momentum, causing a noticeable decline in his career trajectory

Credit: Hotstar

Whether due to weaker script choices or an inability to gauge a film's potential, none of Prabhas's recent movies have made an impact comparable to Baahubali. Even with massive budgets, the lack of compelling content and execution has hindered the success of his films.

Some believe that Baahubali succeeded not just because of Prabhas, but due to Rajamouli's direction and the story's appeal. In films like Adipurush, Salaar, and Kalki, Prabhas's performance has often seemed static, maintaining the same expression throughout.

Who can forget the Adipurush debacle that unfolded over months? Besides sparking controversy by hurting religious sentiments, Prabhas¡¯s performance faced severe criticism. Critics felt that the film presented a golden opportunity for Prabhas but he failed to leave a memorable impact on the audience.

Movies such as Saaho, Radhe Shyam and Salaar generally underperformed outside of the southern states, where they still couldn't recoup the substantial budgets invested.

In conclusion, the careers of Kit Harington, Daniel Radcliffe, and Prabhas illustrate the challenges of breaking free from the shadow of a defining role. Despite their considerable success and diverse projects, each has faced difficulties in maintaining momentum and avoiding typecasting. Their experiences shed light on the personal and professional hurdles actors encounter when transitioning beyond iconic characters, highlighting the ongoing struggle to evolve and find new opportunities in a competitive industry.