At times, sequels are planned and necessary to give you closure, but in today’s age, they are usually cash grabs and not everyone’s cup of tea. While the industry thrives on the multi-million dollar success of a follow-up, creatives who are dedicated to their art avoid hollow sequels like the plague. 

Some of the most respected actors in Hollywood, with multiple Oscar wins, have never starred in a sequel. Instead, they’ve chosen transformative roles and still stood the test of time in a franchise-dominated age. So here are the five legendary actors who carved out careers on their own terms!

Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood, yet he has said no to sequels. He has constantly chosen standalone movies, and even though the actor has starred in films that could have been extended into franchises like Inception or Shutter Island, he never returned for a second round, and in an interview with Variety, he explained his approach: 

To me, every movie that I’ve done has been its own piece of individual art. That’s not to say I wouldn’t do something that has sequels… It just hasn’t happened.

DiCaprio is one of the most patient actors of our era, and he usually opts to play characters that go through a metamorphosis.

Despite his long-awaited Oscar, which he eventually received for The Revenant, he has been slow and thoughtful about his choice of projects. After his Academy Award-winning role, he took a four-year break before Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, so it’s clear that franchises don’t fit into that rhythm, and he seems to like it that way. 

Daniel Day-Lewis is famously considered to be one of the greatest of all time, and an actor can only dream to have a filmography like his. He’s earned three Oscars for My Left Foot, There Will Be Blood, and Lincoln, which proves that his method acting approach and intense dedication paid off in spades.

The actor seems to value finality in storytelling, and most of his movies are standalone masterpieces with distinct endings. Moreover, Day-Lewis has a keen eye for projects and chooses to collaborate with auteurs like Paul Thomas Anderson and Martin Scorsese, which proves that he prefers building unforgettable characters, walking away, and never looking back. 

Marlon Brando is one of those stars who shaped modern screen acting, and his role as Vito Corleone in The Godfather is arguably one of the most iconic performances in cinema. He won an Oscar for the part, and a 1954 movie titled On the Waterfront, but when it came to the second installment of Francis Ford Coppola’s saga, Brando did not return.

He was known for being difficult with studios and fiercely protective of his performances (via Screenrant). Brando didn’t seem to be a fan of repeating himself and possibly disliked the idea of doing a screen test for a role he was already renowned for, even if it was as legendary as Don Corleone. 

If you’ve ever watched Misery, you’ll know the sheer talent that Kathy Bates possesses. She was a force to be reckoned with in her Oscar-winning performance as Annie Wilkes, and it’s a role that many horror fans would have loved to see continued. 

But Bates never returned to the movie, and the character was revisited decades later in Castle Rock by a different actress. She gravitated more towards standalone dramas and anthology shows, where she could portray new characters. This made her portfolio versatile, and also one that was free of any franchises or recurring roles. 

Frances McDormand is one of only two women to win three Best Actress Oscars, and also the only person in history to win Best Actress and Best Picture for the Same movie: Nomadland. Her filmography is filled with independent gems and amazing collaborations. 

Her Academy Award-winning roles in Fargo and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri all featured deeply original and character-first stories. McDormand seems to have intentionally chosen emotionally complex roles, which have kept her away from all the franchise fare. 

Leonardo DiCaprio	The Revenant (2016)	chooses fresh and transformative roles
Daniel Day-Lewis	My Left Foot, There Will Be Blood, Lincoln	Brilliant role selection and prefers character closure
Marlon Brando	On the Waterfront, The Godfather	Doesn’t like repeating himself (didn’t show up for The Godfather II)
Kathy Bates	Misery	Leans towards anthologies and standalone dramas
Frances McDormand	Nomadland Fargo Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri	Focuses on independent projects with emotional nuance.

So, sequels may dominate mainstream, but some actors are still dedicated to keeping cinema thriving and bold. None of them has spoken out against follow-ups, but their careers suggest that some artistic integrity might be at play. So, what do you think about these Oscar winners steering clear of sequels?