There's nothing cooler than going to the theater and seeing your favorite comic book characters on one giant screen. However, sometimes there are elements that can distract you from the story. What element is that you might ask? Well, cameos of course. It happens more often than you think. A big named actor takes a day or two to pop into a few scenes of a film and the crowd applauds. The idea seems good and all, but is is really worth it?    

The Kings of Cameos

 
What really annoys me is when characters that are highly publicised in movies end up with cameo's in the final film. 
 
Hence ...  Emma Frost in X-Men Origins: Wolverine 
 

I like the cameos. They're a lot of fun.

I like cameos for the most part as long as they are in the context of the scene and the actors don't totally hijack the movie. I've always dug Stan Lee cameos because of the sometimes subtle, sometimes bombastic nature of them. Sam as Nick Fury was a bit harder for me to process because it came out of nowhere and felt like, "Hey we're gonna make a bunch of hero flicks and then cash in with the Avengers movie." 

I don't really see how a fifteen to thirty second little clip out of what tends to be two hour movies causes you to be distracted from the over arching story.

Cameos....are just cameos to me, the only ones I could think of looking forward to is Bruce Campbell in the Spider-man. I didn't spend the entire time watching the movie looking for him though.  
 
It's one thing to keep an eye out for Stan Lee, but if you're the type of person who has the movie experience derailed because of your anticipation of a fucking cameo, well maybe there are some things you need to work out. 

I really don't mind them at all. As said: I really don't feel that an appearance of a few seconds can totally ruin a film or something. As long as they are part of a plot and not completely forced in, it's okay for me.

I don't have any problem with cameos by recognizable stars in superhero movies. If done well, it makes the film seem more important since some star power decided that they couldn't miss out on being in the movie. 
 
And if a 15-20 second cameo from someone takes away from your story, then it probably wasn't an interesting story to begin with.

So when in the world did Nick Fury become black and Terry Fitzgerald become white. GODAMN YOU HOLLYWOOD.  
 
As if having some big named person playing them isn't enough.

Cameos are fun for the most part. I mean really, can anyone say they don' love seein Samuel Jackson in some no name role just because? ^_^

Cameos are goo when they deserve to be there. Like Sten Lee or any other comic book creator is fine if they had a lot to do with the character's history, but if it's an unnecessary character (Cyclops, Blob, and Emma Frost in Wolverine) then they shouldn't even bother. 

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What really annoys me is when characters that are highly publicised in movies end up with cameo's in the final film. 
 
Hence ...  Emma Frost in X-Men Origins: Wolverine 
 

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 Hmmm In SpiderMan...I did not mind Stan Lee out all..but the other dude..was kinda pissing me off lol...as for Samuel L Jackson...who the hell dosen't like him? the Man is insanely awesome!    

Take 'em or leave 'em. Doesn't really matter and doesn't really affect movies that much

Meh I don't mind it. In fact the only thing good I remember about Spidey 3 was the AWSOMENESS that is Bruce Campbell

I wouldn't undersell the acting talent of Dennis Leary. When I watch Rescue Me, I don't see Dennis Leary, I see Tommy Gavin. It might be because he, as one of the head writers of the show, has tailored the character to his strengths and allowed himself a character who he can fully embody but his performance as Gavin especially in the earlier seasons is heartwrenching to watch and easily one of the most compelling performances on television.
 
Ultimately, film making is a collaborative process and what decides whether or not actor x is believable in a part is a lot bigger than JUST casting. The costume, and the performance the SCRIPT and DIRECTOR allow are just as important to the outcome as the casting.
 
Take JK Simmons for example. To look at his previous body of work, not a lot of people would peg him for the best casting choice as J. Jonah Jameson, but thanks to faithful writing a tremendous transformation with costume and attention to detail on both his part as an actor, and I am sure Sam Raimi's part as a director who coached the performance out of him-- JK's portrayal of JJJ was one of the consistent highlights of ALL THREE (Yes, EVEN THAT ONE) of the first Sony films.

It always takes me out of the movie, but I usually recover pretty quick & settle back in.  At least with Stan Lee's I'm expecting it.

It depends how they do the Cameos. I don't mind Stan Lee's little  cameos like walking in the background while talking to Lou Ferrigno(Hulk) or handing Sue Storm mail(Fantastic Four). It bugs me when they stop the film to deliver some corny line that breaks up the entire storyline and just seemed awkward and strange for any normal person to say. 
 

"  
What really annoys me is when characters that are highly publicised in movies end up with cameo's in the final film. 
 
Hence ...  Emma Frost in X-Men Origins: Wolverine 
 

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only if its necessary and does not make the film goofy/stupid humor. 

It really depends on the cameo. If its done right with the right people then i LOVE them. 
BTW... mat??? :)

" So when in the world did Nick Fury become black and Terry Fitzgerald become white. GODAMN YOU HOLLYWOOD.   As if having some big named person playing them isn't enough. "

The only thing distracting me right now is Mat's avatar.

"  
What really annoys me is when characters that are highly publicised in movies end up with cameo's in the final film. 
 
Hence ...  Emma Frost in X-Men Origins: Wolverine 
 

"

I like Cameos.. way better than Oreos in my opinion..

I think cameos are awesome! As long as they're not terrible actors (like whenever you see a musician or sports personality try and act). And also any form of pop star acting (Britney Spears on How I Met You Mother).
 
But whenever I see Stan Lee in a Marvel movie it warms my heart and makes me happy to know the movie has his approval. Plus Stan Lee is a God!

"  
What really annoys me is when characters that are highly publicised in movies end up with cameo's in the final film. 
 
Hence ...  Emma Frost in X-Men Origins: Wolverine 
 

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I didn't know who Bruce Campbell was prior to the Spider-man films so all I saw was a guy who performed well in a well-executed humourous scene. Afterwards I got kind of curious and looked him up. 
 
 For other cameos they can have a similar effect, it's like the point G-man often makes, of the massive audiences who see these films only a minority read comics so some may not be aware of the relevance of Stan Lee or Nick Fury. When they hear those cheers (you know there's always one!) from the comic reading minority during a film it may pique their interest.  
"Hey that's sam jackson, why's he in this small role? What's that all about?" 
"Who's that hugh hefner lookalike? Why's everyone interested in that?" 
 
So far these cameos have fitted in well within the film, I think they don't go as far as to 'take you out' of the film. Let's face it you know you're watching a film.  
The key is being smart and not using them as a selling point, examples being Will I.Am "look it's his first acting role come see this film" or like someone else mentioned character cameos "look we've got emma frost and cyclops in this film" it's gratuitous and didn't add to the story.

I just don't like Smauel Jackson soooo yeah.

I'm not a huge fan of cameos.  If they make sense, and the cameo is simply a role in the film, then it's fine.  However, if they are thrown in simply for the sake of the cameo, then I take issue.

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What really annoys me is when characters that are highly publicised in movies end up with cameo's in the final film. 
 
Hence ...  Emma Frost in X-Men Origins: Wolverine 
 

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Texas Ranger: Earl McGraw and son No: 1! Hehehe.

Stan Lee's cameos, in my opinion are illustrating an old man's love for the characters of the film. There hasn't been a single appearance of his that has warranted outrage or indignation from fans and non-fans alike. It's not like he was among the crowd of New Yorkers in the first Spider-man movie who started pelting Osborn with crap in the middle of a fight scene....
So far his biggest and most important cameo has been in the Incredible Hulk - a role that could have been played by any actor or extra, so why not put him in there?
 
Do I think cameos are too distracting? Nope. I loved Bruce Campbell's appearances in the Spider-man movies, I thought it was only fitting that Lou Ferrigno appear in some form for both Hulk movies and had to smile when Bill Bixby flashed on the tv for a moment. 
 
With Nick Fury, I don't see it as a cameo. The Marvel movies are being made into on-screen comic books with its own established universe. This is a supporting character in the universe, fulfilling his role from the comics. Even though Samuel L Jackson just plays himself.... just like Robert Downey Jr....

The only cameo I enjoyed was Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool but then they ruined him and turned him into BarakaPool

" @Cherry Bomb said:

"  
What really annoys me is when characters that are highly publicised in movies end up with cameo's in the final film. 
 
Hence ...  Emma Frost in X-Men Origins: Wolverine 
 

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yess...i was like why even have her in the film "

" @Cherry Bomb said:

"  
What really annoys me is when characters that are highly publicised in movies end up with cameo's in the final film. 
 
Hence ...  Emma Frost in X-Men Origins: Wolverine 
 

"

Agreed ^___^ also wish emma looked more like a glassy crystal than thousands of mini diamonds "

Cherry Bomb!  Nice to hear from you again! =D "

So who gets the cameo for Runaways? Stan Lee or Brian K. Vaughn? 

This isn't any different than when a comedian or musician brings a special guest to a show.  It creates an excitement factor that even non-comic book fans enjoy and look forward to.  It'd be great if there were re-curring roles for said cameo stars but often these stars are in the  movie as a favor to the actor or director (just look at the uncredited role that Brendon Fraiser took on in G.I.Joe).  And yes, the marketing side of the movie industry uses this to get people in the seats - it is a money gamble after all when a movie is made.  Not everyone is a comic book fan that goes to see comic book movies and cameos bring something special to the table.  Sam Jackson's cameo was fun and unexpected - and it also changed the dynamic's of that chain of Marvel movies by introducing the Ultimate universe version of the character.  It was something fan-boys could explain to non-fans who would possible become fans now because of it.  In some instances, cameos can even make the movie better than it is (though not a comic book movie, watch The Ten and you will see what I mean).  As for recurring roles, it'd be nice but probably not possible.  Hollywood can be complex and ridiculous at times, especially when it comes to comic book adaptations.  Really though as a movie fan and a comic book fan I can't imagine it to be so distracting as to ruin the movie experience.  Bruce Campbell, in my opinion, was the only redeeming factor of Spider-Man 3.   
Oh, and Denis Leary getting a PART, not a cameo, means he probably auditioned for the role.  He has, since Rescue Me, tried moving away from his one-sided image as a chain smoking, Nyquil chugging, ranting lunatic.  It is more than likely a publicist play to further that attempt more than it is a 'cameo'.  

I enjoy them.
 
 
I loved Bruce Campbell in the Spider-man movies.