9 Reluctant Heroes Who Were Forced to Save the World

When you think of a hero, you picture someone resolutely walking into danger, a knight in shining armor type. But there is another type: the accidental one. This one would rather walk away from danger.

Accepted, nobody is born a hero. But you gotta agree, most of them have the makings of one. The heroes we are going to discuss, however, were not truly cut out to be heroes. In theory, they had everything going against them. And yet, they “had to” rise to the occasion and achieve something grand. In that sense, their true heroism lies in their ability to beat the odds.

Their hesitation, which sets them apart from the regular heroes, is what ironically makes them relevant to us. Because, in the real world, that’s how you and I greet challenges and responsibility: slowly, awkwardly, reluctantly, and, if we are being honest, because there is no better choice. When these heroes finally conquer their fear, we can see ourselves in them and imagine how we would rise in similar situations.

The reluctant heroes teach us that their reluctance is not a flaw. It’s actually a sign that they understand the stakes, the risk, and the cost of their possible failure. And this thoughtfulness makes them sincere.

9 Reluctant Heroes Who Saved the World

1. Luke Skywalker (Star Wars, 1977)

Portrayed by: Mark Hamill | Created & Written by: George Lucas | Directed by: George Lucas

Luke is a Tatooine equivalent of a small-town farm boy on Earth. He is tired of his life in the desert and craves adventure, but obviously not the kind that would put him against an evil galactic empire. But that’s what happens. His family is slain, and he gets pulled into a war he never asked for. He has no training (after the recruit, he receives a little), he is riddled with doubts, and he has no experience of regular warfare, let alone the intergalactic one. And despite all the odds, he rises to become the symbol of rebellion. He is one of the most iconic reluctant heroes who rises from obscurity to a legendary hero.

2. Sarah Connor (Terminator 2: Judgment Day, 1991)

Portrayed by: Linda Hamilton | Written by: James Cameron & William Wisher | Directed by: James Cameron

After the first film, Sarah has become a hardened fighter. Whatever doubts or reluctance she had were tackled by the previous events. Now she fiercely braces for a world that may be taken over by the machines. She tries to raise her voice, but oblivious people don’t believe the kind of “batshit” knowledge she holds. When a new machine threat arises that targets her son, John (Edward Furlong), who is also prophesied to lead the resistance against the machines and end their rule, Sarah fights to protect him. By protecting her son, she protects the entire humanity.

3. Neo (The Matrix, 1999)

Portrayed by: Keanu Reeves | Created & Written by: The Wachowskis | Directed by: The Wachowskis

At the start of the film, the most flattering way to describe Neo is “a confused hacker trying to look for answers.” He is anything but a fighter, much less a savior of humanity. Even after he is forced into rebellion against machines, he still doubts the prophecy that claims he is “the one.” The moment he acts out of conviction instead of forced duty, he is able to embrace and use his abilities. This significantly shifts the power balance between him and Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) in his favor. Neo’s ascent is also renowned for changing the action hero by giving him mystic layers.

4. Frodo Baggins (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, 2003)

Portrayed by: Elijah Wood | Created by: J.R.R. Tolkien | Directed by: Peter Jackson

Frodo is a peace-loving hobbit who wants to do nothing but enjoy the small bits of happiness and live stress-free. Fighting Sauron, the all-mighty evil, is nowhere on his life’s goals. While everyone else physically fights the beastly orcs with swords and arrows, Frodo is forced to fight something far stronger. He is forced to go on a journey and destroy the legendary evil-infused ring that insidiously but constantly pollutes his mind. His dangerous journey to Mount Doom delays Sauron’s rise and makes the ultimate victory possible. Frodo’s quiet but unflinching resilience makes him one of the most dependable heroes.

5. Peter Parker / Spider-Man (Spider-Man, 2002)

Portrayed by: Tobey Maguire | Written by: David Koepp | Directed by: Sam Raimi

You must be aware that a regular high-school misfit has his own problems. That’s all true with Peter—he struggles with adolescence, responsibility, and grief. In his case, he also gets beaten by a mutant spider, and he gets amazing abilities and reflexes, which turn him into a superhero. And yet, his desire to lead a normal life doesn’t vanish. But he lives in a world where evil rises with every hero; meet Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe). Peter leaves aside what he truly wants and chooses to fight the evil and save his city. His actions are almost always carried out with a sacrifice-driven approach, which makes him one of the most emotionally grounded superheroes.

6. John Constantine (Constantine, 2005)

Portrayed by: Keanu Reeves | Written by: Kevin Brodbin, Frank Cappello | Directed by: Francis Lawrence

In this movie, Constantine indeed fights demons, but not out of heroism. He is seeking redemption after a troubled past. When archangel Gabriel (Tilda Swinton) conspires with Mammon (Rachel Weisz), the son of Lucifer (Peter Stormare), to bring about the apocalypse and end the world, John reluctantly intervenes with his knowledge of supernatural forces. His actions disturb the balance between realms. In the end, he sacrifices himself to summon Lucifer to put an end to the apocalypse plot. John’s cynical, self-aware journey made him a cult icon of modern supernatural cinema.

7. Harry Potter (Harry Potter Series 2001-2011)

Portrayed by: Daniel Radcliffe | Created by: J.K. Rowling | Directed by: Francis Lawrence

After living the first ten years of his life in total obscurity, Harry is suddenly hit with a series of revelations, the most important one of which is that he may destroy one of the worst evils, or be killed by it. Not that Harry was happy when he thought he was “just Harry, the muggle,” but he never wished for something so bleak and dangerous. The magical aspect of his new life excited him, but who would like to be put in such a grim prophecy? Plus, considering Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) is a seasoned wizard who has mastered all dark arts, the odds of survival are not in Harry’s favor. There comes a time when he actually sacrifices himself, but resurrects and leads the wizarding world into freedom.

8. Kal-El / Clark Kent / Superman (Man of Steel, 2013)

Portrayed by: Henry Cavill | Written by: David S. Goyer | Directed by: Zack Snyder

Superman’s story is that of a series of coincidences. He was born on a different planet at a time when the planet was literally disintegrating. He was sent to Earth and was raised as a human. Earth’s atmosphere enhanced his genetic material and gave him superpowers. Despite being an alien on Earth, all he has ever known is humanity. His reluctance to heroism stems from his desire to fit in. Yet, when General Zod (Michael Shannon) attacks, his reluctance turns into a resolve to save humanity, “his people.” He launches into the deadly battle despite all the risks, physical as well as possible isolation.

9. Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2, 2015)

Portrayed by: Jennifer Lawrence | Created by: Suzanne Collins | Directed by: Francis Lawrence

Katniss volunteers to replace her sister in the deadly Hunger Games, not because she is sporty, but because she wants to save her sister from almost certain death. At this moment, Katniss is not thinking about a revolution. Mere survival is her biggest struggle and concern. However, after she inadvertently sparks the revolution, she is left with no other choice but to embrace her fate. The revolution grows under her brand of heroism, but later comes under the shifty leadership of President Coin (Julianne Moore). She has many daring choices to make, and she makes them. She relies 100% on her own instincts and saves Panem from further totalitarianism and corruption.