Nothing is sure when you’re an actor. Even if you shot one of the most iconic movies in Hollywood, it’s not guaranteed that you’ll ever book another successful gig. And when a star lands a role they’re excited to start filming, it’s still not set in stone that someone else won’t replace them.
Below, our Bored Panda team has collected a list of instances when actors or actresses were recast due to some unfortunate circumstances. It shows that even legends like Johnny Depp, Ryan Gosling, and Anne Hathaway aren’t safe from the firm hand of directors or even fate, for that matter.
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Sylvester Stallone In Beverly Hills Cop
When production for Beverly Hills Cop first started it was Stallone, not Murphy, who was playing Axel Foley. The original script was very much the comedy the movie became but Stallone had different ideas. He stepped in to rewrite parts of the movie, as Stallone turned Axel into more of action hero. That take was rejected and Stallone was subsequently removed from the film. This, thankfully, allowed Eddie Murphy to take the role and become a comedic superstar.
Don't think Stallone would have been able to pull it off
Load More Replies...That would've been a totally different movie. From Action-Comedy to Action. I'm glad they made the switch.
Yup, complete with the wierd eating pizza with scissors bit
Load More Replies...I don't hate Stallone, but that movie woulda been terrible with him as the lead.
I never much liked him. When he came out as a Názi I put him on my permanent "never watch again" list.
Load More Replies...Holy p*o!! 😳 Think how different the world might be today had Stallone stayed in the part!
Never seen stallone do a comedy. Not his thing i guess. He is very good at action and that breakdown scene at the end of the first rambo does imply alot of missed potential of him being in more dramatic movies. As for eddy murphy it was kinda sad growing up and seeing his career take a nose dive i loved him in this movie as a kid.
Stuart Townsend In Lord Of The Rings
When the massive production of Lord of the Rings got off the ground, it was 27-year-old newcomer Stuart Townsend who playing Aragorn, the future king of Gondor. Townsend went through months of training but only managed to only film a couple days. Jackson quickly decided Townsend was far too young. Townsend was replaced with Viggo Mortenson, who is 14 years his senior.
Oof, imagine getting cast for a role that you know will most likely be legendary, starting training and even filming a few days, and then, being fired.
Well, he actually refused to do any training and he was as...e to everyone, because of his new famous-status, behaving like a diva in a strong contrast to literally the whole rest of the crew. "Too young" was just the kindest excuse Peter Jackson could possibly make.
Load More Replies..."Oh, no!" Said no woman ever. I'm a 70 year old straight bloke and even I can see Viggo Mortenson is gorgeous.
I love it when men are man enough to say stuff like that.
Load More Replies...I cannot imagine anyone other than Viggo as Aragorn. And I say that as someone who first read The Lord of the Rings in the 60s.
I can, but I wouldn't be able to name an actor. Viggo is great and I like him as Aragorn, but my head-Aragorn looked quite different. (and older)
Load More Replies...Well, he actually refused to do any training and he was as...e to everyone, because of his new famous-status, behaving like a diva in a strong contrast to literally the whole rest of the crew. "Too young" was just the kindest excuse Peter Jackson could possibly make.
He was determined to be too young and not right for the part, but he apparently was a massive tool. He refused to do any of the required preparation like weapons training and learning to ride a horse. And then he was just a tool on set to everyone, to the point where Sir Ian McKellen asked him “You do want to be in this film, don't you?"
Thank God for that. I loved Viggo in 'Hidalgo', too (and the mustang the film was named after). 😎
I love Hidalgo!! I watch it at least once a year. I still bawl at the end!
Load More Replies...Viggo Mortenson was Phenomenal as Aragorn. I adored the character in the books and Viggos portrayal was exactly right ❤️
So glad he did replace him I know many ladies of a certain age loved him in this part
Dougray Scott Was First Cast As Wolverine. 1999 Was A Big Year For Scott As He Was Cast As The Villain In Mission Impossible II And Was Lined Up To Play Wolverine In Bryan Singer’s X-Men
Yet production on Mission Impossible ran longer than expected. While X-Men waited for a month for Scott to become available, they eventually had to recast. Hugh Jackman landed the role instead and spandex history was made.
It's hard for me to imagine Wolverine being played by any other person than Hugh
I thought that too.. Then i saw Henry Cavill in Deadpool 😅
Load More Replies...Some roles just can't be played by anyone else. Jackman as Wolverine is one of them
Pretty much, yeah. And some roles/performances are way too iconic that anybody who tries to replicate them might fail to live up to that iconic first performance.
Load More Replies...Surprised he was not asked to play a variant in the last Deadpool movie?
Casting an actor for a role can be a long and tiring process as it involves a lot of moving factors and decision-making. And it’s up to the casting director to find the missing piece that will fit with everything else together to create the right picture for a movie or TV show.
If you ever wondered how this process goes, you’re in luck, as we’re going to discuss it today in brief. The casting for specific roles usually starts immediately after a pilot (a short film serving as a prototype to sell it to producers) is picked up by a network.
Eric Stoltz Was Initially Cast As Marty Mcfly In Back To The Future, But His Method Acting And Drama Skills Didn't Translate To Screwball Comedy As Well As Production Hoped. So, A Couple Weeks Into Filming, Director Robert Zemeckis And Writer Bob Gale Made A Deal With Studio Head Sid Sheinberg Behind His Back — They'd Keep Filming With Him Until They Could Bring In The Lead Actor They Really Wanted. He Was Replaced By, Of Course, Michael J. Fox
I would like to see some scenes with Etic Stolz as Marty Mcfly to compare the two.
There are a couple of bits of footage with Stolz in this clip along with numerous stills: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADNJLApUpl4
Load More Replies...Michael J Fox was the original choice but he was busy with Family Ties so they brought in Stoltz. Then they decided they still really wanted Michael and s**t around his schedule
I really, REALLY like Eric Stotz, and feel a pang every time I read this. His career coulda been so much bigger. Then again, maybe he didn’t want a bigger career. And friends in Hollywood complain a lot about method actors, so maybe the movie wouldn’t have been so big with him in it. 😕
ethical filmmaking in Hollywood. keep the lead actor in the dark, knowing he's going to be fired when he leasts expects it.
The original actress Claudia Wells had to be replaced in the second and third movie because her mother was dying of cancer. Elizabeth Shue was her replacement.
Load More Replies...Richard Harris In Harry Potter. The Actor Died In 2002, Before The Franchise's Second Film, Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets, Was Released. It Was The Final Harry Potter Film He Acted In
Replaced by Michael Gambon, beginning with the third film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
*facepalm* Of course it was "the final Harry Potter film he acted in" as he was dead. It was the one and only film he acted in.
No, he was in Chamber of Secrets too. He died after filming it but, as it says, before it was released.
Load More Replies...Richard Harris was so awesome for Dumbledore. Much more true to the books than Gambon was. Gambon never even read the books...
"Harry, DID YOU PUT YOUR NAME IN THE GOBLET OF FIYAH????"
Load More Replies...I preferred Richard Harris, but cancer took him, sadly. RIP.
Tbh, neither of them was what I had in my head…but Michael Gambon’s insanely explosive ‘DID YOU PUT YOUR NAME IN THE GOBLET OF FIRE!?!?!?’ anger rant just did my head in most of all.
that was a real shame he couldn't be in the rest as i felt he was the better dumbledore by far
Many actors have "appeared" in films after they died. Peter Cushing and Carrie Fisher come to mind
Richard Harris WAS Dumbledore! I will die on this hill. Michael Gambon was a pale imitation
Nicole Kidman In Panic Room. She Dropped Out Of The Film After A Knee Injury She Sustained While Filming Moulin Rouge. Replaced By Jodie Foster
same facial expression, same monotonous voice, same character - shame really, she was really good when she was younger and unknown - anyone remember Bangkok Hilton?
Load More Replies...Jodie Foster was pregnant when she accepted the role, which explains why so many scenes are unnecessarily dimly lit.
Nicole Kidman is still in the movie, sort of. She's the woman who answers the phone when Meg calls her ex-husband.
Then, casting directors start thinking about actors who might be suited for this specific role. Casting veteran Victoria Thomas, with more than four decades of experience, shared how she begins her casting process.
“You kind of start out with certain ideas you might have, and you make a list for producers in the studio—kind of see where they’re coming from in terms of what they want to get out of casting a lead or a couple of leads. They may be going for some name value, or you may be allowed to cast some unknowns.”
Andre Braugher In The Upcoming Shonda Rhimes Series, The Residence. The Actor Died In 2023 While The Show Was On Pause From Filming Amid The 2023 Wga And Sag Strikes. Replaced By Giancarlo Esposito
Both were/are brilliant actors. Andre Braugher is one of my all-time favorite comedic actors. Captain Holt will always be my captain.
You can’t go wrong casting Esposito in anything. Well, you *could*, if you stick him in something for which he’s not suited, I spose, but I still suspect he’d make it work anyway! Oh: I have a feeling he wouldn’t work in a rom-com, but is suuure like to see him try!
Haha I’d LOVE to see him in a rom-com! And as the main guy, not someone’s dad or what have you.
Load More Replies...I wish I could upvote this more than once. He is one of my all-time favorite actors to watch because he conveys so much nuance in a glance.
Load More Replies...Anne Hathaway In Knocked Up
It seems like it was destined for the leading lady of Judd Apatow’s Knocked Up to be dissatisfied with her role. The actress who played Alison in the finished movie, Katherine Heigl, infamously trashed the film and her character in public. Heigl isn’t the only famous actress who had problems with Allison.
It was Anne Hathaway who first signed onto Knocked Up to play Allison. Shortly into production Hathway quit the role when she found out one very specific detail of the movie.
When Hathway discovered that footage of a real birth would be used in the film's climax, with the accompanying nudity, she backed out. The actress felt that the graphic shot was unnecessary and unneeded. Even though the nudity in question wouldn’t even have involved Hathaway but another person entirely.
I thought it was funny. Judd Apatow is a talented filmmaker.
Load More Replies...Good for her. Graphic scenes and nudity are not necessary to entertainment.
That was a terrible movie. A woman 1) sleeps with a loser; 2) gets knocked up by the loser; and 3) decides to keep the baby, thus insuring that the loser will be in her life forever. What a stupid woman!
pedantic dork alert, but Hathaway left in pre-production, that's not really mid-film/production. Cameras never rolled...
In The Truman Show, Christof Was Originally Played By Dennis Hopper, But He Was Reportedly Replaced Because He Couldn't Remember His Lines. Ed Harris Took Over The Role
And Hopper woulda made him weird. I’m okay with this one, even as Ed Harris gives me the creeps.
Load More Replies...Couldn't remember his lines? Really? Dennis is a legend, I wonder what was going on with him that he was having so much trouble with the work.
C*****e. People stopped offering him roles because he was always high and creeped on the women on set
Load More Replies...I read somewhere that Hopper felt he wasn't right for the role. Director convinced him to film for a day and see if he changed his mind. He did not
She delves deeper to understand the director’s vision and works closely with the creative team to make it come true. “Talking to producers, the studio—figuring out what you’re all going for. Making that list or putting that breakdown out. Talking about the characters and just motivations and who these people are. So in that sense that’s the creative conversation I kind of like to have.”
A Few Days In Filming Demolition Man, Lori Petty Was Fired From Her Role As Lenina Huxley. Producer Joel Silver Blamed The Decision On "Creative Differences," But Lori Attributed It To Her Personality Clash With Lead Actor Sylvester Stallone, Telling Entertainment Weekly, "Sly And I Were Like Oil And Water." She Was Replaced By Sandra Bullock
it has one of the best speeches about personal freedoms of any movie. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy5tI03OPdI
Load More Replies...Sandra Bullock was so beautiful in this movie. I really think this was the peak of her attractiveness. Of course maybe she just looked better next to Sylvester Stallone....
Yeah, the underground part with Dennis Leary.
Load More Replies...Lisa Kudrow Was Originally Cast As Roz In Frasier And Even Worked On The Pilot For Three Days Before Being Replaced By Peri Gilpin, Who Went On To Play The Role For The Rest Of The Series
Kudrow is famously difficult to work with, mean and demanding.
Load More Replies...Since she ended up in the iconic roll of Phoebe in “Friends” a year later, I’d call that a win for Kudrow. It was just the beginning of a long and ongoing carreer.
Is Kudrow good in anything? I have yet to see her in something where she can actually act, and her presence usually pulls me right out of the story. I wish someone else had played her role in Easy A...
I'd argue she was good in her guest spot on The Simpsons but that's debatable and probably a weird edge case.
Load More Replies...Lance Reddick In Percy Jackson And The Olympians. The Actor Died In 2023 Before Season 1 Premiered. Replaced By Courtney B. Vance For The Upcoming Second Season
Lance was one of the most dapper and handsome men I've seen in film. Plus he could act like nobody's business.
I was going to comment the same thing. You could recognize his voice instantly.
Load More Replies...What Thomas is describing here is known as character breakdown in the movie industry. It’s a description that highlights the most important attributes of a character, which is often used to cast movies, plays, and TV shows. They routinely include information about physical appearance (age, race, height), skills, and personality traits.
Initially, Harvey Keitel Was Supposed To Play Us Army Captain Benjamin Willard In Apocalypse Now, But Director Francis Ford Coppola Famously Replaced Him A Week Into Filming. Denying The Director's Claims In Coppola's Monster Film: The Making Of 'Apocalypse Now', That He Was Fired Because He "Didn't Want To Stay In The Jungle," Harvey Told Insider, "Well, Harvey Keitel Spent Three Years In The United States Marines Corps In The Jungle." He Was Replaced By Martin Sheen
Y’know having spent 3 years in the jungle on active service as a marine may have caused Keitel to point out all the things Coppola was doing wrong because “it’s not like that”.
That's actually not what was said or what happened. After filming started, Coppola thought he was a bit too intense for the role and had "city kid energy". He wanted Willard to be more quiet and reserved, an observer of everything around him.
This is one of the very few that makes me think this mightta been a mistake. We’ll never know now, of course, but knowing what Keitel is capable of and that he’s gone on to play very tough and/or angry and/or scary and/or commanding and/or weak-minded and/or pretty much every other electrifying adjective, I suuure wish we’d gotten Keitel instead. Yes, of course Sheen was great, but I’m thinking Keitel STILL coulda made the part more memorable by an order of magnitude, and that’s not to slam Sheen, but Keitel’s talent is otherworldly.
"Coppola is out there operating without any decent restraint, totally beyond the pale of any acceptable human conduct. And he is way over budget, and 2 months behind schedule" troops.
I remember it being the midnight movie and I stayed up to watch it, alone in the dark. And somehow fell asleep before the end. I needed to know what happened so I borrowed it at the library and watched it in a small dark cubicle (no VCR at home) - the whole thing - again - Only to find out I had fallen asleep only about five minutes from the end. Basically - watching Apocalypse Now in confined dark spaces twice in 36 hours = not a good idea. Still - better than three years in the jungle as a soldier.
Initially, James Remar Was Going To Play Dwayne Hicks In Aliens. However, He Was Let Go A Month Into Filming Because He Was Arrested For Drug Possession After Police Raided His Apartment In London. He Was Replaced By Michael Biehn
I know we all only know Biehn in the role, but this was a great decision and the better guy got it in the end (saw Remar in Warriors and he’s no Corporal Hicks). It also means Biehn nailed roles in two of the biggest movies in history Aliens and Terminator
As an aside, Bill Paxton (Pvt Hudson) is the only man to have encountered a Terminator, an Alien, and a Predator :D
Load More Replies...Wow! BP didn't censor the word "d r u g"???...... Oh dammit, now I've alerted them to it! 😄
Kevin Spacey Filmed The Entirety Of All The Money In The World Before He Was Cut From The Movie Following Sexual Misconduct Allegations. Christopher Plummer Stepped In To Replace Him And Had To Refilm The Entire Movie, Which Took Nine Days And Cost $10 Million On Top Of The Movie's $40 Million Budget
A new one wasn't in the budget lol - they only had 10 mil
Load More Replies...While I despise the (alleged… don’t want to get myself or BP into trouble) actions of Mr Spacey, both he and Christopher Plummer are iconic actors. I rather think Plummer has the edge in longevity and versatility. How many actors can go from The Sound of Music to Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and all the films in between? (Sorry, for you true fans, I know he was already a superb actor before TSoM). OTOH KS plays/played dark, twisted characters exceptionally well… 🤔 wonder why.
They needed the other actors and crew, I guess. What is shocking for me is that it only took nine days.
Load More Replies...All that money, and the film was meh. Critics liked it more than audiences, but it's the audiences who buy the tickets.
My thoughts exactly. I haven’t seen the film and I do t know how long is the part, but 9 days seems very few.
Load More Replies...It's funny how brilliance and genius are often accompanied by eccentric, strange, and often abhorrent behavior. And just how many super creative people use substances. Now that's like a deal with the devil. trade your mind and health for a few years of fame. not for me thanks.
From what I've heard by people who have worked with Christopher Plummer, he's lucky he never had a sexual misconduct charge against him over his career. He was a notorious drunk and womanizer and needed s*x constantly, but maybe he was polite about it and knew how to take no for an answer.
Load More Replies...Well, I honestly feel bad for Kevin, I think he's an awesome actor. Ever wonder if these men decided to try to make some easy money. his London criminal trial: Spacey was acquitted of all nine sexual a*****t charges brought against him by four men after a four-week trial at London's Southwark Crown Court. New York civil case: A separate civil jury in New York found Spacey not liable in a lawsuit brought by actor Anthony Rapp.
Once this is done, as Thomas already mentioned, casting directors may have initial ideas for actors that could play that part and contact them to audition for it. If they want more options or are simply lacking inspiration, then they advertise these roles to casting agencies. After receiving the character breakdown, agents submit the actors who fit the role. The submission usually includes such information as the actor's headshots, showreels, and CV.
Henry Cavill In The Witcher. The Actor Left The Ongoing Netflix Series After Three Seasons. Replaced By Liam Hemsworth
Wow, what a lack of information. Cavill left because Netflix refused to take suggestions from the author of the source material. They had an agenda and didn't care what the original creator had to say. For as long as Hollywood has been making movies and TV shows, people have vehemently complained when the movies or shows deviate from the source material. Why would Netflix think that would have changed?
Funny thing is "Cavill has been replaced by Hemsworth" is something everybody interested in the show has known for, what, close to two years now? But nobody has even seen this replacement at work. What a weird world this has become.
Were you expecting to be sent previews or something?
Load More Replies...I can't imagine anyone else but Henry Cavill as The Witcher, tbh.
Chris Farley In Shrek. The Comedian Died In 1997, Before The Film's Release In 2001. Replaced By Mike Myers
Right? Is that a character he’s playing? It’s odd
Load More Replies...Holy c**p is thst Mike Myers on the right? Wow he looks different these days!
I'd guess it was easier to replace him as Shrek is animation. Sad though.
Not really. I've seen this fact before, with accompanying pictures, and they had a whole different character concept they were going to use for Farley's Shrek. Mike Myers made him a very different character, and the original comedic animation no longer worked. Farley had already recorded most of his dialogue, but Mike Myers asked for and got a near-complete script rewrite.
Load More Replies...Mike Meyers was a better pick anyway. Sorry Farley died, but I wouldn't have watched it with hiim (go on, down vote me if you want! Farley wasn't funny!)
In Valley Of The Dolls, Judy Garland Was Originally Set To Play Helen Lawson. However, Due To Her Contentious Working Relationship With Director Mark Robson And Complications From Her Struggles With Alcohol Abuse, She Was Fired. She Was Replaced By Susan Hayward
Judy was treated badly on VOTD. It’s interesting to read about it. Patty Duke corroborated that Judy was kept waiting for hours at a time to do scenes and in the interim self-medicated as she was prone to do. Duke suggested that Robson set up Judy to be rid of her. A big mess.
Hell, Judy was treated very badly by Hollywood, period. I have always felt sorry for her.
Load More Replies...At this point, the casting director is flooded with actors’ headshots and has to make a decision on which ones to invite for an audition. After they decide who they want to see, they contact their agent and share the material needed for auditioning. The actor prepares for it, comes and (hopefully) nails it. Lastly, all that’s left to do is pick the best ones and present them to the director and producers who make the final decision and offer the role.
Actor Ed Skrein Played Daario Naharis From Game Of Thrones Replaces By Michiel Huisman. Apparently Ed Is The One Who Decided To Leave The Show To Be In Transformers
The irony is that BOTH are also very different from the book's description of Daario
Load More Replies...In terms of our visual concept of time in the series? 😅
Load More Replies...Mariska Hargitay Was Supposed To Play Queen Dulcea In Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie In 1995. Filming Was In Australia, But They Kept Her On Hold For So Long That, On December 21, She Went Home To The Us For Christmas. After The Holidays, She Reached Out To Production, Who Told Her She'd Been Fired. She Was Replaced By Gabrielle Fitzpatrick
Who knows, if she'd stayed and made the film she might not have been cast in SVU and Mariska Hargitay *is* SVU. Running for 26 seasons!
That's too bad. Gosh, I wonder what what happened to Mariska Hargitay after that? R/s
I guarantee it was a blessing to get fired. I know Mariska but have no idea who thr other actress is.
Rachelle Lefevre Played Victoria — One Of The Franchises' Main Villains — In Twilight And The Twilight Saga: New Moon, But Was Let Go Due To Her 10-Day Long Commitment On Dustin Hoffman’s Film, Barney’s Version
Rachelle had a contract to return for The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and was "fully committed" to the movie having turned down other roles because of it. She was stunned to find out the studio had recast the role with Bryce Dallas Howard.
Oof, this sounds like nepotism at its finest after the success of the first movie.
We'll never know if she would have been good in Eclipse because that's the only film/book where Victoria actually says anything. I think she has like 3 lines in the first two movies. Bryce was very good, but they really screwed Rachelle over.
A ten day commitment and they couldn't wait??? I thought she was superb in this
I really liked Rachelle in this role, she was memorable even though it was a small part. Bryce is a good actress, but I was disappointed when Rachelle was recast.
Potentially unpopular opinion - Bryce played the role much better than the first actress. Also they credited both actresses for the role in the final film.
I will never forget and never forgive them for "replacement Victoria," but that won't stop me from binging the cinematic masterpieces anytime soon! Bryce Dallas Howard really needs to stick to directing. She's SOOOOOOOOO much better at that. No running from dinosaurs in heels, no replacing one of the coolest villains in a franchise mid-franchise, just more Star Wars and Mandalorian directing credits please!!
However, sometimes, even after going through such a process, actors don’t always end up in the final movie or TV show. Filmmakers can backpedal on their decisions after starting shooting, mid-production, and even after the movie was filmed. There are several reasons for this, like schedule conflicts, financial disputes, creative differences, personal issues, or on-set behavior.
Aaliyah Was Originally Cast As Zee In The Matrix: Reloaded And She Had Even Filmed Part Of The Movie Before She Died In A Plane Crash In 2001. After Her Death, The Studio Held Auditions For A Replacement And Nona Gaye, Marvin Gaye's Daughter, Was Cast To Play Zee In The Matrix: Reloaded And The Matrix: Revolutions
In Her, Samantha Morton Was The Original Voice Of Samantha. However, When The Movie Got To The Editing Stage, Writer/Director Spike Jonze "Realized That What The Character/Movie Needed Was Different From What Samantha And [he] Had Created Together." Scarlett Johansson Replaced Her
You’re… surprised they went with someone with a “terrific voice” for a voice role…?
Load More Replies...Jake T. Austin Played Jesus For Two Seasons Of The Fosters But Left The Show After Learning His Role Would Be Reduced In The Show's Third Season
Season 2 even ended with Jake's Jesus getting into a nearly fatal car accident and leaving viewers to wonder if the character survived. Then Season 3 began with Jesus surviving the crash and now being played by a totally new person, Noah Centineo.
Reminds me of a soap opera in, I believe, the 70s. The character was horribly burned, and when the bandages came off, the role was being played by the first actor's brother! I've been trying to remember more details, but it was a long time ago and not something I watched on a regular basis.
Was that Larry Wolek on “One Life to Live”? I *think* I’m right, but I was a little kid then. ETA: Just googled. Larry was played first by Jim Storm and then his brother Michael was swapped in. It didn’t mention the burns (and I’m not spending any more time on this; I have funner things to do!). Did I jiggle your memory? ETAA: Jiggled me sister’s memory; she found “ He was preceded in the role of Larry by his real-life brother, Jim Storm, who, in turn, had been preceded by Paul Tulley. In the storyline, Jim's Larry Wolek was badly burned in a fire and underwent plastic surgery, and Michael's Larry Wolek was revealed when the bandages were removed.” Whew; we got it!
Load More Replies...Undeniably, being replaced or having to replace another actor isn’t the easiest or most pleasant experience. However, those who get replaced often go on to succeed in other roles, while those who come to replace them frequently nail it and receive praise from the audience and fans.
Initially, Ryan Gosling Was Set To Play Jack Salmon In The Lovely Bones. He Decided To Gain 60 Founds To Fit His Personal Vision For The Character, But The Director And Producers Didn't See Eye To Eye With Him. So, He Was Let Go Only A Few Days Before Filming Started. He Was Replaced By Mark Wahlberg
Wow, that sucks to gain all that weight for a part he didn't get to play
Meh, I've gained that much weight, and I'm not even an actor
Load More Replies...Whenever I see Wahlberg I have to let people know he has multiple counts of hate crime to his name, and attempted murder. Money = silence.
He hasn't hidden his violent past, he acknowledges the mistakes he made in his youth and has done atonement for them. May he continue to do so, and hopefully everyone else who has done something shameful will follow his lead.
Load More Replies...does no one edit these before posting? 60 FOUNDS. Just one of many error in these posts.
They don't even read their captions before posting, what did you expect 🙃
Load More Replies...Mark Webber Was Cast In Stumptown But Ended Up Being Replaced By Jake Johnson Because He Wasn't "Handsome Enough For The Executives."
Dude on the left wasn't handsome enough so they replaced him with the guy on the right?
Jake Johnson is handsome? Lol not. And this show was canceled after 1 season anyway so..
Probably because the actor wasn't handsome enough to draw in the female watchers 😄
Load More Replies...And Jake Johnson was??? I liked that series but it didn't survive the pandemic, or was it just bad??
Helen Mccrory In His Dark Materials. The Actress Died In 2021. She Played The Snow Leopard Stelmaria In Seasons 1 And 2. Replaced By Victoria Hamilton For Season 3
Katie Holmes In Christopher Nolan's Batman Franchise. After Appearing In Batman Begins, Holmes Didn't Return For The Second Film, The Dark Night. Replaced By Maggie Gyllenhaal
Unpopular opinion, I didn’t think either of them were right for that role.
The switch was jarring and i felt like it was two different characters instead of actors playing the same role.
Load More Replies...Katie Holmes also got married to Tom Cruise and had their daughter around the time the filming for the second movie would have been made
I love Maggie Gyllenhaal, I really do, but I didn't think she was right for this role.
Before Brooke Shields Stepped Into The Role, Jackie’s Mom In That 70s Show, Pamela, Was Played By Eve Plumb And The Vibe Was All Kinds Of Different
I’ll bet it was all KINDSA different! I keep bursting out in giggles every time I think about how “Jan” and “Pretty Baby” would be so very different! *This* was a good casting decision! 👍🏻
Load More Replies...In Chicken Little, The Titular Character Was Originally A Little Girl Voiced By Holly Hunter. However, After Her Lines Were Recorded, Disney's Then-CEO Reportedly Said, "I Don't Want It To Be A Girl, I Want It To Be A Boy." The Movie Ended Up Getting A Full Overhaul. Holly Was Replaced By Zach Braff
Holly Hunter is one of the greatest actors in history. But this wasn't exactly a great film.
Understatement of the century. Everything from the script to the animation was bad.
Load More Replies...I don't gaf what anyone says I LOVE this movie! GenX kids understand where Chicken Little is coming from.
I'm GenX. I don't really get the love. It was okay I guess.
Load More Replies...Friends Actress Jane Sibbett Was Replaced With Anita Barone Who Played As Carol Willick
The first Carol from Friends left the show because she wanted to have a bigger role on a show. While Carol Willick, later Willick Bunch, was not in a lot of episodes, she did pretty well for a guest star. She was in fifteen episodes scattered throughout the series up through season seven.
She was also on the TV show Herman's Head. Who remembers that one?
Load More Replies...Extremely unpopular opinion (sorry everyone) but Friends is super overrated
Living Single with Queen Latifah was a way better friends type sitcom
Load More Replies...I mixed up Jane Sibbett with Andrea Thompson all the time. They looked a lot alike in the 90s.
The Carol on the right replaced the original wife on the Jeff Foxworthy show (think it was Joan Cusack) - producers thought the first actress was not pretty enough.
Last time I read this in a BP listicle about actors who were replaced it was because the original Susan didn’t think Friends would be big enough, so she committed to a different project.
Load More Replies...In The Show The O.c., Mini Coop Went Away To Boarding School And Came Back Not So Mini. Shailene Woodley Was Not Old Enough To Play The Older Version, So The Show Tapped Willa Holland
wait...that's not what it says? *scrolls back up*
Load More Replies...Naya Rivera In Step Up. Rivera Died In 2020 In Between Seasons 2 And 3. Replaced By Christina Milian For Season 3
Janet Hubert In The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air. She Left The Showing Following Season 3. Replaced By Daphne Maxwell Reid
Janet was reportedly difficult to work with and had beef with the star, Will Smith. They eventually mended fences years later on the reunion special.
I heard they wanted to give her less scenes and she wasn't happy so left.
Load More Replies...I remember this! Not the gossip but the new season starting and they give a not-so-wry nod to it!..... https://youtu.be/AnVDixE0kNQ?si=WSjlSPQkb8mLV3Xa
Lisa Robin Kelly Originally Played Laurie On That '70s Show For Seasons 1, 3, And 5 But The Role Was Recast With Christina Moore For The Sixth Season
That's NOT true. She left because her ongoing problems with substance abuse, mainly alcohol at that time, as she admitted herself. She died in her sleep at the age of 43, so full ten years after filming That 70s Show.
Load More Replies...No. She died in 2013, seven years after the show concluded. "She abruptly left the show midway through the third season, and her character was written out of the show to "attend beauty school". She returned to the show in the fifth season for four episodes but was replaced with Christina Moore in the sixth season. In an interview with ABC News, Kelly admitted that "with That '70s Show I was guilty of a drinking problem, and I ran". Kelly attributed her abuse of alcohol to trauma following a miscarriage."
Load More Replies...When Ross Butler Was Playing Reggie Mantle On Season One Of Riverdale, The Role Was Very Minor. Butler Traded It Out For A Bigger Role On 13 Reason's Why. Since Then, Mantle's Role On The Show Has Grown, Especially In Season 3. We Don't Hear Charles Melton Complaining
Have you forgotten where you are? ZERO research is done here.
Load More Replies...Jenna Fisher Was Originally Cast Opposite Friends Star, Matt Leblanc, In His Sitcom Man With A Plan. She Even Filmed The Pilot Episode Before She Was Fired From The Show And Replaced With Liza Snyder
Weren't they supposed to be brother and sister? I'd never believe he and Jenna are related.
Delores Pasternak's Character From Two And A Half Men Was Played By Actress Missi Pyle Which Later Was Replaced By Alicia Witt, Only For Missi To Inexplicably Return For The Series Finale
Missi was better, Alicia talks like she's biting the inside of her cheeks.
Kimberly J. Brown Originated The Role Of Marnie Cromwell In Disney's Halloweentown Franchise And Played The Role For Three Movies Before Being Replaced By Sara Paxton For Return To Halloweentown
There is still no explanation for this criminal change. Brown was all for being a part of the next film but never heard from them. She was so gracious to Paxton, whom received a lot of heat though it wasn't her fault. No reason was ever provided.
The Character Mandy Milkovich In Shameless For The First Five Episodes Was Played By Jane Levy But She Left The Show To Star In A Sitcom. Actress Emma Greenwell Took On The Role
Never seen the US version, the original UK one? Oh yups... Council estate living in a stereotype nutshell!
I'm from Oldham, and yes it's comically true, even the bit about charging us for water!
Load More Replies...I didn't know there was a USA Shameless version? Is/was it as brutal and dark as the original UK one? It was brilliant, but I found it hard to watch quite a few of the episodes, esp towards the end. 😶
I'm from the US and I watched the American version in it's entirety. I watched a few episodes of the UK one just to see how they compare. The US version seems to follow it along pretty much the same. I gave up because I just couldn't get into it after watching the US one, and being so used to those actors.
Load More Replies...Sean Young Was Reportedly Fired From Her Role As Tess Trueheart In D**k Tracy Because She Didn't Come Off As "Maternal Enough". She Was Replaced By Glenne Headly
Now they are censoring names. Díck in this case is the character's name, presumably short for Richard.
I’ve never understood how d**k became a nickname for Richard
Load More Replies...Have a look at her as the mother in "Jug Face" - oooh boy!. That movie is/was on Tubi. It is rated R for good reason so be warned it is not even remotely safe for work. It is, however, a hell of a good low budget indie horror film that has really good production values and casting
Naomi From Private Practice
Before Audra McDonald took on the role, Naomi was played by Merrin Dungey. Variety reported that the switch was “partly a chemistry thing between Merrin and Taye Diggs, who played Naomi’s estranged husband, Sam.” The outlet also suggested the recasting was hard for EP Shonda Rhimes, since she’s close friends with Merrin.
In The Lords Of Flatbush, Richard Gere Was The Original Actor Cast As Chico. However, He "Never Hit It Off" With His Costar Sylvester Stallone. On A Particularly Difficult Day, An Argument Over Mustard LED To A Physical Altercation, And The Director Decided To Fire Richard And Keep Sylvester. Perry King Took Over The Role
You're mother should be ashamed for letting you out of your box.
Load More Replies...The First Toby On Pretty Little Liars Was Only On Screen For A Few Minutes. True Fans Will Make Note Of The Difference. James Neate Was Replaced By Keegan Allen
In Once Upon A Time, Robin Hood Played By Tom Ellis Was Recast Due To Scheduling Conflicts. Belle, Who Met Robin As Tom Ellis, Later Recognized Him As Sean Macguire
Is Tom Ellis the one that Plays Lucifer in the TV Series? I haven't watched it, but my daughter does, so have very occasionally seen small bits of it when visiting.
When The Show "Supergirl" Switched It's Filming Location Laura Benanti Couldn’t Very Well Work On A Show, A Play, And Be A “Supermom” All At Once, So Erica Durance Took The Wheel
I'm like, "But Erica Durance played Lois!" Re-read heading. "Oh."
On American Housewife, Julia Butters Left The Role Of Anna-Kat Otto After Four Seasons So That She Could Go After New Opportunities. For The Final Season, Giselle Eisenberg Played Anna-Kat
Yeah, poor Julia. Her and her parents believed all the hype and praise Tarantino and DiCrapio heaped on her for the small role in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and they thought she was going to be a huge movie star so they pulled her out of a successful TV show and her career really went nowhere. She's not a bad actress, but she certainly wasn't (at 10 years old) the new Meryl Streep like DiCrapio called her. Tarantino and DiCrapio pumped up her hype as a way to get more interest in the movie and it ended up really killing her career. After leaving the TV show with no notice (because she was going to be a big 10 year old movie star) she's now seen as hard to work with and she's just done a couple of movies in the las few years,
Hey! She was in a skit on one episode of “I Think You Should Leave”! Ohhh…
Load More Replies...Fans Were Not Happy When Jackie Geary Was Recast On The Goldbergs. Originally Played By Rowan Blanchard, The Role Was Taken Over By Alexis G. Zall At The Start Of Season 6
Rumors swirled that the recast was the decision of the producers, but Rowan is the one that passed on the season.
Goldbergs was a s******w of bad acting and writing by the time season 6 rolled around.
It really overstayed its welcome. Disappointing as it was great in the beginning. They should have let it go after about season 4.
Load More Replies...Fans Enjoyed Hiroyuki Sanada As Satoshi Takeda, Emily’s Sensei On Revenge, But He Looked More Like A Businessman Than An All-Knowing Master Of Martial Arts
This is why many were disappointed when Takeda reappeared in season two as Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, who looks exactly like one would expect a sensei to look.
I never got his (Hiroyuki Sanada's) vibe as Toranaga in the Shogun remake either. But then I'm the kind of person who sat watching it going, "That wasn't in the book!" the whole time. Whereas EVERY scene in the 1980 mini-series with Richard Chamberlain WAS in the book! (Also, Richard is a better actor. I mean, nobody had any idea he was gay until he told us.)
If you're going to be taught martial arts, who better than Shang Tsueng or Heiachi Mishima?
Ruby Rose In Batwoman. The Actress Starred In Season 1 Of Batwoman In 2019 And 2020. Replaced By Javicia Leslie
Ok, I have to ask how did they explain the ethnic change? Both excellent actors but that’s a huge switch.
This one doesn't count because they changed to a new character. They didn't just change actors.
What about D**k Sargeant taking the place of D**k York on "Bewitched"? (Yeah, yeah, I know - that sure was a d**k move.)
BP censoring their names is also a d-i-c-k move.
Load More Replies...Star Trek Voyager. Geneviève Bujold was cast to play Captain Janeway, but quit on the second day of filming. She was replaced by Kate Mulgrew, and the rest is history. And who can forget when "Roseanne" replaced Lecy Goranson with Sarah Chalke as Becky in season 6, and then brought Lecy back for season 8, only to replace her with Sarah a second time for season 9, and then replaced her with Lecy again for season 10. What a mess that was.
I'm surprised the Terrance Howard being switched with Don Cheadle In the Iron man /Avengers movies did not make the list.
Tom Selleck was the first choice to play Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark, but he was already contracted to play the lead in Magnum P.I. and chose to honor his contract. I think his replacement did a pretty good job though.
Some of these are just "replaced", not "replaced in seconds" which would suggest at least that production had started.
I always appreciated how they acknowledged it in a humorous way instead of just ignoring it.
Load More Replies...Surprised that Godfather 3 isn't here. Rebecca Schaeffer was originally set to play Mary, but she was tragically m******d by a fan. She was replaced by Winoa Ryder, who dropped out due to illness, before Sophia Coppola was given the role.
Didn't Winona have a conflict of schedule for Bram Stoker's Dracula? I didn't know she got sick. BTAIM, Sofia Coppola ruined that already wretched money grab film.
Load More Replies...Tim Colceri was originally cast as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket. Until R. Lee Ermey showed up.
erm, not exactly. Ermey was there the whole time. He was originally hired as a technical advisor. Ermey recorded several 30-minute sessions on videocassette with Colceri, where they hurled insults at a group of extras. Stanley Kubrick had intended these rehearsals as a way for Colceri to learn how drill instructors could remove the civilian mindset from the personalities of new recruits. Ermey, realizing that Kubrick was watching the tapes he recorded with Colceri, treated the recordings as an audition for the role of Hartman. To this end, Ermey not only continued berating recruits long after Colceri's 30-minute practice session had ended, but had stagehands pelt him with tennis balls and oranges as he did it, showing a real drill instructor's level of concentration while at work. His unmatched performances ultimately led to Ermey replacing Colceri before filming started. Source: wikipedia
Load More Replies...The character Mandy Baxter in Last Man Standing was originally played by Molly Ephraim, but during the year hiatus before the show resumed on a new network, Ms. Ephraim had found work on another project. She was replaced with Molly McCook, who looks nothing like Ms. Ephraim. In the show, her on-screen love even comments that Mandy looked different, being taller and blonder. I don't think I've ever seen a show replace a character and then have the show's characters comment on it before.
What about D**k Sargeant taking the place of D**k York on "Bewitched"? (Yeah, yeah, I know - that sure was a d**k move.)
BP censoring their names is also a d-i-c-k move.
Load More Replies...Star Trek Voyager. Geneviève Bujold was cast to play Captain Janeway, but quit on the second day of filming. She was replaced by Kate Mulgrew, and the rest is history. And who can forget when "Roseanne" replaced Lecy Goranson with Sarah Chalke as Becky in season 6, and then brought Lecy back for season 8, only to replace her with Sarah a second time for season 9, and then replaced her with Lecy again for season 10. What a mess that was.
I'm surprised the Terrance Howard being switched with Don Cheadle In the Iron man /Avengers movies did not make the list.
Tom Selleck was the first choice to play Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark, but he was already contracted to play the lead in Magnum P.I. and chose to honor his contract. I think his replacement did a pretty good job though.
Some of these are just "replaced", not "replaced in seconds" which would suggest at least that production had started.
I always appreciated how they acknowledged it in a humorous way instead of just ignoring it.
Load More Replies...Surprised that Godfather 3 isn't here. Rebecca Schaeffer was originally set to play Mary, but she was tragically m******d by a fan. She was replaced by Winoa Ryder, who dropped out due to illness, before Sophia Coppola was given the role.
Didn't Winona have a conflict of schedule for Bram Stoker's Dracula? I didn't know she got sick. BTAIM, Sofia Coppola ruined that already wretched money grab film.
Load More Replies...Tim Colceri was originally cast as Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket. Until R. Lee Ermey showed up.
erm, not exactly. Ermey was there the whole time. He was originally hired as a technical advisor. Ermey recorded several 30-minute sessions on videocassette with Colceri, where they hurled insults at a group of extras. Stanley Kubrick had intended these rehearsals as a way for Colceri to learn how drill instructors could remove the civilian mindset from the personalities of new recruits. Ermey, realizing that Kubrick was watching the tapes he recorded with Colceri, treated the recordings as an audition for the role of Hartman. To this end, Ermey not only continued berating recruits long after Colceri's 30-minute practice session had ended, but had stagehands pelt him with tennis balls and oranges as he did it, showing a real drill instructor's level of concentration while at work. His unmatched performances ultimately led to Ermey replacing Colceri before filming started. Source: wikipedia
Load More Replies...The character Mandy Baxter in Last Man Standing was originally played by Molly Ephraim, but during the year hiatus before the show resumed on a new network, Ms. Ephraim had found work on another project. She was replaced with Molly McCook, who looks nothing like Ms. Ephraim. In the show, her on-screen love even comments that Mandy looked different, being taller and blonder. I don't think I've ever seen a show replace a character and then have the show's characters comment on it before.
