Landing a major film role can be the break of a lifetime, but in Hollywood, nothing is guaranteed. Some actors secure the part, start preparing, and even step in front of the camera, only to be replaced before the project reaches theaters. Whether it was due to creative differences, behind-the-scenes drama, or simple bad luck, these stories reveal just how unpredictable show business can be.
Stuart Townsend in The Lord of the Rings (2001)
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Stuart Townsend was cast as Aragorn in Peter Jackson’s epic “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and trained for two months in sword fighting and horseback riding. But just days before filming began, Jackson decided Townsend looked too young to convincingly portray the rugged and world-weary ranger.
Without warning, Townsend was dismissed from the project and replaced by Viggo Mortensen, who joined the production at the last minute and ultimately became synonymous with the role. Townsend later described the experience as devastating and said he was never fully told why the decision was made.
Julianne Moore in Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018)
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Julianne Moore was cast as Lee Israel but was fired just days before filming due to creative differences with director Nicole Holofcener.
Richard E Grant later claimed Moore wanted to wear a fat suit and prosthetic nose, which clashed with the director’s vision. The project collapsed and was later revived with Melissa McCarthy in the lead.
Kevin Spacey in All the Money in the World (2017)
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Kevin Spacey had already finished filming his role as billionaire J. Paul Getty in “All the Money in the World” when serious allegations about his personal conduct surfaced.
In response, director Ridley Scott made the last-minute decision to replace him, just weeks before the film’s release. Christopher Plummer stepped in and reshot all of Spacey’s scenes in only nine days.
Melora Hardin in Back to the Future (1985)
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Melora Hardin was originally cast as Jennifer Parker, Marty McFly’s girlfriend, when Eric Stoltz was set to star in “Back to the Future.” But after Stoltz was replaced by Michael J. Fox, Hardin was also let go—simply because she was taller than the new lead.
In a 2022 interview with Page Six, Hardin recalled being told that two female studio executives felt a taller girlfriend would “emasculate” the male character.
James Remar in Aliens (1986)
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James Remar was first cast as Corporal Hicks in “Aliens” and had already filmed for a week when he was suddenly replaced. For years, the reason behind his exit remained unclear, but Remar later admitted he had been struggling with an addiction problem at the time.
He was arrested for drug possession during production, leading to his immediate dismissal. Michael Biehn was brought in as a last-minute replacement and quickly became a fan favorite in the role.
Samantha Morton in Her (2013)
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Samantha Morton was cast as the voice of the AI character in “Her” and completed all her recordings while performing live on set with Joaquin Phoenix. But after the film was nearly finished, director Spike Jonze felt the voice needed a different tone and replaced her with Scarlett Johansson in post-production.
Morton had done everything asked of her, but her performance was set aside in favor of a new direction that better fit the evolving mood of the picture.
Viggo Mortensen in Platoon (1986)
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Viggo Mortensen landed the key role in Oliver Stone’s “Platoon” and dedicated himself fully to the part, spending a year immersed in research about the Vietnam War to prepare.
But without any official word from the production, he discovered through a newspaper article that the film was moving forward with Willem Dafoe now cast in the role Mortensen thought was his. When he finally spoke with Stone, the director explained that with a bigger budget the studio wanted a more recognizable name.
Holly Hunter in Chicken Little (2005)
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Holly Hunter was originally cast as the voice of Chicken Little when the character was written as a girl, and she spent months recording dialogue for the animated film.
However, partway through production, the studio decided to rework the character as a boy to appeal to a broader audience. Hunter was quietly let go, and Zach Braff was brought in to re-record the role from scratch.
Dougray Scott in X-Men (2000)
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Dougray Scott was set to play Wolverine and had even begun stunt training when delays on “Mission: Impossible 2,” where he was also committed, pushed his schedule into conflict.
Rather than wait, the studio recast the role with Hugh Jackman, a relative unknown at the time. The decision altered the course of modern superhero films, with Jackman going on to play Wolverine for over 17 years in one of the most iconic casting turnarounds in film history.
Robin Williams in Batman (1989)
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Robin Williams was offered the role of the Joker in “Batman” when Jack Nicholson initially showed hesitation, and he accepted the part. However, producers used Williams’ agreement as leverage to convince Nicholson to take the role after all.
Once Nicholson agreed, Williams was dropped from the project without warning. Feeling used and disrespected, Williams turned down the chance to play the Riddler in “Batman Forever” and refused to work with Warner Bros. until they issued an apology. He did not appear in another Warner Bros. film until “Fathers’ Day” in 1997.
