20 Actors Who Were Pushed So Far That They Almost Bailed Out

Hollywood always seems appealing, with all the glitz and glamor. However, shining on the big screen is never a piece of cake. It requires talent, training, passion, a good look, and lots of hard work. Besides, most actors would do anything to star in any of the blockbuster movies of the century. The pressure from competitiveness is high. Hence, actors and actresses always push themselves ahead for a chance to walk on the red carpet.
Sometimes, one single good scene possesses the power to change the entire filmmaking process. This work often tests a person’s limits as an actor and even a human being. In addition to the difficulty of the roles, some directors have specific requirements that challenge actors to a whole new level.
Below are 20 movie scenes that pushed the actors too far and almost gave up their roles because they couldn’t take it anymore. Scroll down to check them out now!

#1. Jessica Alba

Source: Marvel Entertainment

Jessica Alba playing Sue, Invisible Woman in “Fantastic Four 2005” almost walked away from acting as she was forced to maintain pretty regardless of fight or cry scenes by director Tim Story. She was so confused and frustrated since she didn't know why and how.

#2. Roger Moore

Source: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Lead actor Roger Moore of James Bond hates guns and what it represents because of his childhood trauma, but his character was so fond of firing weapons. The actor had to gather himself to complete his tasks.

#3. Lily Tomlin

Source: 20th Century-Fox

Actress Lily Tomlin (right side of the pic) tried to quit 9 to 5 after seeing horrible raw footage of herself in the Snow White scene where she talked to fake birds

#4. Jake Gyllenhaal

Source: Paramount Pictures

Jake Gyllenhaal almost gave up the role of comic-turned reporter Robert Graysmith in Zodiac when director David Fincher made him do 70-90 takes of a scene.

#5. Johnny Depp

Source: Paramount Pictures

Johnny Depp was emotionally overwhelmed by brutal yelling scenes while starring in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape because of his own conflict and breakup with his fiance.

#6. John Cena

Source: 20th Century-Fox

John Cena has a severe fear of heights. The scene triggered intense anxiety that he even considered walking away from 12 Rounds, but he managed to complete his task.

#7. Jeremy Renner

Source: Marvel Entertainment, Walt Disney Pictures

In Marvel’s The Avengers, Jeremy Renner sulked and whined in every scene. The actor was so fed of his role, Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye that he suggested letting his character die early.

#8. Ian McKellen

Source: New Line Cinema

Portraying Gandalf all the time on the green screen pressured and broke actor Ian McKellen that he nearly left halfway. Later, the crew even had a Gandalf Appreciation Day.

#9. Brad Pitt

Source: Warner Bros.

Brad Pitt couldn't suffer the filming procedures of Interview with the Vampire 1994 because his character was too miserable. He would have bailed out if he had been able to pay back $40 million.

#10. Lauren Cohan

Source: AMC

Lauren Cohan from The Walking Dead contemplated quitting over a particularly stressful scene of her performing an emergency C-section on Lori Grimes while her young son watched

#11. Daisy Ridley

Source: Walt Disney Studios

The director of Star Wars: The Force Awakens commented that Daisy Ridley’s acting was “wooden”, triggering a panic attack. She thought her career almost ended.

#12. Zoe Saldana

Source: Walt Disney Studios

Zoe Saldana considered quitting acting after being mistreated in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl because she played Anamaria, a not-important supporting role.

#13. Michelle Rodriguez

Source: Universal Studios

Michelle Rodriguez considered walking away because she hated the way her character was written in the first Fast and Furious. She asked the producers to change it and they did. Who could imagine what would have happened if they hadn't?

#14. Al Pacino

Source: Paramount Pictures

If director Francis Ford Coppola hadn't been supportive, actor Al Pacino would have walked off Godfather as the studio initially wanted to remove him from the role of Michael Corleone.

#15. Jim Carrey

Source: Universal Pictures

Jim Carrey wanted to quit the role of the Grinch as he had to spend three and a half hours a day on the makeup chair to fit his part.

#16. Russell Crowe

Source: Universal Pictures

Russell Crowe, who agreed to star in Nottingham, demanded a complete overhaul of the script, resulting in its retitling to Robin Hood.

#17. Shelley Duvall

Source: Warner Bros.

Shelley Duvall said that the stress made her hair fall out from shooting The Shining, as she has to give more than 100 takes for a scene.

#18. Carl Weathers

Source: MGM/UA Entertainment Company

In one of the boxing scenes in the fourth Rocky, Carl Weathers was so rattled that he climbed off the ring and wanted to quit immediately.

#19. Mike Myers

Source: Paramount Pictures

Mike Myers threatened to quit as the studio wanted to replace Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” with something fresher and cheaper.

#20. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio

Source: 20th Century-Fox

Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio walked away with bruises after the scene of The Abyss to prove her commitment to pursuing her single minded-vision.
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