8 Actors Who Were Cast In A Movie But Got Replaced Because Of Backlash

Getting a role in a movie doesn’t mean that actors keep it in the whole movie. There are countless examples of actors who missed out on a role. It is more painful when those actors landing the role were replaced. The reasons for it are varied but one of the main reasons is the public backlash.
It’s extremely hard to change course with a role when the movie has already gotten underway, but filmmakers and directors have no choice excepting firing the chosen actors. Although these actors were forced to remove from the production, it doesn’t mean that they have bad acting skills or they are difficult to work with.
Here are 8 actors who gave their roles to others because of backlash.

#1 Scarlett Johansson

Source: Axelle / FilmMagic

Scarlett Johansson starred in the “Rub and Tug” as Dante “Tex” Gill, a transgender man. However, she just starred more than a week after her casting sparked backlash amid trans groups and activists. The actress shared that she understood why many LGBT fans feel the character should be portrayed by a transgender person.

#2 Will Ferrell

Source: Ian Macnicol

Will Ferrell was reportedly abandoned to play Ronal Reagan in the movie “Reagan”. The former president’s supporters voiced their criticism when knowing that the movie would focus on Reagan succumbing to Alzheimer’s while in office.

#3 Zendaya Coleman

Source: Taylor Hill

Zendaya Coleman was cast in the R&B singer for part weeks after receiving criticism. Some complained that Zendaya was too fair-skinned for the role. Finally, the role went to Alexandra Shipp.

#4 Leonardo Dicaprio

Source: Pool

Many people disagreed when an announcement that Sacha Baron Cohen would get the role of Freddie Mercury in the biopic of the late Queen singer. Cohen’s vision didn’t match the band’s and eventually. The actor dropped out of the project.

#5 Sacha Baron Cohen

Source: Mike Coppola

After Gibson’s racist rant was leaked, the actor backed off from “Berserker”. There has not been any update on the project yet.

#6 Ed Skrein

Source: Mondadori Portfolio

Ed Skrein dropped out of “Hellboy reboot” after his casting was met with controversy. Before that, the actor announced on Twitter that he would play Major Ben Daimio, an Asian American character, in Mike Mignola's "Hellboy" comics. Many complained that Hollywood was once again whitewashing an Asian character.

#7 Johnny Depp

Source: Consolidated News Pictures

Johnny Depp was forced to quit a major role in “Fantastic Beasts” because of the domestic abuse allegation by his ex-wife, Amber Heard. Mads Mikkelsen took on his role.

#8 Gina Carano

Source: Danielle Del Valle

Gina Carano got fired from “The Mandalorian” after posting hateful comments online. In Feb 2021, the actress made problematic statements comparing American politics to the Holocaust. Her post got many people’s nerves.