It is usual for Hollywood stars to get called for auditions and then get rejected. Directors always want to cast the most suitable actor for their movies. Thus, before starring a hot face in an important role, casting teams often invite plenty of famous actors. Competition is a constant aspect of the cinematic industry. Celebrities in Hollywood accept it as a part of their careers and lives.
However, when they sign the contract and lots of devotion is made, being pulled out is not easy for even the most expertized ones to handle. Some choose to keep their minds and hearts open and move on. Some see the experiences as a slap to their faces for the rest of their lives. Besides, it does matter a lot to fans why their favorites get kicked out in the middle of the filming.
These big names of Hollywood below were once fired while they were still taking part in the process. Let's see who they are and why they were so!
#1. Anne Hathaway – Knocked Up
Source: GettyImages, Universal Pictures
Anne Hathaway was all set to star opposite Seth Rogen in the comedy Knocked Up, but she got stuck on the birth scene at the end of the film. Apparently, she wasn't happy about using real footage of a woman giving birth in the movie.
#2. Ryan Gosling - The Lovely Bones
Source: GettyImages, Paramount Pictures
Ryan Gosling was fired from Peter Jackson’s 2009 movie “The Lovely Bones” because the directors and producers weren’t fans of his 60-pound weight gain and sporting beard. Mark Wahlberg ended up starring in the role.
#3. Nicole Kidman - Panic Room
Source: J. Vespa / WireImage, Columbia Pictures
Nicole Kidman was the original star of David Fincher's Panic Room but was replaced by Jodie Foster after an unfortunate incident. She was 18 days into filming the thriller when she injured her knee on set.
#4. Stuart Townsend – Lord of the Rings
Source: GettyImages, New Line Cinema
Stuart Townsend was all set to play Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings, having taken riding and sword fighting lessons to prepare himself for the role. But at the last minute, he was swapped for Viggo Mortensen since Peter Jackson said he was too young for the role.
#5. James Remar – Aliens
Source: GettyImages, 20th Century Fox
James Remar was set to play Aliens' Corporal Hicks but was replaced by Michael Biehn after clashing with James Cameron. Years later he admitted that the "creative differences" that led to his exit were really a more tangible "drug problem" he wrestled with throughout the '80s.
#6. Samantha Morton - Her
Source: GettyImages
Samantha Morton didn’t perform as well as expected, so the postproduction team decided to not use her records for the AI Samantha’s voice in the movie Her. They chose Scarlett Johansson instead.
#7. Julianne Moore - Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Source: Fox Searchlight, Warner Bros.
Moore confessed that it was the first time she'd been fired since she was let go from a yogurt shop at age 15. Director Nicole Holofcener changed her mind just six days before filming was scheduled to start. The actress said they didn’t work together well.
#8. Colin Firth - Paddington
Source: GettyImages, StudioCanal
When his voice was finally matched up to the animation of everyone’s favorite Peruvian bear, it seemed too mature. Paddington’s lines were eventually re-recorded by the younger actor Ben Whishaw.
#9. Leonardo DiCaprio - American Psycho
Source: GettyImages, Lionsgate Films
Christian Bale was originally cast but was removed when Leo approached the movie, but when feminist Gloria Steinem told Leo that the role would ruin his image since it was highly controversial, especially among feminists, for extreme violence, Leo backed away, and Bale returned to the production.
#10. Mel Gibson - Chicken Run 2
Source: GettyImages, DreamWorks Pictures
Mel Gibson was fired in the middle of making the sequel to "Chicken Run" when past comments made to Winona Ryder at a party resulted in backlash. After Ryder made the accusations, Netflix pulled Gibson out of the project.
#11. Holly Hunter - Chicken Little
Source: GettyImages
Chicken Little is a spectacularly unmemorable 2005 animated film. Originally the title character was intended to be a female chicken. After eight months of hard work, Hunter discovered her efforts were all in vain. The studio wanted the film to be more of an action-packed adventure, so she was replaced by Scrubs actor Zach Braff, whose voice was pitched up during post-production.
#12. Sylvester Stallone - Beverly Hills Cop
Source: GettyImages, Paramount Pictures
Sylvester Stallone wanted the role of Axel Foley to be more heroic and a certified action p while this movie is a comedy classic, so he was replaced by Eddie Murphy who has a unique charm fitting this role.
#13. Eric Stoltz - Back To The Future
Source: Universal Pictures, Miramax Films
Unfortunately, Stoltz e wasn't the right fit from the very beginning, so, despite his completing footage as Marty, the decision was made to remove him from the project.
#14. Dougray Scott - X-Men
Source: 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures
The actor would've been a shoo-in for the role if scheduling conflicts had permitted it. But since Scott wasn't available, Hugh Jackman was recruited instead.
#15. Annette Bening - Batman Returns
Source: GettyImages, Warner Bros.
Originally, the actress was cast in the movie, but she was replaced by Michelle Pfeiffer due to her sudden pregnancy. They didn't have time to alter the outfits so Michelle Pfeiffer wore clothes measured for Bening.
#16. James Purefoy - V for Vendetta
Source: Warner Bros, Fox
James Purefoy filmed a couple of scenes for the film first for six months. Unfortunately, due to some major creative differences (such as he couldn't improvise with a mask), Purefoy ended up leaving the project.
#17. Lori Petty - Demolition Man
Source: GettyImages, MGM
The female police role had originally gone to Lori Petty, but she reportedly butted heads with actor Silvester Stallone playing the lead role, so the studio replaced her with Bullock.
#18. Winona Ryder - The Godfather Part III
Source: GettyImages, Paramount Pictures
Winona Ryder was originally cast to play Mary Corleone, but she got sick rather suddenly and doctors recommended that she get some rest. So, the director hired Sofia Coppola, who was on hand to start shooting right away.
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