50 Actors Who Were Swapped Mid-Film And The Reasons It Happened

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Gallery modeWhen 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.

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Two actors, one in a green jacket and the other in a casual shirt, illustrating a scene of actors replaced mid-production.

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.

Gallery modeWhen 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.

Two actors portray the same character, showing a casting change mid-production in a dramatic scene.

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.

Gallery modeYet 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.

Man replaced mid-production, shown playing poker, contrasted with muscular figure in forest scene.

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.

Two examples of actors replaced mid-production; side-by-side comparisons in different scenes.

Two different actors portraying the same wizard character, exemplifying actors replaced mid-production.

Two actresses in split image, showcasing actors replaced mid-production in different film scenes.

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,sharedhow 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.”

“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.”

Two actors in a split image, illustrating actors replaced mid-production.

Gallery modeIt 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.

Two actresses depicting scenes, illustrating actors replaced mid-production in different settings.

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.

A person holding a dog on set and another person in a tuxedo on a phone, relating to actors replaced mid-production.

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.”

Two actresses from a TV show scene; an example of actors replaced mid-production.

Actors replaced mid-production, featuring side-by-side portraits under dramatic lighting.

Two different actresses, showcasing actors replaced mid-production in distinct film scenes.

Two actors in contrasting scenes exemplifying actors replaced mid-production.

Man with long white hair in forest scene, part of actors replaced mid-production in a fantasy series.

Two actors in different outfits, illustrating Actors Replaced Mid-Production in a comedic scene comparison.

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.

Two actors in a desert scene wearing cream suits, representing actors replaced mid-production.

Two actors in formal attire, highlighting a mid-production replacement scenario.

Two actresses, one in color and one in black and white, illustrating actors replaced mid-production.

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.

Two actors portraying the same character, one in a casual setting and the other in a fantasy scene, illustrating mid-production replacement.

Two actors in medieval outfits, highlighting actors replaced mid-production in a historical drama series.

Two actresses portray different characters in mid-production replacement scenes.

Two actresses who were replaced mid-production, looking in opposite directions.

Two actors replaced mid-production, showcasing different scenes and contrasting styles.

Gallery modeRachelle 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.

Two actresses portray the same character in a film, highlighting actors replaced mid-production in different costumes and settings.

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.

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.

Actors replaced mid-production, two men in contrasting outfits and settings.

Actor replaced mid-production, showing scenes with two different actresses in similar roles.

Two actors portrayed in a split image; showcasing mid-production replacements in a TV series.

Gallery modeThe 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.

Two female actors portrayed in different roles, highlighting the concept of actors replaced mid-production.

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.

Two actresses in different scenes, capturing moments highlighting actors replaced mid-production.