Actors Who Left a Franchise and Got Bigger
Leaving a reliable franchise can look risky, yet many performers have stepped away and found even greater momentum. Some moved from supporting turns to leading roles. Others shifted into producing or directing while fronting major releases and prestige series. The common thread is a clear next chapter that expanded their reach and range.
This list highlights actors who exited a film or TV franchise and then reached a wider audience. Each entry focuses on concrete career moves, box office or awards milestones, and leadership roles behind the camera. Every title appears in single quotes so you can scan for familiar projects quickly and easily.
Robert Pattinson
Pattinson closed his run as Edward in the ‘Twilight’ series and pivoted into character driven films with acclaimed directors. He headlined ‘Good Time’ and ‘The Lighthouse’ and joined a large scale ensemble in ‘Tenet’. Those choices established him across independent and studio spaces and built a steady run of top tier collaborators.
He then anchored ‘The Batman’ for a global audience while continuing to develop projects through his production banner. The role came with a deep press and merchandising footprint and opened further partnerships with major studios alongside ongoing festival titles.
Kristen Stewart
After completing the ‘Twilight’ saga, Stewart focused on international and independent work. She earned a César Award for ‘Clouds of Sils Maria’ and followed with ‘Personal Shopper’ and ‘Spencer’, which brought widespread awards recognition and global profiles.
She has balanced studio releases such as ‘Charlie’s Angels’ with festival premieres and also moved behind the camera. Her short form directing work and feature development slate expanded her creative control while keeping a consistent presence across major showcases.
Andrew Garfield
Garfield finished his tenure as Spider Man in ‘The Amazing Spider Man’ films and soon led prestige projects with celebrated filmmakers. He earned major nominations for ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ and delivered a leading turn in ‘Silence’.
He later fronted ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ and won significant awards for the performance while also returning to the stage with high profile productions. The combination of film musicals, war drama, and theatrical work broadened his résumé beyond superhero fare.
Daniel Craig
Craig completed his cycle as James Bond and shifted to an original mystery series with ‘Knives Out’. The film launched Benoit Blanc as a marquee character and accelerated a long term franchise plan with sequels and global distribution deals.
He also expanded stage commitments and continued producer roles tied to the Blanc universe. This strategy kept him at the center of a recognizable property while moving away from the obligations of a legacy spy series.
Robert Downey Jr.
Downey wrapped his multi film arc in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and immediately centered an awards season run with ‘Oppenheimer’. He won the Academy Award for supporting actor for that performance, which reaffirmed his standing outside superhero storytelling.
He has also advanced producing ventures across film and streaming and lined up projects that prioritize auteur partnerships. That slate offers a mix of prestige drama and high visibility commercial releases that sustain mainstream attention.
Steven Yeun
Yeun left ‘The Walking Dead’ and then built a strong run of acclaimed performances. He drew wide praise for ‘Burning’ and secured an Academy Award nomination for ‘Minari’, which also earned a large number of industry honors.
He has maintained visibility in series work with ‘Beef’ and voice performance in ‘Invincible’. The combination of awards wins and cross format roles created a global profile that surpasses his earlier ensemble status.
Jason Momoa
Momoa departed ‘Game of Thrones’ early in the series and soon headlined ‘Aquaman’ for DC. The film reached a large worldwide audience and positioned him as a cornerstone of studio tentpoles.
He continued with leading roles in ‘See’, joined the ensemble of ‘Dune’, and appeared in ‘Fast X’. He also developed and produced projects to strengthen creative input alongside on screen work.
Karen Gillan
Gillan concluded her run as Amy Pond on ‘Doctor Who’ and moved into the Marvel universe as Nebula. She repeated the role across multiple ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ entries and interconnected titles, which established her in a global franchise cycle.
She then co led the ‘Jumanji’ revival series and stepped into writing and directing with ‘The Party’s Just Beginning’. This combination of blockbuster visibility and filmmaking credits expanded her career beyond companion roles.
John Boyega
Boyega completed the ‘Star Wars’ sequel trilogy and immediately centered roles that showcased range across film and television. He earned major awards recognition for ‘Small Axe’ and led the thriller ‘Breaking’, which drew festival attention.
He also increased producing activity and aligned with directors focused on contemporary dramas. These choices diversified his portfolio beyond space opera and strengthened his standing in awards conversations.
Simu Liu
Liu ended his time on ‘Kim’s Convenience’ and stepped into the Marvel lead of ‘Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’. The film introduced a new superhero to wide audiences and anchored future appearances in connected releases.
He followed with a standout turn in ‘Barbie’ and continued work as an author and advocate. The mix of action, comedy, and public facing projects expanded his reach well beyond Canadian television.
Chris Pratt
Pratt closed the book on ‘Parks and Recreation’ and took on leading roles in major franchises. He became Star Lord in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and fronted the relaunched ‘Jurassic World’ series, both with strong global performance.
He continued with voice leads in ‘The Lego Movie’ and ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ and moved into producing. That lineup kept him present in live action and animation while sustaining a broad family audience.
John Krasinski
Krasinski finished ‘The Office’ and then wrote, directed, and starred in ‘A Quiet Place’. The film launched a successful series and positioned him as a trusted filmmaker for large scale genre releases.
He also led ‘Jack Ryan’ and continued directing with sequels and family features. His production company built partnerships with major studios, which gave him ongoing influence on projects from development through release.
Dave Bautista
Bautista announced his exit from the Guardians ensemble after completing the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ trilogy and used that transition to pursue dramatic roles. He stacked notable parts in ‘Blade Runner 2049’, ‘Dune’, and ‘Knock at the Cabin’.
He also joined ‘Glass Onion’ and continued to seek character work with respected directors. This move reshaped his filmography from franchise heavy roles to varied performances across science fiction and thrillers.
Regé-Jean Page
Page left ‘Bridgerton’ after the first season and quickly moved into global action projects. He joined ‘The Gray Man’ with an international ensemble and co starred in ‘Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’.
He expanded brand partnerships and lined up studio leads under new development deals. These moves kept him in front of worldwide audiences while building a pipeline of star vehicles.
Henry Cavill
Cavill stepped away from ‘The Witcher’ and shifted toward producer star status with a live action ‘Warhammer 40,000’ universe in development. He remained attached as a driving force for adaptation plans and creative direction.
He also led ‘Argylle’ and joined the upcoming ‘Highlander’ reboot. This slate places him in multiple action franchises with long term world building potential.
Daniel Radcliffe
Radcliffe closed the ‘Harry Potter’ chapter and then built a diverse slate across stage and screen. He earned strong notices for ‘Swiss Army Man’ and later delivered a widely viewed performance in ‘Weird The Al Yankovic Story’.
He won a Tony Award for his work in ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ and continued to alternate between television, film, and theater. The pattern demonstrates steady growth anchored by challenging roles and live performance.
Emma Watson
Watson finished the ‘Harry Potter’ series and soon led Disney’s live action ‘Beauty and the Beast’, which reached a large global audience. She also joined the ensemble of ‘Little Women’, which achieved strong box office and awards recognition.
Beyond acting she served as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador and launched entrepreneurial ventures. These activities broadened her public profile while allowing select screen appearances with major directors.
Matt Smith
Smith left ‘Doctor Who’ and transitioned into high profile prestige television. He portrayed Prince Philip in ‘The Crown’, which expanded his visibility to a broad international base.
He then joined ‘House of the Dragon’ as Daemon Targaryen in a franchise prequel that reached viewers worldwide. The role anchored him in an ongoing tentpole while maintaining credibility in dramatic series.
David Tennant
Tennant moved on from ‘Doctor Who’ and anchored acclaimed crime drama with ‘Broadchurch’. The show earned multiple awards and became a key reference point for his post Time Lord career.
He followed with ‘Good Omens’ and ‘Des’, adding genre range and true crime credentials. Voice roles and stage work kept him active across formats while he continued to headline major series.
Sonequa Martin-Green
Martin Green departed ‘The Walking Dead’ and became the lead of ‘Star Trek Discovery’. Her role as Michael Burnham marked a first for the franchise and placed her at the center of ongoing universe building.
She also appeared in feature films and maintained a strong convention and fan engagement presence. This activity supported franchise growth while raising her recognition beyond ensemble work.
Gal Gadot
Gadot exited the main ‘Fast and Furious’ storyline and soon starred as Diana Prince in ‘Wonder Woman’. The film introduced a new cornerstone character for DC and delivered strong global results.
She continued with ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ and joined high visibility releases like ‘Red Notice’. Producing credits and brand partnerships expanded her footprint alongside action roles.
Danai Gurira
Gurira left her regular role on ‘The Walking Dead’ and increased her presence in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Okoye. Appearances in ‘Black Panther’ and connected titles placed her in several of the most watched films of the era.
She is also an accomplished playwright with ‘Eclipsed’ and other works produced on major stages. The combination of franchise visibility and literary credentials strengthened her influence across mediums.
Zoe Saldaña
Saldana appeared in the first ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and did not continue with the series. She later became a central figure in ‘Avatar’ and a core member of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, both of which reached massive global audiences.
Her ongoing work spans leading roles across science fiction landmarks and ensemble blockbusters. She remains one of the few performers associated with multiple top grossing franchises at once.
Pedro Pascal
Pascal’s breakout on ‘Game of Thrones’ ended quickly and he moved to sustained leading roles. He fronted ‘Narcos’ and then took the title role in ‘The Mandalorian’, which revitalized interest in connected ‘Star Wars’ stories.
He later led ‘The Last of Us’ and continued to appear in large scale features. The sequence of streaming and franchise leads created consistent worldwide reach.
Michael B. Jordan
Jordan moved on from the failed ‘Fantastic Four’ reboot and soon revitalized a classic sports saga with ‘Creed’. The film generated sequels and led to his feature directing debut with ‘Creed III’.
He also made a strong impact in ‘Black Panther’, which expanded his recognition in global markets. Producing partnerships and a focused development slate gave him long term control over future projects.
Share your picks in the comments and tell us which departures you think led to the most impressive next chapters.
