Actors Who Were Fired Mid-Production

In the world of filmmaking, the cast of a movie or television show is carefully chosen. Each actor is selected to bring a specific character to life. However, sometimes, things do not go as planned. An actor who seemed perfect for a role may end up being a poor fit once production begins. This can be due to a variety of reasons, from disagreements with the director to issues that arise off-screen. When this happens, the producers may have to make a difficult decision: to fire the actor and find a replacement.

This process of replacing an actor in the middle of a project can be challenging and costly. It can cause delays in filming and require significant reshoots. Despite these difficulties, sometimes a change is necessary to ensure the final product is the best it can be. The reasons behind these dismissals are often complex, involving creative clashes, personal conflicts, or unprofessional behavior. The following list explores 50 actors who, for various reasons, were fired from a production after filming had already started.

Kevin Spacey in All the Money in the World (2017)

Kevin Spacey was fired from the film All the Money in the World after he had already completed all of his scenes. The decision was made just weeks before the movie’s scheduled release. Director Ridley Scott made the choice to remove Spacey from the film following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against the actor. Scott was concerned that the controversy surrounding Spacey would negatively impact the movie’s reception.

The role of J. Paul Getty was recast with Christopher Plummer. The cast and crew were called back for extensive reshoots to replace all of Spacey’s scenes. These reshoots were completed in just nine days, a remarkable feat that added an estimated $10 million to the film’s budget. Plummer’s performance in the recast role went on to earn him an Academy Award nomination.

Megan Fox in Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)

Megan Fox was fired from the third installment of the Transformers franchise, Transformers: Dark of the Moon. Her dismissal came after she made negative comments about the film’s director, Michael Bay, in an interview. Fox compared Bay’s on-set behavior to that of a dictator, which did not sit well with the production team, including executive producer Steven Spielberg.

Following her comments, the decision was made not to bring her back for the third film. Her character, Mikaela Banes, was written out of the story. Rosie Huntington-Whiteley was cast as a new love interest for the main character, Sam Witwicky.

Charlie Sheen in Two and a Half Men

Charlie Sheen was fired from the successful sitcom Two and a Half Men in 2011 during the show’s eighth season. His dismissal followed a series of public outbursts and negative comments directed at the show’s creator, Chuck Lorre. Sheen’s erratic behavior and struggles with substance abuse had become a major concern for the network and the production company.

The production of the show was initially put on hiatus to allow Sheen time for rehabilitation. However, his continued public criticism of Lorre led to the termination of his contract. His character, Charlie Harper, was killed off and replaced by a new character played by Ashton Kutcher for the remainder of the series.

Harvey Keitel in Apocalypse Now (1979)

Harvey Keitel was originally cast in the lead role of Captain Benjamin L. Willard in Francis Ford Coppola’s war epic, Apocalypse Now. He was fired just a few weeks into filming in the Philippines. Coppola felt that Keitel’s portrayal of the character was not what he had envisioned for the role.

Coppola found Keitel’s performance to be too active and wanted a more passive observer for the journey up the river. Martin Sheen was brought in to replace Keitel. The production was famously plagued by numerous problems, and the recasting of the lead role was just one of the many challenges the film faced.

Ryan Gosling in The Lovely Bones (2009)

Ryan Gosling was fired from the film adaptation of The Lovely Bones just days before he was scheduled to begin filming. He had been cast as Jack Salmon, the grieving father of a murdered girl. Gosling had a different vision for the character’s appearance than the director, Peter Jackson.

Gosling gained 60 pounds for the role, believing the character should be heavier. However, this was done without consulting Jackson. When Gosling arrived on set, his physical transformation was not what the director had in mind, leading to his dismissal due to creative differences. Mark Wahlberg was hired to replace him.

Eric Stoltz in Back to the Future (1985)

Eric Stoltz was the original actor cast to play Marty McFly in Back to the Future. He was fired after about five weeks of filming. The director, Robert Zemeckis, and the writer, Bob Gale, felt that Stoltz’s performance was too dramatic for the comedic tone they wanted for the film.

Although the filmmakers thought Stoltz was a talented actor, they realized his interpretation of Marty McFly was not producing the laughs they had hoped for. The decision was made to replace him with Michael J. Fox, who was the producers’ original choice for the role but was initially unavailable due to his commitment to the TV show Family Ties.

James Remar in Aliens (1986)

James Remar was originally cast as Corporal Dwayne Hicks in James Cameron’s sci-fi action film Aliens. He was fired a few weeks into production in London. The official reason given at the time was “creative differences.”

However, Remar later revealed that he was dismissed due to a drug problem. He was arrested for possession of a controlled substance, which led to his removal from the film. Michael Biehn was quickly hired to take over the role of Hicks. Some shots of Remar from the back reportedly remain in the final cut of the film.

Stuart Townsend in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

Stuart Townsend was set to play the heroic role of Aragorn in Peter Jackson’s epic fantasy trilogy, The Lord of the Rings. He was fired the day before filming was scheduled to begin. After months of training and rehearsals, the director decided that Townsend was too young for the part.

Jackson came to the conclusion that the role of Aragorn required an actor with more life experience and a sense of gravitas that he felt Townsend lacked. Viggo Mortensen, who was more than a decade older than Townsend, was cast as his replacement just days before his scenes were to be shot.

Dougray Scott in X-Men (2000)

Dougray Scott was originally cast as Wolverine in the first X-Men movie. However, he was forced to drop out of the role due to scheduling conflicts with his work on Mission: Impossible II. The production of the spy film ran over schedule, making it impossible for him to be available for the superhero movie.

The delay in his availability forced the producers of X-Men to recast the role. Hugh Jackman, a relatively unknown actor at the time, was hired to play Wolverine. The role launched Jackman to international stardom and he went on to portray the character for many years.

Janet Hubert in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Janet Hubert played the original Aunt Vivian on the popular 1990s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. She was replaced after the third season. Her departure was the result of a long-standing feud with the show’s star, Will Smith.

Hubert claimed that her contract was violated and that she was fired. Smith and other cast members have said that Hubert was difficult to work with. The role of Aunt Vivian was recast with Daphne Maxwell Reid for the remainder of the show’s run.

Shannen Doherty in Beverly Hills, 90210

Shannen Doherty, who played Brenda Walsh on the hit 1990s teen drama Beverly Hills, 90210, was fired after the fourth season. Her departure was reportedly due to her on-set behavior and conflicts with the cast and crew.

There were numerous reports of Doherty being difficult to work with, including frequent lateness and clashes with her co-stars. The decision was made to write her character off the show. Brenda was sent to London to attend drama school and did not return as a series regular.

Colin Firth in Paddington (2014)

Colin Firth was originally cast as the voice of the beloved character Paddington Bear in the live-action film Paddington. He was let go from the project during post-production after it was decided that his voice was not the right fit for the young bear.

The filmmakers and Firth mutually agreed that a different vocal quality was needed for the character. Ben Whishaw was brought in to replace him, providing a voice that was considered more suitable for the animated bear’s youthful and innocent personality.

Samantha Morton in Her (2013)

Samantha Morton was originally cast as the voice of the artificial intelligence operating system, Samantha, in Spike Jonze’s film Her. She was on set during the entire production, providing the voice for Joaquin Phoenix to act opposite.

However, during the editing process, Jonze decided that the character needed a different voice. He recast the role with Scarlett Johansson, who then re-recorded all of the dialogue. Jonze explained that what he and Morton had created together was not what the film ultimately needed.

Jean-Claude Van Damme in Predator (1987)

Jean-Claude Van Damme was initially cast to play the titular alien hunter in the sci-fi action film Predator. He was hired for his martial arts skills and physical agility. However, he was fired shortly after filming began.

There were several issues that led to his dismissal. Van Damme was unhappy with the original red, insect-like costume, which he felt was restrictive and looked silly. He also reportedly clashed with producer Joel Silver. Ultimately, the creature was redesigned, and the much taller Kevin Peter Hall was cast to give the Predator a more imposing presence.

Julianne Moore in Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018)

Julianne Moore was fired from the lead role in the biographical film Can You Ever Forgive Me? just days before shooting was set to begin. She had been cast to play the literary forger Lee Israel. Her dismissal was due to creative differences with the film’s original director, Nicole Holofcener.

Moore later stated that Holofcener fired her because she did not like what Moore was doing with the character. The project was delayed, and when it was revived, Melissa McCarthy was cast in the role under a new director, Marielle Heller. McCarthy’s performance earned her an Academy Award nomination.

Edward Norton in The Avengers (2012)

Edward Norton played Bruce Banner, also known as the Hulk, in the 2008 film The Incredible Hulk. While he was expected to reprise the role in The Avengers, Marvel Studios announced that they would be recasting the part.

The studio released a statement indicating that the decision was not based on money but on the need for an actor who embodies the creativity and collaborative spirit of the other cast members. This implied that Norton was not seen as a team player. Mark Ruffalo took over the role of the Hulk for The Avengers and subsequent Marvel films.

Terrence Howard in Iron Man 2 (2010)

Terrence Howard played James “Rhodey” Rhodes in the first Iron Man film. He was replaced by Don Cheadle in the sequel and the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films. The reasons for the recasting have been a subject of debate.

Howard has stated that he was offered a much lower salary for the sequel than what was in his original contract. He claims that the money that was supposed to go to him went to Robert Downey Jr. instead. Marvel, on the other hand, reportedly had issues with Howard’s on-set behavior.

Anne Hathaway in Knocked Up (2007)

Anne Hathaway was originally cast as the female lead, Alison Scott, in the comedy film Knocked Up. She was replaced by Katherine Heigl before filming began. The reason for the change was a creative disagreement with director Judd Apatow over a particular scene.

Hathaway was uncomfortable with the film’s plan to use real footage of a woman giving birth. She felt it was not necessary for the story. Apatow disagreed, and they mutually decided to part ways. Katherine Heigl was then cast in the role.

Sylvester Stallone in Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

Sylvester Stallone was originally set to star as Axel Foley in the action-comedy Beverly Hills Cop. However, his vision for the film was very different from what the producers had in mind. Stallone wanted to make it a more straightforward action movie and did extensive rewrites of the script.

His proposed changes would have significantly increased the film’s budget. The studio was not on board with his more serious and violent take on the character. Due to these creative differences, Stallone left the project. The role was then offered to Eddie Murphy, who turned it into a comedic classic.

Lori Petty in Demolition Man (1993)

Lori Petty was initially cast as Lieutenant Lenina Huxley in the sci-fi action film Demolition Man, opposite Sylvester Stallone. She was fired just a few days into filming. Producer Joel Silver cited “creative differences” as the reason for her dismissal.

Petty, however, has said that she and Stallone did not get along and were like “oil and water.” The role was recast with Sandra Bullock, who was a rising star at the time. The film became a major box office success and helped solidify Bullock’s career.

Dennis Hopper in The Truman Show (1998)

Dennis Hopper was the first actor hired to play Christof, the creator of the reality TV show within the film The Truman Show. He was fired after just one day of filming. The director, Peter Weir, and the producer, Scott Rudin, were not happy with his performance.

Hopper explained that the producer had an agreement with the director that if they didn’t like his work after the first day, he would be let go. Ed Harris was brought in as his replacement. Harris went on to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Christof.

Judy Garland in Valley of the Dolls (1967)

Judy Garland was cast in the role of Helen Lawson in the film adaptation of Valley of the Dolls. However, her time on the production was short-lived. She was fired from the film due to issues related to her substance abuse.

Reports from the set indicated that Garland was often late and unable to perform her scenes. Her struggles with addiction made it difficult for her to meet the demands of the production. Susan Hayward was hired to replace her in the role.

Natalie Portman in Romeo + Juliet (1996)

Natalie Portman was originally cast as Juliet in Baz Luhrmann’s modern adaptation of Romeo + Juliet. She was only 13 years old at the time. After some rehearsals, the filmmakers felt that the age difference between Portman and her 21-year-old co-star, Leonardo DiCaprio, was not appropriate.

The romantic scenes between them were considered uncomfortable to watch due to the significant age gap. The decision was made to recast the role with an older actress. Claire Danes, who was closer in age to DiCaprio, was chosen to play Juliet.

Kel O’Neill in There Will Be Blood (2007)

Kel O’Neill was initially cast to play the role of Eli Sunday opposite Daniel Day-Lewis in Paul Thomas Anderson’s epic drama There Will Be Blood. He was fired a few weeks into filming. The official reason given was that he was not the right fit for the part.

There were rumors that O’Neill was intimidated by Day-Lewis’s intense method acting style. However, O’Neill later stated that he and director Paul Thomas Anderson did not get along. Paul Dano, who was already cast in the smaller role of Eli’s brother, was asked to take over the part of Eli as well, playing twin brothers.

Annette Bening in Batman Returns (1992)

Annette Bening was originally cast as Catwoman in Tim Burton’s Batman Returns. However, she had to drop out of the role shortly before filming began because she became pregnant.

Her pregnancy made it impossible for her to take on the physically demanding role and wear the iconic skintight catsuit. The role was then offered to Michelle Pfeiffer, who delivered a memorable performance as the feline femme fatale.

James Purefoy in V for Vendetta (2005)

James Purefoy was initially cast as the masked anarchist, V, in the dystopian thriller V for Vendetta. He filmed for about six weeks before leaving the production. The official reason for his departure was “creative differences.”

Purefoy reportedly found it difficult to act entirely from behind a mask, which was a requirement for the character. It was a mutual decision for him to leave the project. Hugo Weaving was brought in to replace him, and he provided the voice for V, while some of Purefoy’s physical performance may still be in the final film.

Richard Gere in The Lords of Flatbush (1974)

Richard Gere was originally cast in a leading role in the coming-of-age film The Lords of Flatbush. He was fired during the early stages of production due to on-set conflicts, particularly with his co-star, Sylvester Stallone.

Stallone has spoken about the tension between the two actors, which reportedly culminated in a physical altercation over a messy lunch. The producers sided with Stallone and Gere was replaced by Perry King.

Lisa Bonet in The Cosby Show

Lisa Bonet, who played Denise Huxtable on The Cosby Show, was fired from the popular sitcom. Her dismissal was attributed to “creative differences.” However, it was widely reported that the decision was related to her role in the controversial film Angel Heart, in which she appeared in sexually explicit scenes.

Her racy role in the film and a topless photoshoot in a magazine were not in line with the wholesome image of The Cosby Show. After a brief return to the show following her spin-off, A Different World, she was let go from the series.

Mackenzie Phillips in One Day at a Time

Mackenzie Phillips was one of the stars of the hit 1970s and 80s sitcom One Day at a Time. She was fired from the show twice due to her struggles with drug addiction. Her substance abuse issues led to erratic behavior on set, including lateness and incoherence.

The producers tried to support her through rehabilitation, but her relapses ultimately led to her dismissal. Her character, Julie Cooper, was written out of the show. Phillips has since been open about her past struggles with addiction.

Robert Downey Jr. in Ally McBeal

Robert Downey Jr. joined the cast of the legal dramedy Ally McBeal in its fourth season. His character was a popular love interest for the show’s lead, and his performance was well-received. However, his time on the show was cut short due to his off-screen legal troubles.

Downey was arrested on drug-related charges during his tenure on the show. These issues made it impossible for him to continue, and he was written out of the series. The planned storyline for his character, which reportedly included a wedding to Ally, had to be abandoned.

Isaiah Washington in Grey’s Anatomy

Isaiah Washington, who played Dr. Preston Burke on the medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, was fired after the third season. His dismissal followed an on-set incident in which he used a homophobic slur during an argument with co-star Patrick Dempsey, in reference to their co-star T.R. Knight.

The controversy escalated when Washington repeated the slur backstage at the Golden Globe Awards. The network chose not to renew his contract for the following season. His character was written out of the show, abruptly leaving his fiancée, Dr. Cristina Yang, at the altar.

Thomas Gibson in Criminal Minds

Thomas Gibson was a long-time star of the crime procedural Criminal Minds, playing Aaron “Hotch” Hotchner for twelve seasons. He was fired in 2016 after an on-set altercation with one of the show’s writers and producers. Gibson allegedly kicked the writer during a creative disagreement.

This was not the first reported incident of on-set hostility involving Gibson. Due to the physical nature of the altercation, he was initially suspended and then ultimately dismissed from the show. His character was written out by having him enter the witness protection program.

Clayne Crawford in Lethal Weapon

Clayne Crawford starred as Martin Riggs in the television adaptation of Lethal Weapon. He was fired after the second season due to his behavior on set. There were multiple reports of emotional abuse and creating a hostile work environment.

Tensions between Crawford and his co-star Damon Wayans were well-documented. Crawford was also reprimanded for his conduct during an episode he was directing. Following an investigation into his behavior, the studio decided not to renew his contract. His character was killed off and replaced by a new character played by Seann William Scott.

Columbus Short in Scandal

Columbus Short played Harrison Wright in the political thriller series Scandal. He was fired from the show at the end of its third season. His dismissal came amidst a series of personal legal problems, including domestic violence allegations.

Short’s off-screen issues became a significant distraction for the show. He was also reportedly struggling with substance abuse. The decision was made to write his character out of the series, and Harrison was killed off in the season three finale.

Erinn Hayes in Kevin Can Wait

Erinn Hayes starred as the wife of Kevin James’s character in the first season of the sitcom Kevin Can Wait. She was fired from the show before the second season began. The writers decided to kill off her character to take the show in a new creative direction.

The decision was made to bring in Leah Remini, who had previously played Kevin James’s wife on The King of Queens, as a series regular. The move was met with criticism from many viewers who were fans of Hayes’s character.

Taylor Momsen in Gossip Girl

Taylor Momsen played the character of Jenny Humphrey on the teen drama Gossip Girl. Her role was significantly reduced in the fourth season, and she was eventually written out of the show. Her departure was reportedly due to her unreliable and erratic behavior on set.

Momsen was focusing more on her music career with her band, The Pretty Reckless, which led to conflicts with her acting commitments. Guest star Tim Gunn publicly criticized her unprofessionalism. Her character was sent to live in London and only made a brief appearance in the series finale.

Shannen Doherty in Charmed

Shannen Doherty was fired from the supernatural drama Charmed after its third season. She played one of the three lead witch sisters, Prue Halliwell. Her departure was the result of on-set tension, particularly with her co-star Alyssa Milano.

The friction between the two actresses reportedly made for a difficult working environment. The producers were forced to choose between them, and they ultimately decided to let Doherty go. Her character, Prue, was killed off in the season three finale.

Nicollette Sheridan in Desperate Housewives

Nicollette Sheridan, who played the character Edie Britt on Desperate Housewives, was fired during the show’s fifth season. Her departure led to a high-profile lawsuit against the show’s creator, Marc Cherry, and the network.

Sheridan claimed that Cherry had struck her on the head during a rehearsal and that her firing was retaliation for complaining about the incident. Cherry contended that he had only lightly tapped her for artistic direction and that the decision to kill off her character was made months earlier for creative and financial reasons. The initial lawsuit ended in a mistrial.

Roseanne Barr in Roseanne

Roseanne Barr was fired from the revival of her own hit sitcom, Roseanne, in 2018. The show had been a massive success upon its return, but it was abruptly canceled after Barr posted a racist tweet about a former government official.

The network swiftly condemned her remarks and announced the cancellation of the show. However, they later decided to create a spin-off called The Conners, which featured all of the original cast members except for Barr. Her character was killed off by an opioid overdose.

Jeffrey Tambor in Transparent

Jeffrey Tambor was fired from the lead role of the Amazon series Transparent following multiple allegations of sexual harassment. Tambor played Maura Pfefferman, a transgender woman, and his performance had earned him multiple Emmy Awards.

The accusations were made by his former assistant and a co-star on the show. Following an internal investigation, Amazon decided to fire him from the series. The show’s final season was produced without him, focusing on the lives of the other family members after his character’s death.

Danny Masterson in The Ranch

Danny Masterson was fired from the Netflix sitcom The Ranch in 2017 after multiple women came forward with allegations of sexual assault against him. The accusations dated back to the early 2000s.

Amidst growing public pressure and an ongoing police investigation, Netflix announced that Masterson had been written out of the show. His character, Rooster Bennett, was killed off in a motorcycle accident. Masterson was later charged and convicted on multiple counts of rape.

Gina Carano in The Mandalorian

Gina Carano was fired from the popular Disney+ series The Mandalorian in 2021. She played the role of Cara Dune. Her dismissal came after a series of controversial social media posts.

Lucasfilm stated that her posts, which they described as denigrating people based on their cultural and religious identities, were “abhorrent and unacceptable.” The decision was made to no longer employ her, and plans for a potential spin-off series centered on her character were reportedly canceled.

Jonathan Majors in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Jonathan Majors was fired by Marvel Studios from his role as Kang the Conqueror, a major villain in their cinematic universe. The decision was made in December 2023 after Majors was found guilty of reckless assault and harassment in a domestic dispute case.

Majors had already appeared as the character in the series Loki and the film Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. He was set to be the central antagonist for the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with a film titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty in development. Marvel has not yet announced how they will proceed with the character.

Selma Blair in Anger Management

Selma Blair was fired from the FX sitcom Anger Management in 2013 after a reported falling out with the show’s star, Charlie Sheen. Blair played Dr. Kate Wales, a therapist and love interest for Sheen’s character.

It was reported that Blair had complained to the show’s producers about Sheen’s unprofessional work ethic, including his frequent lateness. When Sheen learned of her complaints, he allegedly had her fired. Her character was written out of the show and replaced with a new character played by Laura Bell Bundy.

Jay Johnston in Bob’s Burgers

Jay Johnston, the voice actor who played the recurring character Jimmy Pesto Sr. on the animated sitcom Bob’s Burgers, was fired from the show in 2021. The dismissal came after it was reported that Johnston had participated in the January 6th United States Capitol attack.

The production company confirmed that Johnston was no longer part of the show. The character of Jimmy Pesto, a rival to the show’s main character Bob Belcher, was later recast with voice actor Eric Bauza taking over the role.

Jeff Garlin in The Goldbergs

Jeff Garlin, who played the patriarch Murray Goldberg on the ABC sitcom The Goldbergs, was fired from the show during its ninth season in 2021. His departure followed an internal investigation into multiple allegations of on-set misconduct.

The complaints against Garlin included claims of verbal and physical conduct that made some cast and crew members uncomfortable. Following his dismissal, the show used a body double and previously shot footage and dialogue to complete his character’s scenes for the season. His character was then killed off off-screen before the start of the tenth season.

Buddy Ebsen in The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Buddy Ebsen was originally cast as the Tin Man in the classic film The Wizard of Oz. He filmed all his rehearsals and began shooting the movie. However, he was forced to leave the production due to a severe allergic reaction to the aluminum dust used in the character’s makeup.

The makeup coated his lungs, leading to a serious illness that required hospitalization. Jack Haley was brought in to replace him. The makeup was changed to a safer aluminum paste, and Haley went on to play the iconic role.

James Franco and Sexual Misconduct Allegations

While not fired from a specific production mid-shoot in the same way as others on this list, James Franco’s career was significantly impacted by numerous allegations of sexual misconduct. In 2018, five women accused him of inappropriate or sexually exploitative behavior, many of whom were his former acting students.

These allegations led to the cancellation of some of his projects and a noticeable downturn in his career. A lawsuit filed by two of his former students was settled out of court. The accusations tarnished his public image at the height of the #MeToo movement.

Casey Affleck and Sexual Harassment Allegations

Similar to James Franco, Casey Affleck’s career was affected by past allegations of misconduct that resurfaced. In 2010, two women who worked with him on the mockumentary I’m Still Here filed sexual harassment lawsuits against him. The cases were settled out of court.

The allegations gained renewed attention during his successful awards campaign for the film Manchester by the Sea in 2016 and 2017. While he was not fired from a production at the time, the controversy led to him withdrawing from presenting the Best Actress award at the subsequent Academy Awards, a traditional role for the reigning Best Actor winner.