These 10 actors were fired from major TV and movie roles.
The career of an actor is filled with ups and downs. Sometimes things happen on set that many actors wish they could change but, unfortunately are they are unable to. Regrettably, they end up on the short list and are eventually fired from a hit TV show.
One famous example is Charlie Sheen. He had one of the biggest shows on TV and then after a wild publicity stunt, executives eventually fired him from the TV show. But, luckily for him, he is not the only one.
So here are 10 major actors who were fired from major roles:
#10. Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen was one of the biggest actors on television with “Two and a Half Men“. His show had one of the highest ratings and everything seemed to go great for the seasoned actor. But, he was later replaced because of his behavior on and off screen. The show was forced to go on hiatus after Sheen entered rehab and when filming started, he made derogatory remarks about the show’s co-produce Chuck Lorre, unfortunately that was the straw that broke the camel’s back and Charlie Sheen was fired.
#9. Jean-Claude Van Damme
The action superstar was a major hit in the 1980’s and 1990’s. He was set to play the monster role in “Predator,” but was replaced by Kevin Peter Hall when Van Damme complained about his costume. Jean-Claude Van Damme was upset that he would have been covered the entire time, and he argued the costume would not make him look good.
#8. Megan Fox
Megan Fox was set to appear in the third film in the “Transformers” franchise but her job came to a screeching halt after she made comments to a British magazine where she compared director Michael Bay to Adolf Hitler. Award winning producer Steven Spielberg heard the comments, and disapproved her actions, Spielberg fired her right away.
#7. Stuart Townsend
Stuart Townsend must still hit himself everytime he watches ‘The Lord of the Rings‘ movies. The role of Aragorn was going to be given to Stuart Townshend. Townshend was spending months learning how to sword fight to prepare for the role, but hew as terminated the day before filming and replaced by Viggo Mortensen. At the end of the day, producers did not think he looked old enough for the role.
#6. Ryan Gosling
Ryan Gosling is one dedicated actor. He was supposed to play the father in “The Lovely Bones,”. Producers came to him and told him he looked a little too young for the role. So, the actor gained a few pounds and grew a lot of facial hair. However, right before filming was supposed to start, production decided to replace him with Mark Wahlberg, deciding that Gosling just didn’t have the right look.
#5. Sean Young
While rehearsing a scene for “Batman” she fell off a horse, and unfortunately broke her arm. Director Tim Burton then decided to cut the scene and decided to shoot the reset of the movie without her. She tried to desperately to get the role of Catwoman in the sequel but, the role of Vicki Vale was replaced by Kim Basinger.
#4. Eric Stoltz
Eric Stoltz was originally set to play Marty McFly in “Back to the Future.” He had already spent four weeks filming the movie, but after Steven Spielberg saw several cuts with Stoltz he was extremly disatisfied and said he played the role too seriously for a comedy movie. Stoltz was later fired and replaced by the now famous, Michael J. Fox.
#3. Christian Bale
Christian Bale was offered the role of Bateman in “American Psycho“, but was quickly fired after the studio wanted to pursue Leonardo DiCaprio. But, DiCaprio later backed out because of the success of “Titanic.” The role was later offered to Ewan McGregor, who later also declined. Without any other option, the studio went back to Christian Bale.
#2. Shannon Doherty
Shannon Doherty was a leading actress in “Charmed“, but was later fired and replace by Rose McGowan after three successful season. She initially wanted to be released from the show after a feud with Alyssa Milano, but the producers refused. Days later, her lawyers received a notice that she was replaced.
#1. Columbus Short
It is rumored that Shonda Rhimes, the creator of ‘Grey’s Anatomy‘ and ‘Scandal‘ does not like any drama off the set of her shows. Columbus Short was recently arrested over an alleged brawl in a Los Angeles restaurant and is facing up to four years in prison and getting accused by his wife of threats to kill her and himself with a knife. Shonda Rhimes did not take this lightly and quickly fired the actor from the hit show.
Discuss this story with fellow Project Casting fans on Facebook. On Twitter, follow us at @projectcasting.
