It might be hard to fathom, but some major roles in your most beloved movies and TV shows weren’t always in the hands of the actors who made them famous. For a thousand different reasons, actors can find themselves taking over (and successfully making their own) a role initially attached to a different performer. So here are just 11 memorable times that come to mind:
As America Ferrera revealed on her Ugly Betty co-stars Michael Urie and Becki Newton’s new rewatch podcast Still Ugly, Vanessa Williams was a last-minute replacement. She was brought in after another actor had completed two table reads but had been let go when filming began. In fact, Vanessa joined after they started shooting. The actor who previously played Wilhelmina wasn’t named.
It might be hard to think of anyone voicing the marmalade-loving Paddington beside Ben Whishaw. For a moment, though, the role was Colin Firth’s for the taking. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the casting change occurred because they needed a “slightly more open, and younger, voice” for the talking bear.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar starred as Bow Johnson’s father in this prequel to Black-ish. Anders Holm originally played the role in the pilot, but Mark-Paul took over the role when the series received an entire Season 1 order. No reason was given for the recasting, though it’s not unheard of for actors to be replaced after the pilot episode.
Vanessa Kirby played Napoleon Bonaparte’s first wife, Empress Josephine, in the 2023 biopic that starred Joaquin Phoenix as the French empower. Initially, the role went to Jodie Comer, who left the movie due to scheduling conflicts with her play Prime Facie. “I’m so happy for her and I wish her all the success with that movie,” Jodie told the Hollywood Reporter. “A lot of this industry is sliding doors, and I do feel like I was always supposed to do that play. So I was happy with my decision.”
Ana de Armas starred alongside Chris Evans in the 2023 action rom-com Ghosted. Before she joined, Scarlett Johansson was initially set for the role, though no reason was given for her departure.
Salma Hayek joined Channing Tatum’s final ride with Magic Mike in the 2023 film Magic Mike’s Last Dance. She did so in a role set for Thandiwe Newton. No reason was given for Thandiwe’s departure from playing a socialite with her eye on Mike.
How many of these recastings did you know about? Let us know in the comments below!