There are some films that set out initially to utilize the talents of one actor only to realize that their first choice isn’t bound to work out as well as they thought. This prompts last second changes that some feel might be a mistake but soon find are actually a much better idea than their original choice. In fact many movies might have been vastly different without a last minute replacement.
Mike Meyers in Shrek
The reason behind this switch is pretty saddening because Farley had actually wrapped up all his dialogue for the first Shrek. Unfortunately in 1997 Farley passed away from a drug overdose and as result Shrek needed a new actor to take over. Meyers stepped in and created a character that to this day has never been forgotten and has driven the franchise to four films and a host of other short films and other merchandise.
Hugh Jackman in X-Men
Jackman wasn’t even the first pick for the role of the X-Man with the troubled past and bad attitude. The part was supposed to go to Dougray Scott. Unfortunately he was busy filming Mission Impossible 2 at the time and thanks to delays was unable to get away to film X-Men. This left the door wide open for Jackman, and it’s a good thing it happened.
Geena Davis in A League of Their Own
Debra Winger’s only real objection to the part was the fact that Madonna was going to be a costar. She wanted nothing to do with the film after that which left Geena Davis as the next logical choice to take over the part of Dottie Hinson. She even went so far as auditioning in the director’s backyard to prove that she could actually throw a softball.
Christian Bale in American Psycho
Bale wasn’t much of a known commodity at the time of this film so the studio wanted to go with Leo DiCaprio, who was a known star and could propel a movie based on his name alone. Unfortunately there were so many issues with the director and the script that DiCaprio eventually left to film The Beach and Bale walked right back in to assume the spot.
Paul Dano in There Will Be Blood
Sometimes all it takes is doing your job and making sure that someone is able to notice you for it. The original actor for the part was told that he just wasn’t the right person, so Dano, upon finally being noticed for his contributions, was promoted from a lesser role to take on his share of the spotlight.
Claudia Wells in Back To The Future
The role of Jennifer was originally in the pocket of another actress before Wells who worked well with the original Marty played by Eric Stoltz. However when Stoltz was given the boot and Michael J. Fox was brought in the first actress was deemed just a little too tall to make the pairing work, so Wells was brought in. Sadly though thanks to scheduling conflicts she was replaced by Elizabeth Shue in the sequels.
Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry
Had Sinatra been cast as Dirty Harry his signature weapon would have been a shotgun instead of a .44 Magnum. Unfortunately for Sinatra a broken hand sustained during the making of another film kind of sidelined his chances of being able to hold anything and the part went instead to Clint Eastwood, who made sure that he was following the original script and not the one revised for Sinatra.
Michael Biehn in Aliens
James Remar, the original Hicks, cited personal problems as his reason for abruptly leaving the set. When it was discovered that he was battling an intense drug addiction however he was fired following his arrest. Biehn had almost no time to train and no time to really get to know the movie when he was brought on, and yet he delivered one of the best performances of his career.
Viggo Mortenson in Lord of the Rings
Stuart Townsend was fired mostly because the director didn’t think he looked old enough or seasoned enough to be the world-wise ranger, Aragorn. It was only after a great deal of pleading from this then ten-year old son that Viggo Mortensen accepted the role. He read the entire series on his way to the set and the rest is history.
Ed Harris in The Truman Show
Dennis Hopper and the director reportedly had a great many creative differences that led to Hopper walking off the set. Harris was brought in as a last minute replacement but threw himself so fully into the role that he actually earned an Oscar for his performance.
Sometimes it’s that nick of time replacement that makes a film what it will eventually be remembered as.
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As a fan, I really appreciate the fact that you mentioned James was struggling with addiction–many just say he was fired and don’t elaborate. That’s why I always swoop in to check what was written when the Remar/Biehn swap comes up–I want to ensure people know that no matter how he parted from the movie (fired/let go/arrested/whatever), he went home to get clean, and that’s what’s important.
To be honest I was a little surprised to hear it. I happen to like James Remar and wonder what Aliens would have been like had he been kept. Of course Biehn was just awesome so it might have been way different.