Celebrities Who Were Fired on the Very First Day of Filming

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Major movie sets are incredibly demanding, and mistakes aren’t easily tolerated. This often leads to actors being replaced quickly if they don’t fit the director’s idea for the role. Sometimes, even after extensive preparation, actors lose their jobs within the first week of filming. These sudden changes can happen because of disagreements about the character, changes in how an actor looks, or conflicts on set that make working together impossible. For some actors, being fired is a tough blow to their career, but for others, it becomes a well-known story in Hollywood. Here’s a look at some celebrities who were let go early in the filmmaking process.

Thora Birch

Originally, Thora Birch was chosen to play Tracy Flick in the comedy ‘Election’. However, after three days of filming, director Alexander Payne decided to replace her. He felt her portrayal of the driven high schooler didn’t match the energy he had in mind for the character. Reese Witherspoon then took on the role, earning praise from critics and a Golden Globe nomination. The reason for Birch’s departure wasn’t widely known until much later, when details about the recasting became public.

Richard Gere

When filming began for ‘The Lords of Flatbush’, Richard Gere and Sylvester Stallone were both cast in the movie, but they didn’t get along. Their conflict escalated when Stallone accused Gere of deliberately dropping mustard on him during lunch, which led to a fight. The director, Martin Davidson, had to choose between the two actors to keep the movie on track. Ultimately, Gere was fired after only a few days of filming and Perry King took his place.

Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling made a bold attempt to prepare for his role as Jack Salmon in ‘The Lovely Bones’ by gaining 60 pounds and growing a beard, believing this would best suit the character. However, he didn’t discuss these changes with the director, Peter Jackson. Jackson was reportedly displeased with Gosling’s appearance on the first day of filming, leading to Gosling being replaced by Mark Wahlberg. Gosling later acknowledged that he and the filmmakers had differing ideas about the character’s physical portrayal.

Harvey Keitel

Originally, Harvey Keitel was selected to play Captain Benjamin L. Willard in Francis Ford Coppola’s film ‘Apocalypse Now’. However, Coppola quickly became unhappy with Keitel’s acting, feeling he didn’t convey the necessary inner turmoil and quiet contemplation the role demanded. After just a few days of filming in the Philippines, production was paused while Coppola searched for a new lead actor. Ultimately, Martin Sheen was cast, and all of Keitel’s scenes were cut. Sheen’s performance went on to become one of the most memorable in film history.

Kel O’Neill

Kel O’Neill initially landed the part of Eli Sunday in the highly praised film ‘There Will Be Blood’. He started filming with Daniel Day-Lewis, but was soon replaced. While some believed O’Neill was overwhelmed by Day-Lewis’s dedicated acting style, director Paul Thomas Anderson explained the change was due to a lack of on-screen connection between the actors. Paul Dano, already playing Eli’s brother Paul, was then asked to play both roles. The script was quickly revised to make the characters twins, resolving the unexpected change in casting.

Lori Petty

Lori Petty was originally chosen to play Lenina Huxley in the movie ‘Demolition Man,’ but she was replaced after just two days of filming. The studio said the decision was due to disagreements about the direction of the film. Rumors circulated that Petty and co-star Sylvester Stallone didn’t work well together, making it hard to film scenes. Sandra Bullock quickly stepped in to take her place, and the role helped launch her career. Petty later said she was disappointed by the experience, but understood that changes like this are common in the unpredictable film industry.

James Remar

James Remar was originally cast as Corporal Hicks in ‘Aliens’ and had started filming, but he was fired by director James Cameron after a few days when he was arrested for drug possession. The filmmakers needed to quickly find a new actor to prevent expensive delays. Michael Biehn, who had previously worked with Cameron on ‘The Terminator’, stepped in to take over the part. Although Remar filmed some scenes, only footage of him from a distance – where his face isn’t seen – made it into the final movie.

Stuart Townsend

Stuart Townsend was initially chosen to play Aragorn in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.’ However, director Peter Jackson replaced him just as filming began in New Zealand, after months of training. Jackson believed Townsend looked too young for the part and needed an actor who appeared more experienced and battle-worn. Viggo Mortensen quickly stepped in to take on the role. Townsend was upset about being let go, especially since he wasn’t paid for all the work he’d already done to prepare.

Jean-Claude Van Damme

Before he became famous for martial arts movies, Jean-Claude Van Damme was originally cast as the Predator in the 1987 film. However, he had a difficult time with the hot, restrictive costume and didn’t like that his face wouldn’t be visible. Problems started immediately when Van Damme felt he was being used as a stuntman instead of an actor with a significant role. Producer Joel Silver ultimately fired him because of his complaints and difficulty moving in the heavy suit. The creature was then completely reimagined and portrayed by Kevin Peter Hall, who was much taller.

Let us know what you think about the recent changes to the cast, and if you believe the new actors are a good fit. Share your opinions in the comments below!

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2026-02-22 21:52