Top 10 Movie Cameos That Were Brutally Cut
#10: Viggo Mortensen
“The Purple Rose of Cairo” (1985)
Imagine Aragorn himself, Viggo Mortensen, making an appearance in a whimsical Woody Allen film - only for his scenes to be cut completely. Well, that’s unfortunately what happened, as Viggo Mortensen’s early acting gig was unceremoniously taken out of the film “The Purple Rose of Cairo.” Mortensen has gone on to describe his time on set as particularly strange, saying he wasn’t given any direction – at all. However, he gave it his best shot. Unfortunately, once the film was released, he sadly learned he didn’t make the cut. It’s a shame, as the cameo would have certainly given fans a sneak peek into his burgeoning talent.
#9: Jena Malone
“Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016)
Given that “Batman v Superman’s” theatrical cut ran approximately two and a half hours, it’s understandable that some scenes (and characters) would be removed. However, many were incredibly disappointed when Jena Malone, as scientist Jenet Klyburn, was cut from the final edit. Known for her roles in “The Hunger Games” and “Pride & Prejudice,” Malone’s performance was rather anticipated, but her scenes only appeared in the “Ultimate Edition” of the film. Her absence left fans feeling short changed however, as they missed out on what could have been a valuable addition to the film’s impressive cast. Maybe if she played a character named Martha, she would have made the cut…
#8: Paul Rudd
“Bridesmaids” (2011)
If you’re a fan of the ageless Paul Rudd (and frankly, who isn’t), then this cameo removal surely stung. Known for his impeccable comedic timing, improv skills, and charm, Rudd seemed perfect for the Paul Feig-directed comedy, “Bridesmaids.” Sadly, all of Rudd's scenes ended up being cut from the final version - due to the film’s length. The affable actor’s cameo would have seen him in a “date gone wrong” opposite Kristen Wiig’s Annie at a skating rink. His nice guy act would be proven a façade when he accidentally cuts his finger with an ice skate. It was a true missed opportunity for comedy gold from Rudd.
#7: Sienna Miller
“Black Mass” (2015)
Celebrated actress Sienna Miller had originally filmed scenes for the Johnny Depp-starring biographical mob film "Black Mass", where she played Catherine Greig. As the girlfriend and accomplice to notorious gangster Whitey Bulger, this surely would be a great addition Miller’s impressive filmography – right? Thanks to “narrative restructuring,” her small role was removed. Apparently, the filmmakers wanted to focus more tightly on Bulger’s criminal activities, rather than his time with Catherine, which were “less dramatic.” The exclusion felt particularly harsh however, as Miller’s performance reportedly brought further depth and nuance to Bulger's complex life. And, according to several critics, the film could have certainly used it.
#6: Jack Whitehall
“Frozen” (2013)
He’s still not over it folks! British comedian Jack Whitehall was reportedly extremely excited about his role in Disney's 2013 animated hit "Frozen," believing he delivered his lines “perfectly.” He proudly told everyone he knew about his part and eagerly went to the theater to hear himself on screen. However, when he watched, his character, a troll named Gothi, was about to speak but was cut off by Princess Elsa's song. Confused, he called his agent, who revealed that Disney had reduced his role to a non-speaking part. A frustrated Whitehall says his agent then told him to "let it go” – but he clearly hasn’t.
#5: Harrison Ford
“E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1982)
Yep —you heard that right, Harrison Ford was to appear in Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi classic “E.T.” Heck, he even filmed all his scenes. Ford played Elliott’s school principal, but sadly, it was all for naught. Spielberg himself says the decision was a very tough one given his working relationship with Ford. And while he says he did what was right for the film, the cut still stings. Ford’s unique appearance would have definitely added gravitas to the picture, considering his immense popularity at the time. However, we suppose when you got that much star power, it can overshadow the rest of the film – even if it is just a cameo.
#4: Rob McElhenney
“Deadpool & Wolverine” (2024)
“Deadpool & Wolverine” is celebrated, in part, for its plethora of amazing cameos. Unfortunately, not everyone made the final cut. However, Rob McElhenney's cameo, which was set to reunite him with his “Welcome to Wrexham” co-star and friend Ryan Reynolds, is perhaps the most brutal axing. Despite flying to London to film his scenes, McElhenney’s appearance was removed because, as Reynold’s explained, “the sequence wasn’t working the way they originally constructed it.” In a behind-the-scenes image shared on social media, McElhenney can be seen dressed as a TVA soldier, hinting at what could have been. Here's hoping that his appearance features in some sort of future “director’s cut.”
#3: Shailene Woodley
“The Amazing Spider-Man 2” (2014)
A major player in the Spider-Man mythos is Mary Jane Watson, and the actresses who have played the role on film have been Kristen Dunst, Zendaya, and Shailene Woodley… err, scratch that last one. You see, the “Divergent” series heroine was originally cast as MJ in the sequel to the Andrew Garfield-led Spider-Man franchise. However, filmmakers decided to streamline the story to focus solely on Peter and Gwen Stacy’s arc instead. This meant the MJ cameos would be scrapped altogether. While Woodley says she understands the reasons behind it, it no doubt broke the hearts of countless comic book fans who wanted to see the beloved character on screen again.
#2: Mickey Rourke
“The Thin Red Line” (1998)
The Terrence Malick helmed WWII epic, “The Thin Red Line,” features an absolutely stellar ensemble cast that includes the likes of Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, George Clooney, and Adrien Brody - among others. However, other prominent actors were meant to be featured in the film, but had their scenes reduced or removed. Mickey Rourke was one of them, and he was none too pleased about it. Rourke was particularly offended as he believed he gave some of his best work during filming. The actor was also quoted as saying he believed the axing was over “political reasons.” To say it left a sour taste in the actor’s mouth would be an understatement.
#1: Henry Cavill & Gal Gadot
“The Flash” (2023)
The DC Universe faced turbulent times amidst shifts in direction and leadership behind the scenes prior to the release of 2023’s “The Flash.” The film would ultimately serve as a love-letter to on-screen DC characters of yore and feature some surprising cameos. Two highly anticipated cameos, however, were ultimately cut amidst the corporate restructuring. Superhero A-listers Wonder Woman and Superman, played by Gal Gadot and Henry Cavill respectively, ended up on the chopping block. The filmed cameos were reportedly to appear at the movie’s close. Alas, the last-minute axing resulted in further disappointment and disillusionment for DC loyalists.
Which of these brutal cameo cuts do you wish had made it into the final films? Let us know in the comments below!
