Top 20 Actors Who Were FORCED into Roles

“Armageddon” (1998)

Do you remember the 1997 sports rom-com “Broadway Brawler” starring Bruce Willis and Maura Tierney? No? Well, you know why you don’t? Because the movie never got made. Besides starring in the film, Willis was also a producer - and just three weeks into shooting, he demanded much of the crew be fired (including the director). This led The Walt Disney Company to shut it all down. While they could’ve sued Willis, they instead agreed to a deal in which he would make three movies for the company at a reduced rate. The first of which was “Armageddon.” Willis was paid just $3 million for the movie - as opposed to his going rate at the time, which was $20 million.

“Remington Steele” (1982-87)

Pierce Brosnan became a star thanks to the 80s television show “Remington Steele.” It’s probably thanks to that show that he was cast as James Bond. However, it was also because of that show that he didn’t become Bond sooner. You see, the action TV series premiered in 1982 and was canceled in 1986 - at which point Brosnan was offered the role of Bond in the upcoming film, “The Living Daylights.” However, NBC then reversed their cancellation decision and Brosnan was contractually obligated to return to the series. Not wanting the character associated with a currently airing television series the film’s producers rescinded their offer and gave the role to Timothy Dalton. It would be eight years before Brosnan finally became Bond, James Bond.

“Boys” (1996)

The film “Boys” starring Winona Ryder and Lukas Haas was both a critical and commercial failure back in 1996. And this probably didn’t come as much of a shock to those who made it. Director Stacy Cochran has stated that she and the studio had a falling out and there was “an extensive involuntary editing process” that ruined the movie. As for Ryder: in his biography of the actress, Nigel Goodall makes it clear that last-minute changes to the script had her regretting what she’d gotten herself into. But the contract was signed and she wasn’t getting out of it even though she would’ve liked to.

“Rock of Ages” (2012)

At first, everything was great. Alec Baldwin signed on to be in “Rock of Ages” - excited to work with director Adam Shankman and some of the other stars, like Tom Cruise. But the honeymoon ended early. As Baldwin admitted in an interview back in 2013, “A week in you go, ‘Oh God, what have I done?’”. What he did was try and get out of it. While reporting at the time mentioned medical issues for Baldwin’s desire to leave the production, it would appear that the truth is he just thought the film was going to suck. Needless to say, the studio didn’t let him out of his deal.

“The Lovely Bones” (2009)

Stanley Tucci didn’t try and get out of his contract to star in “The Lovely Bones” because he hated the film. It was because he hated his character. Tucci plays George Harvey - a serial killer who targets youths - in the 2009 Peter Jackson movie. As he told Entertainment Weekly, it was a tough experience playing such a horrible person. He even questioned Jackson as to why he was cast and actively tried to get out of it before they began filming. Not only did he not get out of his contract, but he ended up getting an Oscar nomination for his performance.

“Top Gun” (1986)

That’s right. It might sound crazy, but Val Kilmer basically had to be forced to play “Iceman” in “Top Gun.” Kilmer had already given Paramount two films in their three-movie deal and he - as the math would indicate - owed them one more. Well, it was because of that deal that Kilmer even went to meet with the director of the film, Tony Scott. While he still didn’t want to do it - finding the script “silly” - Scott (and his contractual obligations) convinced Kilmer to be in the film. He didn’t need any convincing to reprise his role in the 2022 sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick.” Kilmer even openly campaigned for it.

“Troy” (2004)

This 2004 sword and sandal epic was the 8th highest-grossing film of the year and Brad Pitt did get some positive critical comments regarding his performance. However, it wasn’t a film that Pitt initially wanted to be in. But the studio sure did want him. In this case, the studio had the upper hand. You see, Pitt had pulled out of another film prior to that, and as a result, he owed the studio a movie. So, as he told The New York Times in 2019, “I was put in Troy.” We guess you could say that they found his Achilles’ heel.

“Transformers: Dark of the Moon” (2011)

It’s hard to believe, but Michael Bay actually made one decent “Transformers” movie. The first one, released in 2007, has a not great - but not terrible - Rotten Tomatoes score of 57%. It also grossed over $700 million. While the second one, “Revenge of the Fallen,” made even more money, it was critically panned - even by its star, Shia LaBeouf, who said, “I wasn't impressed with what we did.” Not wanting to be a part of a declining franchise (at least quality-wise) LaBeouf made a real effort to get out before the third movie. But there was the little thing of his signature on a contract for three films. So, he was stuck. He definitely wasn’t coming back for number four, though.

“Garfield: The Movie” (2004)

What actor wouldn’t want to work with Joel Coen? As one-half of the Coen brothers, Joel is one of the great writers/directors of his generation. According to Bill Murray, when he saw that Joel had written “Garfield: The Movie,” he jumped at the chance to voice the titular cat. The only problem is that “Garfield: The Movie” was co-written by Joel Cohen (with an “h”) not Joel Coen of the Coen brothers. By the time he realized his mistake, it was too late to back out. We should point out that the other co-writer of the film, Alec Sokolow has called bull poo on Murray’s story about the Coen mixup. Who do you believe?

Multiple James Bond Movies

While some actors would surely jump at the chance to be James Bond - Daniel Craig was not such an actor. When he was offered the role as the next 007 back in 2005, it took him a little while, and some convincing, to accept the offer. While he garnered much praise, money, and stardom for his portrayal of the master spy - he only did five Bond films because he was contractually obligated to do so. His desire to get out of the franchise definitely escalated after the disaster that was “Quantum of Solace.” However, according to Craig, it had started even earlier than that. “I’ve been trying to get out of this from the very moment I got into it.”

“Elektra” (2005)

After the critical failure that was” Daredevil,” Ben Affleck lucked out: no sequel for Matt Murdock. Sadly, Jennifer Garner found herself contractually locked into what was, quite frankly, a spin-off movie that nobody wanted – “Elektra.” For Ben, it meant a simple cameo, which never even made it into the final cut. For Garner, it was a starring role in an arguably even worse film than the one that preceded it. The spin-off earned a paltry $56.7 million at the worldwide box office, and, paired with “Daredevil,” is widely thought to have permanently damaged Garner’s marketability as a star, which at the time, had been on the rise.

“The Italian Job” (2003)

This undeniably talented actor has gained somewhat of reputation for being difficult to work with. As it turns out, that problem extends beyond his relationship with directors, editors and co-stars to studio heads as well. Like so many of our entries today, it would seem that a younger Edward Norton signed a multi-picture deal that, in hindsight, he wasn’t so keen to honor. It was a contractual dispute that lasted a whopping five years, and one which fostered a lot of anger between the two parties who seemingly could not agree on a picture. In the end, Norton was forced to star in “The Italian Job” or go to court.

“The Watcher” (2000)

Imagine being told that you were legally obligated to do a film that, as far as you can remember, you never committed to. Though there were reports during filming that Reeves was dissatisfied, the whole story didn’t come out until 12 months after the film’s release, when Reeves’ contractually-obligated silence finally came to end. Able to say his piece, he claimed that his signature was forged but that he couldn’t prove it. Coming immediately on the tail of mega-hit “The Matrix,” you can understand why being the villain in a film whose script Keanu allegedly didn’t find interesting didn’t work for the actor. However, seeking to avoid a legal battle, he reluctantly acquiesced.

“Jaws 2” (1978)

After the first flick birthed the concept of a summer blockbuster, you’d think that every cast member who survived the original “Jaws” would be desperate to jump back in. Not star Roy Scheider, who only returned as penance for bailing out on another film. Let’s just say… he made the wrong choice. “Jaws 2” was a nightmare from pre-production through to its completion, with frequent rewrites, production delays and struggles to find a suitable director. Roy Scheider was reportedly very unhappy throughout, but it meant his contract with Universal would be complete and so he stuck it out. The Universal movie he had quit? The critically-acclaimed “Deer Hunter”... and in the starring role no less.

“G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” (2009)

For young, up-and-coming stars, it can be tempting to sign multiple picture deals. Guaranteed work? Why not?! But a few years down the line, and you could find yourself forced to play roles you hate in films that make you cringe. It’s a lesson that Channing Tatum learned the hard way after signing a three film deal with Paramount. “G.I. Joe” might’ve helped increase his public profile, but after the fact, he has been vocal about hating it and very clear that he only accept the role of Duke under fear of legal action.

“Gulliver's Travels” (2010)

Talk about missed opportunities. In hindsight, Emily Blunt has claimed that she’s happy that she didn’t wind up in the role of Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, given that women in superhero films tend to take the backseat to the male leads. Fair criticism. But to think that “Gulliver’s Travels” was the reason she didn’t get the part? Well, that’s just painful. As Variety reported in 2009, a contract signed with 20th Century Fox back when Blunt played a role in the “The Devil Wears Prada” gave them enough leverage to force her participation. And so… Emily Blunt missed out on the MCU and instead got to play the pint-sized Princess Mary.

“The Cat in the Hat” (2003)

For those who grew up loving the Cat in the Hat and Dr. Seuss’ other colorful stories, this movie felt like a slap in the face. And though Mike Myers has made some rather questionable movie choices over the years, it seems that his participation in this particular travesty was not of his own volition. When a script bringing his SNL character Dieter to life proved subpar, Myers reportedly backed out of the film, and Universal sued. It was ultimately settled out of court, and the details are murky, but the consensus is… “The Cat in the Hat” was the compromise. According to co-star Amy Hill, Myers’ disdain was rather palpable on-set.

“Cutthroat Island” (1995)

This action adventure rom-com is widely recognized as one of the biggest box office flops in cinematic history and the film that took pirate films off the map until Disney took on the genre years later. “Cutthroat Island” would not have involved Geena Davis if she’d had her way. When co-star Michael Douglas dropped out of the film, Davis saw the winds changing and tried to jump ship as well. Unfortunately for her, unlike Michael Douglas, her participation had already been made legally binding. In addition to sinking production company Carolco Pictures, it is also remembered as the film that irreparably damaged Geena Davis’ career.

“Désirée” (1954)

Unlike so many other films on our list today, this 1954 picture by 20th Century Fox was reasonably well-received by critics, earning two Academy Award nominations for Costume Design and Art Direction. The film is far from a masterpiece and, as far as Brando’s filmography is concerned, is little more than a forgettable footnote. Had Brando gotten his way though, it wouldn’t have had a place on his resume whatsoever. However, after signing on to play in “The Egyptian” for 20th Century Fox, he walked away due to problems with the script. Fox sued, and “Désirée” served as the forgettable compromise between the actor and the studio.

“Theodore Rex” (1995)

Kids these days aren’t very familiar with Whoopi Goldberg, but the EGOT winner was once a truly marketable star. Though she continued to land some solid roles after this farce of a film, it’s hard not to draw a correlation between the overall dip in quality roles and her involvement with one “Theodore Rex.” Goldberg verbally agreed to do the film in 1992 and then tried to back out, only to be hit with a $20 million lawsuit. In the end, Goldberg begrudgingly played the part, but continues to insist that it’s one of her biggest regrets. After terrible test screenings, the film was sent straight-to-video.