10 last-minute casting changes that worked perfectly

Other times, a last-minute casting change can be critical to a film's success. For a variety of different reasons, actors have been caught in the middle of a hasty role change, and in those very rare and extremely special cases, it has done wonders for the film they weren't supposed to be a part of.

Of course it's a shame for the stars who were replaced so quickly, but none of the following ten films would be as esteemed if the actors in question hadn't done their part. In some cases, it was their life's work.

10 last-minute casting changes that worked perfectly:

10. Christian Bale (American PsychoMary Harrington, 1999)

This wasn't a last-minute casting decision in the strictest sense, but rather an ode to the power of perseverance: Christian Bale was convinced that he was the only actor who could do justice to Patrick Bateman.

The studio initially agreed and he was hired in early 1998. However, a few months later, Bale and director Mary Harron were completely surprised when Lionsgate publicly announced Leonardo DiCaprio as Bateman at the Cannes Film Festival. Harron was also quickly fired and replaced by Oliver Stone.

DiCaprio dropped out nine months later and Stone followed suit, but Bale was prepared for any eventuality. He stayed true to his role and when he was confirmed for a second time a month before principal photography began, he had no problem stepping into Bateman's shoes.

9. Scarlett Johansson (HerSpike Jonze, 2013)

Although she doesn't appear on screen, Scarlett Johansson played a key role in the success of Spike Jonze's romantic technology drama, which remains the best-reviewed film of his entire career.

The film also earned him his only Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and was his first film to be shortlisted for Best Picture. Johansson's distinctive tone added depth and sentimentality to the role of Samantha, who only provided her voice.

Namesake Samantha Morton was on set throughout filming, in a soundproof booth, but with direct insight into the story in which she played a key role. After filming was completed and Her As he began post-production, Jonze realized she wasn't quite right for him, and it's hard to say he wasn't right.

8. Michael Biehne (Aliens(James Cameron, 1986)

Sigourney Weaver is undoubtedly the anchor and center of James Cameron’s Aliensbut Michael Biehn's Hicks plays an important role as Ripley's ally, confidant, and potential lover if things had turned out differently.

The reunification with his Terminator Director Biehn became a fan favorite as a battle-hardened soldier with a strong moral compass and obvious affection for Ripley and Newt. He is one of the franchise's most popular characters and was only hired as production neared the end of its first month.

James Remar originally played Hicks and shot many scenes, but when police raided his apartment and found drugs, he was fired. They are very different actors and it's hard to imagine Hicks – or his dynamic with Ripley – being anywhere near as convincing had the tougher and rougher Remar stayed on board.

7. Michelle Pfeiffer (Batman Returns(Tim Burton, 1992)

It's no easy task to step in at such short notice, squeeze into a leather suit and play one of the most iconic characters in pop culture, but Michelle Pfeiffer made it look easy when she joined the cast of Batman Returns.

The actress famously performed all of her own stunts, and her sensual portrayal of Selina Kyle's mischievous alter ego is one of the most iconic performances in the superhero genre, only coming about when Annette Bening canceled herself.

After a laborious casting search, Bening was given the name Catwoman, but when she became pregnant, she had no choice but to quit the job. Pfeiffer was brought in and trained like crazy to be a convincing supervillain. And on top of that, she delivered one of her most memorable roles.

6. Martin Sheen (Apocalypse now(Francis Ford Coppola, 1979)

There is not much about Apocalypse now This was not a nightmare in any form, as Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece was plagued by problems every step of the way.

When the director finalized the casting of Harvey Keitel as Benjamin L. Willard on the first day of shooting in March 1976. However, circumstances changed within a few weeks after Coppola realized that the actor was not playing the role the way he had envisioned.

Martin Sheen followed the call to step in as his successor, something he may have regretted at least once, when Apocalypse now nearly killed him in several ways, but it is impossible to imagine anyone else in that role, no matter how negatively it ultimately affected his health.

5. Louise Fletcher (One flew over the cuckoo's nestMiloš Forman, 1975)

They say every hero is only as good as his villain, and with Jack Nicholson in top form as Randall P. McMurphy in One flew over the cuckoo's nestMiloš Forman needed a sparring partner who could keep up with him every step of the way.

Nicholson's performance is one of the best American cinema has ever seen and earned him a well-deserved Oscar. However, Louise Fletcher more than holds her own in her role as the formidable Nurse Ratched and bagged an Oscar of her own when she won Best Actress.

Forman had cast Lily Tomlin, but never seemed entirely convinced. Fletcher auditioned several times in 1974 and was finally informed by her agent on December 26 that she had to show up with the rest of the cast on January 4, 1975, to begin rehearsals. Her first day on set was nine days later.

4. Viggo Mortensen (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring(Peter Jackson, 2001)

Filming the unfilmable was a laborious undertaking, as Peter Jackson was so overwhelmed with The Lord of the Ringshe completely overlooked the fact that he had cast the wrong man in the role of Aragorn.

Stuart Townsend was hired and trained and rehearsed with the rest of the ensemble for months until the director, after observing the actor's first few days on set in the role, felt he had no choice but to recast the role.

Jackson needed someone older and more worldly, so Viggo Mortensen took the role at short notice, flew halfway around the world to meet his new colleagues, and then plunged headlong into what will always be his defining role, filming the Weathertop scenes first.

3. Hugh Jackman (X-MenBryan Singer, 2000)

In an alternate timeline in which Deadpool and Wolverine “The Last Man” is still the most successful R-rated film of all time and also the tenth screen appearance of the latter character. Dougray Scott teams up with Ryan Reynolds, a quarter of a century after his inauguration as a superhero.

Filming began in September 1999 and Scott's absence was already being considered due to contractual obligations that tied him to the Mission: Impossible II reshoots before he reluctantly left. In fact, the actor told The Telegraph that “Tom Cruise didn’t let me do it,” which would be reason enough to harbor resentment.

After a hastily arranged audition and a glowing recommendation from Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman showed up for his first day on set, three weeks after most of the X-Men The cast had started work and 25 years later he has built his entire career on it.

2.Harrison Ford (Raiders of the Lost ArkSteven Spielberg (1981)

It's a famous part of Hollywood legend that Tom Selleck would have become Indiana Jones had he not had his small screen commitments. What is often overlooked, however, is that technically he would have had the time to do it anyway if Steven Spielberg and George Lucas had been able to predict the future.

The offer from Spielberg and Lucas was on the table, but CBS turned down Magnum PI a complete series order and links Raiders of the Lost Ark a few weeks before filming begins without a leading actor. star Wars The director didn't want to hire Harrison Ford, but when he did, cinema got one of its most iconic characters.

The cruelest thing about it is that Magnum PI The first season was scheduled to be filmed in March 1980, but was postponed to December due to an actors' strike. robber was shot between June and September, which meant Selleck had a free schedule to twiddle his thumbs while his successor thwarted a nefarious Nazi plot and escaped from giant boulders.

1. Michael J. Fox (Back to the future(Robert Zemeckis, 1985)

The most famous example of a last-minute recast that worked out in the best interests of everyone involved – except for the actor who was kicked out, of course – Michael J. Fox finally took his rightful place as Back to the future's Marty McFly.

Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale have created one of the most timeless and rewatched blockbusters in Hollywood history, a fate the film might not have enjoyed had Fox not had infectious enthusiasm, natural charisma and a sparkling chemistry with Christopher Lloyd's Doc Brown.

Stoltz opted for a more serious and grounded approach and took a methodical approach, which struck all the wrong tone. Fox was always the first choice, and after more than two weeks of shooting, he exhausted himself at both ends by Back to the futureshot his scenes at night and then worked on the sitcom Family ties during the day.

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