Worst2First: My Top Ten Films Where Characters Were Recast

Worst2First: 

My Top Ten Films Where Characters Were Recast

Much like television series, film series often go through changes in actors.  As a film franchise grows, sometimes the actors don't remain with it due to different time restraints, clashes with ideals, or unfortunate circumstances.

This list will not include films where roles were recast due to age differences (such as the "X-Men" films that focused on the younger cast) or differing film universes (such as the different Batman characters through different iterations, or Jokers, and so on).

Here are my personal top ten films where the characters were recast, worst2first...

**THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS**

#10

Rachel Weisz in "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns" 

to Maria Bello in "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor"

Before Tom Cruise tarnished the classic Universal monster, Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz acted in two decent "Mummy" films before Weisz passed on the third film after having problems with the script.  Maria Bello took over the role of Evelyn O'Connell, and the result was a lackluster performance without the on-screen chemistry that Fraser and Weisz shared.

#9

 Richard Harris in the first two "Harry Potter" films 

to Michael Gambon in the remaining franchise

After Richard Harris's untimely death after filming "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets," acclaimed actor Michael Gambon took on the role of Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore.

#8

Katie Holmes in "Batman Begins" 

to Maggie Gyllenhaal in "The Dark Knight"

Playing possible love interest for Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne, Katie Holmes gave a decent performance in Christopher Nolan's "Batman Begins," but when it came time for her to reprise her role as Rachel in "The Dark Knight," she turned down the role to appear in the movie "Mad Money," and Maggie Gyllenhaal took her place.

#7

 Noomi Rapace in "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," "The Girl Who Played With Fire," and "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest" 

to Rooney Mara in "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"

When the character of Lisbeth Salander was brought from book to screen in Sweden, actress Noomi Rapace played the role, but when it came to the American version, director David Fincher went with Rooney Mara to play the computer hacker, resulting in Mara receiving an Academy Award nomination for her performance. 

#6

 Alec Baldwin in "The Hunt for Red October" 

to Harrison Ford in "Patriot Games" and "Clear and Present Danger" 

to Ben Affleck in "The Sum of All Fears" 

to Chris Pine in "Shadow Recruit"

Based off author Tom Clancy's CIA analyst, Jack Ryan has been played by many different actors on the big screen (and now by John Krasinski on television), and while Harrison Ford is the most well-known, the character has had a very effective history on the big screen.

#5

Terrence Howard in "Iron Man" 

to Don Cheadle in "Iron Man 2," "Iron Man 3," "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Captain America: Civil War," and "Avengers: Infinity War"

When it comes to playing Tony Stark's BFF James Rhodes, Oscar-nominee Terrence Howard played the role in the first "Iron Man" film, but after disagreements with actor Robert Downey Jr. and issues with money, Howard refused to play the role any longer, and Oscar-nominee Don Cheadle picked up the mantle, starring as Rhodes (a.k.a. War Machine) in the subsequent Marvel Cinematic Universe.

#4

 Eric Bana in "Hulk" 

to Edward Norton in "The Incredible Hulk" 

to Mark Ruffalo in "Avengers," "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Thor: Ragnarok," and "Avengers: Infinity War"

After Eric Bana played the duel role of Bruce Banner and Hulk, Marvel gained the rights to their big green giant and instead of creating a sequel, they decided to reboot it with Edward Norton as the Hulk.  After "The Incredible Hulk," he was replaced by Mark Ruffalo after Norton had some rather public disputes with the production company.

#3

 Mel Gibson in "Mad Max," "The Road Warrior," and 

"Beyond Thunderdome" 

to Tom Hardy in "Mad Max: Fury Road"

Mel Gibson turned into an international superstar after playing the character Max Rockatansky in the dystopian future trilogy, but when director George Miller wanted to re-vitalize the franchise, he went with much younger Tom Hardy to pick up the mantle of Max, resulting in "Mad Max: Fury Road," which won six Academy Awards.

#2

Jodie Foster in "The Silence of the Lambs" 

to Julianne Moore in "Hannibal"

Doing what most people thought impossible, "The Silence of the Lambs" managed to be a horror movie that won the coveted Big Five Oscars (Best Picture, Actor, Actress, Director, and Screenplay), and while Jodie Foster earned the Oscar as Clarice Starling, she opted to not return to the sequel, and Julianne Moore took on the role - but didn't earn an Oscar.

#1

 The Actors of James Bond - Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Craig

For over fifty years now, the character of James Bond has graced the big screen in twenty-four films, and with a franchise with that kind of longevity, you expect the role to be recast several times.  While Sean Connery dominates the history of James Bond, it's also been played by other actors, most recently Daniel Craig.