Entertainment
Al Pacino in 'Despicable Me 2,' and 8 Other Actors Who Were Replaced Last Minute
Just two months before the Despicable Me 2 release date, Al Pacino — slated to voice villain Eduardo — dropped out of production. (Law and Order actor Benjamin Bratt took over the role instead.) But Pacino isn't the first in Hollywood to leave a film last minute — in fact, many Hollywood films would look very different had the original casting choices stayed put. Here's a guide to what other actors were replaced last minute.
Al Pacino's 'Despicable' Exit
Just two months before the Despicable Me 2 release date, Al Pacino — slated to voice villain Eduardo — dropped out of production. (Law and Order actor Benjamin Bratt took over the role instead.) But Pacino isn't the first in Hollywood to leave a film last minute — in fact, many Hollywood films would look very different had the original casting choices stayed put. Here's a guide to what other actors were replaced last minute.
Mark Wahlberg for Ryan Gosling, 'The Lovely Bones'
Ryan Gosling — the most beautiful man of our time — was fired from his part as the father of a murdered teen in the drama The Lovely Bones. Why? Well, apparently Gosling was so committed to the part that he ballooned up to 210 pounds to "fit the character's look"... despite the fact that the producers never told him to do so. The ever-fit Mark Wahlberg took over, and Ryan was fat and unhappy.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley for Megan Fox, 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon'
Megan Fox was the hottie of the Transformers franchise... until she likened directer Michael Bay's on-set behavior to Hitler. For the third installment, Fox was out and Victoria's Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whitley was in. At least Megan Fox doesn't have to pretend to like Shia LaBeouf anymore.
Bryce Dallas Howard for Rachelle Lefevre, 'Twilight: Eclipse'
When the actress who portrayed evil vamp Victoria couldn't do the part in the third film due to scheduling conflicts, redhead Bryce Dallas Howard took over the role.
Sofia Coppola for Winona Ryder, 'The Godfather: Part III'
This swap didn't exactly work out for anyone. Ryder was cast in the third Godfather film and flew to Rome to begin shooting the project. Unfortunately, Ryder got sick during her first days in production and had to drop out of the film. Director Francis Ford Coppola put his daughter Sofia Coppola in the role, despite her lack of acting experience. It was a disaster. Coppola went on to make a name for herself as an accomplished directing and stayed far, far away from acting ever since.
Scarlett Johansson for Emily Blunt, 'Iron Man 2'
The Devil Wears Prada actress Emily Blunt was cast as the Black Widow in the second Iron Man flick, but had to drop out of the movie last minute due to — once again — "scheduling conflicts." But, truth be told, we can't imagine anyone other than ScarJo wearing that black leather suit.
Helen McCrory for Naomi Watts, 'Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince'
Mulholland Drive's Naomi Watts had signed on to play Death Eater Narcissa Malfoy, but ultimately her agency refused the part. (Because being in a huge blockbuster is always bad for your career?) English actress Helen McCroy stepped in.
Nick Cassavetes for Mel Gibson, 'The Hangover: Part II'
Mel Gibson was ready to make his "comeback" by portraying "Tattoo Joe" in The Hangover: Part II, but his legal troubles and controversial personal life led many members of the cast and crew to protest his role. Eventually, director Todd Phillips decided that the happiness of his cast and crew overshadowed his love of Mel Gibson's movies. The role went to The Notebook director Nick Cassavetes.
Michael J. Fox for Eric Stoltz, 'Back to the Future'
It's hard to imagine the Back to the Future films without Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, but it very well could have happened. Eric Stoltz was originally slated for the role and even shot multiple scenes as Marty. However, producers felt that the part "wasn't working" with Stoltz as the lead, and he got the boot. They got Fox for the lead when his Family Ties schedule opened up.
