Top 10 Actors Who Were Legally Forced Into Roles

best think twice before signing your

best think twice before signing your name on the dotted line welcome to

name on the dotted line welcome to

name on the dotted line welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting

watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 actors who

down our picks for the top 10 actors who

down our picks for the top 10 actors who were legally forced into roles before we

were legally forced into roles before we

were legally forced into roles before we begin we publish new videos every day

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so be sure to subscribe for more great

so be sure to subscribe for more great content for this list we’re looking at

content for this list we’re looking at

content for this list we’re looking at cases in which stars were contractually

cases in which stars were contractually

cases in which stars were contractually obligated to act in films regardless of

obligated to act in films regardless of

obligated to act in films regardless of whether it was before or after they

whether it was before or after they

whether it was before or after they decided they didn’t want to be involved

decided they didn’t want to be involved

decided they didn’t want to be involved with them as well as others who were

with them as well as others who were

with them as well as others who were forced into a film in order to make up

forced into a film in order to make up

forced into a film in order to make up for a past breach of contract who me

for a past breach of contract who me

for a past breach of contract who me number 10 Jennifer Garner Elektra after

number 10 Jennifer Garner Elektra after

number 10 Jennifer Garner Elektra after the critical failure that was daredevil

the critical failure that was daredevil

the critical failure that was daredevil Ben Affleck lucked out no sequel for

Ben Affleck lucked out no sequel for

Ben Affleck lucked out no sequel for Matt Murdock

Matt Murdock

Matt Murdock sadly Jennifer Garner found herself

sadly Jennifer Garner found herself

sadly Jennifer Garner found herself contractually locked into what was quite

contractually locked into what was quite

contractually locked into what was quite frankly a spin-off movie that nobody

frankly a spin-off movie that nobody

frankly a spin-off movie that nobody wanted Elektra yeah

wanted Elektra yeah

wanted Elektra yeah I hated that prevent it meant a simple

I hated that prevent it meant a simple

I hated that prevent it meant a simple cameo which never even made it into the

cameo which never even made it into the

cameo which never even made it into the final cut for Garner it was a starring

final cut for Garner it was a starring

final cut for Garner it was a starring role in an arguably even worse film than

role in an arguably even worse film than

role in an arguably even worse film than the one that preceded it the spin-off

the one that preceded it the spin-off

the one that preceded it the spin-off earned a paltry fifty six point seven

earned a paltry fifty six point seven

earned a paltry fifty six point seven million dollars at the worldwide box

million dollars at the worldwide box

million dollars at the worldwide box office and paired with daredevil is

office and paired with daredevil is

office and paired with daredevil is widely thought to have permanently

widely thought to have permanently

widely thought to have permanently damaged Garner’s marketability as a star

damaged Garner’s marketability as a star

damaged Garner’s marketability as a star which at the time had been on the rise

which at the time had been on the rise

which at the time had been on the rise don’t worry that’s not that bad number 9

don’t worry that’s not that bad number 9

don’t worry that’s not that bad number 9 Edward Norton the Italian Job can’t let

Edward Norton the Italian Job can’t let

Edward Norton the Italian Job can’t let emotion into these things

emotion into these things

emotion into these things this undeniably talented actor has

this undeniably talented actor has

this undeniably talented actor has gained somewhat of a reputation for

gained somewhat of a reputation for

gained somewhat of a reputation for being difficult to work with as it turns

being difficult to work with as it turns

being difficult to work with as it turns out that problem extends beyond his

out that problem extends beyond his

out that problem extends beyond his relationship with directors editors and

relationship with directors editors and

relationship with directors editors and co-star to studio heads as well like so

co-star to studio heads as well like so

co-star to studio heads as well like so many of our entries today it would seem

many of our entries today it would seem

many of our entries today it would seem that a younger Edward Norton signed a

that a younger Edward Norton signed a

that a younger Edward Norton signed a multi picture deal that in hindsight he

multi picture deal that in hindsight he

multi picture deal that in hindsight he wasn’t so keen to honor that wasn’t the

wasn’t so keen to honor that wasn’t the

wasn’t so keen to honor that wasn’t the agreement it was a contractual dispute

agreement it was a contractual dispute

agreement it was a contractual dispute that lasted a whopping five years and

that lasted a whopping five years and

that lasted a whopping five years and one which fostered a lot of anger

one which fostered a lot of anger

one which fostered a lot of anger between the two parties who seemingly

between the two parties who seemingly

between the two parties who seemingly could not agree on a picture in the end

could not agree on a picture in the end

could not agree on a picture in the end Norton was forced to star in The Italian

Norton was forced to star in The Italian

Norton was forced to star in The Italian Job or go to court this lovely dinner

Job or go to court this lovely dinner

Job or go to court this lovely dinner sparking conversation you still don’t

sparking conversation you still don’t

sparking conversation you still don’t trust me

trust me

trust me number eight Keanu Reeves The Watcher

number eight Keanu Reeves The Watcher

number eight Keanu Reeves The Watcher shall be dead

shall be dead

shall be dead imagine being told that you were legally

imagine being told that you were legally

imagine being told that you were legally obligated to do a film that as far as

obligated to do a film that as far as

obligated to do a film that as far as you can remember you never committed to

you can remember you never committed to

you can remember you never committed to though there were reports during filming

though there were reports during filming

though there were reports during filming that Reeves was dissatisfied the whole

that Reeves was dissatisfied the whole

that Reeves was dissatisfied the whole story didn’t come out until twelve

story didn’t come out until twelve

story didn’t come out until twelve months after the film’s release

months after the film’s release

months after the film’s release when Reeves contractually obligated

when Reeves contractually obligated

when Reeves contractually obligated silence finally came to an end

silence finally came to an end

silence finally came to an end able to say his piece he claimed that

able to say his piece he claimed that

able to say his piece he claimed that his signature was forged but that he

his signature was forged but that he

his signature was forged but that he couldn’t prove it coming immediately on

couldn’t prove it coming immediately on

couldn’t prove it coming immediately on the tale of mega hit the matrix you can

the tale of mega hit the matrix you can

the tale of mega hit the matrix you can understand why being the villain in a

understand why being the villain in a

understand why being the villain in a film whose script can who allegedly

film whose script can who allegedly

film whose script can who allegedly didn’t find interesting didn’t work for

didn’t find interesting didn’t work for

didn’t find interesting didn’t work for the actor however seeking to avoid a

the actor however seeking to avoid a

the actor however seeking to avoid a legal battle he reluctantly acquiesced

legal battle he reluctantly acquiesced

legal battle he reluctantly acquiesced yin and yang number seven Roy Schneider

yin and yang number seven Roy Schneider

yin and yang number seven Roy Schneider Jaws – wait a minute are you people

Jaws – wait a minute are you people

Jaws – wait a minute are you people telling me I don’t know what a shark

telling me I don’t know what a shark

telling me I don’t know what a shark looks like after the first flick birthed

looks like after the first flick birthed

looks like after the first flick birthed the concept of a summer blockbuster

the concept of a summer blockbuster

the concept of a summer blockbuster you’d think every cast member who

you’d think every cast member who

you’d think every cast member who survived the original jaws would be

survived the original jaws would be

survived the original jaws would be desperate to jump back in not star wars

desperate to jump back in not star wars

desperate to jump back in not star wars Neider who only returned as penance for

Neider who only returned as penance for

Neider who only returned as penance for bailing out on another film let’s just

bailing out on another film let’s just

bailing out on another film let’s just say he made the wrong choice

jaws too was a nightmare from

jaws too was a nightmare from pre-production through to its completion

pre-production through to its completion

pre-production through to its completion with frequent rewrites production delays

with frequent rewrites production delays

with frequent rewrites production delays and struggles to find a suitable

and struggles to find a suitable

and struggles to find a suitable director who are a sniper was reportedly

director who are a sniper was reportedly

director who are a sniper was reportedly very unhappy throughout but it meant his

very unhappy throughout but it meant his

very unhappy throughout but it meant his contract with Universal would be

contract with Universal would be

contract with Universal would be complete so he stuck it out to the

complete so he stuck it out to the

complete so he stuck it out to the universal movie he had quit the

universal movie he had quit the

universal movie he had quit the critically acclaimed deer hunter and in

critically acclaimed deer hunter and in

critically acclaimed deer hunter and in the starring role no less one shot one

the starring role no less one shot one

the starring role no less one shot one shot is what it’s all about there has to

shot is what it’s all about there has to

shot is what it’s all about there has to be taken with one shot number six

be taken with one shot number six

be taken with one shot number six Channing Tatum GI Joe the Rise of Cobra

Channing Tatum GI Joe the Rise of Cobra

Channing Tatum GI Joe the Rise of Cobra self-preservation

self-preservation

self-preservation I’m taking you in Rex for young

I’m taking you in Rex for young

I’m taking you in Rex for young up-and-coming stars it can be tempting

up-and-coming stars it can be tempting

up-and-coming stars it can be tempting to sign multiple picture deals

to sign multiple picture deals

to sign multiple picture deals guaranteed work why not but a few years

guaranteed work why not but a few years

guaranteed work why not but a few years down the line you could find yourself

down the line you could find yourself

down the line you could find yourself forced to play roles you hate in films

forced to play roles you hate in films

forced to play roles you hate in films that make you cringe it’s a lesson that

that make you cringe it’s a lesson that

that make you cringe it’s a lesson that Channing Tatum learned the hard way

Channing Tatum learned the hard way

Channing Tatum learned the hard way after signing a three-film deal with

after signing a three-film deal with

after signing a three-film deal with paramount I’m going to meet you Betty on

paramount I’m going to meet you Betty on

paramount I’m going to meet you Betty on the hop a I’m already on honey

the hop a I’m already on honey

the hop a I’m already on honey GI Joe might have helped increase his

GI Joe might have helped increase his

GI Joe might have helped increase his public profile but after the fact he has

public profile but after the fact he has

public profile but after the fact he has been vocal about hating it and very

been vocal about hating it and very

been vocal about hating it and very clear that he only accepted the role of

clear that he only accepted the role of

clear that he only accepted the role of Duke under fear of legal action driving

Duke under fear of legal action driving

Duke under fear of legal action driving Locke you stole a number five Emily

Locke you stole a number five Emily

Locke you stole a number five Emily Blunt Gulliver’s Travels when do you

Blunt Gulliver’s Travels when do you

Blunt Gulliver’s Travels when do you return home Noble and Austen Gulliver

return home Noble and Austen Gulliver

return home Noble and Austen Gulliver talk about missed opportunities in

talk about missed opportunities in

talk about missed opportunities in hindsight Emily Blunt has claimed that

hindsight Emily Blunt has claimed that

hindsight Emily Blunt has claimed that she’s happy that she didn’t wind up in

she’s happy that she didn’t wind up in

she’s happy that she didn’t wind up in the role of natasha romanoff aka

the role of natasha romanoff aka

the role of natasha romanoff aka Black Widow given that women in

Black Widow given that women in

Black Widow given that women in superhero films tend to take a backseat

superhero films tend to take a backseat

superhero films tend to take a backseat to their male leads fair criticism but

to their male leads fair criticism but

to their male leads fair criticism but to think that Gulliver’s Travels was the

to think that Gulliver’s Travels was the

to think that Gulliver’s Travels was the reason she didn’t get the part well

reason she didn’t get the part well

reason she didn’t get the part well that’s just painful it’s just that I was

that’s just painful it’s just that I was

that’s just painful it’s just that I was talking with the Giant and lost track of

talking with the Giant and lost track of

talking with the Giant and lost track of Titus not this beast as Variety reported

Titus not this beast as Variety reported

Titus not this beast as Variety reported in 2009 a contract signed with 20th

in 2009 a contract signed with 20th

in 2009 a contract signed with 20th Century Fox back when blunt played the

Century Fox back when blunt played the

Century Fox back when blunt played the role in The Devil Wears Prada gave them

role in The Devil Wears Prada gave them

role in The Devil Wears Prada gave them enough leverage to force her

enough leverage to force her

enough leverage to force her participation and so Emily Blunt missed

participation and so Emily Blunt missed

participation and so Emily Blunt missed out on the MCU and instead got to play

out on the MCU and instead got to play

out on the MCU and instead got to play the pint-sized Princess Mary now you’re

the pint-sized Princess Mary now you’re

the pint-sized Princess Mary now you’re being cruel and frankly melodramatic and

being cruel and frankly melodramatic and

being cruel and frankly melodramatic and acting like a complete baby number four

acting like a complete baby number four

acting like a complete baby number four Mike Myers The Cat in the Hat monster

Mike Myers The Cat in the Hat monster

Mike Myers The Cat in the Hat monster for those who grew up loving but can the

for those who grew up loving but can the

for those who grew up loving but can the Hat and dr. Seuss’s other colorful

Hat and dr. Seuss’s other colorful

Hat and dr. Seuss’s other colorful stories this movie felt like a slap in

stories this movie felt like a slap in

stories this movie felt like a slap in the face and though Mike Myers has made

the face and though Mike Myers has made

the face and though Mike Myers has made some rather questionable movie choices

some rather questionable movie choices

some rather questionable movie choices over the years it seems to his

over the years it seems to his

over the years it seems to his participation in this particular

participation in this particular

participation in this particular travesty was not of his own volition

travesty was not of his own volition

travesty was not of his own volition why I’m the Cat in the Hat when a script

why I’m the Cat in the Hat when a script

why I’m the Cat in the Hat when a script bringing his SNL character D etre to

bringing his SNL character D etre to

bringing his SNL character D etre to life proved subpar Myers reportedly

life proved subpar Myers reportedly

life proved subpar Myers reportedly backed out of the film and Universal

backed out of the film and Universal

backed out of the film and Universal sued it was ultimately settled out of

sued it was ultimately settled out of

sued it was ultimately settled out of court and the details are murky but the

court and the details are murky but the

court and the details are murky but the consensus is the Cat in the Hat was the

consensus is the Cat in the Hat was the

consensus is the Cat in the Hat was the compromise

compromise

compromise according to co-star Amy hill Myers

according to co-star Amy hill Myers

according to co-star Amy hill Myers disdain was rather palpable on set

disdain was rather palpable on set

disdain was rather palpable on set without my hat I’m just your

without my hat I’m just your

without my hat I’m just your garden-variety six foot tall talking cat

garden-variety six foot tall talking cat

garden-variety six foot tall talking cat number three

number three

number three Geena Davis cutthroat island bad don’t

Geena Davis cutthroat island bad don’t

Geena Davis cutthroat island bad don’t this action-adventure rom-com is widely

this action-adventure rom-com is widely

this action-adventure rom-com is widely recognized as one of the biggest

recognized as one of the biggest

recognized as one of the biggest box-office flops in cinematic history

box-office flops in cinematic history

box-office flops in cinematic history and the film that took pirate films off

and the film that took pirate films off

and the film that took pirate films off the map until Disney took on the genre

the map until Disney took on the genre

the map until Disney took on the genre later cutthroat island would not have

later cutthroat island would not have

later cutthroat island would not have involved Geena Davis if she’d had her

involved Geena Davis if she’d had her

involved Geena Davis if she’d had her way

way

way when co-star Michael Douglas dropped out

when co-star Michael Douglas dropped out

when co-star Michael Douglas dropped out of the film Davis saw the winds changing

of the film Davis saw the winds changing

of the film Davis saw the winds changing and tried to jump ship as well

and tried to jump ship as well

and tried to jump ship as well unfortunately for her unlike Michael

unfortunately for her unlike Michael

unfortunately for her unlike Michael Douglas her participation had already

Douglas her participation had already

Douglas her participation had already been made legally bonding in addition to

been made legally bonding in addition to

been made legally bonding in addition to sinking production company Corral ko

sinking production company Corral ko

sinking production company Corral ko pictures it is also remembered as the

pictures it is also remembered as the

pictures it is also remembered as the film that irreparably damaged Geena

film that irreparably damaged Geena

film that irreparably damaged Geena Davis’s career sweetheart

Davis’s career sweetheart

Davis’s career sweetheart I promised I’d take care of you number

I promised I’d take care of you number

I promised I’d take care of you number two Marlon Brando Desiree exactly do you

two Marlon Brando Desiree exactly do you

two Marlon Brando Desiree exactly do you wish to be unlike so many other films on

wish to be unlike so many other films on

wish to be unlike so many other films on our list today this 1954 picture by 20th

our list today this 1954 picture by 20th

our list today this 1954 picture by 20th Century Fox was reasonably well received

Century Fox was reasonably well received

Century Fox was reasonably well received by critics earning two Academy Award

by critics earning two Academy Award

by critics earning two Academy Award nominations for costume design and art

nominations for costume design and art

nominations for costume design and art direction the film is far from a

direction the film is far from a

direction the film is far from a masterpiece and as far as Brando’s

masterpiece and as far as Brando’s

masterpiece and as far as Brando’s filmography is concerned is little more

filmography is concerned is little more

filmography is concerned is little more than a forgettable footnote had brando

than a forgettable footnote had brando

than a forgettable footnote had brando got in his way though it wouldn’t have

got in his way though it wouldn’t have

got in his way though it wouldn’t have had a place on his resume whatsoever I

had a place on his resume whatsoever I

had a place on his resume whatsoever I must go now say goodbye to my family I’m

must go now say goodbye to my family I’m

must go now say goodbye to my family I’m leaving for patters in the morning

leaving for patters in the morning

leaving for patters in the morning however after signing on to play the

however after signing on to play the

however after signing on to play the Egyptian for 20th Century Fox he walked

Egyptian for 20th Century Fox he walked

Egyptian for 20th Century Fox he walked away due to problems with the script

away due to problems with the script

away due to problems with the script thoughts suit and Desiro served as the

thoughts suit and Desiro served as the

thoughts suit and Desiro served as the forgettable compromise between the actor

forgettable compromise between the actor

forgettable compromise between the actor and the studio French tendons in the

and the studio French tendons in the

and the studio French tendons in the dirt before we unveil our topic here are

dirt before we unveil our topic here are

dirt before we unveil our topic here are a few honorable mentions you can be my

a few honorable mentions you can be my

a few honorable mentions you can be my wingman any time

wingman any time

wingman any time bullshit you can be mine okay you get

bullshit you can be mine okay you get

bullshit you can be mine okay you get the call he’s gonna get you to safety

the call he’s gonna get you to safety

the call he’s gonna get you to safety you know you run you don’t stop you

you know you run you don’t stop you

you know you run you don’t stop you don’t hide you’re right

don’t hide you’re right

don’t hide you’re right you hear what I’m saying number one

you hear what I’m saying number one

you hear what I’m saying number one Whoopi Goldberg Theodore Rex what are

Whoopi Goldberg Theodore Rex what are

Whoopi Goldberg Theodore Rex what are you doing

you doing

you doing kids these days aren’t very familiar

kids these days aren’t very familiar

kids these days aren’t very familiar with Whoopi Goldberg but the e got

with Whoopi Goldberg but the e got

with Whoopi Goldberg but the e got winner was once a truly marketable star

winner was once a truly marketable star

winner was once a truly marketable star though she continued to land some solid

though she continued to land some solid

though she continued to land some solid roles after this farce of a film it’s

roles after this farce of a film it’s

roles after this farce of a film it’s hard not to draw a correlation between

hard not to draw a correlation between

hard not to draw a correlation between the overall tipping quality roles and

the overall tipping quality roles and

the overall tipping quality roles and her involvement with one Theodore Rex

her involvement with one Theodore Rex

her involvement with one Theodore Rex get me down now

get me down now

get me down now Goldberg verbally agreed to do the film

Goldberg verbally agreed to do the film

Goldberg verbally agreed to do the film in 1992 and then tried to back out only

in 1992 and then tried to back out only

in 1992 and then tried to back out only to be hit with a twenty million dollar

to be hit with a twenty million dollar

to be hit with a twenty million dollar lawsuit in the end

lawsuit in the end

lawsuit in the end Goldberg begrudgingly played the part

Goldberg begrudgingly played the part

Goldberg begrudgingly played the part but continues to insist that it’s one of

but continues to insist that it’s one of

but continues to insist that it’s one of her biggest regrets after terrible test

her biggest regrets after terrible test

her biggest regrets after terrible test screenings the film was sent straight to

screenings the film was sent straight to

screenings the film was sent straight to video da do you agree with our picks

video da do you agree with our picks

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