It's hard to write off a decision that results in more Lizzy Caplan screen time as a bummer. That said, it's disappointing to have original Now You See Me star Isla Fisher miss out on the sequel, which comes out tomorrow. No, it's not because they couldn't fit another woman on the poster.
Fisher pulled out of the film when she became pregnant with her third child, who was born last year. Caplan was cast as a replacement, but plays an entirely new character who joins the Horsemen.
It's not the first time pregnancy has forced a role to be recast or convinced an actress to turn down a role. Sometimes, it's her decision; sometimes, it's the studio's. Either way, we're often left wondering what might have been.
Though it's difficult to see many of these roles being played by anyone else, they were all originally intended for a different actress. Then, a pregnancy came along. The rest is cinematic — and parenting — history.
West Side Story(1961)
Audrey Hepburn's pregnancy kept her from playing Maria in this Broadway adaptation, so Natalie Wood was cast, instead.
Pictured: Richard Beymer and Natalie Wood.
Photo: Snap/Rex/Shutterstock.
Broadcast News (1987)
Holly Hunter's Oscar-nominated turn as news producer Jane Craig almost didn't happen. The role was originally written with Debra Winger in mind, but Winger's pregnancy prompted a sudden recasting.
Pictured: Holly Hunter in Broadcast News.
Photo: Snap Stills/Rex/Shutterstock.
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves(1991)
Robin Wright was the favourite to play Maid Marian, but the role was recast when she became pregnant with daughter Dylan Penn. Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio headed to Nottingham, instead.
Pictured: Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Kevin Costner.
Photo: Moviestore Collection/Rex/Shutterstock.
Batman Returns(1992)
What would Annette Bening have been like as Catwoman? Thanks to Warren Beatty, we'll never know.
Pictured: Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman.
Photo: Moviestore Collection/Rex/Shutterstock.
As Good As It Gets (1997)
Melanie Griffith's pregnancy (with daughter Stella Banderas) prevented her from landing the coveted role of Carol. Helen Hunt won an Oscar for her performance.
Pictured: Helen Hunt and Jack Nicholson.
Photo: Moviestore Collection/Rex/Shutterstock.
Double Jeopardy (1999)
Ashley Judd replaced pregnant Jodie Foster in the role of Elizabeth in this vengeance thriller.
Pictured: Ashley Judd in Double Jeopardy.
Photo: Moviestore Collection/Rex/Shutterstock.
Beyond Borders (2003)
Forgettable movie, fateful movie. Catherine Zeta-Jones, Kevin Costner, and Oliver Stone were originally tied to this drama about aid workers who fall in love. Though she appeared pregnant in Traffic, Zeta-Jones' pregnancy conflicted with the filming schedule. More shakeups occurred and eventually, Angelina Jolie won the lead role. It was while shooting in Cambodia that she visited a local orphanage, which is where she met an infant. That baby is now known as Maddox Jolie-Pitt.
Pictured: Clive Owen and Angelina Jolie.
Photo: Moviestore Collection/Rex/Shutterstock.
The Reader(2008)
Kate Winslet won a Best Actress Oscar for her performance in this acclaimed drama. Nicole Kidman was once considered for the role, but pulled out when she became pregnant.
Pictured: Kate Winslet in The Reader.
Photo: Snap Stills/Rex/Shutterstock.
Ted 2 (2015)
Pregnant with daughter Wyatt, Mila Kunis opted out of reprising her role for Seth McFarlane's sequel. Amanda Seyfried became the new female lead in her place.
Pictured: Mila Kunis and Mark Wahlberg in Ted.
Photo: Moviestore Collection/Rex/Shutterstock.
Now You See Me 2(2016)
Isla Fisher's role as magician Henley Reeves in the 2013 original was pulled when the Australian actress became pregnant. Lizzy Caplan will appear as the new fourth Horsemen, Lula.
Pictured: Isla Fisher as Henley Reeves in Now You See Me.
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