Hollywood is all about sequels, isn’t it? Every day seems to bring news of a cherished franchise getting yet another sequel or even a reboot, making it clear that studios are eager to cash in on successful formulas, but the original stars often aren’t so enthusiastic about reprising their roles. Sometimes, they simply say, ‘Nope,’ and honestly, can you blame them? They’ve got their reasons!
It’s not just about the money, though that can certainly be a factor. Sometimes it’s creative differences, scheduling conflicts, or even just a feeling that their character’s story has run its course. Whatever the justification, when a famous name decides to walk away from a blockbuster follow-up, it sends ripples through the industry. Marketing teams panic, fans are left heartbroken, and new faces are often brought in to try and fill impossibly big shoes. The show, as they say, must go on.
However, it’s hard not to feel a twinge of disappointment when a favorite actor chooses not to return for a sequel. We’ve all experienced that moment watching a sequel and thinking, ‘Wait, that’s not them!’ It’s a fascinating glimpse into Hollywood’s inner workings, showing that not every star is willing to sign on for a guaranteed paycheck, so grab your popcorn as we explore those memorable instances where actors opted out of major franchise sequels and the brave (or perhaps misguided) newcomers who stepped in to fill their shoes!
1. **Keanu Reeves stayed out of Speed 2: Cruise Control**Before he was delighting the world as the Baba Yaga in the “John Wick” series, Keanu Reeves brought the undeniable cool as LAPD officer Jack Traven in 1994’s “Speed.” This movie was an instant action classic, where Traven had to protect a bus full of unsuspecting passengers from blowing up if it dropped below a certain speed. With challenging Los Angeles traffic and that incredible banter between Reeves’ Traven and Sandra Bullock’s Annie Porter, it was pure cinematic gold.
“Speed” was a massive hit, raking in over $350 million at the global box office against a modest $30 million budget. Naturally, the studio smelled franchise potential, and “Speed 2: Cruise Control” zoomed into production. However, to the dismay of many fans, Reeves didn’t return as Jack Traven. Instead, the sequel introduced Jason Patric as new character Alex Shaw, who was tasked with averting disaster on a cruise ship this time around.
So, why did Keanu Reeves decide to take a hard pass on the “Speed” sequel? Well, speaking on “The Graham Norton Show,” the actor didn’t mince words, blaming the script for his decision. He famously said, “It was about a cruise ship and I was thinking, ‘A bus, a cruise ship… Speed, bus, but then a cruise ship is even slower than a bus and I was like, ‘I love you guys, but I just can’t do it.’” It’s hard to argue with that logic, isn’t it?
Reeves’ instincts proved right, as “Speed 2: Cruise Control” bombed at the box office and was widely panned by critics, earning a dismal 4% on Rotten Tomatoes compared to the original’s 95%. Even Sandra Bullock ended up being embarrassed by the film. While both Reeves and Bullock have expressed interest in a hypothetical “Speed 3,” it seems Keanu made the right call by stepping off that slow-moving cruise ship the first time around.
2. **Michael Keaton hung up his cape after Batman Returns**Tim Burton and Michael Keaton crafted something truly special with their dark, gothic take on Gotham in 1989’s “Batman” and its sequel “Batman Returns.” Keaton infused the Caped Crusader with both brooding intensity and vulnerability that struck a deep chord with audiences; however, the sequel’s darker themes seemed to alarm Warner Bros., leading them to take the all-too-familiar route of studio interference.
Ultimately, the studio pushed for a more family-friendly iteration of the Dark Knight for the third movie, “Batman Forever,” envisioning a hero who aligned more with Happy Meals than with the gritty, intense nature of previous films. This shift in creative direction prompted Tim Burton to exit as director, with Joel Schumacher stepping in to take the reins and steer the franchise into new territory.
Given Burton’s pivotal role in casting Keaton and shaping the unique tone of the first two films, Keaton’s decision to remain involved was always precarious. Ultimately, he chose to walk away from the iconic role of Batman, leading to Val Kilmer stepping into the shoes of Bruce Wayne for “Batman Forever,” a move that surprised many fans given the acclaim for Keaton’s performance.
In a 2021 interview with Backstage’s “In The Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast,” Keaton shed light on his decision. He explained that he spoke with Schumacher about the third movie but lost faith when their visions for the character clashed dramatically. Keaton recalled Schumacher asking, “I don’t understand why everything has to be so dark and everything so sad,” to which Keaton responded, “Wait a minute, do you know how this guy got to be Batman? Have you read… I mean, it’s pretty simple.” That fundamental disagreement was enough for Keaton to hang up the cowl, though he eventually reprised his role in 2023’s multiversal DC Comics movie, “The Flash.”
3. **Arnold Schwarzenegger hasn’t returned to the Predator franchise**In 1987’s “Predator,” Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Major Alan “Dutch” Schaefer made us believe that a mere mortal man could stand toe-to-toe with the formidable Yautja. By the end of that film, the cigar-chomping muscle man famously got to the chopper, leaving audiences thinking, “Hasta la vista, baby, until next time.” But, as it turned out, Dutch didn’t return for the 1990 sequel, “Predator 2.” Instead, the task of protecting Los Angeles from the alien hunter fell upon the shoulders of Danny Glover’s Mike Harrigan.
Many fans might not know this, but Arnold Schwarzenegger was originally slated to return as the lead for “Predator 2.” Franchise producer John Davis revealed in a past interview that 20th Century Fox was keen on Dutch’s return. However, Schwarzenegger demanded an additional $250,000 beyond what was initially on the table. The negotiation hit an impasse, with the studio unwilling to budge on its offer, and so Schwarzenegger ultimately walked away from the deal.
It seems that beyond the salary dispute, Arnold Schwarzenegger isn’t exactly a fan of the subsequent “Predator” sequels either. In 2015, he openly spoke about how no film in the franchise ever managed to reach the peak of the first, attributing this decline to the studio’s approach of prioritizing profit over quality in its production decisions. It’s a fair assessment, given the hit-and-miss nature of some of the follow-ups, though one might wonder if he’s seen 2004’s sensational “Alien vs. Predator” crossover—now that’s cinema!
4. **Linden Ashby opted out of Mortal Kombat’s sequel**Director Paul W.S. Anderson made waves in Hollywood with the release of the 1995 film “Mortal Kombat,” which boasted not just impressive martial arts choreography but also a killer techno soundtrack. One of the film’s standout performances came from Linden Ashby, whose portrayal of Johnny Cage as a charming and narcissistic movie star turned Earthrealm warrior captured audiences’ hearts and became unforgettable.
So, when the sequel, “Mortal Kombat: Annihilation,” swept legs (or tried to) in 1997, fans were shocked to find Ashby nowhere to be seen. Instead, Chris Conrad, known from “The Next Karate Kid,” stepped into the role of Cage. However, his tenure was tragically brief, as Shao Kahn promptly decided to send Cage to meet the elder gods by unceremoniously snapping his neck, all within the film’s opening moments. It was a swift, brutal, and frankly, disappointing exit for such a beloved character.
Ashby wasn’t the only actor replaced for the sequel, as Bridgette Wilson and Christopher Lambert were also swapped out as Sonya Blade and Lord Raiden, respectively. The reason Ashby chose not to return for “Annihilation” was twofold, as he shared with The Action Elite, explaining, ‘I was doing something else when they did the sequel, and they wrote a crappy part for me.’
He further elaborated on his dissatisfaction: “I didn’t like the sequel script, I didn’t like the part they wrote for me in the sequel, and they weren’t going to honor my sequel deal. So, in a nutshell, that’s why.” It sounds like a perfect storm of creative differences, scheduling conflicts, and contractual disputes. Given the critical reception of “Annihilation,” which often ranks among the worst video game adaptations, Ashby’s decision appears to have been a wise one.
5. **Vin Diesel stepped back from the xXx franchise**The early 2000s marked a golden era for Vin Diesel, establishing himself as a powerhouse action star; after making waves as Dom Toretto in 2001’s “The Fast and the Furious,” he took on the role of Xander Cage – the extreme sports-loving spy – in 2002’s “xXx.” With its adrenaline-pumping stunts and a killer soundtrack featuring hard-hitting bands, it was clear that “xXx” had franchise potential written all over it.
A sequel, titled “xXx: State of the Union,” materialized in 2005, but to the surprise of many, Diesel didn’t fuel up for an appearance. Instead, Ice Cube’s Darius Stone took over as the lead in what many considered a rather limp effort. In the film’s narrative, it was explained that Cage had tragically died on a mission, necessitating the recruitment of a new xXx operative with “more attitude” – whatever that truly meant.
So, why didn’t Vin Diesel return for the first “xXx” sequel? He felt that the story didn’t align creatively with his vision. He shared with USA Today, ‘The script wasn’t right. They changed writers. It wasn’t ‘xXx’ to me.’ Diesel clarified that he favored the original script by Rich Wilkes, and when his creative vision wasn’t reflected, he chose to walk away.
Fortunately for fans of Xander Cage, Diesel’s character miraculously rose from the dead for 2017’s “xXx: Return of Xander Cage.” This comeback proved to be a success, shaking, rattling, and rolling to over $346 million at the global box office from an $85 million budget. It seems sometimes, all you need is the right script (and maybe a good resurrection clause) to bring a star back home.
6. **Will Smith didn’t kick the tire and light the fires for Independence Day: Resurgence**Earth found itself in quite a pickle in 1996, battling not only the Martians in “Mars Attacks!” but also facing a devastating alien invasion on a federal holiday in “Independence Day.” One person who definitely didn’t take the day off was Will Smith, who portrayed the brave and charismatic pilot Captain Steven Hiller. Hiller played an absolutely crucial role in stopping the initial alien onslaught and keeping humanity safe, setting the stage for an inevitable sequel.
It took a good long while, but the follow-up, “Independence Day: Resurgence,” finally arrived 20 years later. In this long-awaited film, however, Captain Hiller is now, sadly, dearly departed, having died off-screen. His stepson, Dylan (played by Jessie T. Usher), was left to carry on the legacy of saving Earth from the extraterrestrial baddies. The reason for this rather significant narrative adjustment was, of course, because Will Smith declined to return for the sequel.
As it turns out, Will Smith made the surprising choice to do “Suicide Squad” over “Independence Day: Resurgence.” The actor explained that his decision was all about timing and a strong desire to explore something different in his career, rather than simply relying on nostalgic roles. He wanted to push himself creatively and avoid being typecast in his earlier action-hero persona. A noble goal, for sure!
On the other hand, director Roland Emmerich later mentioned that when Will Smith turned down “Independence Day: Resurgence” at the last minute, it put everyone in a bind. Smith’s decision forced a rushed rewrite of the script, leading him to instead portray the antihero Deadshot in “Suicide Squad,” leaving the sequel without its star, which, as Vivica A. Fox pointed out, was a loss for the film.
