Are you that kind of person who needs to analyze every film or TV show that you have finished watching? To find out if actors get along together, who are their real life partners, how old are they, how the filming process went, etc. or do you just finish watching and move onto the next one? In any case, probably many of you will agree that reading about conflicts that arose during filming and learning about a few things that happened behind the scenes is always interesting!
So it should come as no surprise that everyone, including the most well-known actors, has beliefs and boundaries that they refuse to cross. As a result, there are also quite a few scenes and actions that they have chosen not to take, which resulted in a totally different ending to the scene or the need to come up with a new solution for everyone.
#1 Glenn Close Refused To Break Down Crying On Camera
Glenn Close, who portrayed Kathryn Bennett, the first female Vice President of the United States Air Force One refused to cry on screen.
Image credits: Far Out
#2 Viggo Mortensen Refused To Return Lord Of The Rings Character Aragorn In The Hobbit Films
Image credits: The Digital Fix
To gain more insights about the whole industry, Bored Panda reached out to Neil Chase, an actor, novelist and story coach who kindly agreed to share his professional insights!
“As an actor myself, I feel that actors have a responsibility to themselves and the project to voice their objections to any material therein that they feel uncomfortable portraying or acting in,” he started. “Not only will their performance suffer otherwise, but it may affect their mental well-being in the long term.”
#3 Matthew Perry Shut Down Chandler's Plot To Cheat On Monica Geller
Matthew Perry shut down Chandler's plot to cheat on Monica Geller (Courteney Cox).
Actress Lisa Cash, who starred in the fifth season episode "The One in Vegas: Part 1," said that she was originally supposed to be in a storyline in which Chandler Bing cheated on Monica Geller. "Basically, the scene was Chandler and Monica were arguing in [Las] Vegas. Chandler goes up to the hotel room, orders room service and I bring it up as a hotel worker," she told TMZ.
Lisa Cash then shared "I was told that [he] went into the writers and said that the audience would never forgive him for cheating on Monica, which he was probably right.”
Matthew Perry (Chandler Bing), Friends, 1999
Image credits: People
#4 John Krasinski Refused Filming Scene Where Jim Cheats On Pam
Image credits: Business Insider
#5 Keanu Reeves Refused To Follow Director’s Orders To Yell Insults At Winona Ryder To Make Her Cry
On the "Bram Stoker's Dracula" set, Keanu Reeves refused to follow director Francis Ford Coppola’s orders to yell insults at Winona Ryder so she would cry for a scene.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Ryder revealed that Coppola instructed his male actors to insult her in order to make her emotions seem believable. In the scene that they were filming, Ryder was lying on a bed next to Gary Oldman's Dracula, who was going to turn into a mound of rats.
"But Keanu wouldn't, Anthony wouldn't … the more it happened, I was like… It just didn't work. I was, like, really? It kind of did the opposite."
Keanu Reeves (Jonathan Harker), Bram Stoker's Dracula, 1992
Image credits: Business Insider
However, he added that on the flip side, the filmmakers have an obligation to the entire cast and crew to inform them about any potentially problematic components of their production. “It's only through being upfront and honest that everyone can be on the same page, especially for any material that might cause ethical or moral complications.”
Speaking about the ways that this influences the portrayal of characters and themes in popular culture - “It depends on the role and the subject matter - and if the actor and studio are each aware of both the problematic content and the actor's stance on filming it,” Neil emphasized.
The expert pointed out that in some cases, the material may go against an actor's personal or religious beliefs, such as those who reportedly refuse to perform intimate scenes. “Neal McDonough, Kevin Hart, Blake Lively, and Reese Witherspoon are among actors who fall into this category.”
#6 Zendaya Refused To Have Her First Kiss While Filming
Image credits: Hindustan Times
#7 Morgan Freeman Disagreed Filming The Shawshank Redemption's Initially Scripted Ending Scene
Image credits: Pinkvilla
In other cases it may be more extreme material, such as graphic violence, gory material, or even problematic language.
Also, actors may refuse to film scenes because they are so invested in their characters that they will not film scenes that they feel will demean their characters or go against their natures. “A classic example of this is when Bruce Lee refused to have his character, Kato, lose to Burt Ward's Robin in a fight in a special crossover episode of Batman and The Green Hornet. In the end, the fight was rewritten to a draw, even though it was obvious to the most casual viewer who the real winner would be in such a matchup.”
#8 Kane Hodder Refused To Film A Scene That Included Kicking A Dog
Kane Hodder, who portrayed Jason Voorhees in Friday the 13th Part 8: Jason Takes Manhattan, was supposed to kick a dog.
Actor Kane Hodder, who played the iconic monster movie character, declined, stating he just didn't believe Jason would harm a little animal in that way. In a 2013 Reddit AMA, Hodder personally shared: “I filled in something about the fact that I think Jason won’t hurt animals or kids.”
Kane Hodder (Jason Voorhees), Friday the 13th Part 8: Jason Takes Manhattan, 1989
Image credits: The Digital Fix
#9 James Corden Declined To Film A Scene That Included Making Fun Of Obese People
Image credits: Metro
#10 Emily Blunt Refused To Act In A Nude Scene
Image credits: Independent
Neil emphasized that for many actors, it becomes a case of whether the material in question is really needed in the film or TV show to begin with, or if it's there only for shock value. “If the studios are then unwilling to alter or cut a particular storyline or scene, then they have to decide which is more important - the questionable material or the actor refusing to film it?”
Now, speaking about examples where actors' refusals to film particular scenes have sparked wider public discourse or controversy, Neil noted that sometimes it’s not the material that is a problem, but actor safety.
“During filming of The Wizard of Oz, Margaret Hamilton (The Wicked Witch) was burned in real life when she vanished in a cloud of fiery smoke after confronting Dorothy in their first scene together,” he shared. “After needing several weeks to recover, she was asked to ride a broom that would shoot smoke out the back. She refused, thinking it to be unsafe. Reportedly, the broom injured her stunt double instead.”
#11 Denzel Washington Refused To Share A Kiss With Julia Roberts
Denzel Washington refused to share a kiss with Julia Roberts In the mystery-thriller "The Pelican Brief”.
Washington chose not to kiss the actress even though there was romantic spark between their on-screen personas. He made reference to the underrepresentation of Black women in romantic roles when he discussed his cautious approach to kissing his female co-stars. According to reports, he stated to Newsweek, “Black women are not often seen as objects of desire on film. And they have always been my core audience.”
Denzel Washington (Gray Grantham), The Pelican Brief, 1993
Image credits: Atlanta Black Star
#12 Jessica Alba Refused To Swim With A Shark
Image credits: Screen Rant
Neil also emphasized that there have been countless other stories of actors, stunt performers or other crew being injured while filming, and the issue has become one that the public at large recognizes as needing vigilance and higher standards.”
He pointed out that safer working conditions should be a no-brainer, especially in today's film industry, but incidents occur to this day. “Sometimes, certain stunts require an element of risk, but the moment an actor feels unsafe, then it should warrant an immediate halt to the scene, and a review of what can be done to mitigate the problem without pressuring the actor in any way.”
#13 Henry Cavill Refused To Film Intimate Scenes In Season 2 Of The Witcher
Henry Cavill (Geralt of Rivia) refused to film intimate scenes with co-star Anya Chalotra (Yennefer) in season 2 of the Witcher.
Cavill opposed to the sex scenes, arguing that Geralt and Yennefer did not have that kind of connection. The actor stated, "We wanted it to be emotional rather than [intimate]." "It was really, really important, and we had to lean away from what was originally on the page."
Henry Cavill (Geralt of Rivia), The Witcher, 2021
Image credits: Giant freaking robot
#14 Mike Myers Threatened To Leave The Show If “Bohemian Rhapsody” Wasn't Featured
Mike Myers (Wayne Campbell) in "Wayne's World" threatened to leave the show if “Bohemian Rhapsody” wasn't featured.
Myers persisted in fighting for the song during the pre-production phase. He thought it was a work of art that would go great with Wayne, Garth, and the group as they cruised the town. At some point, he threatened to leave the movie if the producers wouldn't allow him to use "Bohemian Rhapsody."
Mike Myers (Wayne Campbell), Wayne's World, 1992
Image credits: Ranker
#15 Robert Downey Jr. Refused To Follow The Original Scrip Tand Added The Now-Famous Shawarma Joke
In the closing moments of The Avengers, Robert Downey Jr. plays an injured Iron Man who wakes up and asks his fellow superheroes if they have "ever tried shawarma." However, the scene's original script called for him to wake up and ask, "What's next?" Entertainment Weekly reports that Downey thought the line wasn’t lively enough.
Joss Whedon, the writer, concurred and on the day of filming, wrote multiple rewrites of the sequence in a notebook, including the now-famous shawarma joke.
Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), The Avengers, 2012
Image credits: Independent
Finally, Neil shared his opinion stating that the actor’s willingness to speak up about an issue or concert with the script or their character generally speaks to their dedication to the project, and how invested they are in their character. “Clear, honest communication helps make the project better, as both sides of the argument will more easily understand where the other side is coming from, and hopefully can find some common ground as a result.”
“If an actor is abjectly opposed to the material in a film that the studio refuses to cut, perhaps they aren't the right choice,” he explained. “On the flip side, if challenged, the filmmaker should demonstrate why the material needs to be in the film in the first place or why it's more important than the actor they've already cast in the role. In the end, it's a matter of respect - both for the actor and for the project.”
#16 Emma Watson Refused To Shoot A Scene That Featured Cannibalism
Image credits: USA Today Entertainment
So folks, don't forget to check out Neil Chase's website where you can find his knowledge, experiences, and unique perspectives on creative topics!
And speaking about the scenes that actors refused to film - did you know about some of them? Maybe you know some scenes that originally were supposed to be in films but actors refused to film them? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
#17 Bruce Lee Refused To Film A Fight Scene In Which He Would Lose To Robin
Image credits: Screen rant
#18 Jim Carrey Has Refused To Film A Scene In Dumb And Dumber That Would End The Film With A Happy Ending
Jim Carrey has refused to film a scene in Dumb And Dumber that would end the film with Harry and Lloyd getting on the bus for a happy ending.
At the end of the movie, Harry and Lloyd walk home without money and without transportation, capping off their experience. At that moment, a bus full of bikini-clad ladies approaches the couple and asks if they would mind being their "oil boys." In true Dumb manner, they advise them that a town is a few miles away.
It was not, however, always the plan for how the movie would end. The bikini bus concept eventually surfaced, but it appeared that the movie's studio believed that the couple should board the bus for a happy ending. Peter commented, "They're too dumb to get on the bus," indicating that the Farrellys weren’t up for this.
Carrey himself supported Farrelly, knowing that concluding the film in another moment of tragedy was the best way. The actor basically said, ‘I am not stepping foot on that bus. I won’t do it.’
Jim Carrey (Lloyd Christmas), Dumb and Dumber, 1994
Image credits: Far Out Magazine
#19 Mahershala Ali Refused To Film An Intimate Scene
Image credits: yahoo movies
#20 Mink Stole Refused To Set Her Hair On Fire
Mink Stole refused to set her hair on fire in John Waters’ film "Pink Flamingos”.
During a 2020 interview with Another, Stole stated: “John wanted me to set my hair on fire in the film, and I originally agreed to do it before I realized that was absolutely insane.”
Mink Stole (Connie Marble), Pink Flamingos, 1972
Image credits: Far Out Magazine
#21 Taron Egerton Declined To Film An 'Uncomfortable' Intimate Scene
Image credits: Independent
#22 Michelle Rodriguez Refused To Film A Cheating Scene
Letty Ortiz (Michelle Rodriguez) who is the mechanic and street racer in the Fast & Furious refused to film a cheating scene on Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) with Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker).
Letty is Dominic Toretto's proud girlfriend and eventually wife, and Rodriguez believed it would be completely out of character for her to cheat on him. The actress told The Daily Beast that she didn't believe a Latin girl would cheat on an alpha with a pretty boy, and that she "basically cried and said, I'm going to quit" while urging the writers to drop the idea.
Michelle Rodriguez (Letty Ortiz), Fast & Furious, 2015
Image credits: Screen Rant
#23 Joaquin Phoenix Refused To Film A Scene That Included Treating A Blind Woman By Wiping Mud In Her Eyes
Image credits: CNN Entertainment
#24 Lena Headey Refused To Appear Naked At The Conclusion Of Thrones' Fifth Season
Lena Headey refused to appear naked at the conclusion of Thrones' fifth season. Cersei, the realm's queen mother, is punished for her multiple misdeeds, including adultery with her twin brother Jaime Lannister, by having her hair shaved and being forced to strip naked for a long, agonizing walk around King's Landing before her followers.
However, Headey requested to be partially clothed, but because Cersei is naked in the books, filmmakers insisted on staying true to the character. Finally, producers came up with a solution. Though Headey would walk the walk personally, a naked body double would walk beside her, with Headey's head later overlaid onto the double's body using CGI.
Lena Headey (Cersei Lannister), Game of Thrones, 2015
Image credits: Looper
#25 Anna Kendrick Turned Down A Kiss Scene
In the film Pitch Perfect 3, Beca Mitchell turned down one kiss scene. Music executive Theo (Guy Burnet), with whom Beca already had a working relationship, was introduced to Kendrick as a possible romantic partner for her character.
The actress rejected the notion, telling Harper's Bazaar UK that she thought it was "f*****g problematic."
Anna Kendrick (Beca Mitchell), Pitch Perfect 3, 2017
Image credits: Screen Rant
#26 Isla Fisher Declined To Film A Scene In Which Her Character Stripped Naked
Image credits: screenrant
#27 Natalie Portman Refused To Dive Into A Freezing Lake While Completely Naked
Natalie Portman refused to do a scene in Your Highness where she was required to dive into a freezing lake while completely naked.
Despite her status as a leading actress, Portman asked for a body double when it came to plunging nude into a freezing lake. As a result, it appears that Caroline Davis applied for the job, even though she would only receive $500 for her nude lake jump.
Natalie Portman (Isabel), Your Highness, 2011
Image credits: Fandom Wire
#28 Ben Affleck Refused To Wear A Yankees Baseball Cap
Ben Affleck refused to wear a Yankees baseball cap in “Gone Girl”.
In an airport scene in New York, Ben Affleck's character, Nick Dunne, attempts to blend in by wearing a baseball cap. David Fincher thought it would work best for the film if the character wore a Yankees cap.
But Affleck, a devoted Red Sox fan, would have none of it. “I said, ‘David, I love you, I would do anything for you,’” He recalled. “‘But I will not wear a Yankees hat. I just can’t. I can’t wear it because it’s going to become a thing, David. I will never hear the end of it. I can’t do it.’ And I couldn’t put it on my head.”
They eventually reached a compromise - Ben Affleck ended up wearing a Mets cap.
Ben Affleck (Nick Dunne), Gone Girl, 2014
Image credits: The New York Times
#29 Wesley Snipes Refused To Film The Majority Of His Blade: Trinity Scenes
Wesley Snipes refused to film the majority of his Blade: Trinity scenes.
David S. Goyer wrote all three “Blade” films. Unfortunately, Goyer and star Wesley Snipes didn’t get along, and their animosity became legendary.
Snipes allegedly communicated with Goyer only via Post-it notes, signing them in character as Blade, after becoming dissatisfied with the production's lack of Black representation. According to some of his co-stars, including comic Patton Oswalt, Snipes only showed on set for close-ups and let his double shoot the majority of his sequences — and when he did show up, he was frequently stoned from smoking all day.
Wesley Snipes (Blade), Blade, 2004
Image credits: Slash Film
#30 Kirk Cameron Refuses To Kiss Any Woman Other Than His Wife
Image credits: Today
#31 Robert Reed Refused To Say A Line That, According To Him, Didn’t Make Sense
Image credits: Grunge
#32 Cole Sprouse Refused To Film A Scene Because He Was Cold
Image credits: j-14
