Recasting is one of Hollywood’s stealth tricks of the trade. Sometimes it’s scheduling, sometimes it’s backroom drama, and sometimes it’s just the madness of making TV and film. But occasionally, a new actor slips into an established role so seamlessly that most people barely even realize it. Here’s a review of 10 of the most impressive recasts that occurred with minimal fuss.
10. Parker Booth in Bones
Children grow up quickly, and on long-term term, that can be challenging. Ty Panitz portrayed Parker Booth, son of Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz), for years—until season 9, when Gavin Macintosh slipped in quietly to replace him for the last few episodes. Because Parker made only sporadic appearances, the change went unnoticed by most viewers.
9. Thanos in the MCU
Josh Brolin established the character of Thanos, but he did not get to wear the large purple chin first. In The Avengers’ post-credits stinger, Damion Poitier was the Mad Titan before Brolin became the official wearer of the large purple chin in Guardians of the Galaxy. Poitier even remained on as a stunt performer, yet Thanos was soon synonymous with audiences’ minds and ears regarding Brolin.
8. War Machine in Iron Man 2
Terrence Howard originally portrayed James “Rhodey” Rhodes in Iron Man, but when Don Cheadle stepped in for the sequel, audiences adjusted with ease. Cheadle’s Rhodey eventually became the go-to version, and the change hardly lost Marvel any steam—even though the whys off-screen were more sensational than on-screen.
7. Daario Naharis in Game of Thrones
Westeros had seen recasts before, but the switch from Ed Skrein to Michiel Huisman as Daario Naharis during season 4 was done so bluntly that viewers were left shrugging and accepting it. Huisman put his own spin on the character, and with so many changing faces and allegiances in the show, this replacement was only another change in the maelstrom.
6. Aunt Viv in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The original Aunt Viv, Janet Hubert, was a force to be reckoned with. She was replaced after season 3 by Daphne Maxwell Reid. Fans certainly picked up on it—but eventually, Reid’s warm, steady interpretation of the character eased the transition, and the Banks family dynamic continued on full force.
5. Dumbledore in Harry Potter
Quiet wisdom was provided by Richard Harris as Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter movies. Following his death, Michael Gambon took over from Prisoner of Azkaban onwards. Gambon’s slightly more pointed, more vigorous interpretation was alternative but welcome, and Dumbledore continued to be a steady guiding presence throughout the remainder of the series.
4. The Mountain in Game of Thrones
Gregor “The Mountain” Clegane was so gigantic and menacing that everyone but the most die-hard fans had no idea he was portrayed by three separate actors throughout the show: Conan Stevens, Ian Whyte, and then ultimately Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson. Björnsson’s savage, memorable interpretation is the one that lodged itself in everybody’s brain, relegating the previous versions to a footnote.
3. Meg Griffin in Family Guy
Voice acting switches can be unobtrusive. Meg was voiced by Lacey Chabert during the first season, but Mila Kunis voiced her from season two and beyond. So seamless was the transition that few fans even knew it occurred—Kunis became simply “the voice” of Meg.
2. James Bond Over the Years
No one masters the art of recasting like 007. From Sean Connery to Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan to Daniel Craig, James Bond has been interpreted by a multitude of actors, each stamping their own personality on the character. And yet, never did the character lose speed—the franchise feeds on reinvention, testifying that some roles are larger than any individual performer.
1. Marnie Piper in Halloweentown
Kimberly J. Brown played Marnie Piper in the initial three Halloweentown films, but when Sara Paxton replaced her for Return to Halloweentown, younger audiences hardly missed a beat. While some older fans were let down, the franchise remained, proving that occasionally the wonder of the tale is stronger than the face of its heroine.
Ultimately, recasting is a delicate balancing act. Executed well, it maintains a story while not yanking the audience out of the experience. And in a few instances, audiences become so immersed in the world that they barely even realize a different actor has moved into the spotlight.