10 Actors Who Got Fired From Roles Of A Life Time
2. Anthony Michael Hall - Private "Joker" -Full Metal Jacket
Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket (1987) is a great examination of the indoctrination process young men in the military go through to make them killing machines. The film follows the wise-cracking Private J. T. "Joker" Davis, through his experience of boot camp, to the frontlines of war. Like many Vietnam War movies of the era, the central conflict revolves around the struggle for one's humanity in an inhuman situation.
Matthew Modine's performance garnered him acclaim and became a highlight of his career. No doubt Bruce Willis and Val Kilmer - who both turned down the role - were kicking themselves. But no actor must have been more bitter than Anthony Michael Hall. During the '80s Hall made a name for himself appearing as the innocent geek in several coming-of-age teen-comedies, such as the Breakfast Club and Sixteen Candles. In many ways he would have been perfect for the role; seeing the young, innocent, and awkward Hall, slowly transformed by the horrors of war would have been impactful stuff.
But Hall's weight as a successful and popular young actor led him to overestimate his bargaining power. He spent months preparing for the role, but ultimately Kubrick gave up on him, due to a tedious nine months spent negotiating his salary.