10 Movie Characters They Couldn't Stop Recasting

Recasts don't get much more controversial than Hellraiser's inimitable Cenobite leader Pinhead.

For the first eight films in the series, for the better part of two decades, the role was played by the great Doug Bradley, who brought a piercing physicality and unmistakable vocal power to the role that ultimately ensured the series' success.

As the series' budgets dwindled to painfully low levels, though, Bradley opted not to return for more recent sequels. But unlike recasting a Jason Voorhees or Michael Myers, replacing Pinhead - who has a distinct personality - proved mightily difficult.

2011's Hellraiser: Revelations - which was shot for just $300,000 - saw Stephan Smith Collins physically portray Pinhead, while the voice was provided by Fred Tatasciore.

Unsurprisingly, fans were miffed, and they were further irked when Pinhead was again recast for 2018's Hellraiser: Judgment, as played by Paul T. Taylor.

Neither of these new versions of Pinhead made a dent with fans who sorely missed Bradley, and when the upcoming, big-budget reboot was first announced, many hoped that Bradley might return to the part.

Yet the decision was ultimately made to start anew, casting talented Sense8 actress Jamie Clayton as a gender-swapped version of Pinhead.

Between the fascinating first glimpse of Clayton's take on the character and Bradley himself recently lending support for her casting, though, it seems like this third recast might actually be the charm.