8 More Famous Actors Forced Into Roles They Never Wanted

6. Anne Hathaway - The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement

Anne Hathaway has done plenty of films, and even nabbed herself an Emmy for her work on the Simpsons (whaaat?) but let’s be honest - it’s always going to be The Princess Diaries that’s the literal crown jewel on Hathaway's perfectly groomed head. Not quite so impressive, however, is the floppy follow up: The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.

The sequel is essentially just a rehash with a limited plot, to say the least, but the fanbase and the first film's performance ensured it was a necessity for the studio. Unfortunately for Hathaway, that meant she was forced to pass on the 2004 filmic version of The Phantom of the Opera when she was cast because of scheduling conflicts. She'd already signed the sequel contract and there was no backing out for Phantom.

If she'd been allowed to make the choice there is no way she wouldn't have leaped on the opportunity to duet up with a scary deformed man rather than stomp all over our childhood memories with a lacklustre sequel.