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15 Actors Who Quit Major Roles Over Money

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Sometimes, it's just not enough...

Ivan Shahran

Entertainment - September 19th 2026, 19:00 GMT+2

Bruce Willis The Expendables — 15. Bruce Willis

**Bruce Willis** was originally expected to return as Mr. Church in *The Expendables 3*, but his negotiations with the producers reportedly collapsed over his salary. Willis allegedly wanted $4 million for four days of work, while the offer was set at $3 million. Sylvester Stallone later confirmed that Willis was out, with Harrison Ford taking his place as Agent Max Drummer. | © Millennium Films/Lionsgate

Taylor Sheridan Sons of Anarchy — 14. Taylor Sheridan

Before becoming one of television's biggest creators, **Taylor Sheridan** played Deputy David Hale on *Sons of Anarchy*. Sheridan later revealed that he left the series after becoming frustrated with how little he was being paid and the lack of a pay raise he believed he deserved. He eventually left after Season 2 and turned his full attention toward writing. | © FX Productions

Hugo Weaving Marvels Red Skull — 13. Hugo Weaving

**Hugo Weaving** played Red Skull in *Captain America: The First Avenger* but declined to return for the character's later appearances. Weaving said the money offered for the two subsequent films was considerably lower than what he received for the first movie. | © Marvel Studios/Paramount Pictures

Terrence Howard Iron Man — 12. Terrence Howard

**Terrence Howard** starred as James Rhodes in the first *Iron Man*, but he didn't return for *Iron Man 2* or any of the later films. Howard has said that Marvel reduced the salary it offered him for the sequel. He would later go on to say that Robert Downey Jr. "took the money that was supposed to go to me and pushed me out." Don Cheadle ultimately took over Howard's role as Rhodey. | © Marvel Studios/Paramount Pictures

Neve Campbell Scream 7 — 11. Neve Campbell

**Neve Campbell's** decision not to appear in *Scream VI* became one of the most talked-about recent salary disputes. Campbell said she didn't believe the offer reflected the value and success she brought to the franchise over the past few decades. She eventually returned as Sidney Prescott for *Scream 7*. | © Paramount Pictures

Crispin Glover Back to the Future — 10. Crispin Glover

**Crispin Glover** did not return as George McFly in *Back to the Future Part II*. A salary dispute was one of the main reasons, with the actor reportedly having been offered nearly half of what co-stars Lea Thompson and Tom Wilson were handed for the sequel. Jeffrey Weissman was brought in to play George in *Back to the Future Part II* and *III*. | © Amblin Entertainment/Universal Pictures

Lauren Cohan The Walking Dead — 9. Lauren Cohan

**Lauren Cohan's** future as Maggie Greene became uncertain during contract negotiations for Season 9 of *The Walking Dead*. Cohan reportedly wanted better compensation and pay parity with some of her male co-stars, and negotiations stalled. "I feel like taking the stand was worth it", she stated during an interview in 2026. Cohan ultimately left the series after Season 9, although Maggie eventually returned in Season 11 after a new deal was reached. | © Skybound Entertainment/Valhalla Entertainment

Rob Lowe The West Wing — 8. Rob Lowe

**Rob Lowe** left *The West Wing* during its fourth season after becoming frustrated with his salary. He also reportedly felt undervalued, as the show shifted from centering heavily on his character, Sam Seaborn. Lowe allegedly sought a salary increase at the same time fellow co-stars negotiated raises. Unfortunately, negotiations failed to produce an agreement, and Rob Lowe eventually left the political drama series. | © John Wells Productions/Warner Bros. Television

Daniel Dae Kim Hawaii Five 0 — 7. Daniel Dae Kim

**Daniel Dae Kim** left the crime drama series *Hawaii Five-0* after seven seasons following unsuccessful contract negotiations. He confirmed in 2017 that he made himself available to return, but "made the difficult choice not to continue" after he and CBS weren't able to reach terms. Kim wanted to earn the same amount as his co-stars Alex O'Loughlin and Scott Caan. Fellow co-star Grace Park also left the show after Season 7 for similar reasons. | © CBS Studios

Jeremy Renner Hawkeye — 6. Jeremy Renner

**Jeremy Renner** confirmed that he had turned down an opportunity to return as Clint Barton for a second season of *Hawkeye*, as he was offered only half of what he received during the series' first season. Renner believes part of the reason he received a low offer was his near-fatal snowplow accident in 2023, which left him severely injured. Other reasons for his departure include the role's high physical demands. | © Marvel Studios

David Caruso NYPD Blue — 5. David Caruso

**David Caruso's** departure from *NYPD Blue* was a major story back in the 1990s. His negotiations for a better contract became extremely contentious, with the actor demanding a major salary increase. This dispute, compounded by alleged ego clashes on set, resulted in his exit from the hit series after its second season. | © Steven Bochco Productions/20th Century Fox Television

David Duchovny The X Files — 4. David Duchovny

**David Duchovny's** departure from *The X-Files* was heavily influenced by contract negotiations. After becoming one of television's biggest stars, Duchovny wanted a significant increase in his compensation. He also reportedly felt burnt out, having filmed over 20 episodes a year for seven years straight. Duchovny eventually left the show as a full-time cast member after Season 7, although he returned for occasional appearances later on. | © 20th Century Fox Television

Hilary Duff Lizzie Mc Guire — 3. Hilary Duff

**Hilary Duff** walked away from a sequel to the hugely successful *The Lizzie McGuire Movie* in 2003 after a breakdown in contract negotiations with Disney. The actress's mother publicly stated in an interview, "Disney thought they'd be able to bully us into accepting whatever offer they wanted to make, and they couldn't." Duff went on to focus on her film and music career. | © Walt Disney Pictures

Chris Pine Star Trek — 2. Chris Pine

**Chris Pine** did not return for a fourth *Star Trek* movie following a lengthy period of pay disputes. He and several other cast members reportedly faced disagreements with the studio over salaries. The studio was apprehensive about extending lucrative offers following the disappointing commercial performance of the third *Star Trek* film. Although this issue didn't immediately end Pine's involvement, contract complications added to the long-running uncertainty surrounding his and the franchise's return. | © Paramount Pictures/Bad Robot

Shawn and Marlon Wayans Scary Movie — 1. Shawn and Marlon Wayans

**Shawn and Marlon Wayans** were central to the first two *Scary Movie* films, but they didn't return after the second film. Their departure followed a breakdown in their relationship with Dimension Films, with the brothers later alleging that they weren't properly compensated for their work and that the studio took control of the franchise in a way they opposed. The series continued without them. However, the brothers returned nearly 25 years later in *Scary Movie 6*. | © Wayans Bros. Entertainment/Dimension Films

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Actors can make millions, but that doesn't mean every paycheck is considered fair. Over the years, some actors and actresses have walked away from major roles after failing to reach an agreement over their salaries. Some rejected offers they felt undervalued them, while some found themselves replaced when negotiations broke down. With that in mind, here are 15 actors and actresses who refused to return to their roles unless they got more money.

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Actors can make millions, but that doesn't mean every paycheck is considered fair. Over the years, some actors and actresses have walked away from major roles after failing to reach an agreement over their salaries. Some rejected offers they felt undervalued them, while some found themselves replaced when negotiations broke down. With that in mind, here are 15 actors and actresses who refused to return to their roles unless they got more money.