Ranveer Singh, Helena Bonham Carter, Johnny Depp: Actors' exits from films and web series that sparked controversy

In the film industry, productions can fall apart just as quickly as they come together. Whether due to creative clashes, injuries or scheduling conflicts, some of cinema’s biggest actors have exited projects sometime just days before the production could go on floors. The latest name to join that growing list is Bollywood star Ranveer Singh, who created quite the stir, since his exit from 'Don 3'.

While Ranveer Singh is facing the heat for exiting 'Don 3', in Hollywood, actress Helena Bonham Carter seemingly sailed away from the sets of 'The White Lotus' Season 4 without spilling any bad blood. Here's a look at actors who shocked many with their sudden exits from films and other web series.

Ranveer Singh recently found himself at the centre of controversy after the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) issued a non-cooperation directive against him following a complaint linked to his exit from 'Don 3'. According to FWICE Chief Advisor Ashoke Pandit, Singh allegedly exited the project just weeks before shooting was due to begin, despite pre-production work already being completed. Producers Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani filed a complaint after reportedly facing losses of nearly Rs 45 crore.
Breaking his silence in a statement, Singh’s spokesperson stated, "Ranveer has never considered it necessary to respond publicly or contribute to conjecture. His focus remains firmly on his work and the commitments ahead."

Helena Bonham Carter also made waves online when she exited 'The White Lotus' Season 4 just nine days into filming on the French Riviera.
Reports suggested her departure was due to 'creative differences' over her character of a fading star attempting a comeback. Following her exit, series creator Mike White eventually rewrote the character and script and replaced Helena with actress Laura Dern.

Joaquin Phoenix abruptly exited the film 'De Noche' just five days before filming was scheduled to begin in Guadalajara, Mexico. The 1930s-set romance from director Todd Haynes was temporarily halted for nearly a year following the Oscar-winner's sudden departure. Whille the reason for his exit is unknown, it is rumoured that the actor got 'cold feet' to take on the part. Production began last month after Pedro Pascal officially joined the cast with actor Danny Ramirez.

After nearly a year of preparation, Andrew Garfield who was set to play the role of Frankenstein's monster, bowed out of the Guillermo del Toro film that also starred Oscar Issac. As per reports, the actor was forced to quit the film, even after months of prep, due to scheduling conflicts following the SAG-AFTRA strikes.
Del Toro had reportedly then spent months redesigning prosthetics and costumes tailored for Garfield to rebuild the character for actor Jacob Elordi who stepped in as the replacement. The rushed casting ultimately landed Elordi his first Oscar nomination in the Best Supporting Actor category.

Unlike the others on this list, Johnny Depp was famously replaced by Mads Mikkelsen as the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald in the film 'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'. The actor had filmed only one scene when Warner Bros. asked him to resign in November 2020 following his lost UK libel trial against ex-wife Amber Heard. Depp, however, earned a reported USD 16 million despite filming only one scene, because of his "pay-or-play" contract, which required the studios to pay his full salary after he was asked to resign.