Actors who took over the same role from another star

By Megan Riedlinger 7:49am PDT, May 20, 2020

On May 19, 2020, Ruby Rose announced that she is leaving her starring role on The CW series "Batwoman" after just one season. The superhero show, however, will continue with a new actress in the title role starting with season 2. As we wait a re-casting announcement, Wonderwall.com is taking a look at some other roles that have featured more than one actor or actress…

Claire Foy played Lisbeth Salander in 2018's "The Girl in the Spider's Web," but she was actually the third star to step into the hacker's shoes. Two other actresses played the character from the bestselling book series first — Noomi Rapace in 2009's original Swedish version of "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and Rooney Mara in 2011's American remake. Keep reading to see the other Lisbeths…

Rooney Mara starred as pierced and tattooed computer hacker Lisbeth Salander in 2011's "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." The movie was released to rave reviews and picked up plenty of award nominations, but plans for sequels never went forward until the franchise was completely rebooted with Claire Foy.

Noomi Rapace played Lisbeth Salander in three Swedish films based on Stieg Larsson's bestselling book series beginning with 2009's "Man Som Hatar Kvinnor (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo)."

Jodie Foster won a best actress Academy Award for her portrayal of Clarice Starling in 1991's "The Silence of the Lambs." But when it came time for the sequel, Jodie walked away from the franchise.

Jodie Foster's absence meant someone else would need to play Clarice Starling in 2001's "Hannibal." That honor went to Julianne Moore, who played the character 10 years after the original.

Richard Harris took on the role of Albus Dumbledore in the first two installments of the "Harry Potter" franchise — "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets." But before he could reprise his role and shoot "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," the actor tragically passed away in 2002.

In the wake of Richard Harris' death, another actor was needed to portray Albus Dumbledore in third film "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" and the rest of the franchise. Michael Gambon ably took over.

One of the most legendary cast shakeups? That went down in the '90s when "Roseanne" recast the character of Roseanne and Dan Conner's eldest daughter, Becky. Lecy Goranson originally played the role through season 5 before leaving to attend Vassar College. But what happened next was pretty unusual for a recasting…

Sarah Chalke stepped in to play Becky Conner on "Roseanne" in the middle of season 6 after Lecy Goranson left. She starred on the show through season 7, but for season 8, Lecy wanted to return. Despite trying to make school and her acting career work, Lecy couldn't always be there to shoot episodes — so producers let Sarah step in occasionally, making a joke out of season 8's Becky, who was played by both Lecy and Sarah. Lecy once again left for season 9, giving the reins to Sarah. When the show was rebooted for season 10 in 2017, both actresses landed roles — with Lecy playing grown-up Becky and Sarah portraying a new character, Andrea. The writers wrote in some jokes about how much the two resembled one another.

Batman's leading lady certainly looked different between 2005's "Batman Begins" and 2008's "The Dark Knight." In the first installment, Katie Holmes played Rachel Dawes. But another Hollywood heavyweight would become Christian Bale's Batman's boo once Katie decided to pursue another project.

We never really noticed the similarity before, but now we sort of see it! Maggie Gyllenhaal portrayed Rachel Dawes in "The Dark Knight," taking over for Katie Holmes in the gritty superhero franchise.

There have been quite a few Hulks in Hollywood. Eric Bana played Bruce Banner in Ang Lee's 2003 version, "Hulk." But when it came time for Marvel to reboot the character, another actor took on the action hero.

Edward Norton became the Hulk, aka Bruce Banner, in 2008, for the reboot "The Incredible Hulk." But funnily enough, he wouldn't be the last star playing Bruce on the big screen.

For the "Avengers" franchise, a third actor took on Bruce Banner and Hulk's persona: Mark Ruffalo, who got green beginning in 2012.

The first two installments of the "Twilight" saga featured Rachelle Lefevre playing the not-so-nice vampire Victoria. She's been vocal about the fact that her recasting was a shock, telling "Access Hollywood" at the time, "I was fully committed to the 'Twilight' saga, and to the portrayal of Victoria. I turned down several other film opportunities and, in accordance with my contractual rights, accepted only roles that would involve very short shooting schedules. I was happy with my contract with Summit and was fully prepared to continue to honor it. Summit chose simply to recast the part." So who took her place?

Bryce Dallas Howard tried the role of Victoria on for size, stepping in to play the vampire in the third installment, "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse." Unfortunately for both Bryce (and Victoria!), that would be the last film for the character, who was killed off ahead of the final two movies, "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn" parts 1 and 2.

After two seasons of playing Queen Elizabeth II, Claire Foy handed over the crown as the hit Netflix series moved on to cover a different era of the monarch's life for seasons 3 and 4. An older actress needed to be hired.

Olivia Colman has taken on Queen Elizabeth II on "The Crown" for season 3 and 4. Yet another actress, Imelda Staunton, will assume the role for the show's fifth and final season.

Greg on The CW's "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" was played by Santino Fontana on the first two seasons. But for season 4, a new face took his place as Santino chose to focus on his busy Broadway stage career.

Skylar Astin joined the cast of "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend" during the fourth season, taking over the role of Greg.

On season 1 of "Last Man Standing," Nick Jonas originally played Ryan Vogelson. He stood in for one episode, but when the part turned into a recurring role during season 2, Ryan looked a little different…

Jordan Masterson took on the role of Ryan Vogelson on "Last Man Standing" for season 2 and onward, even through the show's transition from ABC to FOX.

Nick Jonas wasn't the only face that disappeared from "Last Man Standing." Alexandra Krosney played Kristin during the show's first season, only to be replaced on the second.

Kristin 2.0? Former "Grey's Anatomy" star Amanda Fuller was no stranger to ABC primetime when she landed the role on "Last Man Standing." It wouldn't be the last cast shakeup either. When the show moved from ABC to FOX, it lost another cast member — Kristin's sis Mandy. Though played by Molly Ephraim on the first six seasons, Molly McCook stepped in for season 7.

You might have noticed a different face playing the same character between seasons 1 and 2 of "Riverdale" — namely that of Reggie Mantle. He was played by Ross Butler (far left) on the hit CW show's first season, but after Ross had scheduling conflicts with his Netflix series "13 Reasons Why," he had to leave the show. So who put on his letterman jacket instead?

Charles Melton joined the cast of "Riverdale" for season 2, taking over the role of Reggie Mantle.

Rachel Weisz took on the role of Evie in 1999's "The Mummy" and 2001's "The Mummy Returns," but after issues with the script emerged, she opted to not return for the third installment.

For 2008's "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor," the role of Evie was played by Maria Bello, who filled Rachel Weisz's shoes.

When characters have to dramatically age, there's often a realistic-looking recast. That was the case on ABC's "Once Upon a Time" when the role of Henry Mills needed to be aged 10 years and Jared S. Gilmore was too young to fill those shoes.

Andrew J. West took on the role of older Henry Mills on "Once Upon a Time" when it was decided the character needed to be a decade older in season 7.