In sequels, or even franchises, there are instances of actors being unable to return to a role. This can be due to trouble on set (Terrence Howard with Iron Man) or a dissatisfaction with performance (Katie Holmes in Batman Begins), among other things. In some cases, like these examples, the role is recast and we're left to forever debate the pros and cons of each performance of the same character. In other cases, however, an entirely new character is created that fills the same role.
To provide an example, City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold. Now this isn't a particularly notable film. In fact, what's most notable about it is what lengths it goes to in order to recapture the formula of the original. The obvious example is Jack Palance returning but as the twin brother of Curly. With Bruno Kirby opting to not return as the character of Ed Furillo from the original, however, he is replaced by an entirely different actor, Jon Lovitz, as an entirely original character, Glen Robbins. When I say original it's in the strictest sense, because although this Godfather quoting character (get it, Bruno Kirby was in The Godfather...) gets a few chuckles, he doesn't bring much to the table. All he does is fill the role of tag along #2, because there needed to be two friends with Billy Crystal's Mitch just like in the original.
With that said, what are notable role replacements in film history? In each case, did the new character/actor earn their place in their ensemble, or try too hard to recapture the old magic?
