Why John Stamos Replaced Josh Gad in Jesus Christ Superstar

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John Stamos is ready to be a hit around here.

A former cast member of “Full House” announced his surprise participation as a last-minute replacement for Josh Gad in an upcoming production of “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles. The show, which runs from August 1st to 3rd and stars Cynthia Erivo in the leading role, also features her performance.

On his July 31 Instagram post, John expressed, “This weekend is turning out to be straight from the Bible! I’ll be taking on the role of King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar at the prestigious Hollywood Bowl, alongside the exceptionally talented Cynthia Erivo.

And John also provided insight into why he was taking on the role of King Herod for Josh.

Unfortunately, King Joshgad was caught off guard by COVID. Wishing you a swift recovery, my friend! In a surprising twist, though I didn’t shove him down the stairs, this situation has offered me an opportunity to take on the glittering gold lamé role instead.

Without a doubt, John was thrilled beyond measure upon encountering “Jesus Christ Superstar” personally. As soon as he returned from touring with The Beach Boys, where he took the stage as a guest artist in Europe, he rushed straight to rehearsals.

The 61-year-old expressed that it was both an honor and a dream for him, and added that it felt slightly crazy since he had just disembarked from a flight for the @thebeachboys tour in Spain and had mere hours to prepare for this event.

It appears that John is comfortably integrating himself within the group, as evidenced by the recent post he shared on social media. In this update, the former General Hospital actor posted a picture of himself lounging on a bench surrounded by some of his fellow cast members who were playfully fanning him with large feathers.

1) Since joining the theater show, he’s been warmly welcomed on numerous occasions, and even though Cynthia missed the photo shoot, she still showed her enthusiasm about the casting news.

The Wicked actor expressed his eagerness, saying, “I can’t wait to meet you!” He also thanked them for jumping in at the last minute.

As for Josh, the Frozen actor was disappointed that he couldn’t show off his hard work on stage.

I regret to inform you all that I have been unlucky enough to catch COVID-19 (the virus we first encountered in season one, remember how terrible things are on Earth these days?). As a result, I won’t be able to perform this weekend. It saddens me deeply, but rest assured the show will be an incredible experience you won’t want to miss.

In the realm of theater and performance, I wholeheartedly believe that John is destined for greatness as he steps into the role of King Herod. Excitedly commenting on his announcement, I wrote, “Kudos for donning the regalia, my friend. While I’m away, you’re certain to shine brightly.

For more iconic roles that were almost played by other actors, keep reading. 

As for Josh, the Frozen actor was disappointed that he couldn’t show off his hard work on stage.

I regretfully share the sad news that I have been infected with COVID-19 (the virus we remember from season one of ‘Earth really sucks right now,’ as he put it in his Instagram post on July 30, where he announced he wouldn’t be performing for the entire weekend. Despite this heartache, I promise you all that the show will undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience.

Josh appears quite certain that John will be the standout figure of the year, portraying King Herod. In the comments on John’s announcement, he wrote, “Thanks for donning the crown in my stead, my friend. You’re destined to shine brightly.

For more iconic roles that were almost played by other actors, keep reading. 

As a devoted fan following the journey of “Star Trek,” I can share that unfortunately, my opportunity to secure the coveted role didn’t materialize; it was eventually given to Ben McKenzie. The reason? A bout of persistent acne at the time.

He stated on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad podcast in May 2024 that he had problematic skin during his teenage years, and later, after graduating from college, his skin issues resurfaced.

In a 2021 SiriusXM interview, the former star of “American Pie” admitted that he was given the opportunity for a major role, but regretted turning it down. He explained that at the time, he was questioning whether or not he wanted to pursue television acting, and wasn’t quite ready to make that commitment yet.

David Rapaport, a casting director, expressed that initially he had hoped Alden Ehrenreich would portray Dan in the production, but producers felt that the 5-foot-9 actor might be too short for the part of Blake Lively’s love interest. Eventually, Penn Badgley, who is roughly the same height as Ehrenreich, according to online resources, was cast instead.

In his 2014 memoir, Lowe disclosed that he declined the role of McDreamy, and this topic resurfaced during an episode of Marc Maron’s podcast. Jokingly, he estimated that turning down the role might have cost him $70 million. “Oh well, it’s just money,” he remarked. Upon watching the pilot when it first aired, Lowe stated, “When they started calling the good-looking doctor ‘McDreamy,’ I thought, ‘Nah, that doesn’t suit me.’

In a past attempt, both Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Strange actor Benedict Cumberbatch tried out for the character of Bill Compton, the vampire. However, it was Stephen Moyer who eventually got the role.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to share a fascinating tidbit from Jessica Chastain’s early career. Unbeknownst to many, she initially auditioned for the role that ultimately catapulted Anna Paquin into stardom – the character of Sookie Stackhouse in “True Blood.” Despite her incredible talent, the part went to another exceptional actress, setting both women on their unique paths in Hollywood.

Seventeen-year-old Jennifer Lawrence auditioned for the role of werepanther Crystal Norris, coming very close to landing it, but ultimately, another actress, Lindsay Pulsipher, was chosen due to age considerations.

Tiffani Thiessen, known for her roles in ‘Saved By the Bell’ and ‘Beverly Hills, 90210’, shared that she tried out for the character Rachel on ‘Friends’, but she was deemed too young for the part at that time.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I must share an intriguing tidbit: Katherine Langford, the Golden Globe-nominated actress from ’13 Reasons Why’, had a near brush with Riverdale! This fascinating fact comes to us courtesy of Riverdale’s own Camila Mendes. In an exclusive chat with Entertainment Weekly, Camila revealed, “I recall we ventured out and grabbed falafel with a fellow auditioner for Archie.” So, while Betty Cooper ultimately found her perfect match, it seems Katherine Langford was a strong contender for the role!

Initially, it seemed unthinkable for anyone else to embody Capeside’s local New York transplant, but as Kevin Williamson, the creator, shared with Entertainment Weekly, the role of Jen almost fell to the future star of Grey’s Anatomy, Katherine Heigl. This was due to the pilot director, Steve Miner, who drew attention to Heigl from his 1994 film “My Father the Hero”. Williamson reflected, “She appeared slightly older at that time. Even though she was younger, I just think she was more mature.” Heigl delivered an impressive audition, leaving everyone in awe, according to Williamson, who remarked, “Wow, she’s good!

Katie Holmes became a star due to her portrayal of Joey Potter, Dawson Leery’s lovesick best friend in the show. Interestingly, the role was initially intended for Selma Blair but ultimately went to Holmes after she submitted an unexpected audition tape from the Holmes family’s basement in Toledo, Ohio. According to creator Kevin Williamson, this tape significantly altered his life.

The actress from “House” and “Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce” came very close to landing the legendary role of Carrie Bradshaw, even having a finalized contract. However, she ultimately served as the understudy for the producers’ initial pick, Sarah Jessica Parker. According to Edelstein, “I was either going to get it or not; it hinged on whether she accepted the offer.” While it’s hard to picture anyone but SJP as Carrie Bradshaw, Edelstein’s account is quite plausible.

At first, The CW considered having Ashley Olsen as our beloved Upper East Sider with blonde hair, but casting director David Rapaport mentioned to Buzzfeed that he was solely captivated by Lively. “I was apprehensive we wouldn’t be able to secure her or they wouldn’t appreciate her because, truthfully, the show hinged on her and I had no other alternatives,” he explained.

The producers of CW considered Rumer Willis as the lead for Gossip Girl, but casting director Rapaport felt she wasn’t suitable for that role (and later cast her on 90210). As he explained to Buzzfeed, “I have great admiration for Rumer. She has blossomed into a remarkable actress and individual, but in this case, it was about safeguarding the investment of a TV show where those relatively unknown girls truly embodied the spirit of the series and sustained it for six years.

Prior to landing the role in the amusing horror-comedy series “Scream Queens” on Fox, Keke Palmer was a strong contender for the part of Iris West on “The Flash”. This role eventually went to Candice Patton. During the casting process, they initially considered Candice but felt it was too early in the process to cast her, so they tested Keke Palmer and another actress. However, both were perceived as being a bit too young in comparison to Grant Gustin. When Candice was brought back, it was an instant fit.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Iwan Rheon revealed that during the casting for Game of Thrones, he was one of the final two contenders for the part of Jon Snow. However, instead of Jon Snow, Rheon ended up playing the detested character Ramsay Snow in seasons 5, while Kit Harington won our affection as Jon Snow. It’s too hard to picture it any other way, so we simply choose not to think about it.

Following his collaboration with the actor from Guardians of the Galaxy on the last season of The O.C., Josh Schwartz disclosed that Pratt was his initial pick for the part ultimately taken by Zachary Levi. Schwartz stated, “He was my top choice to portray ‘Chuck’. However, it turned out that he was meant to safeguard the galaxy, not the Buy More.” He added, “By the way, I couldn’t imagine a better individual for the role.

In the early stages of its creation, I had the privilege of meeting with Jenji Kohan, the brilliant mind behind Orange Is the New Black. She shared with TopMob News that at that time, I, as a dedicated follower and fan of her work, had other commitments and the show’s concept was still unfamiliar to many.

Absolutely, Cobie Smulders hints that the character Robin Scherbatsky might have resembled Kate Austen, suggesting that two beloved series we know could have had significantly different storylines.

In 2014, Evangeline Lilly was also being considered for the show “Lost,” as revealed by Amy Acker (Smulders) to TopMob News. Acker shared that she had flubbed her audition, but this turned out to be beneficial for Lilly since she stepped in and aced it instead, leading Lilly to express gratitude.

It might be surprising to many that “The Good Wife” isn’t just Julianna Margulies’ show by default, as the studio initially considered Ashley Judd and Helen Hunt for the role before eventually casting her.

It’s tough to visualize anyone else taking on the role of vampire hunter in Sunnydale, but Sarah Michelle Gellar almost got the part instead of the ex-Mrs. Cruise. However, Holmes declined the offer to attend high school, and eventually, Sarah Michelle Gellar was chosen for the role.

Initially, the role that eventually belonged to Edie Falco was initially proposed to Lorraine Bracco. However, the Academy Award nominee declined, stating that she had previously played that character in Goodfellas and sought a fresh challenge instead.

Prior to her groundbreaking performances on Fox’s “Empire”, actress Taraji P. Henson shared that she had auditioned for the role of Olivia Pope, the main character from “Scandal”. When she went to audition for Shonda Rhimes, she thought in her mind, “This is Kerry Washington’s part. Why am I even here?” She acknowledged, “It was hers.

Wouldn’t it be intriguing to envision Agent Scully living in Downton Abbey? Surprisingly, this wasn’t just a hypothetical scenario; the character from “The X-Files” was offered a role that she ultimately declined, which later went to Elizabeth McGovern.

 

As a devoted fan, it’s tough for me to picture anyone else embodying Elena Gilbert on the CW’s smash hit series. However, the network had already set their sights on the singer-actress from the very start. It wasn’t until the producers gave a second glance at Nina Dobrev’s audition tape that they made up their minds to cast the Bulgarian beauty.

The renowned vocalist received an offer for the main part in a TV show led by Bill Cosby, yet opted out to focus on her musical ambitions instead.

To enthusiasts of “Sex and the City”, Sarah Jessica Parker is synonymous with Carrie Bradshaw, yet it was once Dana Delany who was given the opportunity to portray the New York columnist. However, the Emmy-winning actress turned down the role as she had previously worked on numerous projects involving explicit content (such as “Nude Girls” and “Exit to Eden”) and wished to avoid a project with “sex” in its title.

David Letterman’s musical director, Jerry Seinfeld, extended the role offer directly to him sans audition. However, Shaffer declined to get in touch after receiving it.

In a podcast, Jon Hamm revealed that AMC initially wanted him for the role of Don Draper, but he turned it down because he wasn’t interested in being part of a television series. Instead, he later appeared in HBO’s “Hung”.

2010’s Sexiest Man Alive considered joining the Joss Whedon team, but ultimately declined the role of Xander because he explained to The Toronto Star in 2008 that he preferred not to portray a character in high school. “I adore the series and I admire Joss Whedon,” he said.

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2025-08-01 17:04