Kelsey Grammer Replaces Nicolas Cage In Action Sequel

Wed, September 18, 2013 at 9:27 AM UTC

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 02: Host Kelsey Grammer speaks onstage during the 65th Annual Directors Guild Of America Awards at Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland on February 2, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Photo: )

Nicolas Cage is being replaced in "The Expendables 3" by ... Frasier Crane? It's true: Kelsey Grammer is reportedly nearing a deal to take on an "Expendables" role that was initially envisioned for Cage, this according to Deadline.com.

The five-time Emmy-winner (best known for "Frasier") is honing his franchise bona fides, as he also stars in next year's "Transformers: Age of Extinction." In "Expendables," he'll play an ex-mercenary named Bonaparte who arrives on the scene to help Sylvester Stallone and his team conquer a brutal arms dealer (Mel Gibson).

In addition to Stallone and Gibson, Grammer joins Jason Statham, Harrison Ford, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Terry Crews, Antonio Banderas, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren and Wesley Snipes in the cast. "Expendables" won't mark the first time Grammer paired with Stallone onscreen. The two are also set to star in March 2014's "Reach Me," a drama that centers on a retired football coach who pens a self-help book.

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Grammer and Co. swing into gear when "The Expendables 3" hits theaters Aug. 15, 2014.

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[via Deadline.com]

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Will Smith, <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/25/will-smith-django-unchained-role_n_2950796.html" target="_blank">who turned the role down because it wasn't "the lead."</a> — Will Smith, who turned the role down because it wasn't "the lead."

The Part Almost Went To ...

Fellow YA superstar Jennifer Lawrence, <a href="https://www.celebuzz.com/2012-02-28/jennifer-lawrence-glad-she-lost-twilight-role-to-kristen-stewart/" target="_blank">who apparently auditioned to play Bella in 2008</a>. Lawrence was later cast in "The Hunger Games." — Fellow YA superstar Jennifer Lawrence, who apparently auditioned to play Bella in 2008. Lawrence was later cast in "The Hunger Games."

The Part Almost Went To ...

Scarlett Johansson, who was deemed too attractive for the dark role <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/david-fincher-scarlett-johansson-sexy-girl-with-dragon-tattoo-vogue-rooney-mara-249848" target="_blank">by director David Fincher</a>. — Scarlett Johansson, who was deemed too attractive for the dark role by director David Fincher.

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Matt Damon, who turned it down to star in "Green Zone."

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Al Pacino, <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/03/al-pacino-star-wars-han-solo_n_3380625.html" target="_blank">who turned the film down because he didn't understand the script</a>. — Al Pacino, who turned the film down because he didn't understand the script.

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Tim Roth, <a href="https://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2008/01/23/tim_roth_has_no_regrets_after_missing_ou" target="_blank">who turned down Snape because he reportedly thought the role was under-developed</a>. — Tim Roth, who turned down Snape because he reportedly thought the role was under-developed.

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<a href="https://splitsider.com/2011/03/the-lost-roles-of-jim-carrey/" target="_blank">Jim Carrey was among the major stars considered to play Jack Sparrow</a> in the first "Pirates" film, but the project would have conflicted with "Bruce Almighty." — Jim Carrey was among the major stars considered to play Jack Sparrow in the first "Pirates" film, but the project would have conflicted with "Bruce Almighty."

The Part Almost Went To ...

Hugh Jackman was originally cast in "Drive" when it was going to be directed by Neil Marshall. <a href="https://blog.moviefone.com/2010/02/12/ryan-gosling-will-drive-instead-of-hugh-jackman/" target="_blank">Gosling came aboard in 2010</a>. — Hugh Jackman was originally cast in "Drive" when it was going to be directed by Neil Marshall. Gosling came aboard in 2010.

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<a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/19/lord-of-the-rings-sean-connery-gandalf_n_2157431.html" target="_blank">Sean Connery is rumored</a> to have turned down an offer to star in "Lord of the Rings." The last time he appeared onscreen in a live-action film was 2003's "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen." — Sean Connery is rumored to have turned down an offer to star in "Lord of the Rings." The last time he appeared onscreen in a live-action film was 2003's "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen."

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Back in 1998, Lionsgate announced that Leonardo DiCaprio would star in "American Psycho," which was great news for everyone except Bale. Director Mary Harron had already offered him the role. <a href="https://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2000/mar/24/fiction.breteastonellis" target="_blank">DiCaprio eventually left the project after years of development</a>. — Back in 1998, Lionsgate announced that Leonardo DiCaprio would star in "American Psycho," which was great news for everyone except Bale. Director Mary Harron had already offered him the role. DiCaprio eventually left the project after years of development.

The Part Almost Went To ...

Chris O'Donnell. He was originally cast in the film, until director <a href="https://www.vulture.com/2012/04/barry-sonnenfeld--men-in-black-3.html" target="_blank">Barry Sonnenfeld convinced the studio otherwise</a>. — Chris O'Donnell. He was originally cast in the film, until director Barry Sonnenfeld convinced the studio otherwise.

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"Top Gun" beauty Kelly McGillis was initially considered for the role but it ultimately went to Stone, launching her film career.

The Part Almost Went To ...

"Top Gun" heartthrob Val Kilmer was also considered for the role of Johnny in the 1987 hit movie.

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Robin Williams was considered for the part, which would have definitely been an interesting role for the funny man.

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Molly Ringwald was first offered the part but turned it down, making way for Roberts to perform one of her most memorable roles.

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Michelle Pfeiffer was first offered the role, but she turned it down due to its violent storyline.

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The film's writer and producer George Lucas was set on Tom Selleck as Jones, but Steven Spielberg pushed for Ford.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.

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Kelsey Grammer Replaces Nicolas Cage In Action Sequel

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