Reinvention Success Stories
Characters disappear, stories end, and actors move on. Sometimes it’s a choice, sometimes it’s fate. Well, each exit brings career shifts in ways that surprise both fans and the stars themselves.
Emma Stone
The tragic death of Gwen Stacy in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 marked the end of Emma Stone's journey in the web-slinger's world. Sony scrapped plans for the third film. Stone had signed on for multiple sequels, but the franchise's reboot with Tom Holland meant her Spider-verse days were numbered.
Sony Pictures Releasing, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
Emma Stone (Cont.)
What followed was nothing short of spectacular. Stone pivoted hard into prestige filmmaking, starting with Birdman in 2014. This film brought her first Oscar nomination. Then came La La Land, where her performance as aspiring actress Mia won her the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Fox Searchlight Pictures, Birdman (2014)
Jennifer Lawrence
Lawrence collected a mere $500,000 for the first Hunger Games film in 2012, but by the final installment, she was commanding $15 million plus backend deals. Despite the franchise's massive success, she knew when to walk away from Katniss Everdeen's bow and arrow.
Lionsgate, The Hunger Games (2012)
Jennifer Lawrence (Cont.)
Even before Mockingjay Part 2 hit theaters, Lawrence had already bagged an Oscar for Silver Linings Playbook and was nominated for American Hustle and Joy. She became the youngest person ever to receive four Oscar nominations, and Forbes crowned her the world's highest-paid actress in 2015.
Lionsgate, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 (2015)
Gal Gadot
Gal Gadot's character Gisele took her last bow in Fast & Furious 6, falling from a plane in a dramatic exit. After this move, few could have predicted she'd ultimately become one of the most recognizable superheroes on the planet.
Universal Pictures, Fast & Furious 6 (2013)
Gal Gadot (Cont.)
But sometimes the best career moves happen when doors close. Gadot's exit from the Fast family opened up her schedule for something much bigger—donning the golden lasso as Wonder Woman. The DC role earned her a reported $10 million.
Universal Pictures, Fast & Furious 6 (2013)
Zoe Saldana
An actress who left one massive franchise only to anchor not one, but two of the biggest movie series in cinema history. Zoe Saldana appeared as the pirate Anamaria in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, but her role was essentially a cameo.
Walt Disney Pictures, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Zoe Saldana (Cont.)
What happened next defies typical Hollywood logic. Saldana scored the female lead in James Cameron's Avatar, which became the highest-grossing movie of all time, and simultaneously joined the Guardians of the Galaxy as Gamora, making her a cornerstone of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Kristen Stewart
Beyond the tabloid headlines and vampire romance drama, Kristen Stewart was quietly plotting her escape from the Twilight phenomenon. She deliberately took on challenging indie projects during her Bella Swan years. These included Welcome to the Rileys and The Runaways.
Summit Entertainment, Twilight (2008)
Kristen Stewart (Cont.)
Stewart's post-Twilight change has been noteworthy. She became the first American actress to win a Cesar Award for Clouds of Sils Maria in 2015, a prestigious French honor that recognized her dramatic evolution. Also, her 2021 portrayal of Princess Diana in Spencer brought her an Oscar nomination.
IFC Films, Clouds of Sils Maria (2014)
Karen Gillan
This Scottish actress made the bold decision to cut ties with her Doctor Who past. She literally chopped off her signature red locks for her role as the bald, blue Nebula in Guardians of the Galaxy. The hair was made into a wig for her use.
BBC Studios, Doctor Who (1963–present)
Karen Gillan (Cont.)
The transition from time-traveling companion to intergalactic assassin couldn't have been more dramatic. Gillan's post-TARDIS career has been a masterclass in franchise diversification. While Nebula introduced her to the Marvel Cinematic Universe's biggest moments, including Avengers: Endgame, she simultaneously conquered the reboot game with the Jumanji sequels.
Sony Pictures Releasing, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017)
Evangeline Lilly
Sure, the ending of Lost in 2010 left many careers in limbo, but Lilly had already begun plotting her escape from the island long before the final season aired. Frustrated with her character Kate's love triangle storylines, Lilly publicly expressed her desire to move beyond the show.
Evangeline Lilly (Cont.)
When the icon returned to screens, she conquered it. Her casting as Hope van Dyne in Ant-Man marked a strategic Marvel move, eventually earning her the Wasp suit and making her one of the few actresses to headline scenes in Avengers: Endgame.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Ant-Man (2015)
Tessa Thompson
Before she became Asgardian royalty, Thompson was grinding it out in the trenches of peak television. She was seen in the episodes of Veronica Mars as Jackie Cook. The cult neo-noir series was beloved by critics but struggled with ratings, and Thompson's character was written out.
Warner Bros. Television, Veronica Mars (2005–2006)
Tessa Thompson (Cont.)
Her revenge was served cold and in the form of a Valkyrie sword. Thompson’s scene-stealing performance as the hard-drinking warrior in Thor: Ragnarok launched her into the Marvel stratosphere. She simultaneously anchored the Creed franchise alongside Michael B Jordan.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Ana De Armas
Many questioned whether abandoning a hit show in her native Spain for uncertain prospects in America was career suicide. However, Ana de Armas had already made the firm yet risky choice to leave after the third season to pursue English-language opportunities in Hollywood.
Ana De Armas (Cont.)
Her leap of faith paid off beyond anyone's wildest expectations. That magnetic performance in Knives Out brought her a Golden Globe nomination. Plus, the role led directly to her casting as Bond girl Paloma in No Time to Die.
Universal Pictures, No Time to Die (2021)
Natalie Portman
When Portman wrapped filming on Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith in 2005, she was privately relieved to close the book on Padme Amidala. Despite the prequels' massive commercial success, Portman had grown frustrated with the limitations of her character and the intense fan scrutiny.
20th Century Fox, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Natalie Portman (Cont.)
What followed was an impressive career rehabilitation. Portman dove headfirst into challenging indie films and prestigious projects. She culminated in her powerhouse performance in Black Swan. The physical and psychological stress of playing the tortured ballerina was the polar opposite of her static Star Wars role.
Fox Searchlight Pictures, Black Swan (2010)
Keira Knightley
The sword fights were getting repetitive, the corsets were literally suffocating her, and Knightley was tired of being the damsel waiting on the docks for pirates to return. After three Pirates of the Caribbean films, she'd had enough of Elizabeth Swann's arc and planned to leave.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
Keira Knightley (Cont.)
Disney reportedly offered her substantial sums to return, but Knightley chose artistic integrity over easy money. The star pivoted hard into period dramas and challenging contemporary pieces, collecting Oscar nominations for Pride and Prejudice and The Imitation Game. She became the go-to actress for sophisticated literary adaptations.
Focus Features, Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Zendaya
Breaking free from Disney's wholesome brand proved transformational. Apparently, Disney Channel contracts are notoriously restrictive, and Zendaya felt every constraint during her time on KC Undercover. While the show gave her valuable experience and a loyal fanbase, she was eager to shed her squeaky-clean image.
Disney Channel, K.C. Undercover (2015–2018)
Zendaya (Cont.)
MJ in the Spider-Man MCU films uplifted her to A-list status. Besides, her Emmy-winning performance in Euphoria showcased a dramatic range that her Disney days never allowed. Zendaya became the youngest woman to receive two Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
Sony Pictures Releasing, Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Morena Baccarin
Critical acclaim doesn't always translate to job security, as Baccarin learned when Firefly was cancelled after just one season. The show's premature end left the entire cast scrambling for their next opportunities, with no guarantee that their beloved space western would maintain its cult status.
20th Century Fox Television, Firefly (2002–2003)
Morena Baccarin (Cont.)
Television proved to be Baccarin's ultimate destination, but in ways she never expected. Her chilling portrayal as Nicholas Brody's wife Jessica in Homeland earned her an Emmy nomination. She then conquered the superhero genre as Vanessa in the Deadpool films, which grossed over $1.5 billion.
Showtime Networks, Homeland (2011–2020)
Michelle Williams
Playing Jen Lindley, the New York transplant with a troubled past, Williams watched her character get reduced to plot device status. Four seasons of Dawson's Creek taught Williams everything about the constraints of teen television. Its success was undeniable, but Williams knew she needed to escape.
Sony Pictures Television, Dawson’s Creek (1998–2003)
Michelle Williams (Cont.)
Her first Oscar nomination came from her heartbreaking work in Blue Valentine, and she later got nominated for Manchester by the Sea and My Week with Marilyn. Williams worked with auteurs like Kelly Reichardt plus bagged a Golden Globe for Fosse/Verdon.
Amazon Studios, Manchester by the Sea (2016)
Emilia Clarke
Contractual obligations kept Emilia Clarke tethered to Westeros for eight years, but she spent the final seasons of Game of Thrones actively building her post-dragon career. As fan criticism of the show's later seasons intensified, Clarke watched her character, Daenerys, go from liberator to villain.
HBO Entertainment, Game of Thrones (2011–2019)
Emilia Clarke (Cont.)
Strategic film choices during and after Thrones proved Clarke's range beyond the Mother of Dragons. She proved her romantic comedy chops in Me Before You, which grossed $208 million worldwide, then joined the Star Wars universe in Solo. Her upcoming Marvel role is as G'iah in Secret Invasion.
Warner Bros. Pictures, Me Before You (2016)
Lupita Nyong'o
The Academy Award came ahead of the franchise fame. Lupita Nyong'o's Oscar win for 12 Years a Slave in 2014 established her as a serious dramatic actress. Still, it was her subsequent voice work in the Star Wars sequel trilogy that introduced her to global blockbuster audiences.
Fox Searchlight Pictures, 12 Years a Slave (2013)
Lupita Nyong'o (Cont.)
Apparently, the mixed reception of those films and her limited screen time left many feeling her talents were underutilized. Her dual role in Jordan Peele's Us proved she could carry a horror thriller, earning critical acclaim and a $255 million worldwide box office.
Millie Bobby Brown
Millie Bobby Brown didn't wait for Eleven's story to end before plotting her next move. By the fourth season, she was already producing and starring in Netflix's Enola Holmes films. Brown's empire-building extends far beyond Hawkins, Indiana. Her Enola Holmes sequel reportedly earned her $10 million.
Millie Bobby Brown (Cont.)
This represented a significant increase from her $350,000 per Stranger Things episode in the early seasons. She's launched successful beauty and fashion lines, written novels, and secured her own production deals with Netflix. At just 20 years old, Brown holds an estimated net worth of $14 million.
Netflix, Stranger Things (2016–present)
Margot Robbie
Three Oscar nominations, a billion-dollar blockbuster, and her own production company. Margot Robbie's trajectory since leaving Harley Quinn behind reads like a Hollywood fairy tale. But success wasn't handed to her; she engineered it through LuckyChap Entertainment, the production company she co-founded in 2014.
Warner Bros. Pictures, Suicide Squad (2016)
Margot Robbie (Cont.)
Rather than simply cashing paychecks, she has leveraged her Suicide Squad platform to produce Oscar-winning films, such as Promising Young Woman, and cultural phenomena like Barbie, in which she also starred.
Warner Bros. Pictures, Barbie (2023)Elizabeth Olsen
While Mary-Kate and Ashley built their empire through child stardom, Olsen deliberately chose the opposite path, focusing on indie films. All of this culminated in her devastating performance in Martha Marcy May Marlene. When Marvel came calling for Avengers: Age of Ultron, she was ready.
Fox Searchlight Pictures, Martha Marcy May Marlene (2011)
Elizabeth Olsen (Cont.)
Wanda Maximoff became Olsen's ticket to the A-list. For her starring role in WandaVision, she was paid a large amount per episode. Olsen also worked on Wind River and Sorry for Your Loss. Recent interviews confirm her desire to pursue more films and expand her career.
Anya Taylor-Joy
The horror genre launched Anya Taylor-Joy's career with The Witch. Still, it was her departure from Robert Eggers' planned follow-up projects that allowed her to diversify beyond period scares. While many expected her to become a horror specialist after that haunting debut, Taylor-Joy deliberately chose eclectic projects.
Anya Taylor-Joy (Cont.)
Her strategic choices paid off when The Queen's Gambit converted her into a global sensation. She allegedly received $696,000 from the Netflix series. Furthermore, this led to significant roles in Emma, Last Night in Soho, and the Mad Max prequel, Furiosa.
Netflix, The Queen’s Gambit (2020)
Thomasin McKenzie
This New Zealand star made the conscious decision to avoid getting locked into any single franchise or genre. From the WWII satire Jojo Rabbit to the psychological thriller Last Night in Soho, McKenzie has worked with acclaimed directors.
Searchlight Pictures, Jojo Rabbit (2019)
Thomasin McKenzie (Cont.)
These include Taika Waititi, Edgar Wright, and Jane Campion. She most recently portrayed the title character in Eileen (2023) and had a pivotal part in the historical drama Joy (2024). Here, McKenzie stars as Jean Purdy, a nurse and embryologist.
Rebecca Ferguson
Swedish actress Rebecca Ferguson thought she'd found her Hollywood home in the Mission: Impossible franchise, playing the enigmatic Ilsa Faust. Her character's complex relationship with Ethan Hunt made her a fan favorite. However, after Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, Ferguson said goodbye.
Paramount Pictures, Mission: Impossible (1996–present)
Rebecca Ferguson (Cont.)
She anchored Denis Villeneuve's Dune as Lady Jessica and starred in The Greatest Showman (2017), Doctor Sleep (2019), The Girl on the Train (2016), and Men in Black: International (2019). Following Dune’s success, Dune: Part Two was released on March 1, 2024.
20th Century Fox, The Greatest Showman (2017)
