Sienna Miller in Black Mass
Sienna Miller played Catherine Greig, the longtime girlfriend of gangster Whitey Bulger, and filmed scenes for Black Mass. Director Scott Cooper ultimately removed the character because he felt that part of Bulger’s later life did not fit the finished story.
Ellen Pompeo in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Before Grey’s Anatomy made her a household name, Ellen Pompeo filmed scenes as Joel’s ex-girlfriend Naomi. The character is still mentioned in the movie, but Pompeo’s actual appearances were removed from the final version.
Christopher Lee in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Christopher Lee filmed Saruman’s final confrontation at Isengard, but the sequence was cut from the theatrical release. His absence caused plenty of discussion before the scene was eventually restored in the extended edition.
Maya Rudolph in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Maya Rudolph filmed material for Anchorman as part of a much larger storyline that was dramatically reshaped during editing. Her character disappeared along with a surprising amount of footage that never made the theatrical cut.
Ashley Judd in Natural Born Killers
Ashley Judd filmed a courtroom appearance in Natural Born Killers as a witness recounting an encounter with Mickey and Mallory. The sequence was ultimately removed from the theatrical version.
Kevin Costner in The Big Chill
Kevin Costner was cast as Alex, the dead friend whose funeral brings the movie’s central group back together. Flashbacks showing him alive were filmed but cut, leaving only brief glimpses of his body in the finished movie.
