20 Actors Who Refused to Promote Their Own Movies

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When major stars sign on to take movie roles, directors and producers rely heavily on the fact that having  a big name on the cast is likely to draw viewers in. As a result, most celebrities are asked to promote their films by making appearances, doing interviews, and using their social media accounts.  Seems simple enough, right? Well unfortunately things don’t work out that way.  Sometimes stars have personal reasons why they can’t promote one of their own films, while in other cases, negative experiences on set cause stars to turn away.  Either way, when the star of a film refuses to support it, it usually doesn’t end well.  Here are 20 celebrities who refused to promote their own films.

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Ed Harris – The Abyss

After some disagreements on set between himself and the film’s director, James Cameron, rumors began to circulate that Harris was so upset with the situation that he would not help promote the film.  Although Harris later denied those claims, after the film was released he stated: “I’m never talking about it and never will.”

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Marlon Brando

Marlon Brando – The Freshman

Marlon Brando was one of the most talented actors of his generation, so he had everyone reason to believe that he could spot a flop when it was coming.  Before the 1990 film, The Freshman, was released, Brando did not promote the film, but stated that it was “lousy.” However, it turns out that Brando was wrong, and the film actually earned good reviews and as a result he quickly he changed his stance.

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Phoebe Cates- Paradise

Apparently, when Phoebe Cates signed up to star in the 1982 film, Paradise, she didn’t know how much nudity the film would entail.  Both Cates and her co-star, Willie Ames, refused to participate in some of the scenes; however, producer found stand-ins to shoot the scenes without Cates or Ames permission. Although Ames and Cates were upset by this, the producers claimed that they were only doing their job, and the actors had no right to be a part of such decisions.  Although Ames eventually agreed to promise the film, Cates refused and was reportedly very upset.

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Shia LaBeouf – Nymphomaniac: Volume 1

The 2013 film, Nymphomaniac: Volume 1, was the beginning of LaBeouf’s very public melt down.  Although he originally seemed to be ready to promote the film, he showed up at the premiere with a bag over his head which read, “I am not famous anymore.”  Well, technically LaBeouf is still famous, but his career has certainly been on the decline since.

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Bill Cosby, Leonard Part 6

Bill Cosby was obviously not a fan of his film Leonard Part 6; however, he had contractual obligations to promote the film.  Fortunately for Cosby, the contract didn’t specify how he must promote the film, and in his own way he flat-out refused.  Although he appeared on talk shows to discuss the film, he warned everyone NOT to go see the film, which ended up become a huge box office flop.

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Rosie O’Donnell – Exit to Eden

The 1994 film, Exit to Eden, received pretty bad reviews and apparently Rosie O’Donnell was one of the many people who didn’t like the film.  Apparently, she was so unhappy with the final edit of the film, that she didn’t even want to talk about it. As a result, O’Donnell brought her dog with her to red carpet events to help keep the press away.

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Michael Caine – Jaws: The Revenge

Not only did Michael Caine not participate in promoting the film Jaws: The Revenge, but he also admitted to not actually watching the film. Although Caine did not believe that the film was very good,  he maintained a sense of humor about the whole situation. stating: “by all accounts it was terrible. However, I have seen the house that it built, and it is terrific.”

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Lindsay Lohan – The Canyons

Lindsay Lohan claimed that her time on the set of the film, The Canyons, was a nightmare.   Aside from being treated poorly, Lohan wasn’t paid very much money – so it shouldn’t have been much of a surprise when she refused to promote the film.  Apparently, Lohan did not attend the premiere or do any interviews to promote the film, which ultimately resulted in  director, Paul Schrader, commenting on her lack of work ethic.

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Daniel Craig & Rachel Weisz – Dream House

Both Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz refused to promote the 2011 film, Dream House. Apparently, they were both extremely unhappy with the film’s final edit. However, unlike most stars who refuse to promote films, the pair had the support of the film’s director, Jim Sheridan, who also refused to promote the film.

 (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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Burt Reynolds – Boogie Nights

Burt Reynolds earned an Oscar nomination for his role in the 1997 film, Boogie Nights.  However, instead of promoting the film, Reynolds spent his time bashing it instead.  Apparently, he simply did not like the film.  Unfortunately, Reynolds did not win the Oscar he was nominated for, and his co-star, Mark Wahlberg, believes that it’s partly because Reynolds spend so much time dissing the movie.

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Edward Norton – The Incredible Hulk

Many Hulk fans were excited when Edward Norton was cased to play the role. However, for some reason things just didn’t work out.  Norton did not like the script, and ultimately refused to promote the film.  Norton’s behavior resulted in him not being removed from the role and replaced with Mark Ruffalo. After being ousted from the film, Norton stated: “It seems it won’t work out for me. I sincerely hoped it could happen and be great for everyone, but it hasn’t turned out as we all hoped.”

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Sean Connery, Bond 50: The Complete 22 Film Collection

Sean Connery was the only former (major) James Bond who refused to promote the 50th anniversary Blu-ray/DVD combo pack. Apparently, Connery had been holding a grudge towards the franchise because he felt he had been underpaid during his years as James Bond during the 60s, 70, and briefly during the 80s.

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David Hyde Pierce- Hellboy

Originally, David Hyde Pierce’s voice was used in the voiceover for the film Hellboy. However, after hearing Doug Jones – who portrayed Hellboy – use his own voice, Pierce felt like he was not needed.  Not wanting to overshadow Jones and his work, Pierce did not promote Hellboy, and asked that his name be removed from the film.

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Leonardo DiCaprio – Titanic 3D

It’s true, by the time Titanic was released in 3D in 2012, there’s a pretty good chance the film didn’t really need to be promoted, but it would have been nice if Leonardo DiCaprio stood by the film that helped him gain worldwide fame.  DiCaprio didn’t attend the premiere, and did not to anything to promote the film.  According to a source: “Leo is not one for looking back. He’s proud of Titanic but it was 15 years ago. He doesn’t relish having to go back and promote that movie all over again, especially as it probably won’t need it.”

 (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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Katherine Heigl – Knocked Up

Katherine Heigl had a great time making the film, Knocked Up; however,  she found the film difficult to promote because of certain aspects that she viewed as sexist.  According to Heigl, “It paints the women as shrews, as humorless and uptight, and it paints the men as lovable, goofy, fun-loving guys. It exaggerated the characters, and I had a hard time with it, on some days….why is she being such a killjoy? Why is this how you’re portraying women? Ninety-eight percent of the time it was an amazing experience, but it was hard for me to love the movie.”

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Christopher Plummer – The Sound of Music

The Sound of Music is one of the best classic films of all time. However, one of it stars, Christopher Plummer, isn’t much for promoting the film, and that’s because does not seem to love it the way millions of viewers do. But unlike most stars who dislike their films, it took 40 years for Plummer to reveal his true feelings about The Sound of Music. 

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Mo’nique – Precious

The 2009 film Precious became a pretty big hit, but that’s certainly not because Mo’Nique spent a lot of time promoting the film.  According to sources, the film’s director, Lee Daniels, wanted Monique to use her social media accounts to promote the film, but she refused.   Since she was only paid $50,000 for her role in the film, she did not appreciate doing extra work.  During an interview, she stated: “When you work Monday through Friday, 40 hours a week, and then your boss calls you up and says we need you to come in on Saturday and work for ten hours, do you do that for free?” Well…$50,000 is a lot than some people make in a year – even when they work on Saturdays.

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Vince Vaughn – Four Christmases

Before the film’s release, rumors began to circulate that Vince Vaughn and his Four Christmasas co-star, Reese Witherspoon had a difficult time getting along.  Instead of addressing the rumors, Vaughn opted not to show up to the film’s premiere, or to any other promotional event regarding the film.

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Robin Williams – Aladdin

Before the release of the 1992 film, Aladdin, Robin Williams made a strange request.  He asked that his voice not be used to promote the film in any way, and that his character not be the focal point of any promotional posters.  Williams made these requests because another film in which he starred, Toys, was also being released at that time, and did not want to compete with himself. However, Toys was somewhat of a flop compared to Aladdin, which went on to be a huge hit.

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Jim Carey – Kick-Ass 2

In the wake of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School,  Jim Carey refused to promote his 2013 film Kick-Ass 2 on the grounds that the family was too violent.  According to Carey: “I did Kickass a month b4 Sandy Hook and now in all good conscience I cannot support that level of violence. My apologies to e. I meant to say my apologies to others involve with the film. I am not ashamed of it but recent events have caused a change in my heart.”

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