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Woody Harrelson Missed “The White Lotus” Role Due to Scheduling Conflict
Woody Harrelson was slated to join the cast of “The White Lotus” Season 3, but a scheduling clash prevented his participation in the popular HBO drama.
Scheduling Conflict Sidelines Harrelson from “White Lotus” Season 3
The acclaimed actor, Woody Harrelson, 63, disclosed that he was initially cast in the forthcoming third season of “The White Lotus.” However, he ultimately had to decline the role due to unforeseen circumstances.
“I was prepared to participate in ‘White Lotus’ and genuinely enthusiastic about it,” Harrelson revealed in a recent interview with The Daily Beast. “Regrettably, adjustments to the production timeline created a conflict with a previously scheduled family vacation, leaving me with an exceptionally difficult decision to make.”
Representatives for Harrelson corroborated his statement, adding, “He was confirmed for the show, but the production dates were subsequently altered.”
HBO Executives Highlighted Harrelson’s Potential Roles
Harrelson’s remarks follow revelations from HBO executives earlier in the week, who indicated to The Hollywood Reporter that the actor was considered for two distinct roles in the Thailand-set season.
These roles included the principal character, Rick, ultimately portrayed by Walton Goggins, and a supporting guest role as Rick’s friend, Frank, now played by Sam Rockwell.
Salary Discussions and “White Lotus” Pay Structure
According to sources cited by THR, Harrelson reportedly engaged in discussions with Warner Brothers CEO David Zaslav to potentially increase his compensation for the role.
However, David Bernard, a producer on “The White Lotus,” clarified to the outlet that actor salaries are “non-negotiable” on the series.
“Everyone receives equitable treatment on ‘The White Lotus,’” Bernard explained. “Compensation is standardized across the board, and billing is alphabetical. This attracts individuals who are motivated by the project itself, rather than purely financial incentives. This system was established in the first season due to budgetary constraints.”
Season 3 Cast and Show’s Compensation Policy
The current season of “The White Lotus,” set in Thailand, features a star-studded ensemble cast including Carrie Coon, Leslie Bibb, Michelle Monaghan, Parker Posey, Jason Isaacs, and Patrick Schwarzenegger.
This standardized pay structure has been in effect since the show’s inception in 2021. The inaugural season featured prominent actors such as Connie Britton, Jennifer Coolidge, Alexandra Daddario, and Sydney Sweeney.
THR reported that series regulars typically earn approximately $40,000 per episode, totaling $320,000 for the complete eight-episode season.
Casting director Meredith Tucker acknowledged to the outlet that the fixed pay scale “simplifies the casting process considerably.”
“We present the terms upfront, and while some actors may decline, we understand that individuals need to earn a living. Our series regulars are essentially working for union scale,” Tucker noted.
“I believe the strong appeal of the show motivates actors to audition,” Tucker added.
Creative Differences on Set
In addition to the fixed compensation structure, “The White Lotus” has also experienced creative disagreements, notably between the show’s creator, Mike White, and composer Cristóbal Tapia de Veer.
In a New York Times interview, the Emmy-winning composer revealed differing visions with White, 54, regarding the show’s iconic theme music.
Tapia de Veer explained that despite retaining the signature eerie music from the first two seasons, White initially envisioned a shift towards “background music…a song that is more akin to something you might hear in Ibiza, in a club with a relaxed, sensual ambiance.”
“I communicated to the producer my desire to eventually incorporate the longer version of the theme, complete with the recognizable ‘ooh-loo-loo-loos,’ anticipating that audiences would appreciate the familiar element,” he stated. “He agreed it was a good idea, but Mike ultimately vetoed it – he was not in favor.”
Tapia de Veer further commented, “By that point, we had essentially reached our final disagreement, I believe. He was simply rejecting everything.”
“I informed the team some months prior that I would not be returning, that I was departing,” he mentioned. “I withheld this information from Mike for various reasons, intending to inform him last for dramatic effect. However, while I shared this with the editorial team, music editor, and producer, I did not anticipate that they would relay this to him. Eventually, he became aware of it.”
“The White Lotus” Season 3 Finale Details
The season finale of “The White Lotus” Season 3 is scheduled to broadcast on Sundays at 9 p.m. on HBO and the streaming platform Max.