Hollywood loves a redemption arc almost as much as a box-office win. Some stars apologized, some were acquitted, and others just kept working until the phone rang again. Here are ten once-canceled names edging back into the frame via prestigious indies, fan-fueled franchises, or sheer stubbornness.
1. Liam Neeson
In 2019, Neeson narrated an astonishing tale of roaming the streets decades ago, seeking violent retribution following a friend’s assault, particularly against a Black man. Cue backlash, a canceled premiere, and a very public apology tour. He’s since kept working and even poked at the controversy with a meta cameo on Atlanta. Is he fully forgiven? Depending on who you ask, the answer may vary. But box-office math is cold, and casting directors know he still sells the “cool justice” in 100 Minutes or Less.
2. Mel Gibson
From Mad Max to “mad rant,” Gibson’s fall was a train wreck. It started with a DUI and vile tirades, and resulted in an imploded reputation and a career put on ice. But Hollywood loves a narrative arc, and his cameos-as-villains era (Machete Kills, The Expendables 3, Boss Level) kept him visible. Then Hacksaw Ridge reminded everyone he can direct a mean war movie, and later he popped up in The Continental. He’s hardly back to the old untouchable A-lister, but he’s busy, bankable in the right projects, and surprisingly dependable.
3. Casey Affleck
Casey Affleck’s 2010 harassment lawsuits resurfaced just as Manchester by the Sea crowned him awards royalty. That’s the kind of timing only Hollywood could script. Post-Oscar, the smaller roles started coming in, along with some lower-profile indies and one famous performance in A Ghost Story, and he was pretty much ready to fully come back. Recent stops include The Old Man & the Gun, The World to Come, and a short cameo in Oppenheimer. He’s not chasing Marvel capes or algorithm bait, just quietly rebuilding with character work.
4. Winona Ryder
Winona went from a Walk of Fame A-lister to a career in shoplifting in 2001, and her career paid for it. She kept getting work, like Black Swan and a Star Trek cameo, but the parts shrank. Then came Stranger Things, and suddenly everything’s changed. Since then, she’s been treated with more leads, prestige TV roles, and nostalgic treats like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Still, her comeback feels earned. Turns out the ’80s icon found the perfect megahit set in the ’80s to remind everyone why they loved her.
5. Wesley Snipes
Tax evasion convictions and prison time would shatter most careers, but Snipes treated it like a plot twist. Post-release, he jumped into The Expendables 3, then flashed real range in Chi-Raq, Dolemite Is My Name, Coming 2 America, True Story, and a scene-stealing turn on What We Do in the Shadows. The Blade alumnus isn’t just an action guy anymore, he’s a sharp character actor with comedic bite. If Marvel ever needs a multiversal Daywalker mentor, you know fans already have the sunglasses ready.
6. Louis C.K.
Once considered the star of FX, Louis C.K. admitted to sexual misconduct in 2017, leading to the sudden disappearance of his future projects. He pivoted to stand-up, self-released specials, and even nabbed a 2022 Grammy, which sparked its discourse. While Hollywood remains sceptical, theaters continue to fill, fans continue to attend, and he thrives beyond the confines of the studio ecosystem. It’s a comeback, yes, just not the red-carpet kind.
7. Kevin Spacey
For years, Spacey was a guarantee: prestige movies, awards, and a ruthless president on House of Cards. When 2017 arrived, his roles began to disappear, leading to a famous reshoot of his performance in All the Money in the World. Acquitted in a 2023 London trial, he’s nudged back via indies: The Man Who Drew God, a voice role in the video game Control, and the 2024 flick Peter Five Eight. Studios aren’t lining up, but he just keeps working.
8. Johnny Depp
Depp’s post-Pirates era was not without its challenges, including the court battles with Amber Heard, the demise of Fantastic Beasts, and a significant career plateau. Depp had to pivot, so he’s dabbling in left-field projects, including animation. He’s not back to Jack Sparrow levels, but the trajectory is up. There are fewer blockbuster payouts and more curated choices, akin to an actor returning to his roots and rediscovering the quirky niches that initially brought him fame.
9. James Gunn
Remember when Gunn’s old offensive tweets resurfaced, Disney fired him off from GotG 3, and the internet exploded into factions? Feels like a lifetime ago. But Gunn promptly apologized, accepted Disney’s decision, and made a detour to DC with the gloriously chaotic The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker, Superman, Creature Commandos, and a lot more projects that are still to come. Additionally, he was rehired to complete Guardians of the Galaxy 3, however, the experience left a negative impression, and he has since decided not to pursue further work with Marvel. He went from “you’ll do what you’re told” to “I can do anything I want” and now runs DC Studios. That’s not just a comeback—that’s a promotion.
10. Ezra Miller
Ezra Miller’s downfall began with serious allegations, arrests, and pure chaos, which pretty much destroyed a rising career and overshadowed his performance on The Flash. Lately, Miller has reemerged with public apologies, careful appearances, and talk of future work, hinting at a collaboration with director Lynne Ramsay. It’s definitely one of the hardest “cancellation” cases on this list, as the scrutiny is intense, the trust needs to be rebuilt from the ground up, all while waiting for that one call. Hollywood loves redemption arcs, but audiences love accountability even more. We’ll see which one shows up first.
