Ashton Kutcher to Replace Charlie Sheen on 'Two and a Half Men'

By Tracey Harrington McCoy Posted May 12th 2011 09:00PM

This article has been updated to reflect CBS' joint announcement with Warner Bros. Television on Friday.

After months of much speculation, Charlie Sheen's 'Two and a Half Men' replacement has finally been selected and it's not Hugh Grant. CBS and Warner Bros. Television confirmed on Friday that Ashton Kutcher has landed the plum role of the lead star in CBS's comedy hit.

"I can't wait to get to work with this ridiculously talented 2.5 team and I believe we can fill the stage with laughter that will echo in viewers' homes," Kutcher said in press release about the move. "I can't replace Charlie Sheen but I'm going to work my ass off to entertain the hell out of people!"

Chuck Lorre, creator and executive producer of the show, also chimed with praise for the film and TV star. "We are so lucky to have someone as talented, joyful and just plain remarkable as Ashton joining our family," Lorre said in the CBS-Warner Bros' annnouncement. "Added to that is the deep sigh of relief knowing that our family stays together. If I was any happier, it'd be illegal."

The Hollywood Reporter was first to report the casting on Thursday night. Sources also said Kutcher is set to get a "huge payday" for joining the show, but no word on the actual amount. According to TMZ sources, Kutcher will be making between $625,000 - $900,000 per episode. Sheen's base salary was $1.25 million an episode.

Kutcher added fuel to the casting fire Thursday night, when he cryptically tweeted, "What's the square root of 6.25?" The answer, it turns out, is 2.5.

In the casting announcement, WB TV boss Peter Roth called Kutcher a "big-time talent whose unique style will blend seamlessly with Jon Cryer, Angus T. Jones and the rest of this terrific ensemble."

'Two and a Half Men' producer and Charlie Sheen-nemesis, Chuck Lorre, has reportedly put together a clever storyline for Kutcher. "It's really funny," one source said. "People are going to love it."

The role will mark Kutcher's first regular series acting gig since his star-making turn on 'That 70's Show.' The 33-year-old actor has been doing movies and executive producing TV shows like MTV's 'Punk'd' since the FOX series ended in 2006.

Tags: Ashton Kutcher, Charlie Sheen

Comments

(1142)

Thursday 12 May

By uawildcat

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

...and the series is done for.

By laureenmt

Didn't watch it before. Won't watch it now.

By ruby

Well that is a good reason not to watch it, I'd rather have the "Winning! weirdo" back than this no talent idiot.

Friday 13 May

By the truth

If Aston is to replace Sheen then the title of the show needs to be changed to One And a Half Men.

By joanmarie1640

Or it now could be called, "one man and two halves."

By SEM

I probably would've taken a peek at the show if Hugh Grant got the job, that will never happen with Ashton.

By djtonydee

Ashton Kutcher SUCKS !
HIRE HIM.........THE SHOW IS OVER :+{

By Janice

No kidding. Kutcher? Really? They couldn't do any better than him? I can't stand him. John Stamos would have been a better choice. I think there were rumors about his being on the show.

By Lorraine

I agree....No Charlie - No show. When all is said and done it was Chuck Lorre's vanity card that started this all for which CBS and Warner did nothing to him. Ashton's followers aren't old enough to vote CBS....so lets see this show go down into Television history as Charlie put it there....Create another show with Ash and that too won't last a season. Everyone needs to boycott all sponsors of this so called re-vamped series and that will finally put Chuck Lorre where he needs to be.

By BTDT

Kutcher actually has some talent. Butterfly Effect was pretty good.
But they're beating a dead horse here. The show is done.

By NENE

i agree with u. i loved charlie sheen, on 2 1/2 men. i watch all the reruns even tho ive seen them multiple times previous. i dont think KA will be close to charlie sheens acting ability. i will watch it once. if im not satisfied with it, i will not watch it again.

By paul

Charlie Sheen makes two and a half men...everyone else in cast simply supports it.The show will Tank without him.I wouldnt even bother watching it.Chuck Lorre needs to swallow his bruised ego and get Sheen back if he wants his Cash Cow to continue paying off

By cindy denike

I agree , the show is done, so what if U think hes a loser he makes that show and nobody can take his place.........

By AMack118

You're absolutely right, Cat...it wouldn't matter if they casted Brad Pitt as a replacement. Charlie Sheen MADE the show. Why? Because for all intents and purposes, he WAS Charlie Harper. He lives it in real life, which makes him far more believable in character.

Ashton Kutcher, a name brand, would bring in ratings for the first two shows; after that, the series is done. They might as well cancel it now instead of ruining whats left of it.

By JESOPH

And so begins the new series, "Chuck Lorre's Violent Torpedo of Stupid" or "Two and a Half Ways to Crap on Yourself".

By robbo

Might as well cancel the series. It's next to impossible to replace Sheen because he was the perfect actor for that character. Ashton would be a bad choice even if Sheen wasn't the perfect choice. Reruns with Sheen will draw more viewers than new show.

By Rain

I agree NO CHARLIE NO SHOW
SHOW IS OVER

By jake

i'm gonna watch it. not sure if i'll like it but i loved it with charlie and and ashton has grown to be an actually good actor so i'm interested in checking it out and giving it a shot.

i think you guys all just need to stop being so closed minded.

By Denise

Vote down Vote up Report this

my thoughts exactly, guess I won't be watching Two and A Half Men ever again....UGH

By cookie

I think you need to give Kutcher a chance. He may surprise you. Yes, Charlie Sheen made the show but really he took things to the extreme and it has to stop. I applaude Chuck Lorre and the staff and wish them all the luck. Kutcher style is much different and I feel all the non believers will be pleasantly surprised. Can't wait for the DEBUT!!!!!!

Page 1 of 58