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)

Friday 13 May

By TV Watcher

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I totally agree!

By LisaBoBisa

Sheesh, have some faith. I'm a huge Charlie Sheen fan, but I also think that Ashton Kutcher might bring a whole new light to the show. We'll just have to see.

By brance

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Agree. It's over.

By GreatBird

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Sheen lived the life and I will not be watching this punk(ed) do his kid act in Sheen's place...

By Leesa

uawildcat...wrong!

Sorry carlie....I can't stand type casting and I hate druggies.
I like Aston, so......I will NOW watch the show.

By nagyp

Agreed!

By John

I couldn't agree more!

Saturday 14 May

By harold

Chuck Lorre, should be gone by the end of the first season too.

Sunday 15 May

By lm1119

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Wow, what's with all the haters? I think Kutcher is an excellent choice. I loved him on "That 70's Show" and the movies I've seen him in. I think there's a lot of resentment because people are used to Charlie, and as much as I liked him, business is business. You can't depend on a loose cannon and unfortunately, that's what Sheen became. His personal life is a mess and it spilled over into his professional life. The man needs help. This "Torpedo Of Truth" tour of his is sad, it's nothing short of a public display of mental illness, and his "people" are exploiting it. Charlie Sheen has gone from a top name in the business to the butt end of jokes. It's a shame. Seriously, what IS he "winning"? Cause all I can see is how much he's losing (money, respect, his mind).
I hope Kutcher can pull it off. No, it won't be the same, but the change might be good. Let's face it, the show was getting a little stale. The whole "Chelsea" storyline was a major fail (there was zero chemistry), so...maybe Ashton can breathe new life into the show. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Thursday 12 May

By guevindna

Ashton has been out of the picture too long! Awesome!

By HG in MN

I'm kinda with you on that. I'm not a huge Ashton fan, but I've seen him do some work I enjoyed. I'd give it a look see.

Hey, Charlie..."BU-U-U-U-U-U-RN!!!!!!!!!!!"

By Tammy

I can't wait to see it....I think Ashton is funnier than Charlie anyday...

By jz

Tammy I agree with you! I would love to see Ashton on that show! Charlie Sheen was an old washed up Skank any. Sheen looks like he has all night orgies with porn stars and hasn't showered in weeks! Puke!

By djtonydee

NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By G

You must be delerious!

By Henry

Ashton Kutcher funnier than Charlie Sheen? Yeah,right...
Let me guess,you're under 25 (possibly under 20),you still wear pajamas with "feet" on the bottoms, you probably have no less than 10 stuffed toy animals on your bed,"Hello Kitty" is your hallmark brand, and you think that a "balanced breakfast" is eating a bowl of "Cocoa Puffs",while standing on one foot!!!

By moudsie

Right on -- Charlie is so done and let's face it, he's getting too old to play the part of a "player." He looks haggard. And, let's face it -- he was just "playing" himself -- he can't act really -- he's a one dimensional type -- plus, he caused this mess with his big mouth and big ego.

By charlie

No way. Sheen is 100 times funnier than that loser. he was not all that good on that 70's show. Ther rest fo the cast carried his scrub butt.

By sport

ashton will never get the show off the ground..besides the chemistry between sheen and the others on the show can never be duplicated...can you picture ashton as a ladies man?...NOT!!!

Sunday 18 September

By joe

they sould just cancel the show, or bring back charlie sheen, there is no replacment

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