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 RodRishard

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Charlie made the show with his part..there is no one to replace him that would be as funny or instantanious.They should put this behind them and hire him back or just shut the show down and reap the reruns.these three guys make the show so impressive,replacing one person,any one person to me would be disasterous.hire charlie back please

By Luna

I totally agree! he's even similar to his character in real life. I'm looking at the show right now with him in it and laughing my butt off at something he said.

Friday 13 May

By dar

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You're right, Charlie made this show unique, please do not replace him. I can't imagine Ashton acting as Charlie, it won't be the same and I will definitively stop watching the show. Ashton is cute but too dumb. Charlie, Alan and Jake were made to act in "Two and a Half Men"

By auntcaca199

Exactly...could not have said it better myself.

By jean

Actually, it was the supporting characters that made the show. Charlie was really a star side kick.
I believe Ashton can pull off the dry humor that Charlie had.
Charlie Sheen pulled one too many pranks and this last one totally backfired.

By Aften

I totally agree with you, RodRishard. The show is over without Charlie. These stubborn children don't really think they have a shot with Ashton, do they???

Saturday 14 May

By linda

i agree with you Rod

By mlsc

Ashton Kutcher sticks. Hugh Grant would have been great.

By judy

Charlie is beginning to look old and worn. It was time to change up to someone younger. Ashton well bring new life into the show.

By BB

It's always hard for a replacement to step in where another actor has had a leading role in an established show,so whoever it is needs a chance to show what they've got.Good luck to Ashton,or whomever they choose.

By mom

sorry but no1 can replace charlie on that show

By asssvvvvxc

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

he has 6.7 million Twitter followers. That's more than the audience for the Two and a Half Men repeat this past Monday.

By scaredycat

Not funny. He only plays dumb and weak characters. Charlie's character is not that. Oh well. Shut it down.

By Cindy

Ew, thought they were getting someone good looking. Bub bye Two and Half Men, or should I say One and Two Half Men.

By dallas

omg..what an a-hole to replace charlie..no way..

By the_fool

I didn't watch the show with Charlie and this for sure will keep me away from seeing it.

By jckfmsincty

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It's perfect. Ashton is equally untalented.

By Ule

Ashton has gone from promising leading man to fonzie watersking over the shark. What a loser, all started when he married dumi moore, whos face is tighter than sharkskin.

By nancy

And now, for the first time since its inception, I will watch "Two and a Half Men."

By Dmoongo

If it wasn't dead already, this will kill it for sure.

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