HOLLYWOOD -- Sean Patrick Flanery didn't get a chance to get lost in space.
William Hurt told the young actor to get lost just before the cast and crew prepared to blast off for the science-fiction adventure Lost in Space.
Flanery, whose credits include Powder and The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, was cast as Major Don West, the hot-shot pilot who mans the spaceship for the space family Robinson.
"I never shot one frame of film," says Flanery. "From the day I arrived in England for the rehearsals, William Hurt was visibly unhappy.
"He felt I was too slight to be a proper adversary for him. It was his film, really, because he was the first one cast -- and he simply didn't want me.
"It wasn't worth my objecting. It would have been a terrible working environment."
The role was offered to Matthew Perry, but he went into rehab so his Friends buddy Matt LeBlanc stepped up to the controls."
Flanery went on to film Suicide Kings, where he does a most convincing job of menacing Christopher Walken, the scariest man in Hollywood.
By Dan Cox
HOLLYWOOD (Variety), March 12, 1997 - After just a few days of shooting on the sci-fi picture "Lost in Space" in London, Sean Patrick Flanery has been replaced by "Friends" star Matt LeBlanc, the film's producer New Line Cinema said.
The studio determined that Flanery, who was set to play the young astronaut Don West, was the wrong sensibility and look for the role. The star of "Powder" was cast opposite William Hurt, who stars as Dr. John Robinson.
"Sean Patrick Flanery is a professional who understands that his skills as an actor have nothing to do with this casting decision," said a New Line spokesman.
"Once all of the actors were assembled in London, it was decided that the role of Don West required a different look and physical presence. Sean was extremely gracious in allowing us to move forward to locate his replacement."
The picture is the feature version of the hit 1960s TV series about a family that is lost in space, jetting from planet to planet in hopes of finding their way back to Earth. Gary Oldman, Mimi Rogers and Heather Graham also star in the ensemble project. New Line is banking on the big-budget picture as a potential franchise.
LeBlanc will be forced to commute between London and Los Angeles to satisfy the remainder of his "Friends" contract, which stretches through April 11. After that, he will be full-time on "Lost in Space" until it wraps in July.
LeBlanc is best known for his role as Joey Trebbiani on the Emmy-nominated "Friends." He has also had roles on "Married... With Children," "TV101" and "Vinny and Bobby." His only feature credit is last year's box office bomb, "Ed."
Reuters/Variety
By Dan Cox
HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Sean Patrick Flanery ("Powder," "The Grass Harp") has joined the cast of "Lost in Space," rounding out the intergalactic family of the big screen version of the camp 1960s television series.
Flanery will play Don West, the co-officer and buddy of the patriarchal John Robinson, sources said Tuesday. He joins William Hurt, Gary Oldman, Heather Graham and Mimi Rogers in the ensemble troupe.
The big-budget New Line picture starts shooting in a few weeks in London.
Flanery is currently at work on "Bred and Bored," an independent picture directed by Peter O'Fallon. He will follow "Lost In Space" with another indie film "Zack and Reba." His movie "Independence," which also stars Drew Barrymore and Dean Cain, is scheduled for release in the fall.
