Logan Marshall-Green was replaced as the lead in The Lincoln Lawyer adaptation primarily because the initial CBS version, in which he starred, was canceled due to COVID-19 production challenges. When Netflix later picked up the series, they opted for Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, considering him a more appropriate and authentic casting choice for the character.
The journey of The Lincoln Lawyer from a proposed CBS series to a successful Netflix hit involved significant changes, including a crucial recasting of its main character, Mickey Haller.
Here's a breakdown of the events that led to Logan Marshall-Green's replacement:
- CBS's Initial Adaptation: Initially, CBS planned an adaptation of Michael Connelly's popular Lincoln Lawyer book series. Logan Marshall-Green was cast in the starring role as Mickey Haller.
- COVID-19 Production Issues: The production of the CBS version faced considerable hurdles, primarily due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. These unforeseen production issues ultimately led CBS to abandon and "toss" the project.
- Netflix's Acquisition: Following the cancellation by CBS, the streaming giant Netflix stepped in and acquired the rights to develop its own series. Netflix then greenlit a 10-episode run for the show.
- Recasting for Authenticity: Upon taking over the project, Netflix made a strategic casting decision. Rather than retaining Logan Marshall-Green, they chose Manuel Garcia-Rulfo for the role of Mickey Haller. This decision was based on the belief that Garcia-Rulfo's casting would be "more appropriate and more authentic to the novel," aligning more closely with the source material's depiction of the character.
Therefore, the change in lead actors was not a direct swap within the same production, but rather a consequence of a network cancellation followed by a new streaming service taking over the project with a fresh creative vision, including a different actor for the titular role.
