Why Jon Hamm was forced to turn down Gone Girl

Jon Hamm turned down the lead role in Gone Girl because Mad Men bosses said no.

It was one of the biggest movies of 2014, netting $368 million at the box office and even netting an Oscar nomination for Rosamund Pike.

Now it has been revealed that Jon Hamm was forced to turn down a starring role in Gone Girl because Mad Men creator Matt Weiner refused to relax the terms of his contract.

The refusal is said to have devastated Hamm, whose role with the show soon comes to an end after eight years.

A source told the New York Post's Page Six: "Matt would not let Jon out of his contract to do Gone Girl.

"Jon was really upset about it at the time and is still upset, because he's thinking about the future of his career as Mad Men comes to a close."

According to the report the shooting schedule of the film and TV show clashed.

As Mad Men's central character Don Draper, Hamm was thought to be essential to the TV show.

Hamm's role as a troubled advertising executive with a dark past has brought him stardom and repeated Emmy Award nominations.

However it has been a rough few weeks for the 44-year-old, who has spent 30 days being treated for alcohol addiction.

And his concerns about the future of his career following the end of Mad Men are said to have contributed to Hamm's worries.

Hamm had the support of his longtime partner, actress-filmmaker Jennifer Westfeldt, in his struggle, publicist Annett Wolf said in a statement as his rehab stay was revealed last Tuesday.

The disclosure, first reported by TMZ, came as the final season of the 1960s-set drama begins April 5 on AMC.

Hamm has been fulfilling his promotional obligations for the TV show since his release from rehab, and has thanked fans for their support.

- The Daily Mail