Ashton Kutcher Latest Name To Surface In ‘Two and a Half Men’ Speculation

Heading into next week’s upfronts in New York City, one of TV’s biggest questions is in what form will Two and a Half Men continue and who will replace Charlie Sheen?

Earlier this week, Deadline.com reported that Warner Bros. had been thisclose to signing movie star Hugh Grant for the role, but that Grant pulled out at the last minute. Now we’re hearing that Ashton Kutcher, who starred on Fox’s That 70’s Show from 1998 – 2006, is among the latest stars under consideration.

Unsurprisingly, CBS and Warner Bros aren’t talking, but Kutcher is just the latest of many names to surface for this high-profile role.

Hiring the right actor to take Sheen’s place on Men means millions to Warner Bros. and to CBS. Warner Bros. stands to make several billions of  dollars (that’s billions, with a b) on Two and a Half Men in domestic and international station and cable deals, while CBS charges more than $200,000 per 30-second spot in the sitcom, which is TV’s most-watched. Should Sheen not come back, TV stations have the right to pass on the Sheen-less episodes. However, if new episodes of Men continue to perform, TV stations should still want to acquire them.

Men’s launch group, Tribune, and other stations, have re-upped the show through 2021. If stations end up passing on the show’s next season, then that term would be shortened to 2020. On cable, Two and a Half Men airs on FX.

Other actors whose names have been mentioned for the role include John Stamos, Rob Lowe and Jeremy Piven.