“My assumption was wrong.” Chuck Lorre was convinced that this star wasn't good fit for Two and a Half Men, he wanted someone completely different
Chuck Lorre was concerned that the new star of Two and a Half Men would not work. He himself initially preferred that someone older be cast.
After the creators of Two and a Half Men said goodbye to Charlie Sheen, they had to find a replacement for him, which was not going to be an easy task. After all, the TV series was built around the character he played, and Sheen was the star of the production and its success without his participation raised many doubts. However, the creators had to somehow solve this problem and find someone who could fit into the cast and shoulder this difficult situation.
Ashton Kutcher, whom Chuck Lorre, showrunner of Two and a Half Men, was not convinced by, became a potential candidate. The filmmaker, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, confessed that he saw someone older, a peer of Jon Cryer, as Sheen's replacement, which is why Kutcher did not seem like a suitable actor to him. He changed his mind only after getting to know him.
I was completely convinced that we needed a fourtysomething costar who would be a peer to Jon, It was obvious my assumption was wrong. Here was a guy with great comedy instincts, tons of experience and who is totally fearless. Taking the job proves that.
So Kutcher got a role in Two and a Half Man, becoming one of the stars of the sitcom. However, he admitted that joining the cast of Two and a Half Men made him apprehensive, as he faced a considerable challenge – he had to replace someone else who was an important part of the production and to whom fans had grown attached.
Moving into somebody else’s house is a scary thing. ho know what the dynamic would be and how everybody would feel? I wanted to make sure it was comfortable for everybody else and myself.
Lorre confessed that the audience received Kutcher's appearance well, greeting him with enthusiasm during his first appearances.