Fans Express Frustration Over Josephine Langford’s Absence in 'After Everything'

Entertainment Fans Slam ‘After Everything’ After Star Josephine Langford Is Seemingly Absent From Final Film

By Shelby Stivale

September 13, 2023

Josephine Langford’s absence from the final installment of the After film franchise, titled ‘After Everything’, has faced backlash from disappointed fans. While Hero Fiennes Tiffin reprised his role as Hardin Scott, Langford’s character Tessa Young was largely absent from the film. This deviation from the source material has led to frustration and criticism from fans.

A Cash Grab Movie?

Some fans argue that Langford should not be blamed for her absence, as her original contract was only for four movies and the franchise was supposed to conclude with the fourth installment. A disgruntled fan on social media wrote, “It’s not her fault they decided to do a cash grab movie nothing like her books. Why would she want to continue working with these men after everything?” This sentiment suggests that the decision to continue the franchise without Langford’s full involvement was driven by financial motivations rather than artistic integrity.

Disruption of the Story

The absence of Langford’s character has left many fans feeling that the integrity of the story has been compromised. The final film, based on the official logline, follows Hardin’s struggle to move forward after his breakup with Tessa. He travels to Portugal in search of a woman from his past and undergoes personal transformation in order to win back Tessa’s love. However, fans claim that the movie’s deviation from the original story has ruined the narrative they loved. One fan expressed their disappointment on social media, stating, “We are so many fans that we love the story of the books and we love Hero and Jo(together)…and you just killed us. No respect for the fans. No respect for the books. No respect for Josephine Langford. I need answers.”

Criticism and Harassment

The controversy surrounding Langford’s reduced role started when fans noticed her absence in the first look of ‘After Everything’ released in May. Some fans took their disappointment to social media, which resulted in harassment towards the cast, crew, and their loved ones. The film studio labeled this behavior as “unacceptable” and urged fans to express their opinions respectfully. However, fans continued to voice their concerns, claiming that a movie without the main character is not true to the original story.

Editorial: The Impact of Deviating from the Original Story

The After film franchise is based on a series of books written by Anna Todd, originally published on Wattpad as fan-fiction. The central characters, Hardin and Tessa, gained a significant following, with the first movie released in 2019 generating anticipation for the sequels. However, with the fifth installment deviating from the novels, fans feel a sense of betrayal and disappointment.

When adapting a beloved book series into a film franchise, there is an inherent responsibility to stay true to the characters and storylines that captured readers’ hearts. Changes that fundamentally alter the narrative can be met with resistance and backlash, as is the case with ‘After Everything’. Fan loyalty should not be taken for granted, as it plays a significant role in the success and longevity of any franchise.

It is understandable that filmmakers may want to explore new avenues and deviate from the source material. However, it is crucial to approach such changes with care and thoughtfulness. Engaging in open dialogue with fans and communicating the reasons behind the creative choices can help alleviate some of the disappointment and frustration.

Moreover, this situation highlights the importance of contract negotiations and setting clear expectations with actors from the beginning. Langford’s absence may have been preventable if her contract had included provisions for potential sequels beyond the initial four movies. The film industry should strive for transparency and fairness in these negotiations to avoid disappointing both actors and fans.

Advice: Balancing Creative Choices and Fan Expectations

When adapting popular content, whether it be books, comics, or fan fiction, filmmakers must strike a delicate balance between honoring the source material and introducing their own creative vision. Change can be refreshing and even necessary to breathe new life into a story, but it should be done with sensitivity to the existing fan base.

Engaging with fans through social media platforms, as the ‘After’ franchise attempted to do, is a positive step. However, it is essential to create a safe space for discussions and constructive criticism. Harassment and personal attacks should never be tolerated, but respectful debate can help bridge the gap between creators and fans.

Moving forward, it is vital for the film industry to learn from incidents like ‘After Everything’ and prioritize open communication, contractual clarity, and shared artistic vision when adapting beloved stories. By doing so, filmmakers can honor the original material while also giving themselves room for creative exploration.