Best Man: Unveiling Monica Calhoun's Absence

why was monica calhoun written out of best man

In the 2013 sequel to the film 'The Best Man', titled 'The Best Man Holiday', Monica Calhoun's character Mia Sullivan dies of cancer. This plot point is carried forward to the series 'The Best Man: Final Chapters', which follows the friend group as they navigate midlife crises and the loss of their friend. Calhoun reprises her role in a dream sequence in the second episode of the series, and her character's death continues to impact the storyline, particularly her husband Lance's arc.

Characteristics Values
Name of actress Monica Calhoun
Name of character Mia Morgan
Name of film series The Best Man
Name of film in which character died The Best Man Holiday
Reason for character's death Cancer
Year of film in which character died 2013

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Mia's death by cancer

Lance's grief was a central theme in the following instalment, "The Best Man: Final Chapters". The first episode picked up with Lance still mourning his wife and trying to bury his feelings with one-night stands. As the friends gathered to celebrate a wedding, Lance couldn't help but be reminded of his own wife and their wedding day. This led to a flashback of Lance and Mia's wedding, a bittersweet reminder of happier times.

In the second episode, Lance dreamt of him and Mia relaxing by the pool, expressing their love for each other. However, he soon woke up and realised it was just a dream, a painful reminder of his loss. Lance's grief also led him to connect with a hotel manager named Jasmine, who helped him open up and cope with his emotions.

Mia's death not only affected the storyline but also had a significant impact on the cast and crew. Director Malcolm D. Lee considered it a "necessary" choice, stating that he "wanted to tell a story where Black folks got to emote at the movie theater". He felt that Mia's death would evoke strong emotions from the audience, and it allowed the actors to showcase their skills in portraying grief and loss.

Despite Mia's death, Monica Calhoun did make a special appearance in "The Best Man: Final Chapters". Her presence served as a tribute to the character and provided a sense of closure for the audience. Calhoun's performance, both in the original films and the final chapters, added depth and emotion to the storyline, showcasing her range and talent as an actress.

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Lance's grief

In his dreams, Lance imagines a perfect world where Mia is still alive and they are on a vacation, relaxing by the pool. This dream sequence showcases Lance's unwillingness to accept Mia's death and his desire to escape his grief. However, he eventually wakes up and is forced to confront the reality of his loss. This moment serves as a reminder that Lance's grief is ever-present and that he is unable to find solace or distraction from his pain, even in his sleep.

Throughout "The Best Man: Final Chapters", Lance's grief is a recurring theme that influences his relationships, career choices, and overall well-being. His character arc showcases the complexities of grief and how it can impact different aspects of one's life. While Lance eventually connects with a hotel manager named Jasmine, who helps him open up, he still has a long way to go in processing his grief and healing from the loss of his wife.

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Lance's new love interest, Jasmine

Jasmine's appearance in Lance's life comes at a pivotal moment, as he is also facing challenges in his career. After retiring from football, Lance attempts to pursue a career as a sports analyst, but this endeavour proves unsuccessful. Ultimately, he decides to return to the world of football, both by pursuing a new career path and by pushing his eldest child, who is training to follow in his footsteps.

Lance's journey in "The Best Man: Final Chapters" is one of self-discovery and healing. He is navigating the difficulties of losing a spouse, the uncertainties of a new career, and the complexities of parenthood. Jasmine's presence in his life seems to offer a glimmer of hope and a chance for him to find love again. However, it is important to note that Lance is still processing his grief, and it may take time for him to fully move on.

The dynamic between Lance and Jasmine adds a layer of complexity to the story, as it explores the themes of love, loss, and new beginnings. Their relationship highlights the challenges of finding love again after experiencing profound loss. It remains to be seen whether Lance and Jasmine's connection will blossom into something more or if it will serve as a stepping stone in Lance's healing process.

Lance's encounter with Jasmine demonstrates the possibility of new beginnings and the power of human connection in overcoming grief. Their interaction adds depth to Lance's character and provides a glimpse into his emotional state. As the story unfolds, viewers will be eager to see how this relationship evolves and whether it will help Lance find closure and move forward.

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Lance's career change

Lance, played by Morris Chestnut, is a former NFL star who has been grieving the death of his wife, Mia, played by Monica Calhoun. In the series, Lance is dealing with retirement and trying to figure out his next move. After an unsuccessful attempt at becoming a sports analyst, Lance decides to return to the world of football. This decision is likely influenced by his grief and his struggle to move on from Mia's passing.

Lance's grief is a central theme in the series, and it is closely tied to his career change. He is often seen mourning his wife and burying his feelings with one-night stands. The series explores how Lance navigates his career and personal life while coping with his loss.

Lance's return to football is not his only focus in the series. He also has a strong connection with his eldest child who is training to follow in his footsteps and pursue a career in football. Lance is shown to be hard on his child, pushing them to succeed in the sport. This dynamic adds another layer to Lance's character and his journey of healing after Mia's death.

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Lance's parenting

Lance's character arc in "The Best Man: Final Chapters" explores the complexities of a widowed parent navigating grief, career changes, and the challenges of raising children who are pursuing their own dreams.

Frequently asked questions

Monica Calhoun's character Mia died of cancer in the 2013 sequel to The Best Man.

Director Malcolm D. Lee has said that he loved working with Calhoun, and that she was "a great actress and really was the key to getting people emotional about Best Man Holiday".

Yes, Calhoun made a special appearance on the red carpet at the premiere of The Best Man: Final Chapters. She also reprised her role as Mia in a dream sequence in episode 2.

In the first episode, Lance, Mia's widower, is still mourning his wife and having flashbacks of their wedding day. In the second episode, Lance dreams of him and Mia relaxing by the pool and expressing their love for each other.

In an interview about The Best Man Holiday, Calhoun said that she welcomed the challenge of playing Mia, and that she was "all in" when presented with the sequel.

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