# recast

/ɹiˈkæst/ (US) · /ɹɪkˈɑːst/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/recast
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

to change the way a story or a person is described. In movies, it means to change the actors or the way a scene looks.

For teachers: to rephrase or reframe a narrative, character, or situation; to alter the physical appearance or performance of a role. Often used in the context of film production or linguistic analysis.

## Examples

- The director decided to recast the lead role after the first actor left.
- The studio recast the villain to give the film a more modern and gritty feel.
- By recasting the protagonist as a younger actor, the film managed to attract a new demographic while maintaining the original story's core themes.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.