Given the current rage of sequels, several filmmakers are seen busy writing follow-up stories to their hit films. Though the concept of franchise films has been around for a few years now, it has been witnessing certain changes — an all-new ensemble cast, new directors, lead replacements and complete turnabouts in the plot.

Though it lends a fresh feel to a particular film, there may be issues of continuation and lack of audience connect. Can you imagine 'Dabangg' without Salman Khan? Or 'Dhoom' devoid of Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra? But then, in what seems to be a growing trend, quite a few actors seem to opting out of sequels. Akshay Kumar joins the club as he has turned down 'Hera Pheri 3'. hitlist turns the spotlight on actors who did not feature in the sequels of their films for whatever reasons.

Akshay Kumar
Opted out of: 'Hera Pheri'
Known for his brilliant comic timing, the actor recently backed out of the third instalment of the 'Hera Pheri' franchise, which now stars Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham in the lead.