The 1998 role Steven Seagal was “brainwashed” into quitting: “It’s a Moonie-type situation”There are any number of reasons for an actor to back out of a role they’d already agreed to play, but because this is Steven Seagal we’re talking about, in this case, the reason has to be fucking weird. However, in what wasn’t the first or last time by any stretch, Seagal was found to be writing cheques with his mouth that his arse couldn’t cash. “This Mukara started interfering and told Steven he wasn’t allowed to wear black or shoot a gun,” the jilted former associate claimed. “I don’t know if he’s being brainwashed or what. Unlike the Moonies, which is ostensibly a cult, Buddhism is a recognised religion, so there’s that, but Seagal denied all charges, as you’d expect.