James van der Beek is “furious” to drop out of the much-anticipated Dawson Creek reunion on Monday.
The actor, released in November 2024 in the Stage 3 battle with colorectal cancer, explained to his Instagram followers over the weekend that he “has not paid any fees.”
On Sunday, the 48-year-old “Varsity Blues” star wrote that “two stomach viruses conspire to… continue to ground me at their worst moments.”
He said that since Michelle Williams came up with the idea in January, the charity event was “evening (he’s most looking forward to it)” in collaboration with F Cancer, “he’s most looking forward to it.”
Van delbeek and Williams, 45, were scheduled to reunite with busy New York City Phillips, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson and other co-stars at the Richard Rogers Theatre.
“Despite all the effort… I can’t be there,” confirmed Van Del Beek, who played Dawson Reilly for six seasons. “I can’t stand at that stage and be grateful that all the souls in the theatre appeared for me and when I needed it most.
“But I have an understudy,” he continued. “A ridiculously overqualified replacement that should have been number one on my wish list (if I dreamed he could be available), and I’d think my kids would definitely upgrade me. What’s more, he already knows how to go to the theatre.
Lynn Manuel Miranda is taking over for Van der Beek. The “Dancing with the Stars” alumni say, “I couldn’t believe I’d become a type.”
He said, “Thanks @lin_manuel. You were the hero of my children before… Now you’re a demigod 😇.”
Van der Beek said, “Everyone enjoys all love in that room. Glow in my family. I will shine and accept from afar in my bed in Austin.”
The “Rules of Charm” star’s wife, Kimberly van der Beek, will attend six children: Olivia, 14, Joshua, 13, Annabelle, 11, Emilia, 9, Gwendolyn, 7, Jeremiah and three.
“It was important to him!!” the 43-year-old wrote in an Instagram comment Sunday.
The couple have been married since August 2010, and Kimberly shared an emotional message to James earlier this year, hoping for “many more birthdays.”
“May this year we deepen your laughter, dance, and connect with God, bringing you extraordinary health and exquisite beauty,” she called it “treasure” on Instagram in March.
Kimberly and the little ones supported James later that same month when he competed as Griffin in “The Masked Singer.”
Before he was masked, the “Pause” alum praised his family for helping him navigate a “really tough year.”
He told viewers, “I wouldn’t have gotten through this without them. They made me smile in tough days and they were strong for me when I can’t do that sometimes. They were standing by my side.
James was diagnosed with cancer in August 2023.
By the time he shared the news the following year, he felt “cautiously optimistic” and “I am in a place of healing, my energy level is amazing.
“When I leave the forest completely for something that feels like a responsible time, I will circle around and let you know,” he revealed in November 2024.
