Heartbroken James Van Der Beek forced to skip beloved reunion: Here's why

James Van Der Beek has given fans a heartbreaking update about the highly anticipated Dawson’s Creek reunion with a silver lining.

The actor, who played the titular character of Dawson Leery, took to his Instagram to lay out his health concerns as well as disclose who would be taking his place for the reunion-turned-charity event.

“This is the evening I’d been looking forward to MOST since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together, way back in January…So you can imagine how gutted I was when two stomach viruses conspired to knock me out of commission and keep me grounded at the worst possible moment,” the Varsity Blues star wrote.

James added that he would not be able to take the stage, despite really wanting to and won’t be able to thank his supporters for showing up for him.

"But I DO have an understudy. A ridiculously overqualified replacement who would have been #1 on my wishlist (had I ever dreamed he’d be available)," the caption reads.

James then revealed, “'The role of “Dawson', usually played by James Van Der Beek…Will be played by Lin-Manuel Miranda."

The 48-year-old also noted how his children would prefer the Hamilton musical star over him, and expressed his gratitude over the songwriter about taking his place.

What stage of cancer does James Van Der Beek have?

James has stage three colorectal cancer, which is a diagnosis he announced to fans in November.

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