Charlie Sheen: If I Leave Two and a Half Men, "So Be It"

Charlie Sheen is prepared to walk away from Two and a Half Men if contract negotiations fall through, saying if his role ends, "so be it."
"Much speculation and rumor has arisen from my current status surrounding Two and a Half Men," Sheen said in a statement, addressing media reports that he is demanding a higher salary. "All of the numbers reported in the press are false. Claims from 'inside sources' regarding offers from the studio as well as my salary, on their best day, are without merit."

Charlie Sheen to exit Two and a Half Men?

Sheen's contract ends after the current seventh season, the season finale of which he's taping Friday. He said he submitted his terms for Season 8 to Warner Bros. and CBS in June. The 44-year-old actor, who currently earns $825,000 per episode, was recently ranked the highest paid actor on television."Both parties have known the score for over a year. In no way, has this been a hasty or negligent eleventh hour surprise," he said, adding that he is offering this information out of respect to the crew, cast, family, friends and fans.

Two and a Half Men's production order cut by two episodes

"If tonight's show is the end for me as Charlie Harper, so be it. Another journey has begun. I take from the experience 161 shows filled with a kaleidoscope of amazing experiences, memories, friendships and gratitude. I remain humbly inspired," he said, signing the statement "C. Sheen."Warner Bros. and CBS declined to comment. Two and a Half Men, TV's top-rated sitcom, has been renewed for two more seasons. It is unclear how the show would continue without Sheen, who faces domestic violence charges stemming from a Christmas Day fight with wife Brooke Mueller. He has pleaded not guilty and is due back in court July 21.

Charlie Sheen returns to work

Production on the sitcom halted for three weeks in February when Sheen entered rehab as a "preventative measure." He returned to work March 16, and the show's production order was later reduced by two.