James Van Der Beek Will Miss ‘Dawson’s Creek’ Reunion Amid Cancer Battle: ‘Worst Possible Moment’ – Star Magazine

Fans hoping to see the original Dawson’s Creek cast together again at a charity event on Monday, September 22, will have to wait.

“Despite every effort… I won’t get to be there,” James Van Der Beek — who is battling Stage 3 colorectal cancer — announced on Instagram on Sunday, September 21.

The Dancing with the Stars alum, 48, revealed that he was “gutted” when “two stomach viruses conspired to knock me out of commission and keep me grounded at the worst possible moment.”

Michelle Williams, who starred on the WB series with him from 1998 to 2003, had organized the reunion to benefit Van Der Beek and the F Cancer charity.

The original cast — including Williams, Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Mary-Margaret Hume, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith, Meredith Monroe and Busy Philipps — will do a live reading of the show’s pilot episode at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City.

“I DO have an understudy.  A ridiculously overqualified replacement…. Someone my kids would definitely consider an upgrade over me,” Van Der Beek added, revealing that Broadway star Lin-Manuel Miranda will be playing the role of Dawson for the event.

“You were a hero to my kids before,” he gushed to the Hamilton creator, 45. “Now you’re a demigod 😇”

The father of six, who is now based in Texas, finished by urging the audience to “please enjoy all the love in that room. Shine some on my family.  I will be beaming and receiving from afar in a bed in Austin.”