Everything looked to be going swimmingly on the US State Of Play remake (despite the inherent dodginess of any remake of a beloved original, but let's move along, people) until last week, when star Brad Pitt suddenly dropped out due to script concerns. Now it's reported by Variety that the studio has spent all weekend trying to talk Russell Crowe into the film instead.
Crowe would just about have time to do the film now, before he starts shooting Nottingham for Ridley Scott (scheduled for March), and the filmmakers need a fast replacement before other members of the cast are called away to other commitments - notably Helen Mirren, due to start The Love Ranch for director hubby Taylor Hackford in January.
Meanwhile, Pitt and the studio are each blaming the other for his departure. Pitt has been attached to the film for 16 months, but during that time rewrites have left him unhappy with the script. He wanted to wait until the end of the strike allowed one last rewrite; the studio wanted to push ahead while they still have that cast in place. There is now talk of the studio suing the actor, as they claim he has a "pay or play" deal (something Pitt denies).
Let's hope that everyone concerned comes to an amicable agreement - and in the meantime, what do we think of Crowe as a Pitt substitute? Do his heaps of talent make up for his (comparative, only) dearth of dreaminess? Will he match off well against Norton? And can he convince us when he's playing a journalist instead of punching them?