Crowe to replace Pitt in film
2007-12-04 13:56
Los Angeles - Australian actor Russell Crowe has agreed to replace Brad Pitt in the starring role of Scottish director Kevin Macdonald's State of Play, avoiding a protracted delay in its shooting, industry daily Variety said on Monday.
Film industry media on November 23 reported that Pitt, 43, had turned down his role in the screen adaptation of the British television miniseries over a disagreement about the script. Pitt's decision could prompt a possible lawsuit if he caused the film to be scrapped.
Crowe, 2001 best actor Oscar winner for his role in Gladiator, will play the role of an investigative journalist looking into the murder of a lawmaker's mistress, in State of Play.
Production was initially slated to start in November by Macdonald, whose The Last King of Scotland (2006) landed Forest Whitaker an Oscar in 2007 for best actor.
Other stars of State of Play include Edward Norton, Helen Mirren, Rachel McAdams, Jason Bateman and Robin Wright Penn, whose work agendas did not allow for an indefinite wait for a Pitt replacement, risking a production shutdown, Variety said.