Well, that was quick. Just one week ago, Robert De Niro exited Martin Campbell’s currently-shooting thriller, Edge Of Darkness, citing creative differences. With filming underway, Campbell and producer Graham King decided to shoot material not featuring De Niro, while casting around for a replacement. And today, Ray Winstone signed on to the movie, which stars Mel Gibson as a cop who uncovers a government conspiracy while investigating his daughter’s death. Winstone will play a government agent sent in to clean up the evidence and, presumably, butt heads with Gibson. We’re guessing, but we’re not sure, that this is the equivalent of the Joe Don Baker character from the 1985 BBC mini-series, also directed by Campbell, on which the film is based. Gibson, of course, plays the role first assayed by the late, great Bob Peck. So… Winstone for De Niro. That’s not a bad trade-off – there aren’t many actors who would have the gravitas and guts to convincingly fill a role meant for Bobby De Niro, but Winstone is one of them. And he’s worked with King before, on The Departed, so it looks like a case of all’s well that ends well.

Chris Hewitt

Have Your Say...
We want to know what you think? To have your say on this, and all of Empire's news stories, register here or login now.

Previous Story Adam Arkin Joins A Serious Man Alan's son signs on for the new Coens

Next Story The Dark Knight Returns In January Warners plan Oscar run re-release

Advertisement

Your Comments

same here! i actually thought he was dead! ... Read More IsabelB About me
19:28, 13 September 2008 | Report This Post
RE: when it said departed De Niro
Winstone is a very fine actor. De Niro has been superb in the past and no one could deny nim the right to have an opinion on how to play out his role. ... Read More Incanus About me
17:43, 13 September 2008 | Report This Post
when it said departed De Niro
I thought it meant he had died! ... Read More SolarDave About me
17:58, 12 September 2008 | Report This Post
NOW i'm looking forward to this
Ray Winstone replacing De Niro is good move, Winston is on the up and De Niro is crusing to his retirement as he's beedn involve in more shockers that good ones these days. Fifteen Minutes, Meet the Fockers, that Godspell or whatever (the one with Dakota Fanning as a possessed kid) it was so shockingly bad I forgot the name. The upcoming Righteous Kill doesn't look great either. He was good in Stardust though. ... Read More Taz69 About me
13:46, 12 September 2008 | Report This Post
RE:
So when do we get the good news on Gibson being replaced as Craven by someone who isn't a joke compared to Bob Peck?   As it is Monahan I assume the 6 hour original will be translated into around 10 hours with his normal unnecessary bloating. (I note they aren't bothering to credit Kennedy Martin).   Give me strength. Is there a contribution fund to stop Campbell from selling his soul and whoring himself out? ... Read More elab49 About me
12:14, 12 September 2008 | Report This Post
Winstone should go back and reshoot all of De Niro's back catalogue: "Are you cor-bleeding-blimey talking to me guvnor?" ... Read More ovenmitboy About me
11:19, 12 September 2008 | Report This Post