Crowe To Replace Pitt In State Of Play? Well, he's in talks... Source: Variety
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?
I think that Ryan Gosling would have been a good shout but I think also Jake Gyllenhal would have as well. I think maybe Crowe is a bit old for the role, he's always good value in my opinion, not many people can make films back to back like The Insider, Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind. Although Proof of Life was not his best, but Meg Ryan handicaps any movie automatically. Would have been nice if somebody like maybe Robe Lowe or Bradley Whitfield from The West Wing got a look in. ... Read More
Where I feel Norton will capture the intensity that David Morrisey bought to the role of the Politician. I'm not a Pitt hater in fact far from it but he was too old for the role of the Simm role. Crowe despite being one of the best actors on the planet is wrong for this role, he' more likely to play the Norton Role although Ed is best cast in that role.
A younger not so knowing actor, Ryan Gosling would be a good shout but it looks like Mcdonald's version is going deviate from Abbott's superb... Read More
oved Fight Club gutteed that Brad Pitt and Ed Norton won't be on screen together for this one :( Russell Crowe should be able to do it justice...he did a sort of sensitive dreaminess in parts of A Beautiful Mind ... Read More
I just hope that Russell signs up for this and around 10 other movies so Hopefully Nottingham will never get made! How cr*p does it sound? ... Read More
I just hope that Russell signs up for this and around 10 other movies so Hopefully Nottingham will never get made! How cr*p does it sound? ... Read More
I think Crowe is a bot hit and miss lately.
I loved "Gladiator", "The Insider", "Cinderella Man" and "American Gangster" (and of course "LA Confidential"),
But... "3.10 To Yuma", "Proof of Life" etc were poor IMHO.
I wonder what the script issues were why Pitt jumped ?
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I don't lke the idea that one movie star can stop a whole production, so I hope this works out. It sounds like the kind of movie where acting should outweigh dreaminess. Anything that pushes "Nottingham" further away is a good thing. ... Read More
