Variety says that Edward Norton is exiting State of Play, and talks are under way for Ben Affleck to replace him in the Kevin Macdonald-directed drama for Universal Pictures and Working Title. The film is expected to begin production in the first week of January. Norton becomes the second high profile cast member to disembark, following the exit of his Fight Club co-star Brad Pitt just before Thanksgiving. Pitt’s exit, and the courtship of Russell Crowe to replace him, moved the State of Play start date from mid-November into January. That created a clash, and the studio, working with Norton’s and Affleck’s reps at Endeavor, worked out an exit plan. Now it will be Affleck who plays a fast-rising politician who is caught up in a murder conspiracy. Crowe will play a journalist who leads a newspaper’s investigation into the killing. He’s conflicted in that he once ran the pol’s campaigns, and he is now romancing his estranged wife. Still in the cast are Helen Mirren, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright Penn and Jason Bateman.
Russell Crowe is in final negotiations to replace Brad Pitt in State of Play, saving Universal and Working Title’s delayed political thriller from shutting down. Pitt pulled out of the movie last week, citing script concerns that made him uneasy about toplining the picture. That brought him to loggerheads with the studio, which was adamant about going ahead with the script they had. Even meetings with the movie’s director, Kevin Macdonald, proved fruitless. Macdonald spent the weekend in Australia talking with Crowe, who had to see if Play could fit into his schedule; Crowe is scheduled to shoot Universal’s Nottingham, the Ridley Scott-directed reimagining of the Robin Hood story.
Variety reports that Brad Pitt has pulled out of a pay or play deal on State of Play, putting the Universal Pictures drama in a state of flux. Pitt dropped out of the film early Wednesday, following two weeks of struggle and meetings with director Kevin Macdonald that prevented the film from making its original November 15 production start date. The trade says the studio will try to find a star to replace Pitt. If Universal doesn’t recast and get the picture going by November 29, it will begin losing the other actors in the film. Pitt was set to star with Edward Norton, Helen Mirren, Rachel McAdams, Jason Bateman and Robin Wright Penn in the Matthew Michael Carnahan-scripted adaptation of the British mini-series. Pitt was playing a politician-turned-journalist who spearheads a newspaper’s investigation of a murder, a trail that leads to the fast-rising pol whose campaigns were once masterminded by Pitt’s character. Universal said: “Brad Pitt has left the Universal Pictures production of ‘State of Play.’ We remain committed to this project and to the filmmakers, cast members, crew and others who are also involved in making the movie. We reserve all rights in this matter.”
Rachel McAdams, Helen Mirren and Robin Wright Penn will join Brad Pitt, Edward Norton and Jason Bateman in State of Play, the Universal Pictures/Working Title adaptation of the British miniseries. Kevin Macdonald is directing; Matthew Michael Carnahan wrote the script. McAdams will play a reporter in the middle of a career-making story, as her newspaper investigates the death of the mistress of a fast-rising congressman. Mirren will play the newspaper’s steely editor, a role undertaken by Bill Nighy in the original.
Wright Penn will play the congressman’s estranged wife. She becomes romantically involved with his former campaign manager (Pitt), who leads the newspaper’s investigative team. Norton plays the congressman and Bateman plays the other lead reporter. Andrew Hauptman is producing with Working Title partners Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner.
Jason Bateman is joining Brad Pitt and Edward Norton in State of Play, the Kevin Macdonald-directed adaptation of the British miniseries for Universal Pictures and Working Title, reports Variety. The drama centers on a newspaper’s investigation of the murder of a girlfriend of a fast-rising congressman, played by Norton. Pitt plays the former campaign manager of the politician who spearheads the paper’s investigation, and Bateman will play one of the key reporters chasing the story. Andrew Hauptman produces with Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner. Paul Abbott, who created the mini, executive produces.
Fight Club stars Edward Norton and Brad Pitt are reuniting to star in State of Play, Universal Pictures’ adaptation of the British miniseries. Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland) is directing the Matthew Michael Carnahan script. Norton will play a congressman whose speedy political rise is threatened by an investigation into the death of his mistress. Pitt plays a politician-turned-journalist who oversees his newspaper’s investigation into the murder and develops a relationship with the politician’s estranged wife. Variety says the project has been a high priority for Universal since the studio won an auction for rights to the six-hour mini written by Paul Abbott. Tony Gilroy worked on a rewrite of the film, which is on track for a November start. Andrew Hauptman will produce with Working Title partners Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner. Abbott is executive producer.
