Editorials > Crowe Confirmed to Replace Pitt in State of Play

Word circulated a few weeks ago that Russell Crowe had been tapped to replace Brad Pitt in Universal's State of Play, and it now seems the rumors were true. According to Variety:

Crowe will play a politico-turned-journalist who spearheads his newspaper's investigation into a killing that leads to a fast-rising pol (Edward Norton). The journalist faces two conflicts: He once ran campaigns for the pol and was his confidant, and the journo develops a romance with the pol's estranged wife (Robin Wright Penn).

Is "journo" really an acceptable abbreviation for "journalist?" Anyway, the film also stars Jason Bateman, Helen Mirren, and Rachel McAdams and will be directed by Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland).

Pitt left the project after finding the most recent drafts of the screenplay not to his liking. Unfortunately, with the WGA strike on, no rewriting could be done to placate the star, and he opted to walk out rather than to go forward without what he felt was an acceptable script. 

It's unclear whether Universal will pursue legal action against Pitt, as he entered into a "pay or play" agreement. With Crowe signing on in such short order, the production will be able to begin filming before the end of the year, and Macdonald will not have to worry about losing components of his impressive ensemble cast.

-David Morgan