TOM CRUISE - HOLMES TO REPLACE MILLER AS WARHOL MUSE

TOM CRUISE's new girlfriend KATIE HOLMES has replaced SIENNA MILLER as ANDY WARHOL's muse EDIE SEDGWICK in forthcoming movie FACTORY GIRL.

Earlier this week (begs09MAY05) British newspapers reported JUDE LAW's fiancee Miller has been dumped from the production in favour of a "bigger name", although the English beauty claims the film clashed with her role in a London theatre production of AS YOU LIKE IT.

Factory Girl director GEORGE HICKENLOOPER admits he had lunch with Holmes in Los Angeles on Thursday (12MAY05) to discuss the possibility of her playing the druggie Sedgwick, who died of an overdose of barbiturates in 1971.

Hickenlooper enthuses, "Katie is not too different from Edie, who arrived in New York as young, innocent, looking for excitement."

Australian actor GUY PEARCE is set to play the legendary artist, with rock couple GWEN STEFANI and GAVIN ROSSDALE playing Factory girl RICHIE BERLIN and GERARD MALANGA respectively.