RUSSELL CROWE - GLADIATOR TO REPLACE ACHILLES IN POLITICAL THRILLER?

RUSSELL CROWE is in negotiations to replace BRAD PITT in political thriller STATE OF PLAY after Hollywood strike-related issues forced the TROY star to pull out of the project last week (ends23Nov07). According to industry reports, studio executives at Universal spent the weekend (24/25Nov07) meeting with Crowe in a bid to persuade him to take over the role immediately. Pitt had been onboard the film for months after agreeing to play a journalist who uncovers a murder scandal that implicates a political heavyweight he used to work for. But the movie star felt compelled to walk away from the film when executives refused to await a resolution to the ongoing writers' strike - now in its fourth week - before commencing filming. Pitt also insisted on a script rewrite, which was refused. Trade paper Daily Variety reports Pitt may face legal action from the studio bosses after walking away from a film that was stalled by a strike. As WENN went to press, Helen Mirren and Edward Norton were still attached to supporting roles in the film, which was supposed to have started filming on 17 November (07).