BRITTANY MURPHY - MURPHY TO TAKE ON LOHAN'S MOVIE ROLE?

BRITTANY MURPHY is reportedly top of the list to replace LINDSAY LOHAN in new movie POOR THINGS - after the star dropped out to begin a stint in rehab. Lohan had been signed up to play the leading role in the dark comedy but was forced to quit when she was admitted to the Cirque Lodge in Utah last summer (07) after two driving under the influence incidents landed her an 84-minute stint in jail. And now, according to the Hollywood Reporter, movie bosses are lining up Just Married actress Murphy to join the cast, which already includes Shirley MACLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Rosario Dawson and Channing Tatum. The film, about two female con artists, will be directed by Scott Marshall, whose 2007 movie Blonde Ambition, starring Jessica Simpson, went straight to DVD after a limited cinema release saw the movie flop.