KURT RUSSELL - RUSSELL REPLACES ROURKE AS GRINDHOUSE KILLER

KURT RUSSELL has replaced MICKEY ROURKE as the sick killer in QUENTIN TARANTINO's new horror film GRINDHOUSE, according to internet reports. Rourke reportedly pulled out of the project earlier this month (JUL06) and Tarantino immediately went to Russell and asked him to play STUNTMAN MIKE, a man terrorising young girls in his portion of the new film, which will also feature a separate storyline shot by pal ROBERT RODRIGUEZ. Internet website Moviehole.net reports the POSEIDON star signed on for the role on Friday (21JUL06). Tarantino's section of Grindhouse, subtitled DEATH PROOF, will also feature MARILYN MANSON's ex-girlfriend ROSE MCGOWAN and KILL BILL stuntwoman ZOE BELL in her first starring role. Horror movie master JOHN CARPENTER is in negotiations to record the film's score.