Pitt walks out on ‘State of Play’ thriller

Brad Pitt has walked away from the star-studded political thriller State of Play, based on the 2003 BBC miniseries that starred David Morrissey and John Simm. Universal Pictures is now threatening to sue Pitt for any costs incurred in having to delay filming while they look for a new leading man, according to Daily Variety.

Pitt, however, is said to want a script re-write rather than to abandon the film which has a galaxy of stars lined up, including Edward Norton, Helen Mirren, Rachel McAdams and Robin Wright Penn. But the script cannot be rewritten because of the Hollywood writers strike.

Production was due to start on November 15 with Scottish director Kevin Macdonald, who made The Last King of Scotland. Pitt was to play the investigative journalist portrayed by Simm in the BBC original. He was attracted to the original script by Matthew Michael Carnahan but is said to have lost interest as the screenplay went through interminable rewrites. He wants the film rewritten to bring it closer to the original. (Continued below)

At least one member of the 'Brangelina' outfit is bringing home the bacon: Pitt's partner Angelina Jolie is at the top of the Thanksgiving holiday box office charts with her Beowulf, co-starring Anthony Hopkins and Ray Winstone.