Brad Pitt Quits Film

Brad Pitt has pulled out of a Hollywood remake of the BBC political drama State of Play - throwing the production into doubt, it was reported last night.

The actor was to appear alongside Dame Helen Mirren and Ed Norton as an investigative journalist in the film, to be directed by The Last King of Scotland director Kevin Macdonald, the industry magazine Variety claimed.

However, Pitt withdrew citing concerns over script alterations. Because of an ongoing strike by scriptwriters in America, it would not have been possible to have it rewritten in time for filming, it was claimed.

Universal Pictures is now faced with the not insignificant task of finding another A-list name to fill the part for the shoot, which was due to begin last week. The studio is considering suing the actor if they are unable to replace him in time, Variety said.

Shameless writer Paul Abbott penned the original TV script but it was adapted by Matthew Michael Carnahan, who wrote Lions for Lambs.