It was only four days ago when Bruce Willis exited Woody Allen's latest, despite having filmed some of his role during early production. And though the controversy regarding his abrupt departure continues to spur, the writer/director hasn't had any trouble finding a replacement.
As Deadline reports, Steve Carell joins the currently untitled picture in Willis' place, which keeps production on schedule despite the change-up. Details are, as per usual, kept under wraps for Allen's year contribution, so the role Carell now plays/Willis would've played is left uncertain until the movie's complete. Nevertheless, it's hard to believe The Office alum wouldn't be a fine replacement in an already strong ensemble, which also includes Blake Lively, Jesse Eisenberg, Corey Stoll, Anna Camp, Stephen Kunken, Paul Schneider, Parker Posey, Kristen Stewart, Ken Scott, Sari Lennick and Jeannie Berlin.
The new movie, said to be a period piece and Allen's first time shooting on digital, marks the second time Carell worked with the auteur filmmaker after starring in 2004's Melinda and Melinda. Neither the actor nor the director's strongest work, admittedly, but Carell has only grown stronger as an actor and Allen's always remained hit-or-miss, so this shouldn't be a problem whatsoever. In fact, it'll be exciting to see them working together again, particularly considering the comedic and dramatic versatility Carell's been perfecting of late.
As for Willis, though the initial PR report suggested Willis left the movie due to schedule conflicts with his upcoming Broadway production Misery, many — including reporter Jeff Sneider — suggest the star was fired. Willis isn't known to be the easiest performer to work with today, as Kevin Smith and Sylvester Stallone can confirm, and the reasons for why he got canned run the gambit at this point.
Of course, Allen is also known to replace actors from time-to-time if they're not working out for the part, as he did with Michael Keaton in The Purple Rose of Cairo and Christopher Walken and Sam Shepard for September. So it's possible the actor and the role just didn't fit with one another. Despite his prickly attitude, he's cooperated well with fellow auteurs like Wes Anderson and Rian Johnson of late with Moonrise Kingdom and Looper, respectively, just a couple years back, which suggests it may not have been his usual hassles giving him the (potential) boot.
Regardless, Allen's moving forward with the follow-up to his disappointing Irrational Man, and Willis' also has his next role lined up. He'll also stars in Rock the Kasbah on October 23. Willis' replacement, meanwhile, will soon be seen in Freeheld on October 2.
Image courtesy of INFphoto.com
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