Russell Crowe replaces Brad Pitt in `State of Play`

Crowe, 2001 best actor Oscar winner for his role in "Gladiator," will play the role of an investigative journalist looking into the murder of a lawmaker's mistress, in "State of Play."
Production was initially slated to start in November by Macdonald, whose "The Last King of Scotland" (2006) landed Forest Whitaker an Oscar in 2007 for best actor.
Other stars of "State of Play" include Edward Norton, Helen Mirren, Rachel McAdams, Jason Bateman and Robin Wright Penn, whose work agendas did not allow for an indefinite wait for a Pitt replacement, risking a production shutdown, Variety was quoted by AFP as saying.