Norton no longer keen to 'Play'

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Actor Edward Norton has left the U.S. film version of the British miniseries "State of Play" after its shooting schedule was delayed by more than a month.

Ben Affleck is in talks to replace him, Variety.com said.

News of Norton's departure comes on the heels of Brad Pitt's exit.

Pitt reportedly dropped out of the project because he was unhappy with the script and the filmmakers refused to postpone the start date until after the Writers Guild of America strike ended and it could be revamped.

"State of Play" was slated to begin shooting in mid-November, but the date was changed to the first week of January because it took some time to lock in Russell Crowe to replace Pitt.

Norton had to drop out of the project because the date change would have disrupted production on his next film, "Leaves of Grass," an independent comedy written and to be directed by Tim Blake Nelson, the trade newspaper said.

Norton is playing duel roles in "Grass," as well as producing the movie with his Class 5 Films partner Bill Migliore.