Winslet takes over Kidman's 'Reader' role

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- British film star Kate Winslet is taking over Nicole Kidman's role in "The Reader" after the pregnant Australian actress dropped out of the production.

"Kate was offered it first before Nicole, but couldn't do it (because) the dates clashed with commitments to 'Revolutionary Road,'" an insider told People.com. "So the dates changed, Nicole then got pregnant and now it has come back to Kate. ... Actually, everyone is happy now -- Nicole as she has a baby on the way, Kate because she has this great role she originally wanted to do, and the filmmakers are too."

Kidman's publicist confirmed Monday the actress is expecting her first child with husband Keith Urban.

Kidman was reportedly slated to begin working on "The Reader," based on Bernhard Schlink's post World War II-set novel, in October, placing her at Germany's Studio Babelsberg at the same time her ex-husband Tom Cruise was finishing up his World War II movie "Valkyrie" there.

Scenes with Ralph Fiennes were shot for "The Reader" then, while Kidman was expected to report to the set this month.

"The Reader" is being helmed by Stephen Daldry, the filmmaker who directed Kidman to Oscar glory in "The Hours."