AceShowbiz -

Trying to find the replacement for Brad Pitt in "State of Play", Universal Pictures reportedly is keen to have New Zealander Russell Crowe to take over the acting slot left by the Hollywood hunk last Wednesday, November 21, 2007.

Variety has revealed that the studio even spent the weekend trying to convince Crowe for the role, a politico-turned-journalist who spearheads his newspaper's investigation into a killing that leads to a fast-rising police. Crowe, an Oscar winner for his performance in 2000's "Gladiator", is hot off "American Gangster" which Universal released early this month.

The result of the courtship is said to be known early this week and will determine how ugly things get between the giant film company and Pitt after he exited the crime thriller over disagreements about the shooting script. However, if Crowe turns out to not fit in "Play" before filming "Nottingham", the project will undoubtedly be in jeopardy.