AceShowbiz -

Having its leading lady quit the project due to her pregnancy, "The Reader" is forced to find Nicole Kidman's replacement fast. But, good news for the adaptation drama film comes sooner that the expected as Bernhard Schlink, the author of the novel on which the film is based on, told Berliner Morgenpost that Kate Winslet has agreed to replace the "Moulin Rouge!" star.

In an article on the German newspaper to be published on Wednesday, January 9, Schlink revealed that Winslet would play a mysterious older woman who seduces a young man in post-World War II Germany. The author then commented about the role stating, "Kate Winslet fits the role wonderfully."

According to sources, Winslet was actually the first choice to do the role but due to a scheduling conflict with "Revolutionary Road", she wasn't able to participate. To People.com, an insider shared, "Kate was offered it first before Nicole but couldn't do it but the dates clashed with commitments to Revolutionary Road. So the dates changed, Nicole then got pregnant and now it has come back to Kate."

Further, the source reported that the Leonardo DiCaprio's co-star in "Titanic" has now been available for the project stating, "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."

Directed by Stephen Daldry and produced by Sydney Pollack and Anthony Minghella, "The Reader" has begun its principal photography in Berlin and the eastern city of Goerlitz late last year, while the filming with Kidman is actually expected to start this month. Despite Kidman's withdrawal, the shooting is said to remain on schedule.