AceShowbiz -

There will be no Robert Downey Jr. in "Gravity". Following speculation that he might leave the project due to scheduling conflict after various casting changes postponed the production, the "Iron Man" actor apparently has bailed in mid November.

But it did not take too long for Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures to find his replacement since George Clooney has stepped in to take over the job. Deadline Hollywood heard the rumor first before the studio confirms it soon after.

Clooney will be seen playing a team leader of a space station. He will share screen with Sandra Bullock who portrays the main character of a female astronaut on a remote space station who attempts to return home to her child as the other team members have got wiped out by a debris field from an exploding satellite. "The Blind Side" actress herself is cast after Natalie Portman turned down the role.

"Gravity" will be directed by Alfonso Cuaron, who writes the script along with Jonas Cuaron. Principal photography is expected to be kicked off next spring, after Clooney directs "Ides of March" starring Ryan Gosling and Paul Giamatti.