Casting Change for 'Cowboys'

"Sherlock Holmes" has proved to be viable hit and with a sequel looming Robert Downey Jr. has opted to drop out of "Cowboys & Aliens" reuniting him with Iron Man helmer Jon Favreau. This leaves "Cowboys & Aliens" and Dreamworks without a lead. Without a lead, Dreamworks is searching for a new one. Checkout who one of their top options is after the break...


News broke yesterday that Daniel Craig could replace Downey Jr. in "Cowboys & Aliens." Craig is in very early talks with Dreamworks and could go in front of cameras this year in hopes to have a 2011 release date.

"Cowboys & Aliens" is centered in the 1800's and places Aliens crash landing in the West territories specifically Arizona. Craig would play a gunslinger named Jake, who leads a resistance against the aliens. Dreamworks has an all star lineup of producers including Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Brian Grazer. Jon Favreau is directing off a script penned by Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof.

While Daniel Craig could be a worthwhile replacement for Robert Downey Jr., I'm not so sure Craig will even take the gig. Quite possibly the only reason Craig is considering "Cowboys & Aliens" centers around the fact that the next 007 is on hold due to MGM financial issues. If Bond gets up and running soon, Craig might not be able to do both films or he will be very busy working on two films in 2010 for a 2011 release. More news on "Cowboys & Aliens" as it breaks...

Source: THR | L.A. Times