Film on hold for Zeta Jones baby

Douglas has put family commitments ahead of filming

The impending birth of actress Catherine Zeta Jones's first baby has led to a hold-up on a new film starring Michael Douglas.

Production company MGM want to get Godspeed, Lawrence Mann into production as soon as possible, but the film will have to wait until at least August, when the baby is due.

Douglas, who became engaged to the Welsh actress earlier this year, has put family commitments ahead of his work schedule this summer.

The veteran Hollywood actor is set to star in Godspeed as an astronaut who returns to his hometown 40 years after his space capsule is found empty.

Missing and presumed dead, Douglas sets about reviving the lives of the town's inhabitants.

Harrison Ford: Approached for role

Douglas has chosen the director of Richard III, Richard Loncraine, to direct the film.

Zeta Jones signed up with her fiance earlier in the year for their first film together, Traffic, which was scheduled to go into production in April.

Douglas plays a judge who becomes a "drug tzar" in the Steven Soderbergh film about the drugs trade.

Pulled out

Zeta Jones plays a spoilt mother who turns to drugs smuggling.

Douglas took the part after Harrison Ford and Kevin Costner were approached.

Costner was set to star in another film with Zeta Jones - Oliver Stone's Beyond Borders - but both actors pulled out.

Zeta Jones has also been linked to play Elizabeth Taylor in a new film about the life of actor Montgomery Clift.

Kevin Costner: Pulled out of film

Ms Taylor is said to approve the casting - but filming is also scheduled to be delayed until after the baby is born.

Zeta Jones has also appeared as a mum-to-be in a stylish television advert for Alfa Romeo - on the condition that it was not broadcast in the UK.

Meanwhile, the Hollywood couple are making final preparations for the birth.

Last month, bookmakers near Zeta Jones's home town of Swansea were surprised by a rush of bets that the couple would choose Jamie as the baby's name.