Affleck joins State of Play cast

Affleck will take on the role of a US congressman embroiled in a conspiracy after Norton asked to leave the film, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Actor Brad Pitt pulled out in November, to be replaced by Russell Crowe.

Shooting was scheduled to begin before the end of the year but has since been put back to January.

The delay led Norton to withdraw from the film so he could honour a prior commitment to appear in Leaves of Grass, a comedy directed by fellow actor Tim Blake Nelson.

Legal action

Directed by Kevin Macdonald of The Last King of Scotland fame, State of Play also stars Dame Helen Mirren, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright Penn and Jason Bateman.

The original TV series - about a team of journalists investigating the mysterious death of a political researcher - starred John Simm, Bill Nighy and David Morrissey.

Pitt's departure, reportedly due to script concerns, was said to have prompted distributor Universal to consider legal action against the star.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Macdonald flew to Australia to persuade Crowe to fill his shoes.

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State of Play - BBC series
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