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Denzel Washington Drops Out of Tony Scott's Unstoppable

by Alex Billington
July 13, 2009

Is there anyone who didn't see this coming? Variety has confirmed that Denzel Washington has dropped out of Tony Scott's upcoming runaway train movie Unstoppable that was also set to co-star Chris Pine. A few weeks back, it was reported that production had stopped on Unstoppable (that's not even a pun) due to the cost being too high. Now it suffers another setback - Washington has formally withdrawn from the film and is looking at other projects to keep him busy this autumn. Given the rather lackluster performance of The Taking of Pelham 123 (its only made $61 million), yet another train movie, it's probably for the better.

Fox has been trying to get this Unstoppable project, written by Mark Bomback, of the ground for a while now. They've tried to get other iterations of the project up-and-running with directors Robert Schwentke and Martin Campbell, but to no success. Sources said that even after cutting a $107 million budget down to just $100 million, Fox wanted it to go down even more, to the $90 million range. The studio asked both Scott and Washington to cut back on their fees. Washington declined. As for whether or not we'll see this with a different actor, only time will tell. The real question is if anyone still wants to see it at all? Do you?

Explore tags: Casting, Movie News

Spider94

get 50cent in the movie to replace denzel and make half of it a music video on a train and people dancing,it might work
ebbie

I don't mind that Denzel's out. He bores me nowadays. Now I'm curious to see who will be his replacement. Pine's still attached so it might still be good.
Zachary

I still want to see it. I think it's an interesting concept and I was very entertained and impressed with Scott's other train picture(Pelham 123). I'm interested to see who replaces Denzel. Those are big shoes to fill and if they don't hire a seasoned actor on par with Denzel then this project could just become a typical crappy action pic even with Scott attached. We may have to wait awhile for this though. If they don't replace Denzel soon and get it made this fall, then Scott will move onto The Warriors and then back to this. I'm still excited though.
Conrad

Tony has some hits and he has some misses.....The last hit he had was "Man on Fire" - since then....nada
DoomCanoe

Denzel is so 2001 and trains are so 1910 both are old and boring now a days
Fisherr

I would have been something new to see Denzel and Pin together i really wanted to see that.
bozoconnors

Yeah... Denzel & a train... I think I've already seen this movie?! (/sarcasm)
Trey

smart movie...not another train movie
Zachary

I actually read somewhere that even though Denzel is scoping out new films for the fall, Fox is prepping a new deal to offer him. So they haven't given up yet and Denzel may very well be making this film. Besides, is there anyone else who could replace him?
snickers

So this is like Speed? What's Keanu Reeves doing these days...? Give him a call.
heather

This movie was supposed to be filmed like 10 mins from where I live so I'm wondering who (if anyone) they will get to replace him! I secretly hope he still does it. Nothing big EVER happens here and 300+ cast and crew will be staying in Coudersport which is like literally a 5 minute walk from where my fiance's parents live. It's crazy!
JAN

Don't know about the Denzel dropping out comments.....I just spoke to one of the members of the crew who goes before to get things ready for feeding the crew....she says Denzel will be in town next week; also Chris Pine.
drew

well its oct and unstoppable is in town of blanchard pa can't whait to see a glimpse of denzel
Ryan

Drew is right, they were here in Blanchard filming for a few days. They just pulled out of town last night.
Sunny

I am an extra in the movie starting to film Tuesday the 10th in Bellaire, OH.