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Joseph Gordon-Levitt Replaces McAvoy in That 'Cancer Comedy'

by Alex Billington
March 2, 2010
Source: MTV

Back in early January it was announced that The Wackness director Jonathan Levine would be taking over the Seth Rogen-produced "cancer comedy" originally titled I'm With Cancer. The project is screenwriter Will Reiser's semi-autobiographical story about a 25-year-old who learns he has cancer. It's based on the real experiences of Reiser, who was diagnosed with cancer and successfully battled the disease over several years. British actor James McAvoy was set to star (before Levine was attached) but according to MTV, has now dropped out of this "for personal reasons" and been replaced by Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the lead.

Seth Rogen released a statement confirming this casting change and explaining a bit about what happened.

"It's incredibly unfortunate that circumstances outside of everyone's control have taken James away from the project, but, with James's blessing, we were able to have Joseph step in to take on the [lead] role of Adam. We all look forward to working with James in the future."

Gordon-Levitt is really stepping in last minute, as this had already started shooting up in Vancouver. The production has been temporarily halted and will resume again next week. It looks like McAvoy dropped out part of the way in for some big reason - either something personal or maybe he was finally cast as Bilbo in The Hobbit? The rest of the I'm With Cancer (or whatever it'll be called) cast still includes: Seth Rogen, Anna Kendrick, Bryce Dallas Howard, Philip Baker Hall, and Anjelica Huston. This is a project I've been looking forward to for a long while, especially with Jonathan Levine directing and the cast they've assembled. And replacing McAvoy with Gordon-Levitt is perfect - both actors are two of the best out there.

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Related categories: Casting, Movie News

Xerxex

JGL is always a good choice for any kind of film, I'm in!
Dan W

^Yea. I don't like Mcavoy anyway
Cody

I hated the wackness, Get the feeling JGL will be the only good thing about this movie.
Craig

#1 -- I am in complete agreement. I'm still hoping Nolan will give JGL a role in the next Batman movie, after working with him on Inception. #3 -- The trailer failed to excite me even remotely, so I never even bothered to see The Wackness. JGL is the only thing that has me interested so far.
http://iconocritic.com peloquin

#3... What was wrong with the Wackness? Besides that stupid music video on the subway in the beginning I thought it was a near perfect film. Kingsley did a great job and the dialogue was realistic and superbly written. I could really relate to the film in many ways and showing the juxtaposition of growing up from the point of view of a teenager and a middle aged man was brilliant. Oh yea...I loved the old school hip hop soundtrack too. Needless to say, I'm very excited for Levine's next masterpiece )
Andrew

i don't know if this had been said already, but i think Joseph Gordon Levitt is the perfect candidate to replace Heath Ledger as The Joker if "batman 3" happens.
talli

Come on now they won't be using the joker in the next batman. And JGL could never do what heath did, noone could. JGL could put his own spin on it, but every actors imagination is different.
SlashBeast

You guys have been so instrumental in pushing his career... straight into the shadow of another actor. For fuck's sake, there's not going to be another Joker and JGL isn't going to do it even if he could.
SlashBeast

Lol, talli, the imagination bitch. Why don't you "imagine" yourself a brain, whore. Lol.