Brad Pitt And Steven Soderbergh's 'Moneyball' In Chaos

LOS ANGELES — Brad Pitt and Steven Soderbergh's baseball tale "Moneyball" has been benched just days before the start of shooting.

Sony pulled the plug late last week after Soderbergh turned in a rewritten script substantially different than an earlier draft by screenwriter Steven Zaillian (ZAY'-lee-uhn). That's according to a source close to the production who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the record.

The source says Sony gave Soderbergh the opportunity to set the project up at a different studio.

Soderbergh's manager declined to comment.

Production had been scheduled to start this week. The script is based on Michael Lewis' book "Moneyball," about Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane.

Comments

[mummbleswers]

The studios hated The Godfather and Seinfeld, don't be so quick to pat them on the back.

[Ryoki]

A baseball movie? There's no CGI explosions in a baseball movie.

[kalapa]

One less Brad Pitt crapfest is always good for the world.

Thank you, universe.

[Sloane7]

+1

[CBC2]

Who's Brad Pitt?

[Counterglow]

He's a guy with looks, talent, money and a very hot wife.

You wouldn't know him.

[astro orbiter]

Sanity returns to Hollywood.

Kudos to Sony for pulling the plug on this after Soderbergh changed the script into one of his self-indulgent boring snoozefests.

Why waste money on another Soderbergh dud?

If Soderbergh wants to keep making movies that people don't see, he should stick to a home video camera and shoot everything in his basement.

Tragedy averted. Good work Sony.

[Swamp Yankee]

It cost Sony $15 million to not do this Movie. It would almost make more sense to just do the movie.

[astro orbiter]

That was the same thinking that allowed Heaven's Gate to sink United Artists in 1980. As the budget rose higher and higher, the studio felt they already had too much invested to walk away.

[smchp]

Nobody could have pulled off Fight Club the way he did. His performance in Assasination of Jesse James is way underrated even though the movie didn't do that well.

Don't like any of his latest stuff like Bejamin Buttons but I think he still has some amazing performances in him. He could get a Academy Award with the right script.

[dzent1]

People go out of their way to broadcast their dislike of the handsome, gifted and talented. It's one thing not to care for Soderbergh as a director, but really, Brad Pitt has never given offense in even his worst role. And in many of his movies, he is as superb as Robert Redford was in his balmiest days. I'm glad we have these kind of ideal performers - I can take the variety, as well.

I appreciate, and do not slam, anyone who tries to make a career in what I am sure is the most brutal of dog-eat-dog industries. It's exhilarating one week and unbearably depressing the next for many in the industry. They have it hard enough, even the ones who are at the top. Try to get there yourself and see if the reward was worth the effort...

[Passenger57]

I give Pitt his props...he does a lot of charity work.
He was down in New Orleans building houses,or funding them, or something cool like that.
He's OK in my book...

[Village]

Is this payback for the movie that Brad Pitt left because he had script approval, and he didn't like the re-write? Is Hollywood like junior high? Duh.

[mew-too]

Bad economy! Who is willing to spend the money for expensive tickets and nasty popcorn with rancid faux butter poured over it. I almost forgot the $7 coke.

[atombee]

I went to see Hangover the other night. After a half-hour of commercials for TV shows, a local psychic, and god knows what else, i left and got a refund. i will wait until the dvd comes out. if i want commercials i will just watch the cr*p on tv.

[serindipity803]

I LOVE Brad Pitt, he is a brilliant actor -- HE can get whatever movie he wants MADE!!!

[SparkyAdams]

Don't waste your money on Inglorious Bas ter ds. It's a dud.

[Clavis]

Really? You saw it? Where? When? Give us details!!!

[jalowe1957]

Brad Pitt acts?

Brad Pitt can act and win an Oscar, once he puts his mind to it.

[gorgol]

Brad Pitt, Kevin Costner have something in common. ....Many movies same character.
But if the public buys into it, more power to them.

[tiaw578]

You think One Punch Mickey and, say, Benjamin Button are the same character?

[JaneaneTheAcerbicGoblin]

Brad Pitt acts? I thought he was a professional baby adopter, in partnership with Angelina Jolie.

[Archivist1000]

DUH! .. What an immature comment. Seriously, what are you ... 10?

[Bitsko]

One less movie? Good.

[andvoodoo2]

Didn't they do the fabulously successful "Ocean's Eleven" together? I hope they get to work together again.