'Monuments Men': Daniel Craig Out, Matt Damon In For George Clooney's New Movie

Daniel Craig isn't co-starring in George Clooney's star-studded new film "Monuments Men" after all. Craig was first attached to the project after Deadline.com reported his involvement late last year, but according to co-star Bob Balaban he's out and was replaced in the cast by Matt Damon.

Whether Damon is playing the role initially earmarked for Craig is unclear. The removal of Craig from the call sheet, however, makes the cast of "Monuments Men" no less impressive: In addition to Clooney and Damon, the film stars Bill Murray, Jean Dujardin, John Goodman and Cate Blanchett. "Monuments Men" focuses on a group of art historians on the hunt for artwork stolen by the Nazis.

"I'm excited about it," Clooney said to TheWrap in December of 2011. "It's a fun move because it could be big entertainment. It’s a big budget, you can’t do it small -- it’s landing in Normandy.”

"Monuments Men" began film this week and is set for release at the end of 2013. It's already on the short list of possible Oscar contenders at the 86th annual Academy Awards, but we won't bore you with 10-month early speculation.

[via Indiewire/The Playlist]