The Hollywood Reporter have announced today that True Blood star Lindsay Pulsipher will replace Hilary Duff in The Story of Bonnie and Clyde.
“We are thrilled to welcome Lindsay Pulsipher as Bonnie Parker in The Story of Bonnie and Clyde. Lindsay will undoubtedly bring many layers to this critical role,” says producer Tonya S. Holly (who will also wrote the script and be directing) of Cypress Moon Productions in a statement. “This is a gripping story about two of the most legendary fugitives in history.”
Producers Holly and Tom Rogers have denied that Duff was fired from the film earlier this year because she announced that she was expecting her first child with husband Mike Comrie, a hockey player. But instead the producers cited scheduling issues, and told The Hollywood Reporter she was unavailable until June next year but they aim to begin production later this year.
“Due to our obligations with investors and international buyers, it is imperative that we stick to our current schedule,” they said in a joint statement. “Therefore we are forced to explore other options for the two lead roles. Unfortunately this happens all the time in the world of filmmaking.”
It seems things aren’t going completely to plan, as fellow lead, Kevin Zegers has also bowed out of his role as Clyde Barrow because he would not be able to film until January, producers said.
Pulsipher is currently filming the History Channel miniseries The Hatfields and McCoys opposite Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton. She also played Crystal Norris on HBO’s True Blood, and starred in The Oregonian, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January. Her film, Meth Head, co-starring Lukas Haas, will be released later this year.
Filming will take place in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and likely Missouri and the film is currently in pre-production but I assume they will aim for release some point between 2012-2013.
What do you think of a new adaptation of the tale of the violent spree that saw Bonnie & Clyde become the cultural figures they are today? Personally, I love the Arthur Penn 1967 film, so we shall have to wait with baited breath.