Alfonso Cuaron's 'Gravity' gets a suitable replacement for Robert Downey Jr.

Do I even need to run through all the problems faced by Alfonso Cuaron as he tried to pull together his sprawling sci-fi epic, Gravity? Basically every actress on the planet has been tested for the primary role of a female astronaut aboard a space station struggling to get home after a disaster strikes. Angelina Jolie turned it down. Natalie Portman was offered the role. A host of other actresses were tested. The studio loved Sandra Bullock but nobody else did. The studio didn't care and ultimately settled on her anyway.

Throughout all this the one constant had been Robert Downey Jr. in a major supporting role. All the casting delays were pushing his availability to the limit, and finally he had to step aside. That left Warner Brothers faced with the prospect of finding another big name actor to replace him or shut the entire production down. Well, I'd say they found a more than suitable replacement. Hell, I'd say they just traded up!

THR is reporting that George Clooney has signed on to take over the vacated slot, with hopes to begin shooting his part in the Spring after he finishes directing The Ides of March(formerly known as Farragut North).

It feels good to have something positive to write about this movie for once. While I still don't look forward to Sandra Bullock in a role that's being described as being similar to that of Tom Hanks' in Castaway, the addition of Clooney has me amped up.