Over the weekend Rooney Mara was honored with the Silver Medallion at the Telluride Film Festival, during a tribute to her sterling career. It's pretty amazing when you consider she's only been a seriously recognized actress since about 2009, and already she's recognized as one of the best in her field. So losing someone of her ability is a major blow to any production, and that's what director Alfonso Gomez-Rejon (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl) is going to have to face with his next film, Collateral Beauty.
Deadline reports Mara has dropped out of the film which has already had its share of casting problems. Hugh Jackman was the first to take on the male lead until he exited and Johnny Depp briefly considered it. Ultimately it was Will Smith who settled into the role of a depressed New York ad exec and the unusual route his colleagues take to break him out of his funk.
No reason was given for Mara's departure but it may have something to do with the string of movies she recently completed. She recently completed three movies in a row, including Jim Sheridan's The Secret Scripture, and of course the awards campaign for Todd Haynes' Carol is just starting to gear up.
