John Travolta has been dropped from the Dallas movie after being promoted as the project's anchor for more than two years. Insiders say Travolta was "let go about two weeks ago. He had the role of J.R. Ewing taken from him and given to Ben Stiller." However, a rep for Stiller denies the comic actor accepted or was offered the part. "John was given a nice seven-figure 'gift' to go away quietly," our source added. "He also got five family members roles in the movie, and they aren't going to be in it now, either." A friend of Travolta confirmed, "He is not doing the movie. They've gone in a different direction than was originally intended. I don't know about any 'gift,' and I don't think the family member thing is correct." A rep for Travolta declined to comment. This is just the latest chapter in the troubled Dallas saga. The first big upheaval occurred last year when Shirley MacLaine (who was to play Miss Ellie), Luke Wilson (Bobby Ewing) and Jennifer Lopez (Sue Ellen) were dropped from the cast. Meg Ryan and Matthew McConaughey's names were then brought up, but neither was signed. A spokesperson for 20th Century Fox declined to comment.Monday, December 17, 2007
More Dallas movie saga
John Travolta has been dropped from the Dallas movie after being promoted as the project's anchor for more than two years. Insiders say Travolta was "let go about two weeks ago. He had the role of J.R. Ewing taken from him and given to Ben Stiller." However, a rep for Stiller denies the comic actor accepted or was offered the part. "John was given a nice seven-figure 'gift' to go away quietly," our source added. "He also got five family members roles in the movie, and they aren't going to be in it now, either." A friend of Travolta confirmed, "He is not doing the movie. They've gone in a different direction than was originally intended. I don't know about any 'gift,' and I don't think the family member thing is correct." A rep for Travolta declined to comment. This is just the latest chapter in the troubled Dallas saga. The first big upheaval occurred last year when Shirley MacLaine (who was to play Miss Ellie), Luke Wilson (Bobby Ewing) and Jennifer Lopez (Sue Ellen) were dropped from the cast. Meg Ryan and Matthew McConaughey's names were then brought up, but neither was signed. A spokesperson for 20th Century Fox declined to comment.