Travolta and Cassidy only survivors in 'Dallas' cast coup

By Stone Martindale Oct 14, 2006, 20:29 GMT

The iconic Spelling television show "Dallas" has had a ton of hiccups in getting film production underway for the big remake with director ("Bend it Like Beckham") Gurinda Chadha at the helm.

The entire cast, except for John Travolta and Kate Cassidy, is being changed. Travolta plays J R Ewing in the film, but Shirley MacLaine, Jennifer Lopez and Luke Wilson have been nixed from the project after Gurinder Chadha took it over from Robert Luketic.

Lopez was supposed to play Sue Ellen, while MacLaine was meant to portray Miss Ellie and Luke Wilson was to portray Bobby Ewing. Desperate Housewives star Marcia Cross was to be Bobby's wife Pam and model Kate Cassidy as JR's niece Lucy.

Variety reports that all these stars, except Cassidy and Travolta, are no longer attached to the project.

Variety reported that Meg Ryan was in talks with the producers for the role of Sue Ellen, which Lopez opted out of in August, but the When Harry Met Sally star is also out of the project now, sources said.

New Regency, under fears of a ballooning above the line budget bust for the film is not sure how well kids would identify with the film, and wants to low ball production costs.

The production could be underway in January next year if they succeed in replacing the expensive talent pool.