John Travolta's Dallas axe

Dec 17, 2007, 12:30 GMT

John Travolta has been dropped from the 'Dallas' movie.

The actor - who was recently nominated for a Golden Globe award for his role in musical movie 'Hairspray' - was allegedly paid a "seven-figure gift" to leave the film version of the hit 80s show without making a fuss.

A source said: "John Travolta was given a nice seven-figure 'gift' to go away quietly. When he was first signed up, he arranged for five family members to have roles as well, but they aren't going to be in it now either."

A friend of Travolta's added: "He is not doing the movie. They've gone in a different direction than was originally intended so he pulled out."

Travolta's role as oil baron J.R. Ewing has now reportedly been offered to comic actor Ben Stiller.

If Stiller accepts the part, producers are expected to make the film "more slapstick" and intend to make 'Dallas' a film about a TV show, similar to the plot of Nicole Kidman's box office flop 'Bewitched'.

The cast change is the latest in a long line of problems that have affected the 20th Century Fox movie.

Original cast members Shirley MacLaine, Luke Wilson and Jennifer Lopez were all dropped from the line-up.

It was rumoured Lopez pulled out because of Travolta's involvement in the project.

The budget was also cut from $65 million to a significantly smaller figure.

(C) BANG Media International