Gwyneth Paltrow's elderly axe

Jul 23, 2007, 13:00 GMT

Gwyneth Paltrow - © Glenn Harris / Photorazzi

Gwyneth Paltrow was deemed too old to star in new movie 'Love and Other Disasters' by director Alek Keshishian.

Keshishian wrote the romantic comedy about a Vogue magazine assistant who helps her co-workers find love with Gwyneth in mind to play the lead character, Emily Jackson.

Astonishingly, the script took 10 years to complete by which time writer-and-director Keshishian decided Gwyneth, 34, was too old, so the part went to Brittany Murphy, 29.

Keshishian said: "By the time I finished, Gwyneth was pregnant. So I thought, 'OK, you're now officially too old to play this role.'

"Brittany got the part because the character is meant to be a young girl, before she figures out what love is."

Gwyneth - who now has two children, daughter Apple and son Moses, with musician husband Chris Martin - has a cameo in the film.

Welsh actor Matthew Rhys plays Brittany's gay best friend in the movie.

At the Hollywood premiere of the film last week, Matthew, 32, tried to take a hot dog and some nachos into the cinema to eat while he watched the film, but was refused entry by security.

Instead, the 'Brother and Sisters' star had to enjoy his calorific snacks in the green room.

(C) BANG Media International