Larry Not-So-Fine: Sean Penn drops out of "Three Stooges" film to be with his family

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Sean Penn giving up Hollywood for family
Tue Jun 16, 2009 9:04pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Sean Penn is taking his Oscar and going home.

The "Milk" star has dropped out of two high-profile films: "The Three Stooges" and the crime thriller "Cartel," taking an extended leave from Hollywood so that he can focus on family matters. Sources have said the absence could last up to a year.

In May, Penn filed for a request to dismiss his legal separation case from wife Robin Wright Penn. It is the second time he has rescinded divorce proceedings.

The dilemma for "The Stooges" is potentially more serious. Writer/directors Peter and Bobby Farrelly have spent the better part of a decade trying to get the MGM film off the ground, and in March they pulled off a major casting coup: Penn as Larry, with Jim Carrey as Curly and Benicio del Toro as Moe.

Now they need to decide whether they will wait for Penn or seek to find a new actor.

http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSTRE55G06Q20090617

[LeftinOH]

1. There must be thousands of good unsold screenplays out there. A "Stooges" movie? WTH?