Crowe 'steps in' on State of Play

Russell Crowe will play a journalist investigating a researcher's death

Actor Russell Crowe is to replace Brad Pitt in the Hollywood remake of BBC political thriller State of Play, according to reports.

Pitt pulled out of the project last month, when it was claimed that he had concerns about the script.

Oscar-winner Crowe, 43, is to star as an investigative journalist alongside Dame Helen Mirren and Ed Norton, US trade publication Variety said.

It is anticipated production will begin before the end of the year.

The film will be directed by Kevin Macdonald, who also oversaw The Last King of Scotland.

State of Play is about a team of journalists investigating the mysterious death of a political researcher.

The original BBC TV series earned a best-actor Bafta for Bill Nighy - who played newspaper editor Cameron Foster - plus further honours for editing and sound.

Crowe will play Cal McCaffrey, portrayed by John Simm in the TV version.

Variety reported it was unclear whether Universal would take legal action against Pitt over his departure from the production.

Pitt unveils Orleans homes plan

The pink areas represent each of the proposed new homes

Actor Brad Pitt has said he expected 150 homes to be built in an area of New Orleans destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, as part of a project he is backing.

The 43-year-old Hollywood star, who has pledged $5m (£2.4m) of his own money to the initiative, made an appeal for further donations to the fund.

Each house in the city's Lower Ninth Ward, which was deluged by flooding in 2005, will be built on stilts.

Pitt and partner Angelina Jolie own a mansion in New Orleans' French Quarter.

Their home in the fashionable district is said to be valued at some $3.5m (£1.7m).

'Adopt-a-house'

Jolie and the couple's son Maddox accompanied Pitt as he campaigned for further funds on The Today Show on US network NBC.

Pitt's partner Angelina Jolie and son Maddox lent their support

"This is really an adopt-a-house campaign," said Pitt, who hoped that wealthy individuals, church groups and businesses would make pledges of $150,000 (£72,750), the sum needed to give a family a new home.

The actor admitted that he was "not much of a salesman" in his appeal for people to become involved in the Make It Right initiative.

But he added that he hoped to see the foundations for the houses in place by the summer.

"There is no reason why we can't do 1,000 homes, why we can't do 10,000 homes," said Pitt, against a backdrop of pink shapes, representing locations where the houses will stand.

The buildings, which have been designed by a team of 13 architects, have been planned to environmentally-friendly specifications.