Michael Fassbender Out, Jude Law In for 'Genius' with Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman

The last we heard of Michael Grandage's directorial debut, Genius, it was a couple of years ago when Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman came aboard. Firth is set to play renowned book editor Max Perkins, with the story centering on his life-changing friendship with literary giant, Thomas Wolfe. Michael Fassbender had been cast in the role of Wolfe since the beginning, but now he's been forced to exit the film, with Jude Law now coming aboard to replace him.

This is becoming a familiar situation as Law also swooped in on the troubled Western, Jane Got a Gun, when Fassbender abruptly exited that project. Law ultimately dropped out of that one, as well, so hopefully he'll stick around Genius for the long haul. He's got good reason to, as the film is penned by John Logan (Skyfall) and based on A. Scott Berg's acclaimed book, Max Perkins: Editor Of Genius. 

No word on why Fassbender had to drop out, but it probably has to do with his always-busy schedule. Filming is set to begin in October. [Deadline]