Jack O'Connell is no longer a "Beautiful Creature."
The young actor has dropped out of playing the lead male role in the upcoming supernatural mystery and has been replaced by hot up-and-comer Alden Ehrenreich, according The Playlist.
O'Connell, who was set to play the part of Ethan Wate, had to leave the project due to scheduling conflicts. Ehrenheich will now be playing the role that teams him up with Alice Englert in the gothic tale of two teens in the deep south who are drawn together by a strange connection and supernatural secrets.
Alden Ehrenheich has been a favorite of the Coppola family as of late, having appeared in Sofia's "Somewhere" and her dad Francis' "Tetro" and "Twixt" (which is still trying to lock down a U.S. release date). He'll also be featured in "Oldboy" director Park Chan-wook's upcoming English-language debut, "Stoker," co-starring Mia Wasikowska and Nicole Kidman.
Ehrenreich also screen-tested for the now-defunct live-action "Akira" project, which is when he probably got on the Warner Bros. radar. For "Beautiful Creatures," which WB is hoping will be the start of another lucrative young adult franchise, he joins a cast that includes Viola Davis (Amma), Emma Thompson (Mrs. Lincoln/Sarafine), Jeremy Irons (Macon), Emmy Rossum (Ridley), Thomas Mann (Link), Zoey Deutch (Emily), Margo Martindale (Aunt Del) and Rachel Brosnahan (Genevieve).
"Beautiful Creatures," which is based on the novel by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, will commence with production this month in New Orleans with a look toward a release date of Feb. 1, 2013. Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with the co-authors!
