(breakingnews.iol.ie) - Russell Crowe is to star in the film version of the BBC's 'State of Play', according to US reports.The 'Gladiator' actor, 43, will replace Brad Pitt who pulled out of the role last month following disagreements over the script, trade website Variety reported.Crowe will now star alongside Helen Mirren and Edward Norton as the political consultant-turned-journalist who heads a newspaper's murder investigation involving a politician in the film by Universal Pictures. Last month, The Hollywood Reporter said Pitt pulled out after weeks of meetings with director Kevin MacDonald failed to solve the script issues.