So Nicole Kidman done got herself knocked up by Keith Urban (he is a country singer, but his name is synonymous with hip-hop! How ironical!), so she had to drop out of The Reader, a Stephen Daldry film about "a teen who falls for an enigmatic older woman in postwar Germany" also featuring Ralph Fiennes. Stepping into the role, Variety says, is the always fantastic Kate Winslet, and my friends, this is the very definition of a "trade up."
Winslet is no stranger to the script: She was the first choice for the role but was unable to do the movie because of a scheduling conflict with "Revolutionary Road," the film that reteams her with "Titanic" co-star Leonardo DiCaprio and was directed by husband, Sam Mendes. Kidman then took the role, and the filmmakers built in a hiatus to accommodate her when the production of the Baz Luhrmann-directed "Australia" went longer than expected. Kidman stars in that film with Hugh Jackman.
By the time Kidman withdrew from the project because she and husband Keith Urban are expecting a baby, Winslet was available again, and the film will remain on schedule.
Kate Winslet is fearless and fabulous and is always a joy to watch. Kidman... has her moments. I'm definitely more inclined to check this one out now.
