David Mackenzie's "Spread" Hits a Small Snag?

Well it would seem that fate and possibly erroneous tabloid gossip are the order of the day with an update on the upcoming David Mackenzie/Ashton Kutcher film "Spread." Actress Jennifer Jason Leigh was announced to co-star in the new film, which I thought was due to begin production this week. However if the longtime US gossip column PageSix.com is to be believed,  rumor has it that Jennifer actually dropped out of the film last week, as she is apparently expecting and will be unable to take part in this movie. 

The part, which is described as a lawyer who is a 'jilted lover' of Ashton Kutcher's womanizer character in the romantic comedy, is now apparently going to be played by the awesome Laura Linney. Perhaps this is an active agent at work trying to subtly work some hype into the film (and take the focus off the tabloidesque hepatititus A story involving Ashton's bday party in New York) but if true, then I say  WOOHOO.

Laura Linney is a SUPERB actress, one of the finest "independent" actresses working today imo,(along with the always superb Catherine Keener, Frances McDormand, Shirley Henderson, Kathy Bates, Tilda Swinton, Julie Walters, Fiona Shaw, and to some extent the amazing Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett-dunno if you can include Emma Thompson in this category too but she surely is one of the finest actresses EVER) , so I hope this part is true. Nothing against JJL and its quite possible she can film of course while pregnant, but that should be her personal decision and I applaud her either way. Anyway if this rumor proves correct, and gives director David Mackenzie the opportunity to work with the calibre of actress that Linney is, she would totally both give Ashton some credibility that frankly is lacking, as well as surely deliver a good performance at the guiding hand of David. Yay!

ps-Laura Linney for the win on the red carpet at the Oscars when a clearly wacked out (ok more than normal) Gary Busey sandbagged her and Jennifer Garner during Seacrests interview on E.