Kristen Stewart Steps Out Of ‘Focus’ As Will Smith Circles Lead

Kristen Stewart is no longer attached to Focus, Warner Bros’ upcoming grifter caper. Conversely, Will Smith is in final talks to step into the role previously occupied by Ben ‘Argo’ Affleck.

Directed by Crazy, Stupid, Love duo Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, Focus tells the story of a con man who complicates his A-game when he gets romantically involved with a newbie grifter. A further spanner is thrown in the picture when a former lover turns up just as the veteran con circles a con in Buenos Aires.

According to Variety, Stewart,23, was a firm for the role even after Affleck, 40, fell off in December due to an overloaded slate, but backed out when Smith,44, entered talks as she and presumably her team felt “the age difference between the two would be too large a gap.”

The Hollywood Reporter reveals sources say the actress left the film in the last few weeks.

Ironically, Focus’ journey to fruition has lacked focus. Set to be produced by Denise Di Novi via her production company DiNovi Pictures, originally the film was intended as a vehicle for Crazy Stupid Love co-stars Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.

When that plan tanked due to problems with Gosling’s schedule, high wattage actors Affleck and Brad Pitt were eyed.

Smith, who will shortly debut in Sony’s After Earth, has been circling the Focus lead for a while and, reportedly, Warners are “itching” to work with the I Am Legend actor again.

The hunt for Stewart’s replacement — who is now confirmed for the sequel to Snow White and The Huntsman and has also been cast in Stephen Shainberg’s The Big Shoe — is now on.

[Image via Joe Seer / Shutterstock.comvia s_bukley / Shutterstock.com]