Some movies can’t catch a break.

The Natalie Portman-starring Western Jane Got a Gun has seemingly been cursed from day one. First, director Lynne Ramsay inexplicably dropped out of the film on the first day of production. Then Jude Law bowed out as the film’s villain because he had signed on just to work with Ramsay.

Things started to look up when Warrior director Gavin O’Connor stepped in to take Ramsay’s place. Then, miraculously, Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper was able to take Law’s role in the film.

But now, events completely separate from the production have forced Cooper to bow out as well.

Cooper has been filming David O. Russell‘s next film, American Hustle, for the past few weeks, but when the bombings in Boston delayed that film’s production schedule, a conflict arose. Now Cooper will be unable to shoot Jane Got a Gun because of his commitment to Russell’s Hustle.

Is it time to finally throw in the towel? With major miracles having happened already for the independent production, maybe it can happen again. Apparently, Portman and the film’s other producers are back to looking at a shortlist of actors who could take the role. Among the contenders: Jake Gyllenhaal, Tobey Maguire, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Tom Hiddleston.

Whoever is chosen would play the leader of a roughneck gang who comes to kill the estranged husband (Noah Emmerich) of Portman’s title character. Jane turns to a former lover (Joel Edgerton) to help protect herself and her farm.

via Cinema Blend