The Bearded Trio

Steven Spielberg has dropped out of directing a remake of the classic James Stewart movie Harvey, according to industry newspaper Variety. It is thought Spielberg struggled to find a lead actor after Tom Hanks reportedly turned the role down and Robert Downey Jr refused to commit. The original film was based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway play of the same name by Mary Chase. It is thought studio 20th Century Fox will continue with the project. Harvey, which tells the story about a man who claims his best friend is a giant invisible rabbit, was a huge success. Stewart received a best actor nomination at the 1951 Oscars for his performance, while his co-star, Josephine Hull, won best supporting actress. Spielberg has not confirmed what he is planning to direct next. He has recently completed production on The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn.

Robert Downey Jr is reportedly the frontrunner to star in Steven Spielberg's Harvey remake. According to Variety, the Iron Man actor is being eyed for the role of Elwood P. Dowd, a man who befriends an imaginary six-foot tall rabbit. Harvey originated as a Pulitzer Prize-winning play in 1944. It was later turned into a 1950 feature film starring Jimmy Stewart and Josephine Hull. Reports emerged last month claiming that Tom Hanks, who starred in Spielberg films Saving Private Ryan, Catch Me If You Can and The Terminal, turned down the lead role because he believes the public already perceive him as a present-day Stewart. Tags: harvey , steven spielberg