After production had officially wrapped on Bullet Train last March, Collider brings word that acclaimed singer-actress Lady Gaga is no longer attached to star in Sony Pictures’ upcoming Brad Pitt-led action movie. Due to scheduling conflicts with Ridley Scott’s House of Gucci caused by the ongoing pandemic, the A Star is Born actress was forced to give up the role of Maria Beetle in Bullet Train.
Earlier this year, following Lady Gaga’s exit which wasn’t confirmed at the time, Oscar-winning actress Sandra Bullock had signed on to join the ensemble cast. However, like other previously confirmed cast members, Bullock’s role wasn’t initially revealed, but it was reportedly going to be a small role in the movie. As it turns out, the Miss Congeniality star was indeed cast to replace Lady Gaga for the role of Maria Beetle, who is the handler of Pitt’s character in the highly-anticipated action pic.
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Bullet Train stars Brad Pitt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Andrew Koji, Joey King, Brian Tyree Henry, Michael Shannon, Hiroyuki Sanada, Benito A. Martinez Ocasio, and Sandra Bullock. It will also feature Masi Oka, Zazie Beetz, Logan Lerman, Karen Fukuhara, and Bad Bunny.
Based on Isaka Kotaro’s Japanese novel titled Maria Beetle, the film adaptation will reportedly center around a group of hitmen and assassins with conflicting motives on a train in Tokyo. It is directed by David Leitch from a screenplay adapted by Zak Olkewicz (Fear Street).
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Bullet Train is being produced by Leitch and Kelly McCormick through their company 87North along with Antoine Fuqua and Kat Samick. Executive producers are Kotaro’s Ryosuke Saegusa and Yuma, with Brittany Morrissey executive overseeing the film for Sony Pictures.
The film is currently slated to hit theaters on April 8, 2022.
