Ben Stiller is set to replace Mark Ruffalo in Greenburg, a comedy-drama Noah Baumbach is writing and directing.
Scott Rudin is producing the project, whose logline is being kept under wraps but which is expected to center on the intimacies of relationships in the manner of Baumbach’s other films.
Amy Adams was set to star opposite Ruffalo, but she, too, is said to have fallen off; talks are being held with a number of other actresses.
Greenburg is being shopped to several specialty divisions, with Focus one of the companies discussing a potential financing and distribution role.
The Stiller move would mark a turn toward drama for the actor, who has also discussed helming The Trials of the Chicago 7 for DreamWorks.
Baumbach, who was nominated for an Oscar for The Squid and the Whale, also is attached to write 9/11 tale The Emperor’s Children for Universal; he recently directed the family drama Margot at the Wedding and also penned the screenplay for Wes Anderson’s upcoming The Fantastic Mr. Fox.