Kevin Costner Out, Kurt Russell In Tarantino's DJANGO UNCHAINED

Slowly emerging today from a Fantastic Fest and viral induced haze I discovered this bit of news which, though a couple days old at this point, is far too cool to let pass without comment.

Kevin Costner quietly stepped away from Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained a couple weeks back, leaving behind one of the most interesting parts he's had in his entire career in the process. The official explanation was a schedule conflict btu you have to wonder if perhaps Costner just wasn't comfortable playing a part as vile as the slave driver - literally - he was offered.

One man who has no such issue is Kurt Russell. Russell hasn't been on screen since he starred for Tarantino in Death Proof, a role he appeared to have been born for. And now it's Tarantino bringing him back again with Russell stepping in to replace Costner as Ace in Django Unchained.

Personally I think Costner is better suited to the part but, that said, Russell is pretty damn fantastic and anything that puts him back on the screen is a good thing in my books.

Django Unchained begins principal photography in November.