As production continues in London, the studio is recasting Russell’s role originally made famous by Faye Dunaway and Rene Russo.
Washington DC [US], July 20: Actress Taylor Russell has exited the upcoming reimagining of The Thomas Crown Affair, directed by and starring Michael B. Jordan. According to Deadline, the departure was due to creative differences. The role is now being recast, as filming continues in London.
Russell was initially cast as the insurance investigator opposite Jordan’s titular character—a suave, thrill-seeking banking executive suspected of orchestrating daring heists. The dynamic between the two characters is central to the plot, as their cat-and-mouse chase turns into romantic intrigue. The role was originally played by Faye Dunaway in the 1968 Steve McQueen classic, and later by Rene Russo in the 1999 remake opposite Pierce Brosnan.
Along with acting, Russell is also a filmmaker. She co-directed the documentary short The Heart Still Hums, which won Best Documentary Short at the Palm Springs ShortFest.
Michael B. Jordan headlines the cast, which also includes Kenneth Branagh, Lily Gladstone, Danai Gurira, Pilou Asbaek, and Aiysha Hart. The film is being produced by Jordan and Elizabeth Raposo under their Outlier Society banner, alongside Charles Roven of Atlas Entertainment. Drew Pearce wrote the current script, with earlier drafts contributed by Wes Tooke and Justin Britt-Gibson. Alan Trustman, who penned the original 1968 film, is serving as executive producer.
The new Thomas Crown Affair is scheduled for a theatrical release on March 5, 2027.
Russell remains a sought-after talent in Hollywood. She gained critical acclaim for her roles in Waves and Bones and All, earning accolades at both the Gotham Awards and the Venice Film Festival. Her upcoming projects include Na Hong-jin’s Korean thriller Hope, co-starring Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander, and Frank Ocean’s untitled film opposite David Jonsson. She is also in talks for a remake of Single White Female with Jenna Ortega.
Russell recently made her stage debut in The Effect, a revival of Lucy Prebble’s play directed by Jamie Lloyd, which enjoyed successful runs in both London and New York.