UPDATE: We Got This Covered talked to Fox Searchlight, who told them that McAvoy won't in fact be replacing Fassbender, but playing a different role. It's actually possible they'll be reuniting on the screen in something other than the potential X-Men: First Class sequel.
The last we heard about Danny Boyle's next film, Trance, was in mid-May when it was reported that quickly-rising-star Michael Fassbender was in talks to star in the film. Now it looks like his X-Men: First Class co-star is going to get the gig instead. Variety is reporting a developing story that James McAvoy, who starred as Charles Xavier to Fassbender's Erik Lehnsherr in the Matthew Vaughn directed superhero flick, is now in early talks to star in Danny Boyle's 127 Hours follow-up.
While details about the character and plot are slim, McAvoy would play a man named Simon who is somehow involved in the bank-heist-gone-wrong. While the reason isn't mentioned for Fassbender dropping out of the project, considering his heavy workload it wouldn't be too surprising if the reason was scheduling issues. Thanks to Boyle's commitment to the 2012 Olympic Games, the project is set to have a very strange production. Though it's set to start filming in September, post-production work won't be done until the director is finished with the opening ceremonies.
As amazing as Fassbender is, you're not going to hear me complaining about this casting choice. McAvoy is one of the best actors going right now and mixing his talent with the skills of a director like Boyle has the potential to be gold. Shame that we won't see the result until 2013.
