Norton has officially announced his exit from the Universal Pictures project, and the studio hopes to convince Affleck to take his place.
Norton, 38, is the second actor to leave the film. His Fight Club co-star, Brad Pitt, previously announced that he is no longer a member of the cast. Norton claims that he has a schedule conflict with the film, and will be instead shooting Leaves of Grass, an independent comedy which he will also direct.
Ben Affleck may now join the cast, which also includes Russell Crowe, Helen Mirren, Rachel McAdams, Robin Wright Penn and Jason Bateman. The film will be directed by Kevin Macdonald and will begin production in January. If Affleck accepts the role, he will play a popular politician who becomes implicated in a murder. Russell Crowe will play a journalist.
Ben Affleck starred in the film Hollywoodland, and also directed his first film this year, Gone Baby Gone.