Bridgerton's Jonathan Bailey joins co-star in dropping out of comedy film - details

Virgin Radio

4 Apr 2024, 15:29

Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey has had to drop out of a comedy film he was due to star in.

The popular actor was due to star in the comedy project Maria alongside Rogue One star Felicity Jones, but both actors have had to leave the film due to scheduling conflicts, Variety reports.

Maria is set to be the next film from Never Mind the Buzzcocks’ Simon Amstell, following on from his 2018 and 2017 films Benjamin and Carnage respectively. 

According to the film’s initial synopsis, Maria will focus on the titular character as she struggles with her age and her difficult relationship with her terminally-ill father. The lead character would then begin a questionable relationship with her step-brother Raffy as she coped with the former troubles.

Jones was initially cast in the film as Maria, Bailey as her boyfriend, and Harry Potter’s Jason Isaacs was attached to the project to play her father.

However, Bailey is believed to have dropped out of the project to pursue another role, and Jones is reported to have dropped out shortly after. Then, after last year’s writers and actors strikes in Hollywood, the project has seemingly been put on pause indefinitely, as Amstell himself has become focused on other things.

Representatives for Amstell and the film’s production house Independent Entertainment did not comment to Variety about the project, however the entertainment news website claims sources have indicated “the creative team have not given up on the film” despite its former leads dropping out, and “hope it can be rebooted with a new cast”.

While Jones is next set to star in the films The Brutalist and Train Dreams, Bailey will likely next be seen on TV screens in part one of Bridgerton’s much-anticipated third season. He will also star alongside Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in Wicked.