Brad Pitt & Ryan Reynolds Being Sought For The Lead Role In Big Screen 'Gunsmoke' Reboot

Fledging studio CBS Films has high ambitions as they are currently seeking Brad Pitt or Ryan Reynolds (among a mix of other unnamed actors) to fill the boots of Marshal Matt Dillon in the big screen adaptation of the television series "Gunsmoke." While this is all very exciting, CBS Films have a long way to go if they want either Pitt or Reynolds signing on to this project.

The studio officially launched with the January release of "Extraordinary Measures," a drama boasting big name talents like Harrison Ford and Brendan Fraser, that ended up being a thoroughly tepid film that looked and felt like something that should be on TV, not in a multiplex. Moreover, the rest of their 2010 slate is pretty bland with the Jennifer Lopez rom-com "The Back-Up Plan" and the Billy Bob Thorton and Dwayne Johnson thriller "Faster" (which just lost Salma Hayek). In short, the studio is unproven and this is something that agents for both actors are more than aware of.

That said, how likely is it that either one of these guys will sign on? Pitt has a habit of attaching himself to lots of projects (just this week his production company optioned a book on the housing crisis as a "potential" film for him), but his follow up rate is spotty at best. Unless the script and director are aligned in just the right way, he'll balk. As for Reynolds, his career is very hot right now and we could see him coming aboard, particularly as it's pitched as a multiple film franchise. With "The Green Lantern" next summer and a couple of "Gunsmoke" films in his pocket, Reynolds could become even more of a viable Hollywood player than he already is.

The script is by Gregory Poirier who wrote "National Treasure: Book of Secrets," and you can bet that if Pitt gets involved that's the first thing that will be tossed in the bin. Reynolds might be a bit more relaxed about it but for both actors, a key factor will be who is sitting behind the camera and yelling 'Action!'. CBS Films are apparently already talking to filmmakers but no names have been mentioned as yet.

This news about a "Gunsmoke" reboot has been kicking around since last August and we've pretty much ignored it. We're mildly intrigued now, but we think it has a long way to go before the likes of Pitt and Reynolds ride into the sunset.