The last official update on the status of Warner Bros.' Clint Eastwood-directed remake of A Star is Born came during the press conference for Trouble with the Curve when Eastwood himself told ComingSoon.net, "[That's] a project that we're going to do down the line. It's six months away."

Today, Variety updates that Beyonce, previously attached to play the female lead, has dropped out of the project and that the search is on for a her replacement as well as for a male star to headline.

Eastwood's version will mark the fourth big-screen iteration of the film. William A. Wellman directed the 1937 original with Janet Gaynor and Fredric March. The 1954 George Cukor film is probably the best known, starring Judy Garland and James Mason. 1976 saw Frank Pierson tackle an updated version with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson.

Among the talent being considered to replace Beyonce is said to be Esperanza Spaulding, although the male casting is said to be the priority.

Check back for updates on the project as they become available.

(Phot Credit: Ivan Nikolov / WENN.com)