Monjack ‘murphy Lost Happy Feet Role Over Tabloid Rumours’
By WENNThursday, January 21, 2010
BRITTANY MURPHY’s grieving widower has accused movie bosses of firing the actress from the HAPPY FEET sequel because of tabloid rumours about her lifestyle.
The Clueless star, whose shock death shook Hollywood on 20 December (09), starred in the original movie as the voice of penguin Gloria.
She was scheduled to fly to Australia in early 2010 to record her vocal for the second movie. But according to her widower Simon Monjack, Murphy was cut from the project when rumours swirled she had been axed from upcoming film The Caller for being difficult.
He explains, “There was a great deal of stress in her career. A week before she died… unfortunately Warner Brothers pulled the offer (for Happy Feet) based off rumours, which were untrue.”
Monjack adds The Caller bosses released a press release on Wednesday (20Jan10) “thanking me for support and explaining that Brittany in no way was fired from that movie and that it was a mutual decision.”
He’s now urging A-listers to withdraw from the sequel in protest.
He adds, “So any actress that takes the role is terrible. And I would say to Brad Pitt and Matthew Damon, who are considering doing the movie, to rethink your friendship with Brittany before you do it.”
Murphy’s autopsy was completed on 21 December (09). The cause of death has been deferred until the results of a toxicology report are completed.
