Quentin Tarantino is entrusting one of his favourite actors to replace the late Burt Reynolds in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Reynolds tragically died before he could film any scenes in the film as George Spahn, the nearly-blind owner of the ranch overrun by Charles Manson and his cult. Deadline reports that he will be replaced by Academy Award nominee Bruce Dern.
Dern was a close friend of Reynolds, and also played the surly Confederate general Sanford Smithers in Tarantino's The Hateful Eight.
Production on the film began earlier this summer, but Reynolds, according to Variety, wasn't meant to start filming until the end of September.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is set during the time of the Manson murders in 1969 and follows a television actor and his stunt double who to try to make it in the industry.
His niece Nancy Lee Hess told Variety: "My uncle was looking forward to working with Quentin Tarantino, and the amazing cast that was assembled."
Following his death, she said in a statement (via The Hollywood Reporter): "My uncle was not just a movie icon; he was a generous, passionate and sensitive man who was dedicated to his family, friends, fans and acting students."
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