Demetri Martin Is To Be Replaced By… Jonah Hill(?) In ‘Moneyball’

The baseball movie based on “The Blind Side” author Michael Lewis’ “Moneyball,” has had quite a rough ride so far.  Originally set to be directed by Steven Soderbergh and star Brad Pitt and Demetri Martin, the film was dropped by Colombia Pictures last June due to disagreements over the script, just three days before production was set to begin.

Last December, it was announced that the project would continue with “Capote” director Bennett Miller at the helm.  Although there had been some speculations that Brad Pitt would be looking for other projects after Soderbergh was no longer involved, as of now he is still set to continue in the role of Oakland A’s manager Billy Beane.

However, there are changes happening to the cast of “Moneyball.” Since April of 2009, Demetri Martin has been signed to play the character of Paul de Podesta, the Harvard University graduate and ex-football player who uses his knowledge of economics and statistics to turn the Oakland A’s around. ESPN’s Robert Noyer reported today that Martin is now to be replaced by Jonah Hill.

Yes that Jonah Hill.

It’s not that I have anything against Hill. I actually enjoy most some of his characters. I’m just not sure how he and Demetri Martin could possibly be interchangeable in any role, especially when the role in question is that of an ex-football player opposite of Brad Pitt. More than anything though, ever since seeing “Taking Woodstock,” I have been excited to see what else Demetri Martin can bring to the table. For now, I’ll just have to keep my fingers crossed that someone like Wes Anderson will come along and put Martin in a quirky comedic role, which is really what I’d like to see him play.