Jason Statham dropped out just weeks before shooting began on new action movie The Man From Toronto.

Now it has emerged that the move was promoted by a decision by  studio execs at Columbia Pictures and Sony to keep the film a PG-13, and not an R-rating as Statham desired, the The Hollywood Reporter revealed.

The Crank actor has been replaced by Zombieland actor Woody Harrelson.

He’s out: Jason Statham dropped out of action movie The Man From Toronto over a clash regarding the film’s rating, and now Woody Harrelson has been secured to replace him

The film, to be directed by Statham’s Expendables 3 director Patrick Hughes, will see Hart, 40, and now Harrelson, 58, in a case of mistaken identity, in which a dangerous assassin and a hapless screw-up from New York cross paths at an AirBnb.

The casting shakeup comes just a few weeks before principal photography was set to begin, with Statham, 52, promptly exiting before signing any deal officially linking him to the project.

Harrelson was a natural choice for the studio, with the zombie comedy franchise in which he stars, Zombieland and last year’s sequel Zombieland: Double Tap, performing well for Columbia Pictures.

What’s more, the Cheers actor recently wrapped production on Sony’s comic book sequel Venom 2, in which he will star as principal villain Carnage opposite Tom Hardy’s titular Venom character.

He’s in: The casting shakeup comes just a few weeks before principal photography is set to begin, with Woody signing a deal

The securing of Harrelson comes just in time, as the studio has already slated Man From Toronto to be released this November 20.

There is no word yet as to whether the new casting development will lead to a delay in production, and consequently, the release date.

While Harrelson and Hart have yet to work together, Hart did in fact already appear in a film with Statham — last summer’s hit spinoff actioner Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.

Switcheroo: While Statham exited before signing any deal, Harrelson was a natural choice for the studio, seeing as how he recently wrapped Venom 2, in which he will star as principal villain Carnage

Just a few weeks ago, Hart shared his excitement about reuniting with Statham in an Instagram post.

Posting a candid photo of the two of them together, the comedian and actor wrote: ‘I couldn’t be more excited about my next movie…. @jasonstatham & I have been trying to figure out a movie to do together for years. I’m happy to say that we not only figured it out but we also knocked the idea out of the park.’

He added: ‘I can’t wait to start production man….This movie is going to deliver on so many levels…..Buckle up people!!!! #ManFromToronto #StathamAndHart.’

How the cookie crumbles: While Harrelson and Hart have yet to work together, Hart already appeared in last summer’s hit Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw with Statham, and was excited to work with him again

Source: dailymail.co.uk