Griffin Won't "Graduate" To Big Leagues Yet....

From the Hollywood Reporter:



Rob Reiner is stepping in to replace Ted Griffin as director of Warner Bros. Pictures' update of "The Graduate."



After just one week of principal photography, Griffin, a screenwriter who was making his directorial debut on the project, is being replaced, with Reiner in negotiations to take over the reins on what has been called the untitled Ted Griffin project. The studio has shut down filming, which it plans to resume Aug. 18.



Griffin wrote the script for the romantic comedy, which centers on a young woman (Jennifer Aniston) who discovers that her grandmother (Shirley MacLaine) was the basis for the character of Mrs. Robinson in the 1967 film "The Graduate." The cast also includes Mark Ruffalo, Mena Suvari and Kevin Costner.



Griffin had been working with "Far From Heaven" cinematographer Ed Lachman. According to sources, Peter Deming, who recently completed "I Heart Huckabee's" is coming aboard to replace Lachman as director of photography, but the studio could not confirm that. Other department heads also might be replaced.



According to one source, Griffin came under criticism for spending too much time with his cinematographer on shots and not enough time with the cast. Another source said issues involving the lighting of the actresses was at the center of the decision to change directors. The studio declined comment.



Reiner most recently directed Franchise Pictures' "Alex and Emma," which was distributed by Warners. He has been a close associate of Warners Bros. president and chief operating officer Alan Horn, who, before taking over at the studio, was one of the co-founders of Castle Rock Entertainment along with Reiner.



Section 8's Steven Soderbergh and George Clooney are producing with Paula Weinstein. Jennifer Fox and Ben Cosgrove are the executive producers. Griffin's screenwriting credits include "Ocean's Eleven," "Ocean's Twelve," "Best Laid Plans" and "Matchstick Men." Both Griffin and Reiner are repped by WMA.