Jared Leto Opts Out Of "Brilliance"

Talks between Jared Leto ("Dallas Buyers Club") and the studio, for the Oscar winner to take over the lead role in the film adaptation of author Marcus Sakey's novel "Brilliance" have reportedly broken down.

The story takes place in a world where a rare set of people are born with extraordinary abilities and are called “brilliants.” At the center of the story is federal agent Nick Cooper (Leto) with great hunting gifts who is drafted to hunt down a terrorist, another such brilliant who intends to start a civil war.

Will Smith recently dropped out of doing the film. The dreaded scheduling conflict is the reason given for his exit.

Noomi Rapace joined the film shortly before Smith left and is still attached.

 David Koepp was hired to pen the adapted script. Koepp has penned such successful movie adaptations as Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park and Sam Raimi's first Spider-Man movie among others. Julius Onah ("God Particle") will direct the film.

Leto met with Onah last Monday where he reportedly turned down the role putting him back in the running for Marvel's "Doctor Strange" movie helmed by Scott Derrickson.

Joe Roth ("Alice in Wonderland" and Oz The Great and Powerful) and Palak Patel will produce the film.

The plan was to start filming in August, no word if that's still the case.

The book is the first in a planned trilogy meaning there's a potential franchise here.