Farrel was a lead weight in The New World, which suffered generally from leaden performances by movie stars.

I don't think any of the performances in The New World are particularly great but there's certainly nothing wrong with them. It's not like Malick's films are ever actor-driven anyway. If anything, it's probably good that he doesn't use talented actors since that might distract from the visuals, which are no doubt his strength.

I am still very skeptical of this film, though. It seems like it'll either be a disaster or the greatest film of all time.

I am still very skeptical of this film, though. It seems like it'll either be a disaster or the greatest film of all time.

Even if Tree of Life is Malick's worst film, it will still be one of the five greatest films ever made.

It could be both? Tree of Life (if it is related to the Q project) could very well be the most polarizing of Malick's films so far, which may not endear it to a mainstream audience but on the otherhand would be like mana from heaven for Malick fans.

Pitt in talks to star in 'Tree of Life'
Sean Penn to co-star in Malick drama
By MICHAEL FLEMING

Brad Pitt is in talks to climb into "Tree of Life," a drama Terrence Malick wrote and will direct.

River Road is financing, and Bill Pohlad is producing with Sarah Green ("The New World") and Grant Hill.

Pitt, who recently ankled the Universal Pictures drama "State of Play," would replace Heath Ledger, who was skedded to star with Sean Penn in the Malick-directed drama, which begins production in the spring. Though Penn is booked to play the title character in the Gus Van Sant-directed "Harvey Milk," he's still expected to play a supporting role in "Tree of Life." Penn has an allegiance to River Road's Pohlad, who co-financed with Paramount Vantage the Penn-directed "Into the Wild."No deals have been made with Pitt or Penn. Pitt would have earned $20 million against gross to star in "State of Play," but he'll likely sign on to "Tree of Life" for nearly no upfront money.

Okay, somebody has to say it.

Didn't Pitt already sign up and then drop out of a film about a "tree of life"?

Right. But wasn't money the biggest issue in that case?

Pitt wasn't so bad in The Assassination of Jesse James. I'm sure if Malick has his appearance roughed up a bit he'll do okay when surrounded (read: overwhelmed) by Malickian surroundings, soundscapes and editing.

Pitt ended up looking like the biggest douche for walking away from The Fountain because they were literally days away from starting shooting.

Er, no he didn't. Pitt looked like a genius for managing to get out of that one.

I don't understand what they mean by "Both aspects"? Meaning it's no longer set in India?

After weeks of rumors and speculation, the location manager of "Tree of Life," the Terrence Malick project starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn, addressed the Smithville City Council on Tuesday to talk about filming there, beginning in late March. The shoot will last approximately three months, the film's John Patterson said.

"Security is going to be a big issue" with the film company, said Smithville City Manager Tex Middlebrook, who added that producers have met with the Police Department several times. Many of the cast and crew members for the film, a 1950s period piece, have rented houses in Smithville, a town of about 4,000 people 45 miles east of Austin.

I really, really don't want Sean Penn to be in this.