John Travolta Dropped from Dallas Movie

Travolta, who was just nominated for a Golden Globe for donning a fat suit for his drag role in Hairspray, was "let go about two weeks ago. He had the role of J.R. Ewing taken from him and given to Ben Stiller." However, a rep for Stiller denies the comic actor accepted or was offered the part. "John was given a nice seven-figure 'gift' to go away quietly," our source added.

The first big upheaval occurred last year when Shirley MacLaine (who was to play Miss Ellie), Luke Wilson (Bobby Ewing) and Jennifer Lopez (Sue Ellen) were dropped from the cast. Meg Ryan and Matthew McConaughey's names were then brought up, but neither was signed. Director Robert Luketic was also let go in favor of Bend It Like Beckham helmer Gurinder Chadha, and the budget was downsized from an original $65 million to "something way less," the source said. Producers may be looking for a Stiller-like talent to take Travolta's role because the word is that Dallas will now -- if it ever gets made -- be a "comedic, behind-the-scenes" movie instead of the originally intended drama.