In news that I'm sure will come as a blow to billions, it look like Ashton Kutcher will be making fewer movies, as it seems he's finalising his deal to take over from the increasingly unhinged Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men when it returns in the autumn, according to THR.
The hunt for Sheen's replacement has been an intense one, and Hugh Grant was nearly locked for the role, but the actor backed out at the last minute due to apprehensions about appearing in 22 episodes of the comedy show. After Grant left, they needed to find someone quick, as CBS in the US announced it new season schedule next week, and Two And A Half Men is both important to them from an advertising standpoint, and there have also been issues over the fact that the America, stations showing the series only have to honour their contract if Sheen keeps appearing, so they needed a big name, and quickly, to ensure things kept going.
Series creator Chuck Lorre has apparently already worked out the storyline to introduce Kutcher in a way that satisfies the network and studio, with a source saying, “It’s really funny. People are going to love it.” It should certainly ensure big ratings when the show returns, although whether those continue is anyone's guess, and the real question is how they're going to explain the lack of Sheen.