Connie Britton replaces Sharon Stone in 'American Ultra'

Jesse Eisenberg stars in the film, which Nima Nourizadeh is directing from a script by Max Landis

In a last-minute casting switch, Connie Britton has signed on to replace Sharon Stone in Lionsgate's action-comedy “American Ultra,” which stars Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart, the studio announced Thursday.

Stone exited the project due to an unforeseen scheduling conflict, an individual familiar with the project told TheWrap. Uma Thurman was originally linked to the role, though she never had a formal deal in place.

Nima Nourizadeh (“Project X”) is directing from a script by Max Landis (“Chronicle”).

Eisenberg stars as Mike, a seemingly hapless and unmotivated stoner whose small-town life with his live-in girlfriend, Phoebe (Stewart), is suddenly turned upside down. Unbeknownst to him, Mike is actually a highly trained, lethal sleeper agent in a government program created by Victoria Lasseter (Britton). When his secret past comes back to haunt him, Mike is thrust into the middle of a deadly operation and is forced to summon his inner action-hero in order to survive.

The film, which is currently in production, boasts a strong supporting cast including Topher Grace, Tony Hale, John Leguizamo, Bill Pullman and Walton Goggins.

A PalmStar/Likely Story/Circle of Confusion production, “American Ultra” is being produced by Anthony Bregman, Kevin Frakes, Raj Brinder Singh, David Alpert and Britton Rizzio, while Ray Angelic is executive producing.

Lionsgate's Jason Constantine and Eda Kowan are overseeing the project on behalf of the studio. FilmNation Entertainment is handling international sales.

Four-time Emmy nominee Britton, who has a strong relationship with Lionsgate, is represented by WME and Untitled Entertainment.

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