Michael B. Jordan is trying to reinvent a classic — but his Thomas Crown Affair remake has already been hit with a headline-making complication. Taylor Russell, originally cast as the female lead, has exited the project citing “creative differences,” though the internet rumor mill suggests that things behind the scenes were messier than the statement lets on.

The film, a fresh take on the stylish 1968 heist movie (and its 1999 Pierce Brosnan remake), stars Jordan as the titular Crown — a wealthy, art-stealing mastermind who finds himself in a seductive cat-and-mouse game with an investigator. The role opposite Jordan was originally filled by Bones and All breakout Russell… until now.

Sources claim the split was anything but smooth. According to Deux/U, Russell and Jordan may have been involved in a flirtation-turned-fallout before production began. “Something had happened between Taylor and Michael,” an anonymous tipster alleged. “By the time filming started, the relationship was already strained.” Their off-screen dynamic reportedly made its way onto set, with tensions high enough to jeopardize the film’s early momentum.

Speculation kicked into overdrive after the two were spotted at a London café in March, with some suggesting the on-screen chemistry experiment turned into something more personal — and ultimately combustive. Whether the issue was romantic, professional, or a mix of both, Russell’s departure triggered a last-minute recast.

In her place, producers tapped Adria Arjona (Andor, Hit Man) to take on the high-stakes role of Crown’s foil. The rest of the cast remains intact, including Kenneth Branagh, Lily Gladstone, and Danai Gurira. Jordan is pulling double duty as both lead actor and director — marking his most ambitious project since Creed III.

The film is expected to offer a sleek, modern spin on the classic caper, with a globe-trotting plot, high fashion, and a tone described by insiders as “elevated but sexy.” It’s currently filming in London and is slated for a March 5, 2027 release.

But now, with the creative vision shaken and the headlines focused on behind-the-scenes intrigue, the biggest question is: can this version of The Thomas Crown Affair steal back the spotlight?