Brolin and Alley sign on for Russell's "Nailed"

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - James Brolin is replacing James Caan in David O. Russell's "Nailed," with Kirstie Alley and Olivia Crocicchia also boarding the politically charged romantic comedy.

Caan departed the film three weeks ago, in large part because of a spat with Russell ("I Heart Huckabees") about the proper way for his politico character to choke on a cookie. Brolin can turn to his son Josh for advice: The younger Brolin will portray George W. Bush choking on a pretzel in a scene from Oliver Stone's upcoming biopic.

Alley, in her first feature role since 2002, will play a veterinarian who fails to remove a nail from the head of her niece (Jessica Biel). With the help of a disgruntled tween (Crocicchia), the injured woman travels to Washington to fight for better health care and falls for a congressman (Jake Gyllenhaal).

Brolin last played a politician in 2003, when he starred as Ronald Reagan in Showtime's "The Reagans."

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter