Gus Van Sant Taking Matt Damon's Place on Dave Eggers Project

Matt Damon might not be directing his untitled drama he co-wrote with John Krasinski and Dave Eggers, but the project is far from dead.

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Gus Van Sant will sit in the director’s chair after Damon fell out due to “scheduling issues.” (The actor said yes to several movies this year, and the time required to prep what would have been his directorial debut would have impacted his other commitments.)

Damon came to the realization he would be unable to direct during the holidays and called Van Sant, who helmed him in his 1997 breakthrough Good Will Hunting, to step in.  

Damon will still star in the movie, along with which centers on a salesman (Damon) who arrives in a small town only to have his life changed. Krasinski was also due to star. The two are producing as is Chris Moore.

The next step for the project, which hopes to shoot in the spring, is financing. The project was initially set up at Warner Bros. in October but is no longer there. Discussions are underway with financiers to take it over.

Van Sant, repped by WME, last directed Restless, which starred Mia Wasikowska.