by: S. Scott Stanikmas

Well that was quick.

In a bit of a bummer for casting it looks like Joaquin Phoenix will not be joining director M. Night Shyamalan for his next feature film. The Hollywood Reporter says that instead actor James McAvoy will come on board the project.

Word is that even though Phoenix’s names was bandied about not that long ago he never signed on the dotted line to re-team with the Shyamalan.

The next film from the director, which will be produced by Jason Blum and his production house, is currently being kept under wraps for now. Shymalan is slowly working his way back into the fans’ good graces after a string of subpar movies dating back almost a decade. His newest film, The Visit, has been getting decent reviews with many saying it’s a return to form for the filmmaker.

No word yet on when production for the film will begin.