Casting Couch: Fishburne Eyes CSI Beat, Bana Goes From Hulk to Beast, Hirsch Rocks Woodstock

Eric Bana makes directing debut on car documentary; Laurence Fishburne may replace William Petersen on CSI

CBS is investigating a replacement for its lead CSI.

While Grissom is, for all intents and purposes, a goner, the Hollywood Reporter claims that the more-than-capable Laurence Fishburne is currently in talks for prime-time's cushiest gig, succeeding William Petersen in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

Neither CBS nor Paramount, which produces the show, has commented on the possible casting.

Fishburne would theoretically be taking over for Petersen, and his character would not assume the role of Sin City's head CSI, rather an outside scientist who joins the team as more of an equal. He'd begin his beat after Grissom solves his final crime on the 10th episode of the upcoming season.

Petersen would still make occasional appearances on the show.

In other big casting news:

• A doc was just what Eric Bana ordered. According to Variety, the prolific Aussie thesp is set to take his first turn behind the camera, making his directorial debut on Love the Beast, a documentary about the actor's own 25-year love affair with a classic car, the 1974 Ford Falcon Coupe. Va-va-va-vroom. The feature-length flick features several cameos, among them the ubiquitous Dr. Phil and British TV icon and renowned auto lover Jeremy Clarkson, who hosts the soon-to-be imported U.K. series Top Gear.
• Emile Hirsch, Imelda Staunton, Liev Schreiber and Demetri Martin are set to star in Ang Lee's latest directorial opus, Taking Woodstock. Per Variety, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Eugene Levy and Paul Dano are also among the thesps playing widely ranging roles in the film, including transvestites, Vietnam vets, interior designers, closeted gay men and hippie couples, who all converge at the legendary music fest. Production will begin later this month.
• Current Swingtown and erstwhile Melrose Place thesp Grant Show is set for a one-off guest-starring on an upcoming episode of Private Practice. E! News has confirmed that Show will play a charming and flirtatious doctor (as if there were any other kind in Shonda Rhimes' universe) who connects with one of the series regulars.
• Eli Roth may turn out to be Bastard. According to Variety, the Hostel director is taking a cue from the increasing number of double-duty thesps and trying his hand in front of the camera. He is in talks to play a Nazi hunter in Quentin Tarantino's would-be war epic, Inglorious Bastards. Tarantino also flew abroad last month to court new papa Brad Pitt for the film, but there has been no official word on that potential casting coup.
• Following in the footsteps of fellow Brit Joss Stone, Max von Sydow has signed on to star in the upcoming third season of Showtime's The Tudors. Per Variety, he'll play Cardinal Von Waldburg, a German-born clergyman who attempts to organize a defeat against Henry VIII. He'll appear in four of the eight episodes of the season.