Leto to Replace Smith in BRILLIANCE?

Marcus Sakey adaptation eyes new lead as Smith exits…

Jared Leto, who scored the best supporting actor at the Oscars for his role in ‘Dallas Buyers Club,’ has reportedly entered into talks to replace Will Smith as the lead in the sci-fi thriller ‘Brilliance.’

Based on the 2013 Marcus Sakey novel of the same name, the story is set in a world where 1% of the children born are savants (aka “brilliants”) with special powers.

Leto would be replacing Smith as Nick Cooper, a federal agent who uses his skills to become a master hunter of terrorists. His latest target may be the most dangerous man alive, a brilliant drenched in blood and intent on provoking civil war.

Nigerian filmmake Julius Onah (‘God Particle’) is attached to direct with Noomi Rapace (‘The Drop,’ ‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’) playing the female lead.

Smith dropped off the thriller last month, citing scheduling conflicts.