There had been rumors that the production would transfer from the Old Vic with its original cast intact (West End impresarios Duncan C. Weldon and Paul Elliott are co-producing), but the Oscar winner will not even stay with the show until its Aug. 6 closing date.

Spacey has to cut his stage run short to work on the new “Superman Returns” film, in which he stars as Lex Luthor. He will play the part of CK Dexter Haven from May 3 (official opening night is now May 7) until July 23. His replacement in the role is not yet known.

Jennifer Ehle will play Tracy Lord, and is expected to see out the run. Ehle notched up an Olivier Award nomination for the Donmar Warehouse's production of Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing, her last London stage role, which transferred to Broadway where she went one better and picked up a Best Actress Tony. She's spent seasons at the RSC and National Theatre and has various screen outings to her credit, including "Possession," "Wile" and "Pride and Prejudice" (for which she won a BAFTA).

The as-yet incomplete cast list also includes Oliver Cotton, Nicholas Le Prevost, Julia McKenzie, Lauren Ward, Richard Lintern, Liz Imbrie and Damien Matthews. Jerry Zaks will direct the play. Set design will be by John Lee Beatty, with costume design by Tom Rand, lighting by Hugh Vanstone and sound by Fergus O'Hare.

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