All sorts of stories have grown up around
Keitel's departure from the film, in which he
and Jennifer Jason Leigh were slated to
play patients who have affairs with their
psychiatrists, played by Nicole Kidman and
Tom Cruise.

The most outlandish tale, fanned over the
Internet and by Howard Stern, claims that
Keitel grew overaroused in a sex scene with
Kidman, who was so disgusted that she
demanded Kubrick fire him.

The story may have picked up steam because Kubrick swore
everyone to secrecy — about the film and because Keitel is
famous for unholstering his manhood, as he did in "Bad Lieutenant"
and "The Piano."

But reps for Keitel and Kidman vouch there
never was such an incident. So do buddies of
Keitel, who say the truth has more to do with
the 19 months Kubrick has taken to do his
mystery-shrouded $65 million epic. The
director has made headlines for continually
pushing back the release date, incessantly
reshooting scenes and insisting that the actors
remain mum about the plot.

But the biggest problem, friends of Keitel say,
was the snail's pace on shooting. "Harvey was
in London for weeks waiting for Kubrick to
get started," says a source. "By the time they
were in rehearsals, it was obvious they were never going to finish
before Harvey had to leave for another film.

"So he suggested to Kubrick that they get his scenes out of the
way first." But Cruise is said to have refused to film out of
sequence, and "Harvey had no choice but to leave." Actor/director
Sydney Pollack later replaced Keitel.

Keitel spokesman Paul Costello said the actor didn't want to
comment on his exit. Pat Kingsley, who reps Cruise and
Kidman, insisted: "If anyone knows Stanley Kubrick, you know
it's his movie. Tom could never tell him what to do." Kubrick, as
usual, was unreachable. The film is due out next July.

-- Midknight - 11/23/98