Universal cancels drug thriller 'Cartel'

Universal has shut down pre-production for "Cartel," a drug drama that was supposed to start shooting in a few weeks. Deadline New York says the studio decided to cancel the project because of script and budget issues, as well as security risks of shooting this thing in Mexico. Yeah, that one I can understand.

Josh Brolin was on board as the lead character, a man trying to protect his son after his wife is murdered in the world of drug cartels. Peter Craig wrote the script, and Asger Leth was supposed to direct. At one stage, Sean Penn was attached to star in the film, befire he left it and Brolin came on.