Jodie Foster's Plum back in play

Lesbian icon Jodie Foster's long-shelved project Flora Plum seems to be back in motion with a new cast in place, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The circus-set film was originally scheduled to start shooting in September 2000, with Foster directing, but a shoulder injury sidelined leading man Russell Crowe, who eventually dropped out of the project. Flora Plum is now set to go into production next fall or in January 2004, with Ewan McGregor taking over for Crowe as a circus freak who falls in love with a penniless waif (Claire Danes, who was originally attached to play the title role) as he helps her achieve fame. Meryl Streep has also committed to the project, which will be Foster's first directorial assignment since the 1995 comedy Home for the Holidays.