Late last week, Jennifer Lopez decided to detach herself from the upcoming remake of the popular 80's TV series "Dallas."

No word has been given for the abrupt departure. Even her publicist will only state, "She is out of 'Dallas'."

Lopez was set to star as Sue Ellen Ewing, the alcoholic and adulterous wife of head honcho J.R. Ewing. John Travolta had been cast opposite her to play J.R., a role made famous by Larry Hagman in the series.

This is not the first major change the film has experienced. In March, Variety reported that director Robert Luketic (Legally Blonde, Monster-In-Law) had extended offers to Lopez, Travolta and a few others for leads. A month or so later, Luketic dropped out of the project citing "creative differences," among those, the direction of the casting, which he had a hand in.

Gurinder Chadha, who directed Bend It Like Beckham, has since been tapped as Luketic's replacement.

With Lopez's departure, the rest of the casting remains the same, with Travolta, Luke Wilson as Bobby Ewing and Shirley MacLaine as Ewing matriarch Miss Ellie. Provided no other major shake-ups occur, production for the film could start in October 2006.

Even crossing Dallas off her "to-do" list, Lopez has no shortage of work on her plate, having just wrapped Bordertown with Antonio Banderas. She also has three more films in pre- or post- production.

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