Long-gestating thriller “The Tourist” seems to be somewhat taking on the form of a merry-go-round… people seem to be getting on and off it rather quickly.

Tom Cruise was originally onboard. He left.

Bharat Nalluri was set to direct… it didn’t stick.

Sam Worthington jumped aboard.

Charlize Theron came aboard. She exited.

Angelina Jolie replaced Theron.

Sam Worthington leaves.

Worthington has apparently followed director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s suit and exited over “creative differences”, according to Variety.

Funny thing is, with Worthington, Theron, and von Donnersmarck out, it’s turning into a much more appealing project.

Johnny Depp is in talks to replace Worthington, and Alfonso Cauron’s name has been bought up as a possible new helmer.

How appealing would a Depp/Jolie two-hander be to audiences? I’d think a helluva lot more than a Theron/Worthington one…

Depp would play an American tourist drawn into a web of intrigue and danger by a female Interpol agent (Jolie) as she attempts to locate a criminal who was once her lover.

Graham King’s GK Films – King worked with Depp on “The Rum Diary”, and therefore had access to Depp to suss his interest on this one – will finance and distribute.