 Nicole Kidman (qv) was originally cast in the role of Meg Altman  and Hayden Panettiere (qv) was cast as her daughter, Sarah. Before  filming began, Panettiere was replaced with Kristen Stewart (qv).  Then, only eighteen days into filming, Kidman had to leave the film  as well, due to a recurring knee injury, suffered during the filming  of _Moulin Rouge! (2001)_ (qv). David Fincher (qv) suggested that  the studio close the production and collect the insurance, but the  studio decided to go on. Jodie Foster (qv) was offered the role.  She was due to be the president of the Cannes Film Festival jury but  withdrew to work with Fincher, with whom she was originally supposed  to work on _Game, The (1997)_ (qv) in the role eventually played by  Sean Penn (qv). Foster had only nine days to prepare for the role.