Aussie movie star GUY PEARCE was shut out of returning for the L.A Confidential sequel - over a rights issue concerning his character.
Director Joe Carnahan admits he had hoped to bring Pearce's character, Ed Exley, back for follow-up White Jazz, but was told he couldn't.
He tells movie news website MovieHole.net, "Guy and I met and unfortunately, due to some prior rights/ownership stuff revolving around L.A Confidential, I will not be able to use the Exley character in White Jazz.
"I'm pretty bummed because I was looking forward to trying to lure Guy back in." White Jazz will star George Clooney and Charlize Theron.