Quentin Tarantino eyes up Kurt Russel for western part

Quentin Tarantino is in talks with Kurt Russel to step into Kevin Costner's role in blockbuster western Django Unchained after The Bodyguard actor dropped out.

Costner was set to boost his big screen career with a starring role in the Kill Bill auteur's new project, playing a brutal slave master alomgside Leonardo DiCaprio's evil plantation owner.

However, scheduling conflicts forced the star to quit the film and now Russell is lined up to take his place according to TheWrap.com.

The Big Trouble in Little China star previously worked with Tarantino in 2007's Death Proof.