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Hugh Grant Weighed As Charlie Sheen Replacement

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Hugh Grant has been weighing a big move: replacing Charlie Sheen on CBS' "Two and a Half Men."

A person familiar with the situation said Wednesday the British film actor was in negotiations to join the sitcom as its new leading man. The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because producer Warner Bros. and CBS hadn't authorized public comment, said the talks had stalled without resolution.

But it was unclear whether Grant's hiring was a closed issue, the person said. Reports that Grant had been offered $1 million an episode were inaccurate, the person said, adding any Sheen replacement would be paid less than that.

Sheen was among TV's highest-paid actors at a reported $1.8 million an episode.

Grant's publicist did not immediately return a call for comment. The actor, who became a star in romantic comedies including "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and "Notting Hill," hasn't appeared in a box-office hit for several years.

The Grant-"Two and a Half Men" negotiations were first reported by the Deadline Hollywood website.

Warner, CBS and executive producer Chuck Lorre are attempting to find a new star and revamped format that would keep TV's top-rated and highly lucrative sitcom afloat without Sheen. With CBS set to unveil its fall schedule for advertisers in New York next Wednesday, the pressure is on to decide the show's future.

Speculation has swirled about who might join Jon Cryer and Angus T. Jones in the cast. Some actors seen as potential candidates, including John Stamos and Rob Lowe, have indicated their interests are elsewhere.

CBS had no comment.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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