Cameron Diaz

Diaz and Carrey had been due to appear on screen for the first time since starring in 1994's "The Mask", but pulled out because of unhappiness with the storyline, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety said.

Filming had been due to start later in October, the report said.

The movie, which has also seen Italian director Gabriele Muccino exit at the 11th hour, is a remake of the French film "Un petit jeu sans consequence", based on a play by Jean Dell and Gerald Sibleyras.

The plot revolves around a couple who have been happily married for five years but decide to play a trick on their friends by pretending to break up.

They then discover that most of their friends and family never thought they belonged together in the first place.