Sometimes, bad news lead to better news.

Just a few weeks ago, the already troubled 'The Good Shepherd', Robert DeNiro's next directing gig, lost its principal financier, IEG. Nothing was announced at the time concerning the status of its attached star, the very busy Leonardo DiCaprio.

But according to Variety, Leo definitely has left the again-delayed project, and was just as quickly replaced by 'Ocean's Twelve' cast member Matt Damon.

Should the movie ever happen, it would recount the story of the CIA through the eyes of one of its founders, Agent James Wilson. Damon will play Wilson in his agency years, while director/producer DeNiro will portray the man at a latter age.