Controversial director LARS VON TRIER’S MELANANCHOLIA centers on a wedding party trying to live life while a rogue planet heads for a collision with Earth. A very personal study of depression, love and human behavior, the cast features KIRSTEN DUNST in a role originally set for PENELOPE CRUZ (before she took off to star in PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES) along with CHARLOTTE GAINSBOURG, KIEFER SUTHERLAND, ALEXANDER SKARSGAARD and STELLAN SKARSGAARD. In Los Angeles last week to promote the film, DUNST talked to us about being grateful to CRUZ for taking a powder and leaving the role up for grabs. (CLICK ON THE MEDIA BAR FOR AUDIO)

MELANCHOLIA opens in select cities today