We recently reported that Warner Bros. had issued a release date for the sequel to a 2008 summer hit and now it seems that some changes could be coming to the film. Deadline New York is reporting that director Brad Peyton is making a deal to direct the Untitled Journey to the Center of the Earth Sequel and the star of the first film, Brendan Fraser, might not reprise his role for the sequel.

Our initial report indicated that Warner had set a September 23, 2011 release date for the film and it was said that the studio wanted shooting to start by this fall. It seems that Fraser could be out because he wanted to make the film with the director of the first Journey to the Center of the Earth, Eric Brevig and he might not be available due to his work on the film Yogi Bear. If Fraser were to leave the series, the sequel would focus on Josh Hutcherson, who starred in the first film as the nephew of Fraser's character, Professor Trevor Anderson.

It was said that the sequel would be shot in 3D, like the original film and Peyton's upcoming film, Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, which is due out on July 30, was shot in 2D and converted to 3D in post-production. The site did also indicate that their sources said Fraser, "could still possibly" return to the film but it seemed "unlikely."

We'll be sure to keep you posted on any further news regarding the Untitled Journey to the Center of the Earth Sequel as soon as we have more information.