Lopez eyed for Trump role

GEORGE Lopez is in talks with NBC to take over as the face of “The Celebrity Apprentice,” after the network severed ties with Donald

Trump over his comments about Mexicans. Representatives for the Mexican-American comedian— whose standup routines often tackle race relations — have been talking to NBC, but discussions are in a very early stage, multiple sources tell Page Six.

One source said: “There have been initial conversations with George Lopez’s representatives, and, given Donald Trump’s crazy comments, George would be the perfect loud response to Trump.”

Asecond source with knowledge of the discussions added, “It could be a smartmove by NBC to cast George as Trump’s replacement, and it would also bring diversity to the network.” But the source added, “The talks are in the very early stages.”

While NBC and reps for Lopez declined to comment Tuesday night, we’re told producers were still casting a wide net for a replacement for The Donald. Names being floated include Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, who appears on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” Sir Richard Branson and Martha Stewart.

NBC last month cut ties with the presidential candidate following the comments made about Mexico in his June 16 speech. But it plans to keep “The Celebrity Apprentice” on the air without him. “‘ Celebrity Apprentice’ is licensed from

Mark Burnett’s United Artists Media Group and that relationship will continue,” NBC said at the time. The 15th season of the show was scheduled to go into production in September. “Celebrity Apprentice” Season 14 finalist Geraldo Rivera told us hewas not vying for the job: “My personal feeling is Donald Trump is irreplaceable . . . Better to cancel the show. I will not be putting my name forward.”

Meanwhile, Lopez, 54, has asked Latinos to boycott the mogul and said, “If [ Trump] wins in 2016, he won’t have to worry about immigration, we’ll all go back.”