Report: Sony Ditches Steve Jobs Movie

It seems like there's some major change regarding the Sony-backed Steve Jobs bio-pic every week. If it's not someone dropping out of playing the late, iconic Apple co-founder, then it's rumors about who could be Jobs incarnate (or Woz).

In this case, however, the news is that Sony Pictures is dropping the movie entirely. Oops. But it seems as though the film has been kind of a mess ever since Sony bought the rights to Walter Isaacson's best-selling biography in 2011.

According to the rumors, David Fincher was first planning to direct it, with Christian Bale as Jobs. But when Fincher dropped out, so did Bale. Attention then turned to Leonardo DiCaprio, but when he too bowed out, Bale's name re-appeared on the casting shortlist, and the Oscar-winning actor officially signed on. But he apparently had (another) change of heart and left the project.

Michael Fassbender is reportedly being considered for the part, joining new director Danny Boyle of Slumdog Millionaire fame.

According to Deadline, Universal has allegedly "locked down" the Steve Jobs film and is giving it the green light for production.

As for why Sony Pictures dropped out, there are a few thoughts. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Boyle only had a small window in which to get the production up and running as a result of his commitments to other projects. With the movie struggling to find and keep a lead, it's plausible that Sony realized it just wasn't going to be able to hit the timeline.

Additionally, Sony allegedly wanted to push back the film's production because of the other movies it has in the pipeline for 2015. And, of course, Fassbender will be busy shooting Fox's X-Men: Apocalypse next spring, which doesn't bode well for the timing of the Steve Jobs movie.