The Australian star, who portrays mutant superhero Wolverine in the comic book adaptations, is currently filming X-Men: Apocalypse on location in Canada, and his commitment to the movie series has reportedly forced him to bow out of Collateral Beauty, which had been due to begin production this autumn (15).

Producers at PalmStar Media and Likely Story are now looking to Johnny Depp to step into the project, about a New York advertising executive who is plunged into a deep depression following a personal tragedy.

Talks with Depp are said to be in the very early stages, according to Deadline.com.

Actress Rooney Mara and funnyman Jason Segel are still attached to star in the movie, which will be directed by Me And Earl And The Dying Girl filmmaker Alfonso Gomez-Rejon.