Aronofsky 'no longer directing Wolverine movie'

Acclaimed director Darren Aronofsky will no longer be directing the X-Men prequel.

The filmmaker, who has movies such as The Wrestler and Black Swan under his belt, said he does not want to spend such a long time away from home.

"As I talked more about the film with my collaborators at Fox, it became clear that the production of The Wolverine would keep me out of the country for almost a year," Aronofsky said in a statement.

"I was not comfortable being away from my family for that length of time."

Aronofsky added that he is saddened that he will not be seeing the project through as the film has a "terrific script".

A spokesperson for Fox said the movie will still be going ahead.

"Hugh Jackman and Fox both remain fully committed to making The Wolverine. We will regroup and move forward aggressively," the representative said.

The film also received another setback this month, as parts of it were due to be shot in Japan, something that is unlikely to go ahead following the recent earthquake and tsunami.