The adaptation of Fahrenheit 451 has been on the way for an extended period of time, but it had the names to make that period of time acceptable. With Frank Darabont writing and directing and Tom Hanks cast in the lead, who would dare question, right?

Well, it seems that unfortunately things have changed a bit. MTV has reported that Tom Hanks has left the project due to other commitments. This news isn’t exactly shocking considering the scenario. With someone as busy as Hanks obviously is at all times, a project that takes this long to get going would not be an easy one to stay aboard with.

This project has been in development with different filmmakers for over a decade, with various A-listers tentatively attached to star as the book-burning fireman Guy Montgag. It’s anyone’s guess who will step in for the part now — I’m quite sure it will be another very large name — but hopefully they wait until the movie is a little further along and ready to get moving, so they don’t encounter this issue again.

It’s pretty mysterious when you think about it: extremely popular story by an extremely popular author (Ray Bradbury), adapted and directed by a man who doesn’t tend to fail, not to mention starring one of the biggest names on the planet. Why so difficult then to get this potential 27-pound gold bar, wrapped in $100 bills, and held high in the air by little Oscar statues moving forward?

Darabont has shown signs of brilliance with The Shawshank Redemption, and The Green Mile (which I assume got him Hanks in the first place with this project), while The Mist was very well-received as his last film. Hopefully a stride of luck will take to him soon and he can get this movie on its way.

I’m very curious to see how this turns out.