Leonardo DiCaprio had originally decided to shoot The Revenant instead of the upcoming Steve Jobs biopic from writer Aaron Sorkin. He then planned to shoot the Danny Boyle directed expose on the Apple co-founder immediately after. But he has now dropped out altogether so that he can take a lengthy break from acting.

Leonardo DiCaprio had long been in talks with Sony to headline the movie. The project is based on Walter Isaacson's book about the entrepreneur, and has become one of the most anticipated biopics in recent years. The film has endured a number of roadblocks as it tries to make its way to the big screen. The book was optioned by Sony in 2011, around the time of Steve Jobs' death.

Before Danny Boyle had taken on the project, Steve Jobs was to be directed by David Fincher, who has Gone Girl in theaters this weekend. He left the project back in April due to his lack of both compensation and control over the project. It would have re-teamed the director with Aaron Sorkin, who wrote the screenplay for David Fincher's The Social Network.

With Leonardo DiCaprio out of the project, Sony is starting to eye a number of different actors to take on the iconic tech figure, a man who has been both worshipped and reviled. At the top of Sony's wish list is Christian Bale, who had previously been rumored for the movie. Other possible contenders include Matt Damon, Bradley Cooper, and Ben Affleck. Though, Ben Affleck's involvement seems unlikely since he just signed onto star in The Accountant.

Legendary producer Scott Rudin is working alongside Film 360's Guymon Casady and Mark Gordon. Steve Jobs would have served as a reunion for Danny Boyle and Leonardo DiCaprio, who last worked together on 2000's The Beach.