Cohen leaves 'xXx', boards 'Medieval'

Rob Cohen has dropped out of directing Sony's xXx sequel to make Medieval for New Regency.

Cohen, who likened his new project to The Magnificent Seven in the Middle Ages, admitted that he found it difficult to back out of reuniting with Vin Diesel on xXx: The Return Of Xander Cage.

"It was a tough decision about xXx," he told Variety. "I talked to Vin over the weekend and said I hoped they would wait, but that if they find another director who's right for the sequel, I certainly wouldn't be angry. But I could not let something like this go."

The Medieval script, by Alex Litvak and Michael Finch, revolves around warriors from different cultures coming together to fight a common enemy. Terminator Salvation director McG is serving as a producer on the project.