Ewan McGregor cancels directorial debut

Ewan McGregor has revealed that he has abandoned a film project set to serve as his directorial debut.

The Haywire actor had been researching a 1968 yacht race with the intention of adapting the story for the big screen, but recently discovered that a movie based on the event is already in production.

McGregor told Nylon Guys that he wanted to work on the film with his wife of 16 years Eve Mavrakis, a production designer.

"My wife was going to design it, I wasn't going to be in it," he explained. "And then I found out someone else is doing it. I was gutted."

Despite his setback, McGregor insisted that he still hopes to make the transition from acting to directing in the near future.

"I think it would be so fascinating and satisfying," he said. "But I don't pretend... I would be starting right at the bottom."

McGregor said in July that he "instantly" fell in love with Mavrakis when they met in 1994.

It was recently announced that McGregor's latest film Salmon Fishing in the Yemen will open the Palm Springs International Film Festival in January.

Watch the trailer for Salmon Fishing in the Yemen below: