Ben Affleck drops out of Kristen Stewart comedy

As quickly as our interest was piqued by the idea of a Ben Affleck and Kristen Stewart comedy, the leading man's dropped out of the project.

According to Variety, the "Argo" actor/director wanted to do the film but, with a busy schedule to keep in mind, couldn't nail down a right time to do it.

Just last week it was announced that Kristen Stewart was to co-star with Affleck in "Focus," playing the newbie con artist that Affleck's veteran hustler partners with.

Glenn Ficarra and John Requa ("Crazy, Stupid, Love.") were to write and direct the film, and shooting was expected to begin in April.

But Affleck has a lot on his plate: the untitled Whitey Bulger project he's working on with Matt Damon; another movie in development called "The Stand"; and a third movie called "Live by Night."

Add to that the upcoming awards season, in which Affleck is a major contender, and April isn't a comfortable fit.

Variety reports that studio Warner Bros. is now on the hunt for a new actor who can meet the April launch on production.