Danny Boyle’s biopic about Steve Jobs has been dropped by Sony Pictures.

12 Years A Slave and Shame star Michael Fassbender had been linked to the role of the late Apple co-founder after he expressed an interest in playing Jobs.

Michael Fassbender
Michael Fassbender has been linked to the film (PA)

But the as-yet-untitled movie, directed by the Slumdog Millionaire filmmaker, will be offered to other studios after Sony Pictures removed it from their upcoming slate, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

A source claimed that the Oscar winning director wanted the film to start production in January, before he embarks on another project, while Sony preferred the film to shoot later.

The drama, written by Aaron Sorkin and based on Walter Isaacson’s biography, has struggled to find a lead.

Aaron Sorkin
Aaron Sorkin (PA)

Leonardo DiCaprio and Christian Bale were both linked to the role, before Dark Knight star Christian withdrew after “much deliberation and conflicting feelings” in early November.

Christian Bale
Christian Bale (PA)

X-Men: Days of Future Past star Michael is said to be in the early stages of talks.

Seth Rogen has been in the running to play Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, while Scarlett Johansson has apparently been approached with a part.

Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson (PA)

Ashton Kutcher starred in another biopic about the Apple co-founder – which left critics unimpressed – last year.