Heartbreak in fairy tale land: Guillermo del Toro has backed away from his planned Beauty and the Beast adaptation.

The Pacific Rim and Crimson Peak director had been attached to helm Beauty for Warner Bros, but Deadline now reports he has withdrawn from the job. Harry Potter and The Perks of Being a Wallflower actress Emma Watson remains attached to the lead role in the live-action adaptation of the classic fairy tale.

Although del Toro won't direct Beauty, he remains involved in the project, having written the script and continuing as a producer. The search is under way to find a new director.