Director Juan Antonio Bayona has abruptly exited the sequel to "World War Z," just months before production is set to begin this summer.

According to Deadline, Bayona felt he needed more time to tie up his current project, "A Monster Calls," but Paramount Pictures and Brad Pitt's Plan B want to move ahead so the post-apocalyptic action film will hit its June 9, 2017, release date.

“Bayona is no longer able to make 'World War Z 2' this year, and it is our ambition to do so," Paramount said in a statement. "He is a wonderful director and we hope to work with him soon.”

The studio's uneasiness is understandable, considering the problems that plagued the 2013 original, which saw its budget balloon to $200 million and its released delayed by six months. Despite those problems, "World War Z" grossed $540 million worldwide.