Director Soderbergh quits The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

George Clooney had initially been touted to portray Robert Vaughn’s iconic spy character Napoleon Solo in a proposed film version of the TV show, and when he dropped out, Cooper was slated to take his place.

The Hangover star walked away from the job this week (begs14Nov11) – and now Soderbergh has followed him out the door.

According to movie blog The Playlist, the filmmaker quit after falling out with studio executives over casting and budgetary requirements.

Warrior star Joel Edgerton had been tapped to play Solo’s sidekick Illya Kuryakin in the new film. That role was originally played on TV by David McCallum.

The movie had been scheduled to be released next year (12).