Never shy to take on a physically demanding role, Christian Bale has decided to exit Michael Mann’s upcoming biopic Enzo Ferrari. After earning a Best Supporting Actor nomination for The Big Short in the upcoming 88th Academy Awards, Bale declined to act as the legendary car enthusiast. Starring in the role would call for another increase in body mass for an accurate portrayal.

The British actor has starred in films that required substantial weight loss (The Machinist, The Fighter) and weight gain (American Hustle), but questioned his health in taking on another shift shape. Bale has worked with Mann before in 2009’s Public Enemies who sought out to start filming this Spring but now is searching for a new lead.

Based on the book Enzo Ferrari, The Man, The Cars, The Races by Brock Yates, the script was first drafted by Troy Kennedy-Martin (The Italian Job). It has since been revised by Mann and David Rayfiel (The Firm) and focuses on Ferrari’s life in 1957. With Paramount studios producing and Mann’s track record, the project shouldn’t have much difficulty finding a new top actor.

Bale’s next big screen showing is in a still untitled Terrance Malick film set to release this year.

Enzo Ferrari is slated to release some time in 2017.