STX Entertainment has put their upcoming dramatic feature Godforsaken on hold following news of Sylvester Stallone’s abrupt exit from the film. It’s a major blow for a movie that was already deep into pre-production and set to start shooting at the beginning of December. This was the film (then a mystery title) that STX eluded to earlier this year at their CinemaCon presentation and was to be Stallone’s first major role since earning an Oscar nomination for last year’s critical and commercial triumph Creed. Deadline was the first to report this story.

The reasoning behind Stallone’s departure from the film hasn’t been revealed but it’s unusual for a film to experience such a significant halt mere weeks before it was scheduled to go before the cameras. Jim Mickle (We Are What We Are, Cold in July) was to direct the movie which centers around an aging former convict bent on revenge upon hearing word about his estranged son’s unexpected death. Daniel Casey penned the screenplay and Lawrence Grey serves as a producer on the title. Reportedly, Stallone worked through the script and brought it to STX Entertainment. Godforsaken appears to be going back into development with behind-the-scenes principals (Micke, Casey, Grey) potentially retooling the film for another actor. Deadline speculates that Stallone may have simply had second doubts on the feature but suggests that the actor and STX Entertainment may collaborate on another project.

Stallone is next set to make his Marvel debut in Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2. He also contributed a vocal performance for the upcoming animated feature Animal Crackers and may co-star in Olivier Assayas’ upcoming thriller Idol’s Eye featuring Rachel Weisz (Denial) and Robert Pattinson (Maps to the Stars).

We will stay tuned to latest developments regarding Godforsaken.