Well it seem that Steven Soderbergh’s retirement might be coming a little sooner than originally anticipated. From what we know, there were just three more movies that he wanted to shoot before he officially called it quits (or took a break, depending on what you believe): Magic Mike, Liberace, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E.. Now there will be just two movies, as he has reportedly exited The Man From U.N.C.L.E. this week after failing to come to an agreement with Warner Brothers over the film’s budget and cast. This puts the WB in a tight spot as the movie was aiming to start production in March. Will they find someone to replace Soderbergh quickly, or will the project end up getting delayed?

According to The Playlist, this week Warner Brothers execs proposed a low $60 million dollar budget for The Man from U.N.C.L.E. movie, which he felt was not enough to cover a ’60s period piece that is also expected to kickstart a new tentpole franchise. What’s more, the studio has been pushing for A-list actors in the two lead roles, and that would potentially make the budget even tighter. Last we heard, Soderbergh had suggested Channing Tatum for the lead role and met with him last week, but it seems that the studio was not quite sold.

I’m definitely disappointed that we’re getting one less project from Steven Soderbergh, but it’s also a disappointment because The Man from U.N.C.L.E. could easily become just another watered down summer blockbuster without someone like him behind the camera. Please, whatever you do Warners, don’t rewrite it as a modernized adaptation. What do you think, are you disheartened by this news? Is there someone else you would like to see direct The Man from U.N.C.L.E.?