Penn drops Stooges, Cartel films for personal time-out

Comedy fans eager to see Academy Award-winner Sean Penn as one of the Three Stooges appear to be out of luck, as the actor has dropped out of his upcoming film projects.

Penn, who won Oscars for his roles in Mystic River and Milk, is taking a break from acting and withdrawing from the Farrelly Brothers' film The Three Stooges as well as the crime thriller Cartel, a spokeswoman for the actor has confirmed.

Mara Buxbaum did not give a reason for the decision, but added that if the start dates of the productions were postponed, the actor could remain involved.

According to industry reports, Penn, 48, is taking an extended leave from Hollywood to deal with personal issues. Earlier this year, Penn filed papers to separate from wife Robin Wright Penn and, in May, withdrew his petition. It is the second time he has started — and then rescinded — divorce proceedings in the past two years.

The couple, who have been married for 13 years, have two teenage children: daughter Dylan and son Hopper Jack.

The Stooges project is a longtime labour of love for the Farrellys, who garnered much buzz in March with news that Penn had been cast as Larry, Jim Carrey as Curly and Benicio del Toro as Moe.

Before Penn's announcement, the comedy had been slated to start filming in August and released in 2010.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Cartel is set to continue with Penn's role recast. The actor had been set to star as a man who must protect his son after his wife's murder by a drug cartel.