Steven Spielberg has stepped away from the forthcoming film adaptation of American Sniper. Where does this leave the Dreamworks/Warner Bros joint venture?

Reports have Spielberg citing budget issues as the reason behind his split from the film. Deadline reports that Spielberg could not reconcile his vision for the film with the given budget.

Bradley Cooper is set to star as Navy Seal Chris Kyle, the self-proclaimed “most lethal sniper in U.S. military history.” The film is based on Kyle’s autobiography of the same name. Kyle died in February of 2013 after being shot at a practice range in Texas by a fellow veteran.

The film has been in contention with Spielberg attached to direct since May of this year. Cooper actually optioned Kyle’s autobiography himself. The book spent nearly five month’s on the New York Times bestseller list last year.

Spielberg’s involvement was part of a deal between Dreamworks and Warner Bros to co-produce and distribute the film, which is still in the development stages. Deadline reports that Dreamworks will now walk away completely, leaving Warner Bros free to find a new director of their choosing.

Cooper is not only set to play Kyle in the film, but is also a producer. The constantly busy actor recently finished shooting David O’Russell’s American Hustle with Christian Bale and Jennifer Lawrence.

Jason Dean Hall (Paranoia) is adapting the screenplay for the film, which has a tentative 2015 release date.

As for Spielberg, who was also a producer on the film, he will be plenty busy with a dozen producing and directing projects in the works including follow-ups to Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, and Transformers.