Director Weir leaves Depp film

LOS ANGELES, June 12 (UPI) -- Australian director Peter Weir has left production of the film "Shantaram," causing many to cite a rift with lead Johnny Depp as the cause.

Daily Variety reports that a Warner Bros. spokesman has denied the rumor, saying that Weir has pulled out the film due to conflicting interpretations.

The film, which is a pet project of Depp's and an adaptation of a novel by Gregory David Roberts, covers the life of an Australian heroin addict who ultimately finds himself fighting Russian troops in Afghanistan.

Scouting for filming locations and a replacement director have begun and the film is scheduled to begin filming in spring 2007, Variety reports.