MUMBAI: Steven Spielberg has opted out of directing a remake of the James Stewart film Harvey.

It is said that Spielberg was in a drastic search to find a lead actor after Tom Hanks reportedly turned down the role while Robert Downey Jr refused to commit to doing the film.

The original film was based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway play of the same name by Mary Chase. 

Harvey, which tells the story about a man who claims his best friend is a giant invisible rabbit, was a huge success.

Stewart received a best actor nomination at the 1951 Oscars for his performance, while his co-star, Josephine Hull, won best supporting actress.

Spielberg has recently completed production on The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn.