Guillermo Del Toro has revealed that he has no regrets in leaving The Hobbit.
The Devil's Backbone director was set to direct the eagerly anticipated project, which has been split into two movies, while Peter Jackson served as executive producer.
But Del Toro left the project earlier this year after the projects had suffered a string of delays - the movie will now be directed by Peter Jackson.
Speaking to The Independent the filmmaker said: "I can tell you in my life, I try not to deal with regrets... I believe it was the best for me and the project.
"I have a huge heartbreak. I have incredible sadness. I have disappointment. I have a piece of me that is dented forever. But no regrets. I don't believe in regrets.
And the director admitted that the prospect of moving his family to New Zealand during the shoot did influence his final decision.
"It was starting to weigh [on me] in a way that was not positive for me or the project," he continued.
"People need to fathom this - yes, of course a director sticks with a project for ten years... I've done it myself.
"But to relocate your entire family life for a period that long without any certainty that it will get made or when it will get made... it started to become very worrisome."
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