Baz Luhrmann is no longer attached to the long-awaited English-language adaptation of Russian novel “The Master and Margarita,” Variety has learned.

A seminal 20th century novel, Bulgakov first wrote “The Master and Margarita” in the Soviet Union in the 1930s but it was not published until some decades after the author’s death. The fantastical story, inspired by Faust, sees the Devil visit the Soviet Union and includes elements of satire, Christianity, comedy and the supernatural.

It was first reported in 2019 that Luhrmann planned to develop a film based on the iconic book via his joint-venture company with Len Blavatnik, Baz & Co. At the time Luhrmann did not commit to directing it.

But a movie failed to materialize and Luhrmann instead went on to direct his Oscar-nominated “Elvis” biopic and limited series “Faraway Downs.” Now the director has stepped back from the project entirely. Variety understands there was concern over the book rights.