UK theatre director Sir Richard Eyre has stepped down from theadaptation of Ian McEwan's bestselling novel Atonement.

Eyre reportedly wanted a delay while he worked on other theatreprojects but instead Working Title has decided to replace him.

The new director is Joe Wright, who has just finished filmingPride And Prejudice.

He was previously best known for a BBC TV drama aboutCharles II.

A Working Title spokeswoman said he was the company's firstchoice of replacement because of his work on the Jane Austen adaptation which stars Keira Knightley and Matthew MacFadyen.