Action star Jason Statham has exited actor Kevin Hart's upcoming movie The Man From Toronto.

The 52-year-old actor's departure comes just six weeks before the production start as Statham was not able to finaalise his deal with the studio, Sony Pictures, according to reports.

Patrick Hughes, best known for The Expendables 3 and The Hitman's Bodyguard, will direct the action movie from a script by Robbie Fox.

Fox developed the idea in collaboration with Jason Blumenthal. The story follows a case of mistaken identity as one of the world''s deadliest assassins, known as the Man from Toronto, and a New York City screw-up run into each other at an Airbnb. A clash of personalities, and a clash with deadly killers, ensues.

Blumenthal will also produce the movie alongside Todd Black and Steve Tisch. Bill Bannerman will serve as an executive producer.