Sean Penn takes career break

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-06-18 11:00

Sean Penn has pulled out of starring in new films 'The Three Stooges' and 'Cartel' because he wants to take a break from Hollywood to spend more time with his family.

Sean Penn has pulled out of two films because he wants to take a break from Hollywood.

The Oscar-winning 'Milk' star has decided against appearing in 'The Three Stooges' and crime thriller 'Cartel', so he can focus on his family.

The actor's representative Mara Buxbaum said: "We informed both productions that Sean was not available now. If, for whatever reason, the start dates on these productions were to be postponed, Sean would happily remain involved."

The news of Sean's hiatus - which is of an undetermined length of time - comes nearly two months after he filed to legally separate from his wife of 13 years, Robin Wright Penn.

Less than four weeks after filing his initial claim on April 24, citing "irreconcilable differences", he withdrew it again saying he had made an "arrogant mistake".

The 48-year-old actor and Wright, 43 - who have two children together, daughter Dylan Francis, 18, and son Hopper Jack, 15 - also separated between December 2007 and April 2008.

Penn was due to play Larry in 'The Three Stooges' - a film based on the US comedy trio which sees Jim Carrey cast as Curly and Benicio del Toro as their other brother Moe.

Shooting is due to start on in August, but Sean's decision has thrown the future of the project in jeopardy.

Universal Studios, which is behind 'Cartel', have already announced they will be recasting Sean's role.

The film's plot follows a man who does everything he can to protect his son after his wife is murdered by Mexican drug cartels.