Ewan Mcgregor - Ewan Mcgregor Shelves Directorial Project

Ewan Mcgregor Shelves Directorial Project

Ewan McGregor has shelved his directorial debut.

The Scottish actor had been researching a 1968 yacht race to be the focus of his first effort behind the camera but is "gutted" to be axing the project after discovering a movie about the event is already in production.

Ewan - who has been married to production designer Eve Mavrakis for 16 years - told Nylon Guys magazine: "My wife was going to design it, I wasn't going to be in it. And then I found out someone else is doing it. I was gutted."

However, despite his disappointment, the 'Velvet Goldmine' star still has ambitions to direct a movie, though he knows he has a lot to learn.

He added: "I think it would be so fascinating and satisfying. But I don't pretend... I would be starting right at the bottom."

Meanwhile, it has been announced that Ewan's next movie, 'Salmon Fishing in the Yemen' will open the prestigious Palm Springs Film Festival next month.

The movie - which is directed by Lasse Hallstrom and also stars Kristen Scott Thomas, Rachel Stirling and Amr Waked - will be the first to show at the Californian event, which takes place from January 5 to 16.