Barry Sonnenfeld has dropped out of directing the first instalment of the movie adaptations of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, the hugely successful children's books that could rival Harry Potter for franchise potential.
With the title shortened to just Lemony Snicket, the film is based on the first book - The Bad Beginning - and will star Jim Carrey as the evil Count Olaf who takes in three wealthy orphans who are distantly related to him but has a far from benevolent motive.
The director of Men In Black is the second person connected with the project, which is being produced by Nickelodeon for Paramount Pictures, to jump ship. Producer Scott Rudin left after problems with being told to stick to a budget below $100m (£62.5m). Budget concerns are also cited as a reason for Sonnenfeld's departure.
