Leonardo DiCaprio has played many biographical roles, from J. Edgar Hoover to Howard Hughes in "The Aviator." This time, however, he has withdrawn from playing Steve Jobs in the untitled biopic.

Now that DiCaprio is out, Christian Bale, star of "Batman Begins" and "3:10 to Yuma," has moved to the top of the list to play Jobs.

DiCaprio was initially signed on to do the Jobs biopic directed by Danny Boyle. Back in 2000, Boyle had directed DiCaprio in "The Beach." But, due to DiCaprio's upcoming film and rigorous schedule, he has taken a time out.

DiCaprio has a good excuse for not doing the Jobs film. At the time of writing this article, DiCaprio is filming a western-thriller titled "The Revenant." This project is based on the life of the legendary frontiersman Hugh Glass, Rolling Stone reported. "The Revenant" is directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu.

DiCaprio was in talks with Sony to play the late Apple Computer co-founder. After "The Revenant" DiCaprio is expected to take a long break from acting, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed. The Jobs project is based off of the authorized autobiography "Steve Jobs," written by Walter Isaacson, and will be adapted by Aaron Sorkin. It is one of the most highly anticipated films.  

Besides DiCaprio dropping out, there have been other setbacks since the start of the Jobs project. It has been reported that this project was announced almost three years ago; up to now it still has no title and no start date. The rights of the book-to-film adaptation were gained in 2011 shortly after Jobs' death. Boyle was not the first director attached -- David Fincher was. But in April of this year, Fincher left due to compensation and control issues.

Other A-list actors are on a shortlist to play the Apple creator. Besides Bale as the No. 1 choice, Matt Damon has been thrown in, as well as Bradley Cooper, and Ben Affleck, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed.

Why make another Jobs biopic? The Ashton Kutcher version titled "Jobs," which came out last year, was a mixed bag of reviews. Kutcher had stunned critics with his dramatic turn. One critic called Kutcher's performance "quietly dazzling," Rolling Stone reported.

No one is expecting that Boyle will choose Kutcher again for the role.