Variety reports that Washington has resigned from the film Unstoppable, being directed by Tony Scott (The Taking of Pelham 123).
Washington would have shared the screen with Chris Pine (Star Trek) in the project booked since April. The actor was to play a former engineer who teams up with a conductor (Pine) to stop a runaway train carrying toxic chemicals.
Washington explained his decision citing his desires to focus on other projects in the fall.
Unstoppable was set to begin filming this summer, but was delayed due to budgetary problems. 20th Century Fox planned to cut their budget of $107 million to $100 million, and then wanted to drop it to $90 million. They asked Washington to reduce his expected $20 million salary by $4 million, but he refused.
Variety added that the studio is ready to return to the table to negotiate with the star if he changes his mind.
Meanwhile, Washington can be seen in the movie The Taking of Pelham 123, currently playing in theatres. We can also see him in The Book of Eli, set to hit theatres on January 15, 2010.