Hack director Brett Ratner might not have a chance to ruin the legacy of Conan after all. That’s right, the Rat has departed from the reboot due to scheduling issues. Producer Joe Gatta tells Empire:

“We’re currently in the process of hiring a director. For the past six months we were discussing the movie with Brett Ratner, and for more timing issues than anything else we had to part ways with Brett. We all wanted him to do it, believe me; just the timing didn’t work. But you never know what can happen.”

The current plan is to being production on August 24th in Bulgaria, and as soon as they find a director, the search will be on for a star to play the iconic role.

Ratner revealed last month that he is close to going into production on a project titled Trump Heist, written by Ocean’s Eleven scribe Ted Griffin. Another action comedy, rumored to feature Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle and Chris Tucker as a group of employees of the Trump Tower who conspire to rip off the building’s residents. Sounds like a project better suited for his “talents”.

Ratner isn’t that he’s a bad director, he’s very serviceable, mediocre, and middle of the road. But the Rat’s films have been successful to the point that he’s being offered big franchise films, and that is where my issue with the director begins. I have no problem with the guy making another Rush Hour, the Hugh Heffner Story, or another middle of the road action movie. I just wish he would stay away from the Conans and Beverly Hills Cops.

Discuss: Who would you like to see direct Conan?