British writer, Peter Morgan, who penned the play on which the movie is based, has revealed that Clooney approached him and asked to be given the director's role.

But Morgan turned him down, giving the job instead to Howard, whose credits include Apollo 13 and A Beautiful Mind.

And Morgan admits he may end up regretting his decision.

He says, "(Clooney) said things like, 'We are really going to kick a** with this!'

"Not going with him was a complete f**king agony because he suggested doing some script work at his house by Lake Como - at which point my wife was just shaking her head.

"I expect I will spend the rest of my life making amends to him - and my wife - and to everybody about my decision. Now I will never have him ringing me again, asking to do my work."