Los Angeles, Sep 25 (IANS): Actress-director Angelina Jolie has reportedly quit a Hollywood movie so she doesn't have to work with her estranged husband Brad Pitt.

The Hollywood couple, who have worked on two films together "Mr & Mrs Smith" as well as "By The Sea", reportedly spent several years on trying to get "Africa" into production, reports mirror.co.uk.

The film is about archaeologist Richard Leakey, who championed the end of elephant poaching.

"This movie has been a nightmare to get off the ground from the beginning. Until the last few weeks, Angelina was resolute in her intent to get it made, but now she doesn't want to direct it at all," the source told Heat Street site.

"Brad Pitt was still interested in acting in the movie — for him it was 'Seven Years in Tibet' set in Africa and he wasn't ready to give up on it. But Angelina now doesn't want to have any kind of relationship with him, personal or professional."

It was reported that the couple, who had been together for over 10 years, were set to begin work on the film next year with Pitt starring in the movie.

"Africa" has been in pre-production for several years and it's been claimed that there has been several creative differences between Jolie and Skydance Productions, who is producing the movie.

It has been suggested that Jolie did not like the idea of a love story that was pitched to her, while it was also claimed that financial woes marred the project.

The reports that Jolie has quit the project comes after it was claimed that Pitt is desperate to see their six children and has reportedly begged his estranged wife: "Please just let me see my kids".

Jolie, who is said to be staying at a top secret location with the family, is said to be stopping the 52-year-old from visiting their children allegedly until the FBI investigation has been completed.