Actor Jude Law is quitting as director of the film and theatre production company he set up with other British acting talents, according to a report.

Law, who launched Natural Nylon up with his wife Sadie Frost and Ewan McGregor, wants to concentrate on his movie acting career, according to film industry publication Screen Daily.

Ewan McGregor quit the company in October

Law's departure comes 10 weeks after Star Wars actor McGregor said he was leaving because of mounting film commitments.

Natural Nylon's first film was released in 1999 - but they have not had any substantial box office success.

Meanwhile, Law's acting career has taken off, with roles in Artificial Intelligence: AI and Road to Perdition.

A producer affiliated to Natural Nylon, Kevin Loader, told Screen Daily that Law would not be cutting all links with the company.

"[His move] is completely understandable," Mr Loader said. "There are projects we are actively discussing with him and Sadie."

Shakespeare role

Law starred in one of Natural Nylon's first releases, Existenz, directed by David Cronenberg, and also took to the stage in an acclaimed Natural Nylon theatre production of Dr Faustus in 2002.

He will also be seen playing William Shakespeare in a forthcoming Natural Nylon movie, Marlowe, due for release at the end of 2003.

McGregor, Law and Frost joined Jonny Lee Miller and Sean Pertwee to form their company with the aim of supporting British acting talent - and keeping it in the UK.

Its past productions have included Nora, in which McGregor played author James Joyce.

But another co-founder, Damon Bryant, also left in 2002 to launch his own production company.