We’ve known this might be coming since Ben Affleck made statements about the problem at the Deauville Film Fest, but now it’s official: Buena Vista UK are suspending the release of his directorial debut, detective drama Gone Baby Gone because the subject matter is close to the Madeleine McCann disappearance.

BV had set a release date of 28 December for the film based on Dennis Lehane’s book which follows the kidnapping of a 4-year-old girl, which is spookily similar to the vanished 4-year-old McCann tot, who was presumed snatched while on holiday in Portugal with her family.

"Miramax Films and BVI U.K. are sensitive to the depth of feeling surrounding the disappearance of Madeleine McCann," the companies announced in a statement. "We have been closely following the case and have decided to delay the release of the film in the U.K."

Despite the case’s relatively low profile in the States, Affleck seems happy with the decision. "I'm not up to date on the details, and it is not something that has taken off in the United States in the way it has in the UK," he told Variety. "It is only when someone said there was this case that was very similar to my film that we looked it up. We don't want to release the movie if it is going to touch a nerve or inflame anybody's sensitivities."