Ben Affleck has delayed the release of his directorial debut because of the film’s similarities with the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

The film Gone Baby Gone has strong parallels with the case - which distributor Buena Vista International claims to have been following closely before deciding to postpone its release indefinitely.

The actress Madeline O’Brien, who plays the missing girl, not only shares Madeleine McCann’s name, but is said to bear a strong resemblance to the four-year-old who has been missing since May.

Affleck, who produced, directed and co-wrote the film, said he was ‘acutely aware’ of the situation.

“We have a greater concern for that than the release of our film, which is just a commercial matter, whereas this is a matter of life and death,” he said.

“We don't want to release the movie if it is going to touch a nerve or inflame anybody's sensitivities."

The film, which is an adaptation of a Dennis Lehane novel, stars Morgan Freeman and Ed Harris, as well as Casey Affleck and Michelle Monaghan.