(CNN) Will Ferrell has reportedly abandoned plans to play President Reagan after outcry over portraying the former world leader when he had dementia. 
 
 "The REAGAN script is one of a number of scripts that had been submitted to Will Ferrell which he had considered," Ferrell's spokesman told the paper. "While it is by no means a 'Alzheimer's comedy' as has been suggested, Mr. Ferrell is not pursuing this project." 
 
 But the comedy project did not go over well with some who take exception to such a portrayal of Reagan, who had Alzheimer's disease in his later years 
 
 On Thursday, Reagan's daughter Patti Davis posted an open letter to Ferrell on her website , saying, "Perhaps you have managed to retain some ignorance about Alzheimer's and other versions of dementia. Perhaps if you knew more, you would not find the subject humorous. 
 
 "Alzheimer's doesn't care if you are President of the United States or a dockworker," Davis wrote. "It steals what is most precious to a human being -- memories, connections, the familiar landmarks of a lifetime that we all come to rely on to hold our place secure in this world and keep us linked to those we have come to know and love." 
 
 Davis also wrote of the pain of watching the father she knew slip away. 
 
 "I watched as fear invaded my father's eyes -- this man who was never afraid of anything," she said. "I heard his voice tremble as he stood in the living room and said, 'I don't know where I am.' I watched helplessly as he reached for memories, for words, that were suddenly out of reach and moving farther away. For ten long years he drifted -- past the memories that marked his life, past all that was familiar ... and mercifully, finally past the fear." 
 
 A tweet from an unverified Twitter account listed as belonging to Reagan's son Michael said, "What an Outrag....Alzheimers is not joke...It kills..You should be ashamed all of you." 
 
 What an Outrag....Alzheimers is not joke...It kills..You should be ashamed all of you. https://t.co/GNzqR5vjrX — Michael Reagan (@ReaganWorld) April 27, 2016 
 
 Having lost my mom to Alzheimer's I feel Will Ferrell is wrong to play Ronald Reagan striken with dementia. Nothing funny about it. Shameful — FJN (@FernandoJNunez) April 28, 2016 
 
 Will Ferrell to play dementia stricken Ronald Reagan. Is there no limit to the lefts stupidity? Reagan's family should sue to stop this. — FJN (@FernandoJNunez) April 28, 2016 
 
 This crap's why I don't watch Will Ferrell films. He'll mock Reagan's illness but I bet Ted Kennedy's off limits. https://t.co/GP6zNM0S5b — AWR Hawkins (@AWRHawkins) April 28, 2016 
 
 Will Ferrell, Hollywood liberal, to play Ronald Reagan, Conservative icon. Yeah, this will be balanced. https://t.co/eQzhXQyCxX — Nitetrain (@Nitetrain_1) April 27, 2016 
 
 In addition to playing Bush in "SNL" skits, Ferrell appeared as the 43rd president in the Broadway play "You're Welcome America." He also played a fictional candidate in the 2012 political comedy "The Campaign" with Zach Galifianakis. 

 Dear Mr. Ferrell, 
 
 I saw the news bulletin — as did everyone — that you intend to portray my father in the throes of Alzheimer’s for a comedy that you are also producing. Perhaps you have managed to retain some ignorance about Alzheimer’s and other versions of dementia. Perhaps if you knew more, you would not find the subject humorous. 
 
 Alzheimer’s doesn’t care if you are President of the United States or a dockworker. It steals what is most precious to a human being — memories, connections, the familiar landmarks of a lifetime that we all come to rely on to hold our place secure in this world and keep us linked to those we have come to know and love. I watched as fear invaded my father’s eyes — this man who was never afraid of anything. I heard his voice tremble as he stood in the living room and said, “I don’t know where I am.” I watched helplessly as he reached for memories, for words, that were suddenly out of reach and moving farther away. For ten long years he drifted — past the memories that marked his life, past all that was familiar…and mercifully, finally past the fear. 
 
 There was laughter in those years, but there was never humor. 
 
 Alzheimer’s is the ultimate pirate, pillaging a person’s life and leaving an empty landscape behind. It sweeps up entire families, forcing everyone to claw their way through overwhelming grief, confusion, helplessness, and anger. Perhaps for your comedy you would like to visit some dementia facilities. I have — I didn’t find anything comedic there, and my hope would be that if you’re a decent human being, you wouldn’t either. 
 
 Twice a week I run a support group called Beyond Alzheimer’s for caregivers and family members of those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. I look into haunted eyes that remind me of my own when my father was ill. I listen to stories of helplessness and loss and am continually moved by the bravery of those who wake up every morning not knowing who their loved one will be that day, or what will be lost. The only certainty with Alzheimer’s is that more will be lost and the disease will always win in the end. 
 
 Perhaps you would like to explain to them how this disease is suitable material for a comedy.
– News that actor Will Ferrell will be playing a dementia-stricken Ronald Reagan in an upcoming comedic film caused an "uproar" this week, per CNN, with critics denouncing the decision to treat Alzheimer's disease as the joke framing the movie. Among the detractors: Reagan's family, including his daughter, Patti Davis, who tells Page Six, "This is a heartless move by Will Ferrell. … I am sure with my mother's passing, somebody thought this was a 'great time' to make this movie." Davis has now gone a step further and penned an open letter to Ferrell on her website, taking him to task for his possible "ignorance about Alzheimer's and other versions of dementia" and chastising, "Perhaps if you knew more, you would not find the subject humorous." After noting that "Alzheimer's doesn't care if you are President of the United States or a dockworker," Davis documents her dad's heart-wrenching decline. "I watched as fear invaded my father's eyes—this man who was never afraid of anything. .. I watched helplessly as he reached for memories, for words, that were suddenly out of reach and moving farther away. … There was laughter in those years, but there was never humor." She then invites Ferrell to visit dementia facilities—"I didn't find anything comedic there, and my hope would be that if you're a decent human being, you wouldn't either"—and to come speak to an Alzheimer's support group she runs to "explain to [family members and caregivers] how this disease is suitable material for a comedy." Her entire piece is here.