Tony Leung Chiu-wai returns to John Woo's new Chinese historical epic, "Red Cliff"

HONG KONG (AP) - Casting changes for John Woo's new Chinese historical epic, "Red Cliff," are beginning to resemble a game of musical chairs. First, Tony Leung Chiu-wai dropped out, then Chow Yun-Fat departed. Now Leung is returning to the movie because of his friendship with Woo, an investor said Thursday. Leung will play Chow's role, the general Zhou Yu. Taiwanese-Japanese heartthrob Takeshi Kaneshiro will play master strategist Zhuge Liang, Leung's original role.

Leung said earlier he had pulled out of the US$80-million film because it followed too closely after his latest movie, Ang Lee's "Lust, Caution," and he didn't have time to prepare for his role.

But Leung has changed his mind because of his friendship with Woo, said a publicist at state-run China Film Group, one of the movie's investors.

"He and John Woo go back more than 20 years. When a situation like this happens, he's willing to help out," Wen Wengli told The Associated Press in a phone interview.

Chow said Monday he wanted to quit "Red Cliff" because he got the script late and didn't have enough time to prepare.

Woo's business partner-producer, Terence Chang, has disputed this, saying Chow got a copy of the script last year and the movie's Hollywood insurers had rejected dozens of clauses in the actor's contract.

"Red Cliff" marks Woo's return to Chinese film after a stint in Hollywood that included movies such as "Broken Arrow," "Face/Off" and "Mission: Impossible II."

The Chinese government wants "Red Cliff," based on a famous ancient battle, released before the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing so that foreigners can learn more about the country.

Wen said earlier that "Red Cliff," which started shooting Saturday, remains on schedule and is due to finish filming in six months. The movie is a co-production of China Film Group and Woo's Lion Rock Productions.

© The Canadian Press, 2007