Battle of Red Cliff, allegedly the most expensive Asian film to ever be made, has seen a change to its cast list following a walk-out by one of its major stars.

Tony Leung, the veteran Hong Kong star and star of Confession of Pain last year, has left the US$75-million-budget new blockbuster set to start shooting next month, Shanghai-based Dongfang Daily said.

"Tony confirmed that he'd quit," the film's producer Terence Chang told the paper yesterday, "Takeshi Kaneshiro will take over, although no contract has yet been signed with him."

Tony Leung was to take on the character of Zhuge Liang, the famously witty Prime Minister of the Shu Kingdom, a main character in the ancient classic Chinese epic Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Rumors say the star may take the break to concentrate on his relationship with fellow actress Carina Lau. Some suspect he wants to take a rest after finishing shooting Ang Lee's Lust, Caution.

No comments were available from Tony Leung's agent.

Other major stars involved in the project include Chow Yun-Fat, Zhang Fengyi, Taiwan supermodel Chiling Lin, and mainland actress Vicki Zhao.

Terence Chang said Tony Leung had promised director John Woo he would play in the film, but later felt that the project was taking too long even before the final screenplay had been released. "Tony's agent may have already arranged another film for him. In any case, he cannot participate in a 6-month shoot." Terence Chang added that Takeshi Kaneshiro had been his first choice as actor, but John Woo had preferred Tony Leung or Andy Lau.

Another actor may also soon quit the Battle of Red Cliff shoot. Chang Chen's agent called Terence Chang to inform him that the Taiwan actor had received a sudden film offer, which may clash with Red Cliff's shooting schedule. However, Terence Chang spoke of his admiration for Chang Chen and still hopes to keep him onboard.

The film is scheduled to screen its first part next summer with the second to follow in late 2008.

(China.org.cn by Zhang Rui, February 12, 2007)