Chow Yun-Fat Drops Out of `Red Cliff'

HONG KONG (AP) -- Chow Yun-Fat's withdrawal from a major Chinese historical epic directed by John Woo -- the man who made him an icon -- has raised questions about whether a local son has forgotten his roots.

Chow, who starred in Woo's classic 1986 film, "A Better Tomorrow," dropped out of the director's $80 million "Red Cliff" just as shooting got under way. He was the film's biggest star.

The 51-year-old Hong Kong actor said he submitted a request to pull out through his lawyers Friday because he only got the script last week and didn't have enough time to prepare. Officials for the movie dispute this, saying they couldn't work with Chow because he made unreasonable demands.

It's unclear what those demands were, but Woo's business partner-producer, Terence Chang, told Chinese news Web site Sina.com the movie's Hollywood insurer opposed 73 clauses in Chow's contract.

"There are too many (clauses we couldn't accept), and many exceed industry standards," Chang said.

China Film Group publicist Wen Wengli confirmed Chang's remarks.

Chang said Chow received a copy of the script last year and the version he got a week ago was a revision that incorporated his suggested changes.

The producer said Chow was promised $5 million for the movie, plus royalties from box-office returns. "We didn't mistreat him," Chang said.

Chow says he took a pay cut and agreed to be paid in installments. However, he acknowledged that he used a Hollywood-style contract.

"My contract is indeed based on contracts I use for Hollywood movies in America. Maybe everyone hasn't gotten used to Hollywood contracts because so many investors are involved," Chow said in a statement.

Filmmakers said the movie remains on schedule and Chow's replacement will be announced this week.

Chang has said the Chinese government views the film, based on an ancient battle, as a showcase of Chinese history and wants it released before the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

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

Chow's screen credits include "Anna and the King," "Bulletproof Monk" and the upcoming "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End."

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