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Martial arts actor Vincent Zhao, star of TRUE LEGEND, announced on Sunday that he will no longer be involved in Donnie Yen’s modern-day actioner SPECIAL IDENTITY. He cited a breach of his contract by way of unilateral script changes as reason for the departure.

Speaking to reporters in Beijing, he went on to state that his exit from the production “is not due to any wrongdoing on my part” and that he had not fallen out with Yen as some media reports claimed.

According to the production team they had no choice but to cut Zhao from the film, because he had made excessive demands and exhibited a poor attitude while shooting the film.

When asked to comment, Yen suggested that Zhao could have handled himself better.

“I went with his agent to persuade him when I heard about the matter, but unfortunately, it failed. I feel that there were some areas which Zhao did not handle well.

“Making a film is a team effort. Even though I admire him a lot, I cannot go against this principle. In the end, I have to respect the decision of the production team and the investors,” said Yen.

“Script changes occur very often. If the changes are reasonable, it can improve the whole film. It isn’t something that can’t be talked over.”

Hong Kong martial arts actor Andy On will replace Zhao as production on SPECIAL IDENTITY resumes.

Source: Channel News Asia

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  • http://twitter.com/francisrossi John Firth

    I take it these changes involved reducing his role then?

  • Tony

    I can understand Vincent Zhao’s sentiments toward the changes, probably were on his role or something. However, I have to side with Donnie as he has a great point about script changes. It sounds like Zhao prefers the China system where they shoot with a complete shooting script opposed to the Hong Kong system where script changes constantly occur as a way to keep things flexible. Just because Zhao didn’t like these script changes doesn’t mean he can just make demands and act with a certain attitude expecting the film crew to fulfill the demands. If that’s how the film crew worked, Zhao should’ve just followed the regulations, simple.

    Oh well, it’s a shame. This was such a great match-up and to see Andy On replace him will probably be a slight step down in terms of extreme martial artistry onscreen. But seeing how Andy On turned out in his fight against Donnie in The Lost Bladesman (the best I’ve seen from Andy imo), I guess I can’t complain though. Here’s hoping to Special Identity living up to the expectations and be an action-packed classic.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/Y27CTUQRII4AS4HHRFZFFUK45U Thong

    This sucks to hear.  I was really hoping to see a great match between Donnie and Vincent.  Two guys from the 90′s who haven’t fought each other yet.  Darn.  I think Andy On can do enough to replace him though.  Andy has impressed me with True Legend and The Lost Bladesman as well.

  • Taijiquan12

    I echo the comments that everyone else has made. Andy On is good and has gotten better over the years, but Zhao is a pro and would’ve been awesome to seen against Donnie.

  • sammie

    its unfortunate things turns out that way.

  • http://www.facebook.com/MaGneToMvL Jose Martinez

    you are the best vincent zhao i love u <3

  • magnificent ruffian

    I like andy on but he isn’t in Zhao wen zhuo’s calibre of martial artistry.Expect to see a different kind of fight.I wish Zhao would’ve reconsidered but the man knows his worth.Respect that.