BEIJING, Feb. 16 -- Hong Kong director John Woo has given up his plan to remake French director Jean-Pierre Melville's classic movie "Le Cercle Rouge." Instead, another Hong Kong director, Johnny To, is taking over the job.

    French distributor Studio Canal recently announced at the Berlin Film Festival the studio would cooperate with To on his first English-language movie.

    The lead actor of the 1970 version of "Le Cercle Rouge," veteran French actor Alain Delon, revealed at a talk show that he intended to star in the Hong Kong director's remake of the movie.

    Though Delon has not been confirmed yet, the producer said if he really joined the cast, he would have a major role.

    The remake of ¡°Le Cercle Rouge¡± will begin shooting this summer.

    The producer of the remake, Arthur Sarkissian, who also produced the Hollywood blockbuster ¡°Rush Hour,¡± revealed they will choose actors for the movie next month.