After a rocky start, Asterix producer Claude Berri is pressing ahead with shooting on his next big budget film.

San Antonio, an adaptation of the cult book series by Frederic Dard, has gone through a series of changes both behind and in front of the camera.

Shooting originally began on the Pathe/Renn Productions project on June 23 after a switch in cast when French actor Jean Yanne passed away in late May.

However, the production took a prolonged break this summer after director Laurent Touil Tartour was replaced by Frederic Auburtin. Touil Tartour is still credited as screenwriter.

Auburtin's experience includes having worked as co-director with Gerard Depardieu on Un Pont Entre 2 Rivieres. Veteran cinematographer Pierre-William Glenn has also been replaced by Willy Stassen.

Depardieu stars in the detective series adaptation alongside Gerard Lanvin, Valeria Golino, Jeremie Renier and Robert Hossein who replaced Yanne in June. The film is set for a February 2004 release.