‘I Can’t Lose’ Producer Quits After Dispute

The producer of “I Can’t Lose,” a movie to be shot locally about a handicapped bicyclist from Fullerton, has quit over a dispute with the film’s chief investor, but production will proceed on schedule, according to director William Brown.

Jack McLean resigned as producer after “falling out” with backer Lois Reade, who had withdrawn from the project but now has returned, Brown said. Reade’s withdrawal led to a six-week postponement of the start of filming, rescheduled for the first week in June at a home in Placentia, said Brown.

Brown said a production manager will be hired to replace McLean.

Initial announcements of the filming stated that actor James Earl Jones would participate. Brown reasserted Thursday that Jones will film for five days, starting June 4. Jones’ agent, Richard Baumen, only would say that the actor “in all probability” will take part, but that he could not say for sure until “I get the contract delivered to me and the finances delivered to me.”