Umatras na si Cesar Montano bilang co-director ng Ang Sugo, The Last Messenger, ang biopic tungkol sa life story ng first Executive Minister ng Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) na si Felix Manalo.
Ang legal counsel ni Cesar na si Atty. Ivy Fajardo ang naglabas ng official statement tungkol sa desisyon ng aktor na ipaubaya sa award-winning director na si Tikoy Aguiluz ang pamamahala sa all-star cast at big-budgeted movie na ito ng INC.
Narito ang official statement ng kampo ni Cesar:
“Mr. Montano was informed that he was supposed to co-direct the movie with Tikoy Aguiluz.
“However, Mr. Montano and Iglesia failed to come to an agreement as to his engagement as director for the movie so he would have no knowledge of the status of the movie or the engagement of Mr. Aguiluz.
“Mr. Montano and INC failed to agree as to the date of completion of the movie.
“Mr. Montano refused to agree to a June completion date because according him, an epic film like this, requiring computer graphics and special production design requirements, cannot be rushed.
“He refused to compromise the quality of the film.
“After the disagreement as to the completion date, Iglesia ni Cristo and Mr. Montano have completely stopped negotiations for Mr. Montano's directorial services."
Si Cesar ang pangalawang nag-backout mula sa Ang Sugo.
Noong October 2013 ay ipinahayag ni Senator Bong Revilla na hindi na siya kasali sa cast ng pelikula, dahil ayaw niya raw madamay ang project sa mga akusasyon na ibinibintang laban sa kanya kaugnay ng pork barrel scam.
Read: Senator Bong Revilla backs out of Iglesia Ni Cristo centennial movie
Si Gabby Concepcion ang ipinalit sa role ni Bong bilang Eduardo Manalo, ang third and current Executive Minister ng Iglesia ni Cristo.
Read: Gabby Concepcion replaces Bong Revilla in Iglesia Ni Cristo centennial movie