Tony award winning actor Nathan Lane has left the London stage version of the hit musical 'The Producers' after suffering two slipped discs in his back. Lane was reprising his role as Max Bialystock which he played on Broadway to rave reviews.

Lane was scheduled to appear as Bialystock until January 8th but will now be replaced by his understudy, Corey English. After January 8th, Brad Oscar will assume the role as scheduled.

Lane is hoping to recover in time to play the same role in the upcoming film version of the musical which begins shooting in February. The shooting is set for the brand new Steiner Studios located at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Both Lane and Matthew Broderick are signed to play the same roles they played during the show's Broadway run.

The film is a remake of the 1968 movie starring the late Zero Mostel as Max Bialystock and Gene Wilder as Leo Bloom. It was Mel Brooks's first major film and he won an Oscar for Best Screenplay.