'True Legend' to Open during Chinese New Year

Yuen Woo-Ping's new film about 19th-century hero Su Qi-Er will open in Chinese cinemas around mid-February in time for the Chinese Lunar New Year, the movie's producers announced on Monday.

They plan to announce the exact opening of the film "True Legend" at a later date.

The producers believe the film will be a commercial success because the New Year holiday is usually a major contributor to China's annual box-office revenue.

"True Legend" stars Chiu Man-Cheuk as martial-arts legend Su Qi-Er with supporting cast members Jay Chou, Zhou Xun and Michelle Yeoh.

Su Qi-Er, whose stories were passed down as folk tales, was originally a wealthy kung-fu amateur in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). After losing his fortune because of a conspiracy against him, he devoted himself to martial arts and eventually became a renowned master.

Director Yuen Woo-Ping, an influential martial-arts choreographer and filmmaker, made a film about Su Qi-Er in 1993. He says the latest film explores Su's personality with a more dramatic story.

Moviegoers will also be able to see a few scenes featuring the late Hollywood actor David Carradine, who was known for his role in the "Kill Bill" series. Director Yuen invited Carradine to work on his film after a pleasant collaboration in "Kill Bill" for which Yuen was the stunt advisor. Carradine died in Thailand earlier this year.