TVB News World - Asian Entertainment News Daily

Maggie Q will headline "The Warrior and the Wolf," a high profile historical actioner being helmed by Chinese director Tian Zhuangzhuang.

The "Live Free or die Hard" and "Mission Impossible III" thesp steps into a role previously linked with Tang Wei, the mainland actress who was banned from China screens after her risqué turn in "Lust, Caution." Pic, a combat epic about two warriors in ancient China, has already begun shooting in Xinjiang province, with an eye to a late 2009 release. It also stars Japan's Joe Odagiri ("Tokyo Tower," "Shinobi – Heart Under Blade) and Taiwan’s Tou Chung-hua ("Lust, Caution," "July Rhapsody."). Tian, director of "The Blue Kite," is a so called 'fifth generation' helmer and was himself prevented from directing for several years. He most recently directed "The Go Master."

"Wolf" is a co-production between Edko Films of Hong Kong, Japan's Ogura Jimusyo Co, China's Perfect World Culture and MediaCorp Raintree Pictures in Singapore. Big-budget effort also boasts stellar tech crew including Oscar winning costume designer Emi Wada ("Hero," "House of Flying Daggers,") "Shrek 2" and "Hero" effects designer Ellen thingy and cinematographer Wang Yu ("Suzhou River," "Zhou Yu's Train.")

'The Warrior and the Wolf' is based on a Chinese warrior novel by Japanese author Inoue Yasush. Maggie Q will take on the role of a tribal woman, replacing Lust, Caution lead Tang Wei.

Source: varietyasiaonline.com
Credits: bubblesM @ AsianFanatics