Andrew Lau’s ‘Chen Zhen’ is master of many talents

Donnie Yen’s latest role will see him portray more than just a martial arts master. He is playing the title role in director Andrew Lau’s THE LEGEND OF CHEN ZHEN, a fictional retelling from of how martial arts Master Huo Yuanjia’s most famous student avenged his master’s death and resisted Japanese occupation in 1920s Shanghai.

Huo Si-yan, Andrew Lau, Shu Qi, and Donnie Yen [CRI]

Chen Zhen has been famously portrayed in the past by Bruce Lee in FIST OF FURY, by Jet Li in FIST OF LEGEND and by Donnie Yen in the FIST OF FURY TV series. This new version is based on a screenplay by producer Gordon Chan.

Lau, who has now begun shooting CHEN ZHEN in Shanghai, told Chinese media on Monday that in addition to being a martial arts master, Chen will also be an agent who plays the piano and speaks several languages.

Undoubtedly, Yen will be doing his own piano playing. What some may not know about Donnie is that in addition to being a wushu practitioner, world-class action director and martial arts movie superstar he is also a talented classical pianist (see video below).

“This will be a brand new Chen Zhen,” said Yen of his role in CHEN ZHEN.

Shu Qi will play a Japanese spy. Other cast members include Anthony Wong, Huo Si-yan and Huang Bo.

THE LEGEND OF CHEN ZHEN is expected to be released in Chinese territories and possibly, Australia, New Zealand and Europe in 2010.

Source: China.org.cn