Hong Kong actress Carina Lau will star in Hark Tsui's new film "Di Renjie", which will start shooting in Hengdian, a movie and television city in eastern China's Zhejiang Province, next month.

The 43-year-old will perform the role of "Wu Zetian", China's only female emperor who lived in the Tang Dynasty. Veteran actresses Brigitte Lin Ching-hsia and Cherie Chung were also considered for the role. In the end Huayi Brothers, the film's primary investor, chose Carina Lau because they had faith that she could do the job.

This is Carina Lau's first film gig since getting married to famous actor Tony Leung. The report also clears up Lau's pregnancy rumor.

Hong Kong super star Andy Lau will star as Di Renjie, one of the most celebrated officials of Wu Zetian's reign and was portrayed as a talented detective by many novels and screen works.

(CRI April 17, 2009)