A press conference is held at the Great Hall of the People to launch the production of "Classics of Mountains and Seas" in Beijing June 28.

On June 28, Shan Hai Jing Holdings Limited launched the production of "Classics of Mountains and Seas" at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

The first movie of the series, Chang'e flies to the moon, will be produced in both 3-D and regular formats. It will cost more than US $50 million to complete. The movie will be the first 3-D film ever made in China, if not the first in Asia.

Screenwriter Liu Lu says he spent ten years writing "Classics of Mountains and Seas." From heavenly soldiers and royal clans to court castles and sectarian laws, the works present Chinese culture to the world and cover almost all of the Chinese legends and ancient myths.

Screenwriter Liu Lu

Liu said that he plans to complete the series within six years and that a park based on movie culture is set to begin construction in the Qingdao Economic and Technical Development Zone very soon.

Liu also revealed that Zhang Ziyi is expected to play the Chinese moon goddess, Chang'e. Liu said Zhang is not only internationally famous as a star, but also has a character very similar to that of Chang'e.

According to Liu, the production company wants to let a world-famous director make the movie. Zhang Yimou, Chen Kaige, Feng Xiaogang and Ang Lee are among the top candidates. Liu added that it will be very demanding to direct such a big budget movie and that the production company is searching all around the world for the appropriate director.

(China.org.cn June 30, 2009)