Following the success of his first two martial-arts films, Hero and House of Flying Daggers, veteran Chinese director, Zhang Yimou, plans to test the waters once more. 

Currently the director is busy with the final editing of his latest film, Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles, but a new martial-arts film, to feature leading stars, Gong Li and Chow Yun-Fat, is now in pre-production.

Set in China's Tang Dynasty, the film will be about the fierce battles and wars between an emperor and empress.

Chinese actor, Liu Ye, is also in talks about a role in the film, which is slated to begin shooting in February next year.

(CRI September 16, 2005)