SEOUL -- South Korea's Jang Dong-gun ("Taegukgi") is starring in Chinese director Chen Kaige's epic "The Promise," local producer-distributor Show East announced Thursday. Company is putting up 10% of the film's $30 million budget and will have distribution rights in South Korea.
"The Promise" is a co-production from China Film Group, 21st Century Shengkai Film, Show East and U.S. producer/distributor Moonstone Entertainment, which holds worldwide rights.
Hiroyuki Sanada ("Last Samurai") and Cecilia Cheung also star. "Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon" cinematographer Peter Pau is lensing the pic, with "Spider-Man 2" fight choreographer Dion Lam coordinating combat sequences.
The action fantasy is set in the past and explores a love triangle between a general (Sanada), a princess (Cheung) and a slave (Jang). Shooting began March 15 in Beijing and will continue through September in China. The film is slated for an early 2005 release.
Chen's credits include "The Emperor and the Assassin" and "Farewell, My Concubine," which won the Palme d'Or at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival.
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