Spy thriller "Lust, Caution" to be shot in Malaysia

HONG KONG (AP) - Taiwanese director Ang Lee has cast Cannes best actor winner Tony Leung, Chinese-American pop star Leehom Wang and mainland Chinese newcomer Tang Wei in his upcoming spy thriller "Lust, Caution,'' his assistant said.

Lee's assistant, David Lee, said filming is expected to start in September and will take place in Malaysia, Hong Kong and Shanghai, adding that it is not clear how long filming will take.

The film marks Lee's return to Chinese-language film after making "The Hulk'' and the gay romance "Brokeback Mountain,'' which won Lee a best director Oscar this year, Lee's assistant, David Lee, told The Associated Press about the director's casting choices.

"We're still scouting locations,'' he said.

"Lust, Caution,'' based on a 26-page short story by famed Chinese writer Eileen Chang, is about a group of patriotic students who plot to assassinate the intelligence chief in the Japanese-backed Chinese government during the World War II era.

Hong Kong's Leung, who won best actor at Cannes for "In the Mood for Love'' in 2000, plays the intelligence official Mr. Yi, while Tang plays the Chinese student Wang Jiazhi, who seduces Yi to pave the way for the assassination.

Singer Wang portrays Kuang Yumin, a student collaborator of Wang Jiazhi's.

Media speculation of Lee's choice for leading lady had been intense because of Zhang Ziyi's rise to stardom after starring in Lee's martial arts hit "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.''

Zhang went on to appear in Hollywood films including "Rush Hour 2'' and "Memoirs of a Geisha.''

Earlier, Chinese media had wrongly tipped another mainland Chinese actress, Liu Yifei, for the lead female role in "Lust, Caution.''

Little is known about Tang.

Reports say the 27-year-old, who graduated from China's Central Academy of Drama, majoring in directing, resembles Taiwanese sex symbol Shu Qi.

She reportedly took part in a beauty pageant and appeared in a TV series and a TV film. Ang Lee's expected September start date for shooting "Lust, Caution'' gives Cannes winner Leung a tight schedule.

This summer, Leung is due to film "Confession of Pain,'' directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak of "Infernal Affairs'' fame.

The movie is about a police officer who seeks revenge for a family tragedy. - AP

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Taken from: The Star

cool... it's gonna be filmed in malaysia as well! i wonder where are the shooting locations are.. hehehehhe.. wish i'm lucky enuff 2 bump into them while filming!! woo hoo!

so, the report also confirm the actress ang lee had been searching? the Tang Wei girl must be kind of special to get the role after ang's strict audition and interview?

pity yifei didnt make it. this is really a show people waiting to see.....hope the filming wont take too long....

Does anyone have a picture of Tang Wei?

tony leung! i love him! i remember growing up and watching all his movies (sounds a little bad i know), but it was the best, he is so funny but at times, he can be one of the best dramatic actors, simply amazing. he was also featued on E! hottest (was it 25, 50, or 100?) men in the world, all i remembered was that he was number 22 ^^

OMG cool! im so excited about this movie. better be good since Ang Lee is directing it. I have seen most of Tony Leung's work, and he's a great actor but I dunno it's been quite boring performences for me, because the scripts have been artsy and therefore boring. I am glad Tang Wei whatever is cast. I love to see new faces. I am so glad Zhang Ziyi didn't make it. Seen enough of her acting-which isn't so great. Wang Lee Hom! I hope he's going to be good. He acts well in his mv's so hopefully he'll be good.

yay!!! malaysia?!? wahhh!!! hopefully near my place because i am going to watch it...lol... hopefully not during my class, though....

wow... shot in Malaysia...cool...so gonna watch this...

i wonder where in malaysia? maybe in some orang asli village perhaps?
hope this great director brings us yet another fabulous movie. and kudos for not choosing zhang ziyi. i've had enough of her mediocre acting.

i wonder wh is Tang Wei..i can't find her pic as well..can someone pst her pic??i wonder which part in malaysia will be they fliming location...so i might have a chance to take photo with tony leung and lee hom...