Zhang Yimou to shoot Hollywood blockbuster

Chinese director Zhang Yimou and British director Gareth Edwards attend a press conference in Beijing at the Beijing Film Academy on June 11, 2014. [Photo/Mtime.com]

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The project was initially publicized in August 2011 as the first project for Legendary East Ltd, the Chinese branch of the Hollywood production company, but was halted as Edward Zwick dropped out as director the following year. Since then, Zhang has been rumored to have replaced Zwick, and the unveiling of the poster yesterday was the first official confirmation of Zhang's involvement.

The film (scheduled to be released in 2016) mostly will be shot in China. Zhang said he hopes to express Chinese culture in simpler terms for the benefit of introducing the country to younger audiences abroad.

"Legendary East is brave in letting a Chinese director who doesn't speak English shoot an English-dialogue film. This kind of attempt is historically significant for Chinese films, its market and its future. It's taking Chinese films abroad, and I hope these kinds of projects will continue to guide Chinese filmmakers out of China," said Zhang.