Zhang Ziyi to star in China-Korea co-production movie "Sophie's Revenge"

Zhang goes for "Revenge"
Written by Han Sunhee
Sunday, 05 October 2008

PUSAN-- Zhang Ziyi is to star in a big-budget romantic comedy called "Sophie's Revenge" . The China-South Korea co-production is being co-developed by Korea's CJ Entertainment and a special purpose production shingle controlled by Zhang, who will also take producer credit. CJ will part finance the $25 million project and hold international distribution rights in Europe and Asia. Other companies from Hong Kong and China are expected to provide the rest of the coin. Pic will be helmed by a new Chinese director to be announced on November in Beijing.

Zhang, who recently wrapped Chinese period drama "Mei Lanfang" and U.S. horror-thriller "The Horsemen," is understood to have been looking for a romantic comedy for Asian auds. She is next scheduled to appear opposite Hugh Grant in Susanne Bier-helmed romancer "Lost for Words."

"It's rare for such an international star to come back with a middle-level film of this sort in a local language. But it's also a great opportunity to develop a niche market, because romantic comedy with a big name star has not been completely established as a mainstream genre in China," Mike Suh, head of international film financing and distribution at CJ said. "CJ Entertainment will also benefit from setting this up as full co-production."

CJ briefly unveiled the project at its annual party in Busan, introducing its 2009 line-up. The company also introduced a new Japanese co-production, "Fish Story", based on a hit novel by Isaka Kotaro. Pic is produced by Amuse Soft, and will be distributed in Japan by Showgate. CJ will invest 20% of the production budget, and take international sales rights.

Zhang previously appeared in two other Korean movies: "Musa The Warrior"(2001) and 2003's "My Wife Is a Gangster 2."