Lin Chi-ling to star in upcoming John Woo battle movie

Film director John Woo, left, and model Lin Chih-ling, right, pose for a photograph at a press conference yesterday to promote the movie ``Song Song and Little Cat.'' PHOTO: HUANG PO-JUNG, TAIPEI TIMES

Action director John Woo (吳宇森) said yesterday he has chosen Taiwan's top model, Lin Chi-ling (林志玲), to star in his upcoming film, Battle of Red Cliff (赤壁之戰).

Lin will play a beauty who "loves peace and is opposed to war" in the movie, which is based on a famous battle during China's Three Kingdoms period of 221-265 AD, Woo said during a visit to Taiwan.

Hong Kong star Chow Yun-fat (周潤發) will play a general, while Tony Leung (梁朝偉) will play a witty strategist, Woo said, adding that filming will begin after the script is finished.

The movie will be a joint production between China's state-owned China Film Group and Woo's Los Angeles-based Lion Rock Productions.

Woo is in the country to promote Song Song and Little Cat, a short film on the friendship of two Chinese children. The film is part of the UN-sponsored The Invisible Children series.