Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi, the female lead and a producer of the upcoming film Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, has pulled out of the project to focus on filming martial arts movie The Grand Master, reported Chinese media. According to reports, Zhang’s publicist Ji Lingling revealed this surprising news. Ji explained that Zhang was unable to juggle acting in Hong Kong director Wong Kar Wai’s The Grand Master, which is currently being filmed in northeastern China, with her role in Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. Zhang is not the only one pulling out: Korean actress Jeon Ji Hyun, who is slated to co-star with Zhang, and the male lead, said to be a member of the now defunct Taiwanese band F4, have also quit the project. The production team is considering casting Chinese actresses Li Bingbing, Fan Bingbing and Hong Kong actress Shu Qi as replacements. They have also begun actively searching for a new leading man in China, Japan and Korea. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, an English-language film adaptation of Lisa See’s novel of the same name, about the lifelong friendship between two women in 19th century China, was scheduled to begin production earlier this month but has been delayed for unspecified reasons. The film, helmed by American-Chinese director Wayne Wang, would have been Zhang’s second as a film producer. The 30-year-old actress produced her first film, the romantic comedy Sophie’s Revenge, last year. Zhang’s decision to quit the Snow Flower and the Secret Fan has sparked fresh rumours that it was the result of the fallout from her high-profile dispute with a Beijing publication. Zhang had sued the publication for publishing an article which portrayed her as a homewrecker. Ji insists that this was not the case. “She’s been very busy with Wong Kar-Wai’s film… Although Ziyi won’t work with director Wayne Wang this time, they will have another project together in the near future,” said Ji.

We want to wish you a merry christmas, great holidays and a happy new year! This site is going on a little winter break. Don’t worry, we’re back in January 2010 with the latest on Miss Zhang Ziyi!

Filmed in high definition, the Zhang Ziyi Travel Series features the 31-year-old Beijing native travelling to Oman and Inner Mongolia to experience the unique culture and heritage of the two locations. Her role in the show is more than just a host – she is the focal point of each of the two 30-minute shows, sharing her adventures with us and allowing us to listen in on her conversations with the local people she encounters. “The goal for this project was to travel to different cities and different countries within one year, and experience life there,” said Zhang in a phone interview. “This is the sort of experience you don’t get in normal life; and the greatest thing I got out of this was the connection I felt with nature and all the wonderful people I met and the wild animals I saw.” Source: Star ECentral.com

Taiwanese actress Shu Qi has turned down a role in Chinese star Zhang Ziyi’s English movie Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. Based on a novel by Lisa See, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is jointly produced by Zhang, Wendy Deng, wife of media mogul Rupert Murdoch and Florence Sloan, wife of MGM chairman Harry Sloan, and also stars the Chinese actress. The movie tells a story about a community of women with bound feet living in a remote Hunan province seeking companionship from one another. As they developed close friendships, the women developed a secretive Nu Shu language as a form of communication and to keep their secrets from the men. In the film, who was supposed to be played by Shu Qi, develops a lifelong friendship with Lily (Zhang) and there is a nude scene which shows them writing on each other’s chest in the Nu Shu. (more…)

Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi is set to produce her first English-language film, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. The 30-year-old actress will produce Snow Flower with Wendi Murdoch, wife of News Corp chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch, as well as Florence Sloan, wife of MGM chairman Harry Sloan, according to Hollywoodreporter.com. Zhang will also star in the drama. Snow Flower is based on Lisa See’s novel of the same name about a lifelong friendship between two women, Lily and Snow Flower. Set in 19th century remote China, the film will be helmed by Joy Luck Club director Wayne Wang and shooting is expected to begin early next year in China. Zhang made her debut as a producer in romantic comedy Sophie’s Revenge, which was a hit in China, earning more than 90 million yuan (S$18 million) in box office receipts.

PREMIERING tomorrow on the National Geographic Channel (Astro Channel 553) at 10pm, the Zhang Ziyi Travel Series has the Beijing-born international movie star taking viewers on a personal journey of discovery with the help of local guides and famous friends such as photographer Yu Tsai. Originally created by Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Zhang Ziyi Travel Series is a National Geographic co-production with the hotel group to unveil the exceptional landscapes of Oman and Inner Mongolia, and to show the determination of local people to nurture their heritage, culture, history, music and art, and preserve Mother Nature. In episode one, we journey with Ziyi to watch endangered turtle eggs hatch on a beach in Oman and see her dance with Bedouin warrior-musicians. In episode two, she stars in a stunning high-fashion photo shoot on the wild steppes of Inner Mongolia, and follows a herd of wild horses at dawn. “We are delighted to contribute towards environmental awareness and conservation that make people sit up and think about what they can do to care for the planet,” (more…)

National Geographic Channel in Asia is set to premiere a new travel series featuring Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi, known for her roles in House of Flying Daggers and Memoirs of a Geisha. Zhang Ziyi Travel Series premieres on National Geographic Channel in Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan on November 14. It sees the movie star journeying through Oman and Inner Mongolia with the help of local guides and famous friends such as photographer Yu Tsai. The show was originally created by Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, which is co-producing it with Nat Geo, and puts a spotlight on local people as they protect their heritage, culture, history, music, art and environment. Ziyi is the global brand ambassador for the Shangri-La. “National Geographic Channel and Shangri-La share a commitment to showcasing and preserving the natural beauty of the world,” said Choylin Mok, supervising producer at National Geographic Channel Asia. “This unique documentary series is a result of this joint aim. In these documentaries, Ziyi is more of a central character than a traditional host by opening her heart as she takes us from glittering metropolises to the very edge of the world.” (more…)