Leon Lai and Zhang Ziyi met to record songs for director Chen Kaige's new biopic "Mei Lanfang" in Beijing on September 5, 2008. [sohu.com]

Director Chen Kaige's new biopic of the late Peking opera master Mei Lanfang is expected to debut on December 12th. However this release date could be in question due to contract disputes between the film's co-investors, sohu.com reported on Thursday.

The would-be blockbuster staring Leon Lai and Zhang Ziyi has almost completed post-production. However, the film's maker, the China Film Group, has been taken to court by co-sponsor Milimeter over rights infringements. Milimeter is requesting that the China Film Group suspend all matters relating to the film, according to reports from the HK-based weekly Next Magazine.

Milimeter Films, copyright holder of "Mei Lanfang", signed a contract with the China Film Group to co-fund and shoot the film in 2004. By 2007 the two sides reached another agreement, stating Milimeter is entitled to shoot the film and confirming that the China Film Group must first sign an official contract transferring rights before shooting could begin.

Zhang Ziyi (L) and Leon Lai in a scene from Chen Kaige's "Mei Lanfang," scheduled for release on December 12. [File Photo]

It turns out that the film production team started shooting in July 2004, without first signing the contract with Milimeter; therefore Milimeter has filed a lawsuit seeking a ban on further production.

The China Film Group has so far not responded to the issue, while sources within the production team claim they have been informed but do not take it too seriously.

Last week, the duo of Leon Lai and Zhang Ziyi met to record songs for the film and shot music videos.

Who will win the case? The answer remains to be seen.

(CRI September 12, 2008)