Hong Kong actress Maggie Cheung will star in Quentin Tarantino's World War II film "Inglourious Basterds," the actress has said.

Hong Kong actress Maggie Cheung is seen in a newly-released portrait. [Tungstar/xinhuanet.com]

Cheung, 44, who has settled down in Beijing with her German architect boyfriend Ole Scheeren, went back to Hong Kong over the weekend to promote a brand she endorses, Star Daily reported.

The Cannes best actress told the newspaper she would only appear in a couple of scenes. However, the role would be challenging because she has to speak French.

Written and directed by the Oscar-winning Tarantino, the film will be led by Brad Pitt as the leader of eight Jewish-American soldiers. Cheung will play a French woman who owns a cinema in Paris.

"My character is very interesting," Cheung was quoted as saying, "But it's a pity I wouldn't be able to star in a scene together with Brad Pitt."

The film is set for release at next year's Cannes Film Festival in May.

(CRI November 17, 2008)