Mainland director Tian Zhuangzhuang's latest work The Warrior and the Wolf (Lang Zai Ji) will hit theaters on Oct 2.

Adapted from Japanese writer Yasushi Inoue's novel, the fantasy flick tells the story of an ancient Chinese general and his lover from a cursed clan with mysterious connections with wolves.

Tian has revised the script seven times since Taiwan director Hou Hsiao-hsien recommended the story to him 14 years ago.

Starring Japanese A-lister Jo Odagiri and American actress Maggie Q, the film is believed by some to be a first try at commercialized blockbusters by Tian, known as an art-house director.

But Tian denies he is changing. He insists he still only makes film when he really has something to say from inside his heart.

The film will compete against several other blockbusters also screened around October, such as spy thriller The Message (Feng Sheng) and The Founding of a Republic (Jianguo Daye), a film studded with more than 100 stars.

(China Daily September 10, 2009)