Hong Kong pop icon Leon Lai is likely to star as the famous Peking opera master Mei Lanfang in Chen Kaige's latest movie.

Besides Leon Lai, it is hoped that actress Zhang Ziyi will take part in the piece. Rumors suggest that Zhang Ziyi may play Meng Xiaodong, another Peking opera performer, and Mei Lanfang's good friend.

The Star Daily carries the report, saying that the complete cast of the film has not yet been published. The paper's own source is a member of the entourage. The man has since been dismissed for letting the news out.

It was planned for the film to start shooting this May, but shooting has been postponed to July or August. Guesses as to the leading roles had begun much earlier.
 
Some previous reports say that famous actors, including Tony Leung and Lee-Hom Wang had attended auditions for the leading role. But Leon Lai made it because he spent his childhood in Beijing and for this reason, he can speak Beijing dialect.
 
Mei Lanfang, described as a Peking opera legend, was famous for fulfilling female roles on the stage.
 
(CRI.cn April 5, 2007)