Five days after filming began on Chen Kaige's Mei Lanfang biopic, a supplementary press conference was held on Thursday to welcome its most anticipated cast members: Leon Lai and Zhang Ziyi.

Both stars were absent from a commencement ceremony held on July 14 in Beijing.

Leon Lai (L) and Zhang Ziyi (R) with director Chen Kaige, at a press conference in Beijing, promoting Mei Lanfang, on Thursday, July 19, 2007.

Leon Lai, who is also a Cantopop singer, will play the late Peking opera master Mei Lanfang. He is reportedly busy polishing his opera skills, sparing time from another film in production which is directed by Hong Kong's Ching Siu-tung.

Zhang Ziyi will play Mei Lanfang's fellow singer, Meng Xiaodong. She was recently spotted in the Sun Valley Resort in the United States with her billionaire boyfriend Vivi Nevo.

There is still no exact date revealed for the two actors' joining the cast.

Other leading cast members, including Chen Hong, Gillian Chung and Japanese actor Masanobu Ando, were all at the press conference and explained their role in the film.

Mei Baojiu, Mei Lanfang's youngest son and a prominent Peking opera singer himself, also showed up expressing his thanks and confidence in the production team.

The film is due out next year.

Leon Lai (L) and Zhang Ziyi (R) with director Chen Kaige, at a press conference in Beijing, on Thursday, July 19, 2007.

Cast member, Gillian Chung, at a press conference in Beijing, promoting Mei Lanfang, on Thursday, July 19, 2007.

Cast member, Masanobu Ando, at a press conference in Beijing, promoting Mei Lanfang, on Thursday, July 19, 2007.

Mei Baojiu, Mei Lanfang's youngest son, at a press conference in Beijing, promoting Mei Lanfang, on Thursday, July 19, 2007.

Peking opera actors perform before a press conference for Chinese director Chen Kaige's Mei Lanfang in Beijing, on Thursday, July 19, 2007. 

(CRI.cn July 20, 2007)