A mega-budget martial arts epic film Mo Zi Raider has picked Andy Lau, one of Hong Kong hottest stars, to be the leading actor.

The film, with a 150 million yuan (Nearly US$20 million) budget, is believed to be the biggest investment this year in China. It is a joint project between China, South Korea and Japan.

The film is designed to depict the life of ancient celebrated scholar Mo Zi who lived in the Warring States Period (475 BC - 221 BC). It intends to shed lights on Mo Zi's theory of "only defend but no attack" through endless wars and conflicts during that period.

Hong Kong director Zhang Ziliang, who has long been interested in traditional culture, will take the charge of this mega-budget film.

He has just completed the high-profile martial-arts TV drama Seven Swords.

The film is expected to begin shooting later this year.

(CRI April 25, 2005)