Zhang Ziyi tackles Kurosawa

Actress has signed a three-picture deal that will see her star in 'The Seven Samurai' and 'Mulan'.

Jun  6 2006

Zhang Ziyi has signed up to star in a remake of Akira Kurosawa's classic 'Seven Samurai' for the brothers Weinstein.

The 'Memoirs of a Geisha' star has just signed a three-picture deal with The Weinstein Co. that includes a new version of the 1954 classic as well as a live action adaptation of the legend of 'Mulan'.

Based on the Chinese legend and scripted by Wang Hui-ling (who previously scripted 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'), 'Mulan' will star Ziyi as a freedom fighter who dresses as her father to take his place in battle. Production is set to start in February.

'The Seven Samurai' is then expected to follow, while the third project is being kept tightly under wraps at the moment.

Before then, Ziyi will be seen in 'The Banquet' a 'Hamlet'-inspired drama directed by Feng Xiaogang.

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