Actor Masanobu Ando has been given a main role in a new film by acclaimed Chinese director Chen Kaige, titled "Mei Lanfang." This is Ando's first role in a foreign film.

In commemoration of Beijing hosting next year's Olympics, the Chinese government asked Chen to create a film based on the Beijing opera art form. Leon Lai will star as the famous performer Mei Lanfang. Zhang Ziyi has been cast as the lead female, and Sun Honglei plays Mei's friend. Ando will play another of Mei's friends, an officer in the Japanese army.

The film is expected to be released near the start of the Olympics (August 8). Kaige is also aiming to take the film to Cannes. A more detailed announcement will be made in China around the 20th of this month, and filming will begin shortly after.