Classic Novel Likely to Rally "Infernal Affairs" Cast

Hong Kong director Andrew Lau, whose crime thriller "Infernal Affairs" inspired the Oscar-winning remake, "The Departed," is planning a new project that could hopefully reunite the cast of the hit film.

The upcoming martial arts film, which is to begin shooting next year, will be a trilogy adapted from the "Water Margin" (Shui Hu Zhuan), a famous Chinese classic novel that tells of a brotherhood in the ancient Song Dynasty.

Although cast members are yet to be decided, Andrew Lau said in a telephone interview with Sohu.com that he thinks the "Infernal Affairs" stars, Tony Leung, Andy Lau, Eric Tsang and Anthony Wong, would be ideal candidates.

Lau says his job is to raise the curtain on the meaty drama, and after finishing the first installment, he will hand over the directing baton to Johnnie To. The director of the last episode will be either Feng Xiaogang or "Kekexili" director Lu Chuan.

Media Asia Group, the company behind such films as "The Banquet" and "Confession of Pain," will support the project with a heavy investment of 600 million Hong Kong dollars (US$77 million).

Lau says a large part of the amount will be used to enhance special effects.

Script-writing is underway but Lau says he can't give too much away because there are also some other film companies eyeing off "Water Margin" adaptations.

Source: http://english.cri.cn/3086/2007/11/21/1261@296560.htm, asianfanatics.net