Director Chen Kaige rumored to be casting A list stars from China, Japan and South Korea

Director Chen Kaige is working on his next movie after filming “Zhao’s Orphan,” a fantasy movie based on a serial novel by a Japanese writer Baku Yumemakura. The project will be tentatively called “Shamon Kukai” translated as “Buddhist Monk Kukai.”

The film is expected to showcase a pool of Asian talents from China, Japan and South Korea. An anonymous source revealed that A-list Asian starts will be working with Chen Kaige in Shanghai, the film’s major shooting location according to the source.

Set in China’s Tang Dynasty, the movie revolves around Emperor Xuanzong’s favorite concubine, Yang Guifei.

Big investment will be needed to fund the anticipated movie blockbuster especially with the building of a giant vessel for the seafaring scenes.

Chen is also known for his latest production, “Forever Enthralled,” a biopic about Mei Lanfang, the late Peking Opera master.