Li Man, 17, has become the new "Mou Girl," actress selected by Zhang Yimou to appear in his new film, which began shooting on Wednesday, a sign that she has potential of becoming another Gong Li or Zhang Ziyi.

The film, whose title translates as "Wearing Golden Armor Across The City," is set in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and is based on the renowned Chinese modern playwright Cao Yu's classic drama "Thunderstorm."

Li, 17, a student of the Central Academy of Drama, joined the cast including Gong Li, Hong Kong heart-throb Chow Yun-fat, mainland actor Liu Ye and Taiwanese pop singer Jay Chou, Xinhua was told by Zhang Weiping, the film's distributor on Thursday

He said her "personality shown in the screen test" answers for the decision made by Zhang Yimou and other related staff.

"She is our most satisfactory candidate in terms of both acting and age," he said, adding that she also has a good basic training of dance.

In her film debut, Li will play a girl aged from 15 to 17, the counterparts of Si Feng in the drama "Thunderstorm."

Zhang Yimou is adept in boosting new actresses in his films, so his selection of the new actress, dubbed "Mou (Yimou) Girl," often triggers hot topics of the public and media.

World-famous Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi made their film debuts in "Red Sorghum" and "The Road Home," both from Zhang Yimou, with Dong Jie and Jiang Min known by Chinese audiences after first appearing in his films, "Happy Times" and "Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles," respectively.

Li Man, a schoolmate of Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi, is expected to meet reporters soon, Zhang Weiping said.

Zhang's 45-million-U.S.-dollar new film will become the most expensive film in China, surpassing the 42.5-U.S.-million-dollar "The Promise", directed by Chen Kaige.

The film will be shot in Beijing, Southwest China's Sichuan Province and East China's Zhejiang Province and will be released at the end of this year, Zhang Weiping said, adding that his goal is to beat the American box office takings of "Hero" in 2004.

"The story of 'Thunderstorm' and the setting of the Tang Dynasty epitomize the classic elements of ancient and modern Chinese culture, which easily attracts a Chinese and non-Chinese audience," he added.

Source: Xinhua