Source: Channel News Asia



Shu Qi turns down Zhang Ziyi film because of nude scene

Taiwanese actress Shu Qi has turned down a role in Chinese star Zhang Ziyi's English movie "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan".

Based on a novel by Lisa See, "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" is jointly produced by Zhang, Wendy Deng, wife of media mogul Rupert Murdoch and Florence Sloan, wife of MGM chairman Harry Sloan, and also stars the Chinese actress.

The movie tells a story about a community of women with bound feet living in a remote Hunan province seeking companionship from one another. As they developed close friendships, the women developed a secretive Nu Shu language as a form of communication and to keep their secrets from the men.

In the film, Snow Flower, who was supposed to be played by Shu Qi, develops a lifelong friendship with Lily (Zhang) and there is a nude scene which shows them writing on each other's chest in the Nu Shu.

Though baring all is nothing new to Shu Qi, a former soft-porn actress, she reportedly turned down the role because of the scene.

The Taiwanese star, who started her career in soft porn films, proved herself to be a credible actress after winning the Best Actress Golden Horse Award in 2005 and has no intentions of stripping unless she is really attracted to the script.

Hopefully, Shu Qi will not regret her decision.

Shu Qi famously rejected a role in Lee Ang's "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", which later went to Zhang and catapulted her to international fame.

Zhang is said to be disappointed with Shu Qi's decision and is now looking for an actress to replace her.

The film will be helmed by "Joy Luck Club" director Wayne Wang and shooting is expected to begin early next year in China.