Jet Li to Show Tai-Chi, but Not with Feng Xiaogang

A scene in the 1993 film "Tai-Chi Master" ("Taiji Zhang Sanfeng") starring Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh. [File Photo: Baidu.com]

Jet Li has been confirmed to focus his new movie on the Chinese martial arts of Tai-Chi, but Feng Xiaogang won't be the director.

Production company Huayi Brothers announced the film on Monday, February 21, 2011. With the working title, "Tai-Chi", the film will star Jet Li as a legendary Tai-Chi master.

Li built one of his most successful roles with his portrayal of Tai-Chi master Zhang Sanfeng in Yuen Woo-Ping's 1993 film "Tai-Chi Master" ("Taiji Zhang Sanfeng"). Huayi Brothers didn't elaborate on Li's new character, but said it won't reprise Zhang Sanfeng.

Jet Li will be the executive producer of the film with Chen Kuo-Fu.

The kung-fu star has been dedicated to promoting Tai-Chi. He announced in August, 2010 that he was working to help Tai-Chi push-hands (a two-person training routine) become an official Olympic sport.

As for the director of "Tai-Chi", Huayi Brothers didn't announce a specific candidate, but denied previous rumors that Feng Xiaogang would direct the film.

Feng, who made such bankable films as "Aftershock" and the "If You Are the One" series, is preparing for his own project that "will involve heavy investment," according to Huayi Brothers.

Previous reports suggest Feng's upcoming film will be about the bombing of Chongqing, a five-year-long military operation conducted by the invading Japanese troops on China's wartime capital during WWII.