Ning Haiqiang. [Photo provided to China Daily]

"We may never forget the warriors in those cinematic masterpieces, but I dare to say the heroes in The Warriors are not inferior to any of them," says Jiang.

The A-list cast is another attraction of the film.

Li, starring as a regiment commander, is familiar to fans for his suave, loyal-in-love prince in the popular TV series The Legend of Zhen Huan.

Other lead stars such as Nie and Yu are familiar faces in Chinese cinema.

But Ning insists the story is the core of the movie.

"I hope the Chinese audience will accept a movie featuring our own history, which is narrated in a Chinese way," says the director.

With English subtitles already made, Ning reveals The Warriors may have an overseas distribution later.

Contact the writer at xufan@chinadaily.com.cn