The 1978 kung fu classic from Hong Kong, "Wu Du", or "Five Deadly Venoms" - listed as number 11 on Entertainment Weekly Magazine's "Top 50 Cult Movies" - will be brought back to silver screen in an English-language remake to be directed by Kirk Wong.

A similar plot to the original work will be retained: a dying kung fu master instructs his last student, played by Hong Kong actor Edison Chen, to check on the whereabouts of five former pupils, each of whom has learnt a special venomous style of kung fu, and to kill evil along the way.

The setting of the story will be changed from ancient China to a modern imaginary city. And a female role, to be played by ex-model Maggie Q, will be introduced as one of the five pupils, supplementing the former all-man team.

The director is eyeing off "Lust, Caution" star Lee-Hom Wong, kung du actor Wu Jing, pop star Huang Xiaoming and singer RZA of the US rap group Wu-Tang Clan---who is a mega fan of kung fu and the 1978 film---to play the other four pupils.

The film is scheduled to start shooting in October.

Hong Kong actor Edison Chen.

Hong Kong actor and ex-model Maggie Q

(CRI.cn September 6, 2007)