Two of Chinese most popular film stars, Jet Li and Zhang Ziyi, will set sail with Keanu Reeves in the updated Sinbad movie.

The film's maker Rob Cohen is hoping the three stars will play Sinbad's crew in what will be the eighth movie voyage for the mythical sailor.

The director also reveals he has been given original Sinbad creator and special-effects guru Ray Harryhausen's official blessing for the project, insisting the movie legend is particularly impressed.

Chinese rising actress Zhang Ziyi, who is now shooting Hollywood mega-hit Good Cook, Likes Music, will portray the queen of China's Tang Dynasty.

Action star Jet Li is now also busy with the latest legendary of Huo Yuanjia Biopic and shooting of the film will begin on January next year.

(CRI April 19, 2005)