Scandal-plagued actress Zhang Ziyi will get a chance to
salvage her career as art-house film director Gu Changwei has
offered her the lead role in his upcoming drama, "The Era of
Magic."
Not only set to act alongside Hong Kong actor/singer Aaron Kwok,
Zhang will also be producer of the movie, her second time at the
helm following 2009 romantic comedy "Sophie's Revenge."
Director Gu reportedly contacted Zhang last August while he was
preparing for his film.
But the move in film does little to stop the series of scandals
embroiling Zhang Ziyi. The star was removed from the invitation
list of an April ceremony that's going to honor the top-ranking
Chinese celebs from a public approval poll, although she ranked
among the top spots of the 2009 poll. What's worse, the judge panel
is considering crossing her name off the ballot given her
deteriorating reputation.
Just a couple of days ago, news came that luxury brand Emporio
Armani broke off its endorsement deal with Zhang Ziyi when the
negative influence of her "quake donation fund fraud" escalated.
Only a month after Zhang was reported owing 160,000 yuan for her
1-million-yuan pledge toward Wenchuan earthquake relief, a new
rumor surfaced that she had cheated the public with her fundraising
activities held in Cannes and New York in 2008.
Zhang's troubles started in December 2009, when a Beijing-based
publication reported that she had a "special relationship" with a
married businessman in Shanghai. In the wake of that scandal, Zhang
quit the film "Snow Flower and The Secret Fan," a project she had
planned to star in for a long time.
Source: CRI