BEIJING, July 19 -- Hollywood star Jet Li's latest martial arts hit "Huo Yuanjia" finished shooting last week. And it looks like being Li's last Kung-fu flick, after the star revealed this would be the last time he would appear in a martial arts movie.

    "I stepped into the martial arts movie market when I was only 16. I think I have proved my ability in this field and it won't make sense for me to continue for another five or 10 years. 'Huo Yuanjia' is a conclusion to my life as a martial arts star," Li said recently.

    Li also revealed that he wanted to move the life story of Chinese martial arts master Huo Yuanjia to the screen as early as 10 years ago, but he was finally spurred to put the idea into action by a news report two years ago.

    "The report said that 280,000 people committed suicide in 2003. It's a shocking number. That's why I wanted to shoot such a film. I wanted to tell people that we couldn't choose our birth, but we should be brave and courageous enough to get through to the end of our lives," he said.

    Li also disclosed that the movie's other theme was about the concepts which underpin martial arts. "Many movies blur the line between martial arts and violence. But the fact is that they are completely different. I want to convey to the audience what martial arts means to me -- why do we practice kung fu, what is the essence of martial arts and what are the authentic Chinese martial arts?"

    The movie features young actors Sun Li and Dong Yong. Sun plays Huo's soul mate who helps him pick up his courage whenever he is having difficulties.

    Michelle Yeoh made a last-minute decision to show up in the movie. She plays a Chinese martial arts athlete who strives to have martial arts included in the Olympics Games. Her guest performance is sure to be a dazzling part of the movie.

    As to the future, Li said he would put half of his energy into filmmaking and another half into a cause which he declined to disclose, only saying that it was much more important than movies.

    When asked whether Li expected more of "Huo Yuanjia" than of his other movies, Li said that he didn't anticipate any result. "As a Buddhist, I feel satisfied if I have made an effort. The result isn't important," Li said.

    However, the public have a high expectations for "Huo Yuanjia," coming on the back of the globally successful martial arts epics "Hero" and "Kung Fu Hustle." Li said his upcoming film was different from the two. "'Huo Yuanjia' concentrates more upon the spiritual growth of a martial arts master and is intended to inspire and enlighten the audience," Li said.

(Source: Shenzhen Daily)