Zhang Zi Yi and Chang Chen up to headline drama Di Wang Ye?

Still awaiting official confirmation but I don’t think they can throw around Zhang Zi Yi‘s name for fun (they wouldn’t, right?) Lol. Di Wang Ye (帝王业) is adapted from the palace novel written by Mei Yu Zhe, following the arranged/transactional marriage between a fallen princess and a man of humbling background, as they rise to power together. Is this Zhang Zi Yi’s television debut? Wow. Funny how C-Ent movie actresses go into dramaland just to do empress roles. Lol. Do you think this is a limitation or an expansion of their movie star status?

Stills of Our Leads Looking Regal:

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Directed by Yao Xiao Feng (May-December Love, Tiger Mom), Di Wang Ye begins filming in November 2017 and aims for a shooting period of 8 whopping months.

Via: 01

  1. 10 thoughts on “Zhang Zi Yi and Chang Chen up to headline drama Di Wang Ye?

    Hmmm both fit the regality…

    http://www.books.shushengbar.com/?p=7038

    ^ in case anyone wants to read the semi spoilery comment by hoju. Very nicely written.

    I think with movie actresses they obviously have a more expansive range with characters as opposed to drama series and thus, they pick more so on the powerful role? Roles that demands great star presence? I dunno lol.

  2. 10 thoughts on “Zhang Zi Yi and Chang Chen up to headline drama Di Wang Ye?

    I feel that unless it’s the best production there is then it’s a downgrade for someone on Zhang Ziyi’s level. She’s always been a movie star. This and the Godzilla movie feel like such weird career choices for her.

  3. 10 thoughts on “Zhang Zi Yi and Chang Chen up to headline drama Di Wang Ye?

    It’s a downgrade when Zhang will be 2nd fiddle to the real star Godzilla.

  4. 10 thoughts on “Zhang Zi Yi and Chang Chen up to headline drama Di Wang Ye?

    I couldn’t tell that’s zzy from the photo… Ahhh but it would be a reunion for her and chang Chen from their crouching tiger hidden dragon days… 🐯🐲😁

    • 10 thoughts on “Zhang Zi Yi and Chang Chen up to headline drama Di Wang Ye?

      I didn’t recognize her either because of over-touch up with westernized features.

    • 10 thoughts on “Zhang Zi Yi and Chang Chen up to headline drama Di Wang Ye?

      I forgot they were together in that and he was so hot! Although I loved Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun Fat’s heartbreaking love story in the film way more. I need to rewatch that and Hero. I miss those kinds of epic, sweeping beautiful quality Chinese movies.

  5. 10 thoughts on “Zhang Zi Yi and Chang Chen up to headline drama Di Wang Ye?

    I think I actually read the novel, but I can’t remember anything from it. Anyway, Zhang Zi Yi was rumoured since quite a while ago. Chang Chen was fans’ preferred choice over Ethan Ruan for Yang Mi’s Fu Yao but it didn’t happen (*sigh* I think there probably wasn’t even a possibility of it happening) so it’s quite funny that he’s now up for Di Wang Ye though.

    Also, I don’t think it’s necessarily a downgrade. Chinese movies are bringing in the cash but honestly the quality is lacking. Plus, I don’t see a (bright) future for her in Hollywood too. Not to mention that a lot of the ladies are returning to dramaland like Zhou Xun, FBB and Ni Ni, and before them we also had Gao Yuan Yuan and Zhao Wei. Even the guys too (Chen Kun, FSF)! Of course, most of them don’t (or didn’t use to) do films exclusively like ZZY does. But what do you expect her to do? There’s probably good money in this, and the plot is decent as well.

  6. 10 thoughts on “Zhang Zi Yi and Chang Chen up to headline drama Di Wang Ye?

    While I am glad cdramas have many female centric roles, the stories feels repetitive after awhile.
    Also she’s probably the only female movie star other than Gong Li that has never done a drama before. Other big shots like zhao wei and zhou xun had their beginning in tv. So based on that it does feel like a downgrade.

  7. 10 thoughts on “Zhang Zi Yi and Chang Chen up to headline drama Di Wang Ye?

    ZZY second picture above reminds me tremendously to her in House of the Flying Daggers (ah, I will always love its OST… while I like Jackie Evancho’s cover, nothing beats Kathleen Battle’s original rendition).

    A lot of movie stars turn to TV, incl in Hollywood. So I don’t think this is a downgrade for her.

    • 10 thoughts on “Zhang Zi Yi and Chang Chen up to headline drama Di Wang Ye?

      The second and the third pictures are from the House of Flying Daggers. The fourth one is from The Banquet. These two are my most favorite ZZY movies. 🙂
      Until ZLY came along, ZZY was my favourite Chinese actress. I don’t care if it is a movie, or if it is a drama, more ZZY is always a good thing. Especially, if Chang Chen is involved. I loved them both in Crouching tiger, hidden dragon and I wish they had more screen time together in The Grandmaster.
      So yeah, whatever this drama turns out to be, nell will watch it.

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