BEIJING, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese kungfu star Jet Li has begun filming scenes for Peter Ho-Sun Chan's new movie "Ci Ma," which recounts the tragic relationship of three blood brothers divided by the love of a woman.

    The 40-million-U.S.-dollar production of "Ci Ma" began shooting in Beijing on Dec. 1. The title of the film, which is adapted from one of the most sensational criminal cases in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), means the assassination of Ma. It tells the story of three brothers' bitter rivalry over a woman.

    Jet Li plays the role of the eldest brother, Ma, who dies at the hand of his youngest sibling.

    "The director told me it is not a kungfu movie but an antiwar one, because he knew I no longer want to act in martial arts movies," Li told a press conference in Beijing Monday.

    Li is working with two other Asian heart-throbs -- Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshir -- but the identity of the leading actress has not been revealed. The rumor mill has mentioned Maggie Cheung, Zhang Ziyi, Shu Fanny, Zhou Xun and Xu Jinglei as possible candidates.

    "I know who I want for leading actress, but I can't tell you her name because we haven't signed a contract yet," said Chan, who will have to face the shadow of the successful 1973 version of "Ci Ma" by Hong Kong martial arts film master Chang Cheh.

    "There are more than 10 film versions of the story, but none of them explained clearly why Ma is assassinated by the third brother. I will focus on the quirks of human nature and the relationship between men in a turbulent period," added Chan, who has directed romantic films such as last year's award-winning musical "Perhaps Love."

    Often typecast as a martial arts master in movies, Li convinces audiences when he plays the part of a typical, traditional good man. However, in "Ci Ma", he plays the role of the selfish oldest brother who kills the second brother (played by Andy Lau) over a woman and is then killed by the third brother (played by Takeshi Kaneshir) in revenge.

    "I was so worried about my role that I decided to give myself entirely into the director's hands," he told reporters, adding, "I'm no good at acting in a love story, and I hope to learn more from Andy about how to communicate masculine appeal."

    The film, which will be a co-production, is expected to hit Chinese screens at the end of 2007, sources said. 

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