Ambitious Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi is set to race further on her Hollywood road by having a go behind the camera.

Wendi Deng, wife of the media mogul Rupert Murdoch, told American Vogue magazine for its latest issue that she had teamed up with friends Zhang Ziyi and Florence Sloan to run a new film studio.

Her friendship with Zhang started about five or six years ago; and it was right on her boat where the actress met her billionaire boyfriend Vivi Nevo, Deng said in the interview.

Zhang Ziyi didn't deny the report when the Chinese media sought comments.

Ji Lingling, Zhang's publicist, said prudently, "There have been plans, but we can't say anything before everything is finalized."

The first film production of the studio, according to various reports, will probably be a film adaptation of the Empress by Shan Sa, a French-Chinese novelist. Director Ridley Scott may be invited to helm the movie.

(CRIENGLISH.com March 13, 2008)