There are not many films that star Jet Li, Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro all at the same time. But "Ci Ma," the latest movie by award-winning director Peter Chan, will do just that.

Filming for the movie, a kung fu epic based on the true story of a mysterious assassination during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), started earlier this month.

And the star-studded cast are not the only ones stirring interest in this film of famous faces.

Known for his romantic movies, like "Almost A Love Story" (Tian Mimi) and "Perhaps Love" (Ruguo Ai), both of which cleaned up many of the most prestigious Asian film awards, Chan is stepping out of his comfort zone for the first time to realize a decades old dream.

"Twenty years ago I saw John Woo's 'A Better Tomorrow' (Yingxiong Bense), a movie about brotherly affection, and ever since then I've wanted to shoot a film like that," he recalled.

"But over all these years I've been making love stories about feelings between men and women and now finally I've found the story of 'Ci Ma'."

The story of "Ci Ma" is about three close friends who become enemies as they pursue different goals in life and an extramarital affair. The three of them fight both for their goals and the girl.

Jet Li, who plays the role of Ma Xinyi, the leading figure among the three, once said the hit film "Fearless" (Huo Yuanjia) would be his last kung fu film.

But in one short conversation, Chan managed to change his mind.

Chan told Li that "Ci Ma" would not be a kung fu film, but an anti-war story; a story about the pains war has brought to humankind.

Li then consulted with his friends, and the reactions he got were all the same: "Peter Chan? Genius! You should go!"

Li, a man known for mastering the martial arts, is not so confident about coming out on top when it comes to competing with Lau and Kaneshiro to win the girl.

"When I found out I would be competing with Andy and Kaneshiro, I told the director there was no way I could win," he joked.

The film will be the first co-operation between Li and Lau, who both started out in the entertainment industry back in 1980.

Lau, who has wanted to co-operate with Li ever since watching "Fearless," was so pleased to be able to work alongside him he agreed to have his head shaved for the role.

Kaneshiro, described by Li as "incredibly handsome," sports a manly beard for the role. He starred alongside Li 10 years ago in "Mo Him Wong" (Maoxian Wang), when he played Li's younger brother.

"Ten years ago I was his younger brother and I still am now," he said with a smile.

To better understand his role, Kaneshiro watched the 1973 version of "Ci Ma," directed by Hong Kong kung fu film master Zhang Che.

"It was quite impressive that over 20 years ago people could make such a great movie," he said.

"So it's going to be a real challenge for us and I'll try my best to match the role."