Led by Hong Kong action film star Donnie Yen, the film "Guan Yunchang" has started shooting in Hebei Province.

Yen plays general Guan Yu, also known as Yunchang, the famous character from the historical novel "Romance of the Three Kingdoms".

Award-winning mainland director-actor Jiang Wen plays the role of Cao Cao - the leader of Guan's enemy kingdom. Actress Sun Li will also play an important role in the film, according to the report.

Yen said honestly that he's not quite familiar with the character of Guan Yunchang and he's reading the novel, even taking it into the bathroom with him.

"I have to do a lot of homework to prepare for the rivalry with Jiang Wen. He has a very heroic personality," Yen said.

The appearance of Donnie Yen's version of Guan Yunchang is quite different from the traditional understanding, the report says. The well-dressed general now wears shabby clothing in the film. Even his style of beard is different. The film depicts a young Guan Yunchang.

Donnie Yen is also the martial-arts director of the film.