(From left to right) Huo Siyan, Anthony Wong, Shu Qi and Donnie Yen [CRI]

Unlike Bruce Lee or Jet Li who both portrayed Chen Zhen as a tough martial artist, Donnie Yen is set to add a new identity to the fictitious character - special agent.

Yen plays the title character in "The Legend of Chen Zhen," a star-studded film being shot in Shanghai by "Infernal Affairs" co-director Andrew Lau.

Chen Zhen, a frequent character on China's big and small screens, is usually portrayed as a student of martial-arts legend Huo Yuanjia (1867-1910). On the screen, Chen Zhen lives in 1920s Shanghai.

Bruce Lee interpreted the role in the 1972 film "Fist of Fury", while Jet Li followed in a 1994 remake.

Lau told the media on Monday that Donnie Yen's Chen Zhen will not just be a martial-arts master, but also an agent who plays the piano and can speak several languages.

"This will be a brand-new Chen Zhen," Yen said.

"The Legend of Chen Zhen" features Shu Qi as a Japanese spy. Other cast members include Anthony Wong, Huo Siyan and Huang Bo.

The film's domestic release is set for next year, with possible international releases in Australia, New Zealand and Europe.