Wang Xueqi playing Li Yutang in "Bodyguards and Assassins." [Global Times]

Wang Xueqi is not an "overnight sensation" who was suddenly discovered as a movie star.

Although the actor is frequently cast by China's "Fifth Generation" directors, including Zhang Yimou ("Codename Cougar"), Chen Kaige ("Yellow Earth") and He Ping ("Warriors of Heaven and Earth"), Wang didn't get much attention from critics and audiences until he was in his sixties.

The role of Peking Opera master Yan Shisan in Chen's 2008 production "Forever Enthralled" was Wang's springboard to immediate fame as a character actor, winning numerous award nominations, including the Taiwan Golden Horse Award.

His latest movie, "Bodyguards and Assassins," directed by Eddie Chen ("The Accidental Spy") and produced by Peter Chan ("Perhaps Love"), is a success both at the box office and with critics since the film premiered on Friday.

In a wide-ranging interview with ifeng.com, Wang shared his experiences in creating the role, his understanding of "Fifth Generation" directors and his attitude toward acting.

"Bodyguards and Assassins" tells the story of a group of bodyguards protecting Sun Yat-sen from Hong Kong assassins in 1905.

Wang's role, a Hong Kong tycoon named Li Yutang, is the leader and organizer of the bodyguards and his character is an important clue in the plot.

Wang was the first actor cast in the star-studded blockbuster.

He recalled that producers Chan and Huang Jianxin, with whom he cooperated in "The Founding of a Republic," visited him in Chengdu while he was shooting another film.

After being briefed on the general plot, he decided to take the role without even looking at the script.

"Both producers were very sincere. There is a certain unconditional trust among us."

Chan said he was impressed with Wang's stunning performance in "Forever Enthralled."

"But Li Yutang is no repetition of Yan Shisan. He is more complicated," emphasized Wang.

Li is first and foremost an intelligent businessman with strong willpower, and only secondly a revolutionary. He is mature in business and life, and especially good at making friends in all levels of society.

As a result, the bodyguards he has befriended are willing to sacrifice their lives at his command.

Meanwhile, he is simple and na?ve in politics. He does not understand Sun's revolutionary theories, even though he assumes responsibility for protecting Sun against assassins.

He has the heart to fight for a new and better China, but cannot express it in words.

The character vividly reflects the emotions of ordinary revolutionaries at the time, who may not have understood political theories but simply acted on their instincts.

The film "Bodyguards and Assassins" also cast some of Hong Kong's best actors, including Tony Leung Ka-Fai ("The Lover") as a revolutionary, Donnie Yen ("Yep Man") as a gambler, Leon Lai ("Comrades: Almost a Love Story") as a beggar, Nicholas Tse ("New Police Story") as a rickshaw man and Eric Tsang ("Alan and Eric Between Hello and Goodbye") as a policeman.