Some 17 giant pandas will play key roles in a Chinese TV drama about the life of legendary king Du Yu, who lived at the end of the Zhou Dynasty (1100 BC- 256 BC).

Chen Chen, director of the TV series, Jin Sha, or Gold Sand, told Xinhua Monday the giant pandas' key role in the series is saving the protagonist's life.

The television series revolves around Du Yu's founding of the ancient Shu Kingdom and his metamorphosis into a cuckoo.

"They will qualify, because giant pandas are really smart," Chen said. "They will make good actors because they are cute and their expressions are rich."

Chen said his studio is still selecting giant pandas from Ya'an Bifeng Gorge Giant Panda Base in southwest China's Sichuan Province to star in the series. Chen plans to start shooting the drama in Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan in April.

Chen did not say when the drama will be released.