Chen Kaige's upcoming costume drama "Orphan of Zhao" has released some still-shots to show what the earliest Chinese play known to Europe will look like on the silver screen.

"Orphan of Zhao" is adapted from a Yuan Dynasty play of the same name, which was translated into French by a missionary named Joseph Henri Marie de Prémare in 1731.

Bankable actor Ge You plays the lead character Cheng Ying, a doctor living in the countryside in 6th century BC who sacrifices his own son to save an orphan, and then raises him and helps him get his revenge.

The film also stars Fan Bingbing, Huang Xiaoming, Zhang Fengyi and Wang Xueqi.

The release date has been set for December 18.

Director Chen Kaige is best known for his monumental 1993 film "Farewell My Concubine", starring Gong Li, Zhang Fengyi and the late Leslie Cheung. The film earned two Oscar nominations for best cinematography and best foreign-language film.