Cinema legend Zhang Yimou is making a bold leap into science fiction, having teased his upcoming sci-fi film, The Silent Awakening. There’s still very little information surrounding the upcoming film, but what we do know is that the director, known for bringing on board emerging actors, has lined up an impressive list of stars for this one. We’re talking Yi Yangqianxi, Song Jia, Lei Jiayin, Yang Mi, Zhang Yi, Liu Shishi, Liu Yaowen, and Zhu Yilong from what we know so far.

While Yimou hasn’t yet taken to the stars with his films, having released a number of epics that are grounded on Earth, with titles like Hero, House of Flying Daggers, and Raise the Red Lantern, to name a few, The Silent Awakening isn’t actually his first sci-fi announcement.

The director has already made headlines for his upcoming adaptation of Liu Cixin’s groundbreaking novel The Three-Body Problem, signaling a dramatic evolution for one of China’s most celebrated directors. The project sees Yimou venturing into the complex world of hard science fiction that has captivated global audiences. This adaptation of Liu Cixin’s award-winning novel marks a significant milestone in Zhang’s illustrious career and Chinese science fiction cinema.

The project comes at a critical moment for Chinese genre filmmaking. While literary works like The Three-Body Problem have gained international acclaim, film adaptations have struggled to break through global barriers. Zhang’s involvement could be the transformative moment that bridges this gap, bringing the nuanced storytelling of Chinese sci-fi to worldwide audiences.

We’re excited to see both titles from Zhang Yimou come to fruition, and will most likely be reporting on both, so be sure to check back in for more news on both to come. In the meantime, click here to read more about films from China and beyond.

Cover image via Asian Film Awards Academy.