Monkey King 2 finds 'plump' seductress in Gong Li

As one of the most evil enchantresses in Chinese literature, White Skeleton Demon is depicted as a skinny, young beauty in the classic book Journey to the West. But in the latest Monkey King movie, the second in a series based on the novel, she is given an unconventional screen image.

In Monkey King 2, actress Gong Li, 48, plays the demon as an almost plus-size woman who tries to seduce Buddhist monk Xuanzang. Many Chinese fans have expressed their doubts online on how effective Gong will be in the role that had often be portrayed by leaner actresses.

At a recent news conference in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, Gong, an early Chinese star to draw international attention, said that she will give the audience a "surprise".