Zhang Yimou defends casting of Matt Damon in new movie

Acclaimed Chinese director Zhang Yimou has responded to criticism from an Asian-American actress over the casting of "white man" Matt Damon as the lead for the movie The Great Wall, saying the role was never conceived for a Chinese actor.

Damon, of the "Bourne" franchise, will star later this year in the $150 million Chinese-Hollywood fantasy movie, an English-language movie set in China involving menacing supernatural monsters.

Constance Wu, who stars in a US comedy series centered on immigrants called Fresh Off the Boat, posted on Twitter last week: "We have to stop perpetuating the racist myth that a only (sic) white man can save the world."