Jet Li's latest film sued by Huo's grandson
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-03-09 15:35

A descendant of famous Chinese Kungfu master, Huo Yuanjia, has initiated legal proceedings against the producers and distributors of Jet Li's latest film about the life of the Kungfu master.

Kung Fu star Jet Li, seen here 06 January 2006, said his latest film "Fearless", which is opening in Beijing, would his last foray into the martial arts genre. [AFP]

The movie, starring Li, is titled 'Fearless' in English but in Chinese it uses the master's name "Huo Yuanjia" as its title. The film has been screening worldwide since January.

Huo Shoujin, the only living grandson of Huo Yuanjia on the Chinese mainland, said the film contains many fabrications of his grandfather's life and character and it besmirches his reputation.

Yang Zhongkai, Huo's lawyer, said he filed the law suit at the Haidian District People's Court in Beijing on Tuesday.

The Beijing Film Studio under the China Film Group Corporation, produced the film, and the Beijing-based Anle Film Company which distributes the film are named as defendants, said the lawyer.

Huo is asking the court to stop the worldwide release of the film and is asking for a written public apology, he said.

Huo Yuanjia's grandson resorted to court action after his lawyer did not receive a reply to a letter he had sent to the producers and distributors on February.24.

The lawyer says he might also launch court action against screenwriter Wang Bin, and actor and investor Jet Li.

Huo Yuanjia, born 1868 in Tianjian and died in 1909. He was known as one of China's most accomplished martial arts heroes.