Japan's Fuji TV has invited Hong Kong comedy star Stephen Chow to be a consultant for the new movie "Shaolin Girl" starring Japanese star Kou Shibasaki.

Chow enjoys wide popularity and a high reputation in Japan, especially for his movies "Shaolin Soccer" and "Kung Fu Hustle."

The Shanghai-based Oriental Daily reported that the movie is expected to begin shooting in the middle of April in Japan and finish in three months. Hong Kong actors Lam Chi-chung and Kai Man-tin will join the cast in Japan next Monday.

Mainland actress Zhang Yuqi, a recent fixture in Stephen Chow's movies, might not be able to join this Japanese movie because she is involved in another production.

Publicized as a mixture of Hong Kong movie "Shaolin Soccer" and Japanese TV drama "Pride," the movie is about a girl who adopts Shaolin kung fu in playing ice hockey.

Editor: Donald