John Woo confirmed to direct 1949

In keeping with his current trend of war period pieces, John Woo announced at Cannes that he will direct and produce 1949, a romance set at the end of World War II. Woo will begin work on the project after he completes the epic Red Cliff, which is based on Chinese lore set in the Han era.

The Chinese-language film is slated to release in December 2009, which marks 60years since the onset of the People’s Republic of China. Wong Hui-Ling who also penned Lust, Caution, wrote the script. Ling I-Jun and China Film Group will be financing the project and Fortissimo Films will be handling distribution. Lion Rock’s Terence Chang will also be involved in production.

Woo will begin filming this December in Taiwan and China. Chang Chen and Korea's Song Hye-kyo are set to star. The story is intended to shed light on “the realities of the history of the Chinese people and nation,” Fortissimo co-chief Michael J. Werner told Variety.