Billed as the most expensive film ever produced in Asia, the first installment of John Woo's epic, 'Red Cliff' opens in theatres around Asia this month.

"Red Cliff" is based on a part of History that has given rise to legends and inspired video games and comic books. It was the time in the third-century AD, when prime minister Cao Cao undertook his quest to unite a divided China.

Variety Magazine says the film cost the equivalent of 70-million US dollars.

Billed as the most expensive film ever produced in Asia, the
first installment of John Woo's epic, 'Red Cliff' opens in
theatres around Asia this month.

Director, John Woo told reporters in Taipei, he wants 'Red Cliff' to give western audiences a better understanding of China.

Appearing with Woo in Taipei were the leading cast members from 'Red Cliff,' Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Taiwanese-Japanese heartthrob Takeshi Kaneshiro.

Leung says he felt his character Zhou Yu, the strategist behind the battle, reflected Woo's personality.

"Red Cliff" marks the Hong Kong director's triumphant return to Chinese film after 16 years in Hollywood.

Woo directed hits like 'Face Off' and 'Mission: Impossible II'. He hasn't directed a Chinese movie since the 1992 action thriller 'Hard-Boiled'.

'Red Cliff' opens in Taiwan, Thursday.