Crouching Tiger Shooting Star : Zhang Ziyi Can Kick, Swing a Sword and Throw Jackie Chan. No Wonder Hollywood Loves Her

Liu, Melinda, Hesse, Katharina, Platt, Kevin, Newsweek International

Zhang Ziyi never dreamed she'd spend her 21st birthday in a Las Vegas casino. But then, the Chinese actress probably didn't imagine she'd be costarring with Jackie Chan in an American action film, either. Or, for that matter, deciding what to wear to the Oscars next month. Nonetheless, those are the circumstances she found herself in two weeks ago. During a break from filming inside the Desert Inn casino, the cast and crew of "Rush Hour 2" burst out singing "Happy Birthday" to Zhang, who plays a high-kicking, crimson-fingernailed villain. Chan gave her a necklace; director Brett Ratner gave her heart-shaped Cartier diamond earrings. "Jackie and I competed to outdo each other," he jokes. "I told Ziyi, 'I'll put you in my next movie.' Then Jackie said, 'I'll put you in my next three movies'."

They're not the only ones clamoring for Zhang. Ever since she starred in Zhang Yimou's "The Road Home" three years ago, the glossy-haired actress with the warm smile and the dancer's physique has been winning kudos--and ardent …

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Publication information: Article title: Crouching Tiger Shooting Star : Zhang Ziyi Can Kick, Swing a Sword and Throw Jackie Chan. No Wonder Hollywood Loves Her. Contributors: Liu, Melinda - Author, Hesse, Katharina - Author, Platt, Kevin - Author. Magazine title: Newsweek International. Publication date: February 26, 2001. Page number: 48. © 2009 Newsweek, Inc. All rights reserved. Any reuse, distribution or alteration without express written permission of Newsweek is prohibited. For permission: www.newsweek.com. COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group.

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