Former Bond girl Michelle Yeoh hits back at critics

Malaysian-born, Hong Kong-based actress Michelle Yeoh has hit out at criticism that she and two other leading Chinese actresses were cast as Japanese in her upcoming movie, a media report said.

ormer Bond-girl Yeoh said audiences would pay no attention to the stars' nationalities when they watch the upcoming film adaptation of the bestseller "Memoirs of a Geisha".

"Director Rob Marshall said he cast actors and actresses who are perfect for the roles rather than by their nationalities," Yeoh, in Hong Kong for a charity event, was quoted as saying in the South China Morning Post.

"And some of the biggest Japanese names are in the movie too, like Ken Watanabe and Koji Yakusho."

Eyebrows were raised when Yeoh, who is reportedly engaged to Ferrari's racing team boss, French millionaire Jean Todt, was cast alongside Chinese actresses Gong Li and Zhang Ziyi in the saga of a Japanese escort girl.

The movie is due for release at the end of the year.

Thanks to `JP` for the alert.

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