McDull,the clumsy but lovable piglet first seen in hit Hong Kong animated feature, My Life As McDull, is to take up kungfu.

Pre-productionhas already begun on martial arts extravaganza, McDull - Wudang, the third animated feature showcasing the pink-snoutedhero.

Thenew project sees McDull travelling to China with his mother, Mrs McBing, awould-be restaurateur who hopes to win the Hong Kong franchise for "MrsPeaceful Diet Hotpot Recipes."

InChina, McDull studies Tai Chi, competes in the International KindergartenMartial Arts Competition and learns some startling facts about his ancestor,McFucius Fatter, ("a very unimportant ancient Chinese thinker and inventor.")

Thenew film is being co-directed by Toe Yen and Brian Tse (who, along with AliceMak, first created McDull as a cartoon character in the early 1990s.) Theproject is being sold internationally by Golden Network and will be produced byBliss Picture Limited. Delivery is expected by early 2006.

Newsof McDull's venture into martial arts comes as McDull, Prince De La Bun receives its international premiere incompetition at Locarno.

Thefirst McDull film sold all over Asia. Golden Network is now looking to securethe cartoon pig a following in the European market.

UnderliningMcDull's increasing international profile, it has now been confirmed that Prince De La Bun will screen later thisyear at both the Pusan and Tokyo Festivals.

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