Singapore's Scorpio East Pictures has inked a six-movie package deal with Hong Kong's Emperor Motion Pictures (EMP), including Derek Yee's Japan-set Shinjuku Incident starring Jackie Chan, Daniel Wu and Naoto Takenaka.

The deal also includes Chen Kaige's Mei Lanfang, a biopic of the legendary Peking opera singer with Leon Lai in the title role and co-starring Zhang Ziyi.

This marks the first collaboration between the two companies, following the end of an output deal between EMP and exhibitor-distributor Shaw late last year.

'With recent hits such as 881, Ah Long Pte Ltd and Kung Fu Dunk, Scorpio East Pictures has put down the marker as one of the leading distributors in Singapore,' said EMP's CEO Albert Lee.

The deal, which covers theatrical, home video and free-to-air TV rights for Singapore, also includes Jeff Lau's The Fantastic Waterbabes, a madcap aquatic comedy that stars Alex Fong, Gillian Chung, Stephen Fung and Chinese Olympic diving gold medalist Tian Liang; Sylvia Chang's Run Papa Run, starring Rene Liu and Louis Koo; Home Run, starring Chapman To and Fan Bingbing; and Yes, I Can See Dead People, starring Steven Cheung.

According to Scorpio East Pictures' general manager Lim Teck, the company has aggressive plans in store for this year, aiming to release 15-20 titles. Also on its slate are John Woo's hugely-anticipated Red Cliff and Japanese films Kwak Jae-young's Cyborg She and Midnight Eagle.

The company which is also reinforcing its position as a leading producer is due to open Rule #1 by Singapore director Kelvin Tong (The Maid) in Malaysia and Singapore on March 13. The cop horror thriller is set in Hong Kong and features a Hong Kong cast of Shawn Yue and Ekin Cheng.

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