'Guardians of the Tomb': Li Bingbing's China-Australian co-production premiers

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After a two-year hiatus, Chinese actress Li Bingbing is back with her new movie: "Guardians of the Tomb". The adventure thriller is inspired by the story of a mummified Chinese emperor from 200 B.C., and also stars Kelsey Grammar and Kellan Lutz. CGTN's Julian Waghann brings you more from the movie's world premiere in Beijing.

Li Bingbing, who plays a venom expert in the film, is flanked by fellow actors Kellan Lutz, Chun Wu and Stef Dawson. Singer-actor Chun Wu played Bingbing's brother in the film. She says he knows how to take good care of a sister.

LI BINGBING ACTRESS & PRODUCER "Chun Wu is as handsome on the outside as he is on the inside. I was suffering horribly from a strep throat while we were shooting in Australia. He made me these marinated eggs and brought them to the set for me. It took him days to make them. It made me homesick. And since then, I've acquired the habit of eating marinated eggs."

The premiere comes almost two years after the film was shot, providing a chance for a much-anticipated cast reunion.

Kellan Lutz had just gotten married. He was gifted with a special wedding ceremony a la chinoise. Except, he took on the role of Li Bingbing's bride.

The red veil, traditionally meant to keep the bride's identity a secret, cannot camouflage the chemistry between the two on-screen lovers.

KELLAN LUTZ ACTOR "I wish I wore it to my wedding, because it's way more comfortable."

Shooting the film, however, was anything but comfortable. While part of the film was shot in grueling conditions in the Gobi desert, much of the story takes place in underground tombs. On top of all that, the bulk of the film's dialogue is in English, posing a real challenge for Chinese actress Li Bingbing.

STEF DAWSON ACTRESS "Taking on a lead role in any film is hard enough as it is, but to navigate in a language that is not your first language. It is just incredible. And the nuances within her performance while handling another language. My hat is off to you forever."

Australian director Kimble Rendall is no stranger to China. The success of his horror-thriller "Bait 3D" in China brought him to the people that may very well have first discovered his homeland.

KIMBLE RENDALL DIRECTOR "When I was at school in Australia, we learned that the Dutch and the English discovered Australia. And the more I read about history and looked into it, I found these drawings in the aboriginal caves in the northern territory. And they were drawings of Chinese boats that came to Australia. So, basically, I'm telling everyone, China discovered Australia."

"Guardians of the Tomb" is in theaters across China from January 19th. JW, CGTN.