John Woo's new film The Crossing

Casually dressed in a black T-shirt and khaki pants, Takeshi Kaneshiro turned up for the prayer ceremony of director John Woo's new film The Crossing (previously titled Pacific Wheel) in Beijing last Saturday. The Japanese-Taiwanese actor appeared to be in high spirits as he wore a huge smile throughout the event, sending the female crew's hearts aflutter. Netizens, who previously mocked the heartthrob for 'losing his charm', also exclaimed that his 'good looks have returned'. However, the actor's manager maintained that Takeshi Kaneshiro has 'always been the same'. 'There is no change [in his appearance],' he said. The Crossing is set to commence filming, following a five-year delay due to John Woo's health problems, the actors' conflicting schedules and copyright issues. Besides Takeshi Kaneshiro, the movie will also feature other A-listers such as Zhang Ziyi, Huang Xiao Ming, Song Hye Kyo and Masami Nagasawa. Set in the Sino-Japanese War period, the film depicts the entwining love stories of three couples who eventually find happiness after going through tumultuous times.