Chinese model Li Xin moved from the catwalk to the movie studio, with a recent role in the French action comedy "Eric et Ramzy". Now Li reveals she has landed a major role in Quentin Tarantino's latest kung-fu film.

Tarantino, the enfant terrible of the Hollywood, has long been a fervent Chinese martial arts fan. The successful action movie "Kill Bill: Vol. 2" gave him the inspiration to make a kung-fu film. And he's decided to cast top model Li Xin.

Li Xin was born in Liaoning Province and was a professional basketball player before she became an international model nine years ago. Her performance in "Eric et Ramzy" was her first ever movie role.

Li Xin made herself known to Tarantino at last year's Cannes Film Festival,where Tarantino was on the jury, and Li was publicizing "Eric et Ramzy". Her multi-lingual abilities and martial arts skills must have made a good impression, but the actress herself has a simpler explanation for his choice. She said, "I think I was chosen because I met Quentin's demand for a tall actress."

The movie is to be filmed mainly in China, and all the dialogue will be in Mandarin Chinese.