The Kung Fu Cinema website is reporting that legendary Hong Kong film director Tsui Hark (Once Upon A Time in China, A Better Tomorrow, Chinese Ghost Story, The Legend of Zu) will direct a live action film based on the Japanese street racing manga, Initial D.  The film will be shot on locations in China and Japan starting in October and will feature Edison Chen as Takumi, the delivery boy who becomes a street racing legend. 

The live action film is further proof of the growing worldwide momentum of the Initial D property.  Tokyopop publishes the Initial D manga in the U.S. and is readying a major advertising campaign for the Initial D anime series (see 'Tokyopop Plans A Major Push For Initial D'), which debuts in September.  Meanwhile the Alderac Entertainment Group is getting ready to launch the Initial D Collectible Card Game in October (see 'Details On The Initial D CCG').