Acclaimed actress Joan Chen ("The Last Emperor", "Red Corner") has joined the cast of director Ang Lee's "Lust, Caution" for Focus Features reports The Associated Press.

Based on a 26-page short story by famed Chinese writer Eileen Chang, the story follows a group of patriotic students who plot to assassinate the intelligence chief in the Japanese-backed Chinese government during the World War II era.

Cannes best actor winner, Hong Kong's Tony Leung Chiu-wai, plays the intelligence official Mr. Yi, and Chen has been cast as his wife.

Chinese newcomer Tang Wei plays the student Wang Jiazhi, who seduces Yi to pave the way for the assassination. Chinese-American pop star Leehom Wang portrays Kuang Yumin, a student collaborator of Wang Jiazhi's.