The mega production, which set to open in North America next July and has no China release date yet, is now in the post-production phase.

The Fifth Element had only 180 visual-effect shots, but Valerian and The city of A Thousand Planets has 2,740, Besson says.

"When I saw the technologies that came after The Fifth Element, I was pissed off. I always said then I would avenge this one day ... This (film) is my avenger."

But he also says digital effects in some senses hinder creativity.

"I need to work with actors, who give me a dimension that you cannot reproduce with a machine," he says.

The Beijing event was Besson's first public appearance in China since the Chinese company Fundamental announced it had become the second-largest shareholder in Besson's EuropaCorp in September.

He was reluctant to provide details when asked about Chinese actor Kris Wu, who is also cast in Valerian.

He also says he would not like to direct films in China because he feels only homegrown directors can master the essence of their cultures and histories.

He says that just as he believes American directors cannot do justice to a French film, the best Chinese films can be made only by Chinese directors.