Director Kimble Rendall (first from left) and the cast members promote Guardians of the Tomb in Beijing. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Over the years, she has starred in a number of hits, including the 2006 romance The Knot and the 2009 espionage thriller The Message.

Her efforts in learning English are widely-known and paved the way for her foray into Hollywood, exemplified by her roles in blockbusters like Resident Evil: Retribution and Transformers: Age of Extinction.

But for the award-winning actress, Guardians of the Tomb was a new experience. For the film, she also worked as a producer, her first move on this front.

Speaking about the experience, she says: "I even participated in cast selection and chose some of the actors."

Besides Li, the cast features Bruneian actor Wu Chun, American actors Kellan Lutz and Kelsey Grammer, and Australian actress Stef Dawson.

Referring to Lutz's selection, Li says his role in the fantasy film The Legend of Hercules (2014) impressed her. As for Wu, she says he was picked because he speaks English and Mandarin fluently, and was perfect for the role — the younger brother of the protagonist scientist played by Li.