Initially, Leonardo DiCaprio was interested in the role of Jack in the film, but he had just finished filming "Titanic" and went to France to film "The Man in the Iron Mask". Tire Rong, coupled with the continuous shooting of two costume films, he was also worried that continuing to play the film would be finalized, so Ang Lee later chose Tobey Maguire, who had collaborated in "Ice Storm". Ang Lee believes that although Toby is not particularly masculine, he pays more attention to his inner feelings. He is the first person to play Jack in his mind.
The young widow Su Li is the only female character in the film. Ang Lee's requirement for this character is to be sexy, able to suppress the masculine atmosphere of the whole film, and not just a vase. Jewel's role as Su Li was suggested by the casting director Ivy Kaufman. For this reason, the film crew also arranged for her to take a three-month drama class. Later, after three months of observation and two auditions, Ang Lee felt that she had a talent for acting, so she decided to take the lead
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