Top action queen Michelle Yeoh steps into another film genre

International star Michelle Yeoh plays Corazon in Danny Boyle’s futuristic thriller "SUNSHINE" whose mission is to bring life back to the earth’s dying sun.

In the movie, Corazon (Yeoh) is a Biologist in charge of the Icarus II’s oxygen garden — the ship’s primary source of oxygen and fresh food.

"I almost want to say that Corazon is the luckiest crew member as she has the oxygen garden," says Yeoh. "She just keeps on running her experiments and growing food. But, of course, none of us are prepared for the tragic events that occur. This movie has turned out to be much more psychological and spiritual in a way. The crew is on a very intense journey. When you look out into space, what are you looking for? If you stare into the abyss long enough, you might lose your soul."

"Reading the script I knew I wanted Michelle to be in the film," director Boyle explains. "Before I’d seen CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, I’d seen her in TOMORROW NEVER DIES and I was completely captivated by her. She takes the Bond Girl and inhabits it with her own individuality and identity and I loved her in it."

"I always believe the director is the soul of a movie," notes Yeoh. "You may have a great script but if you don’t have a director with vision, you have an ordinary film. Danny has that vision and is passionate and dynamic. He is wonderful to work with and always surprises you. He challenges you as you work together and he gives you a sense of doing something new, making you reach out for something that has not been done before."

International audiences may best know Michelle Yeoh as the intense swordswoman in Ang Lee’s gripping CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON and the charming secret agent in the James Bond hit TOMORROW NEVER DIES. Her recent credits include starring in Rob Marshall’s adaptation of Arthur Golden’s international bestseller, MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA produced by Steven Spielberg, and opposite Sean Bean in Asif Kapadia’s forthcoming TRUE NORTH.

Since she stepped into the Hong Kong film world in 1984, Yeoh has starred in 24 films, becoming the world’s top action queen. In her movies, she has always challenged the traditional views of Asian women by creating very strong female roles.

In 2000, Yeoh produced and starred in THE TOUCH, a $20 million contemporary romantic action adventure set in China. In 2003, she produced and starred in SILVER HAWK, a $15 million futuristic action adventure shot in China and Japan. She is presently in production with Vin Diesel and her SUNSHINE co-star Mark Strong in Mathieu Kassovitz’s futuristic action thriller BABYLON A.D.

"SUNSHINE" opens April 7 in theaters nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.