BEIJING, Sept. 1 -- Hong Kong director Johnnie To will start shooting his new movie "Linger" after he returns from Toronto and Venice film festivals in mid-September .

To's new movie "Exiled," about hit men who pursue a target in Macau, is competing for the Golden Lion award at this year's Venice Film Festival.

The assistant, Ding Yuin-Shan, said Tuesday, "The soonest he can start is when he comes back from Venice and Toronto and To is expected to return to Hong Kong in mid-September."

The Venice Film Festival runs from Wednesday to Sept. 9, while the Toronto event is scheduled for Sept. 7-16.

Ding added that To had cast mainland Chinese actress Li Bingbing and Taiwan boy band F4 member Vic Chou, but declined to give any plot details.

(Source: CRIENGLISH.com)