HONG KONG, May 25 (AP) -- Oscar winner Ang Lee will start directing a Chinese-language spy thriller set in World War II-era Shanghai this fall, reuniting with the team behind kung fu box office hit "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragen," a film company said Thursday.

The new project, entitled "Lust, Caution," marks Lee's return to Chinese-language cinema after making "The Hulk" and the gay romance "Brokeback Mountain," which won him best director Oscar this year.

Wang Hui-ling, who worked on "Crouching Tiger," will author the script, an adaptation of a short story by famed late Chinese novelist Eileen Chang, and Bill Kong, who produced "Crouching Tiger," will produce, the Focus Features film company said in a statement.

Lee's longtime writing and producing partner, Focus Features Chief Executive James Schamus, will serve as executive producer, Focus said.

The Focus statement did not gave no details on the budget or casting choices.

Focus is the art-house film arm of the media company NBC Universal. It also made "Brokeback Mountain."