HONG KONG, Jan 21 (AP) -- Director Ang Lee said Saturday he chose Chow Yun-fat over Andy Lau for his Oscar-winning kung fu movie "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" because Chow was more suitable for the role, but that he's still eager to work with Lau.

The subject was first broached when Lau mentioned at an event promoting Lee's new movie, "Brokeback Mountain," in Hong Kong that he had received the script for "Crouching Tiger" but never heard again from the filmmakers.

"I think Chow Yun-fat was more suitable to play the role," Lee explained to reporters backstage after the event. "His image, his acting skills are more suited for the role."

Chow plays a veteran kung fu fighter who's secretly in love with a female fighter but suppresses his feelings.

"You can't make sentimental choices when making a movie," Lee said, adding that he still hopes to collaborate with Lau, one of the Chinese-speaking world's biggest stars with successful singing and acting careers.

"He's a very outstanding actor. His acting skills are very polished," Lee said of Lau.

Lau didn't appear to harbor hard feelings, saying it's better if he's offered roles that fit him.

"I think it's better if he comes up with or comes across a script that won't work without Andy Lau," Lau told reporters.