Sammul Chan plays a young Jiang Ziya in new series

28 Oct – Actor Sammul Chan will be playing the role of Chinese military strategist Jiang Ziya in his upcoming period drama, "The Investiture Of The Gods".

According to QQ website, Jiang Ziya has always been portrayed as an elderly character, especially since he helped overthrow the Shang Dynasty when he was around 80 years old, when it was announced that 35-year-old Sammul will be playing a youthful version of the character instead, it attracted many criticism.

To this, Sammul clarified, "In this drama, Jiang Ziya is described as a disciple of Taoist deity, Yuanshi Tianzun and possesses the ability to alter his outer appearance to look youthful."

Sammul likened the character's attempt to look younger to how modern companies are rejecting old men as employees, saying, "Jiang found it difficult to enjoy his success at old age and decided to make himself younger and more good looking."

The series also stars mainland Chinese actress Viann Zhang, who plays Jiang's enemy, Daji, who is a fox-spirit serving as a concubine of the last ruler of the Shang Dynasty.

"The Investiture Of The Gods" is scheduled to broadcast in early 2014.