#SHOWBIZ: 'It's really been a long time': Edison Chen makes acting comeback in Malaysia

GEORGE TOWN: Hong Kong actor Edison Chen is making his return to the big screen after a 10-year hiatus, starring in a Chinese New Year film currently being shot in Malaysia.

The 45-year-old actor attended the film's lensing ceremony here on Sept 17, alongside veteran actor Anthony Wong and Samuel Pang.

Cheers erupted when Chen was handed the microphone, reflecting his enduring popularity among fans.

Chen had previously scaled back his acting commitments to focus on his fashion business and spend more time with his family.

Speaking at the ceremony, he said he was excited to return to filmmaking.

"It's really been a long time, so I'm very excited to start filming. I'll do my best and continue to work hard. Thank you, everyone," he said in a news report yesterday.

Wong, 65, also expressed his happiness at returning to Penang, where he had not filmed for a decade.

However, he joked that the city's famous food had already taken a toll on his waistline.

"Penang is not only beautiful. The food is also irresistible. I've eaten so much that I've gained weight. I'll have to lose weight next," Wong said.

For Pang, 49, the production marks his first visit to the island. He said he had already developed a fondness for the local food and was grateful for the opportunity to work with Chen and Wong again.

"I'm very grateful to the director for giving me the opportunity to work with Anthony and Edison again," Pang said.

The film, which began shooting on Sept 7, is scheduled to wrap by the end of the month, with filming also taking place in Kuala Lumpur, China and Italy.