'I take on more positive roles so my daughter can see me at my best'
Taiwan actor Chang Chen says fatherhood has changed how he chooses his films.
Being a new father has made Taiwanese actor Chang Chen more cautious when choosing his acting roles.
The 38-year-old - who married his former assistant Ann Zhuang, 38, in 2013 after dating for four years - welcomed his baby girl in March.
Speaking to local media over the phone from Taiwan recently to promote his latest film The Assassin, Chang said in Mandarin: “I think comedies are good. The roles are usually more relaxing. As for action films, if the role is attractive, I will still take it on. It will have to depend on the script. I want to take on more positive roles so that my daughter can see me at my best.”
As for roles which require him to share passionate scenes with his female co-stars, he said: “Now that I have a family, there are some changes at home. I might need to compromise, unlike in the past.”
He added: “If the script is good, I might still take it. I will put more consideration into choosing the role though.”
On being a first-time dad, Chang said that the experience is “different but quite interesting”.
“I am very happy and I am not that nervous about being a father. I am planning to take on less projects nowadays to spend more time with my daughter,” he said.
“These days, I can’t bear to leave her if I need to go to work.”
The Assassin, a martial arts period film helmed by Taiwanese director Hou Hsiao-Hsien, opens here on Sept 10.
It tells the story of Nie Yinniang (Shu Qi), who is highly skilled in martial arts and is sent by her master to her hometown in Weibo, a province in China, to assassinate its ruler Lord Tian (Chang).
Chang was first paired with Shu, 39, in Hou’s 2005 film Three Times, and later in 2007’s Blood Brothers.
On working with the Taiwanese actress again, Chang said: “Nothing much changed as we are all good friends and we meet up from time to time to catch up. We have on-screen chemistry because we are quite familiar with each other.”
He jokingly added: “I think my acting has improved in the last 10 years, so did hers.”
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