It's common sense that leading stars are the biggest attraction to moviegoers, but the upcoming fantasy thriller The Lost Tomb seems to be an exception.

Cast members Lu Han (left) and Jing Boran. [Photo provided to China Daily]

At a promotional event on Sunday, all the spotlights were cast onto the movie's screenwriter, Xu Lei, more familiar for his pseudonym, Nanpai Sanshu (南派三叔).

Xu began to write the best-selling novel series The Lost Tomb in 2006, and since then writing the series had been his only job.

The nine-book series has sold 20 million copies and was adapted into an online series early this year. Now, fans are delighted to find the novel has been adapted into a feature-length movie, financed by LeTV.

Writer of The Lost Tomb: Xu Lei

Film stars Lu Han (Miss Granny) and Jing Boran (Monster Hunt) are cast as the two protagonists --grave robbers.

Hong Kong veteran director Daniel Lee, known for a series of martial arts epics, takes the director's job.

The movie is set to be released this year, though a premiere date has yet to be announced.

Source: chinadaily.com.cn