Director John Woo ("A Better Tomorrow") said he wants to make sports-themed movie with hurdler Liu Xiang and diver Guo Jingjing. Is he being forced to make a propaganda film for China?

It's probably not true, but that doesn't mean we can't speculate. Let's start with this report from the Hollywood Reporter.

"I have wanted to produce a sports-themed movie for some time now. I want real athletes to be my lead actors so that we can portray the athlete's spirit accurately. I think Guo Jingjing and Liu Xiang will fit the bill," Woo told the attendees at a charity dinner.

However, that's news to Woo's longtime producing partner Terrence Chang.

"This is the first I have heard it. It's probably wishful thinking," Chang was quoted saying.

Chang also said that he liked to find stories first and then cast accordingly, "not the other way around."

So, if this is not standard operation procedure for Woo and Chang, was Woo approached by the Chinese government to make a movie about these athletes?Hmm...