Hong Kong actress Maggie Cheung will star in Quentin Tarantino's World War II film "Inglourious Basterds," the actress has said.

Cheung, 44, who has settled down in Beijing with her German architect boyfriend Ole Scheeren, went back to Hong Kong over the weekend to promote a brand she endorses, Star Daily reported.

The Cannes best actress told the newspaper she would only appear in a couple of scenes. However, the role would be challenging because she has to speak French.

Written and directed by the Oscar-winning Tarantino, the film will be led by Brad Pitt as the leader of eight Jewish-American soldiers. Cheung will play a French woman who owns a cinema in Paris.

"My character is very interesting," Cheung was quoted as saying, "But it's a pity I wouldn't be able to star in a scene together with Brad Pitt."

The film is set for release at next year's Cannes Film Festival in May.