Bai Ling joins 'Crank' sequel

By Gregg Goldstein

April 20, 2008, ET

Amy Smart, Dwight Yoakam and Efren Ramirez will reprise their roles in the Jason Statham action sequel "Crank: High Voltage," with Bai Ling joining the cast as a hooker.

The Lionsgate/Lakeshore Entertainment production revolves around the further adventures of hard-charging hit man Chev Chelios (Statham), his girlfriend (Smart), his concerned doctor (Yoakam) and the cross-dresser who loves him (Ramirez).

Bai Ling ("Love Ranch") plays Rai, a call girl obsessively pursuing Chelios for romantic reasons. She teams up with him to hunt down the Chinese mobster who has stolen his heart, literally.

Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, who directed the 2006 original, return to helm "High Voltage," which Lionsgate will distribute in North America and Lakeshore will rep for international sales.

Lakeshore's Tom Rosenberg, Gary Lucchesi, Skip Williamson and Richard Wright will produce.

Ling is repped by Paradigm, Smart by Endeavor and Untitled Entertainment, Yoakam by WMA and Ramirez by Kazarian/Spencer & Associates and Ken Jacobson Management Group.

Bai Ling joins 'Crank' sequel

By Gregg Goldstein

April 20, 2008, ET