Hong Kong actor Nicholas Tse (New Police Story/The Beast Stalker) has gone all out for his latest role in director Teddy Chan's 'Bodyguards and Assassins' (formerly titled: Dark October). The actor had his head shaved bald for the first time so that he can play a rickshaw puller in the upcoming star-studded project.

The film marks quite a departure for Tse as he foregos his squeaky-clean, handsome image in favour of a "scared look". Not only will he lose his hair, but he also spends several hours in make-up and has had to work on his tan to give him the weather-beaten look of a rickshaw puller.

'Bodyguards and Assassins' tells the story of a group of people protecting Sun Yat-Sen during his fund raising trip to Hong Kong on the 15th October, 1905. The impressive cast list also includes Donnie Yen, Leon Lai, Tony Leung Kar-fai, Fan Bing Bing, Wang Xueqi and Hu Jun. Pop singer Li Yuchun will also make her screen debut in the film.

The 150 million yuan film is produced by Peter Chan and shooting started in early April 2009. It is set to be released in December 2009.