Nick Cheung now acting with his teachers

He is part of an all-star cast featuring veteran actor Chow Yun Fat and two of the four Heavenly Kings - Andy Lau and Jacky Cheung.

Rather than feeling overshadowed, Nick Cheung (left), who at 48 is the youngest among the male stars, is grateful for the opportunity to learn from them.

"When Andy and brother Fat were filming God Of Gamblers, I hadn't started acting yet," said the Hong Kong actor and director.

"People come into entertainment for different reasons with different attitudes. If you chance upon people like Andy, Jacky, brother Fat, then you'd be able to learn from them and draw inspirations from them.

"I've been following their footsteps for many years. You rarely see things go awry for them, as long as you stay on solid ground and stay focused."

WORK ETHIC

Cheung, who plays a former employee of a professional money laundering organisation in From Vegas To Macau III, said he detests gambling in real life and tries to practise the working lifestyles of the "older generation" like his co-stars.

"Stay away from rumours, avoid staying out late, be focused on (your) craft," said Cheung.

He has certainly been rewarded for keeping to that.

Cheung has won many Best Actor accolades, including the Golden Horse Award and the Hong Kong Film Award for his roles in Beast Stalker (2008) and Unbeatable (2013).

He recently received a Best Actor nomination at the latter awards for his role in Keeper Of Darkness.

Cheung, who will be departing on the fourth day of Chinese New Year to film a movie in Brazil, is philosophical about his chances and the rivalry between his co-stars and fellow nominees Lau and Jacky Cheung.

This article was first published on Feb 2, 2016.
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