KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 13 -- Veteran Malaysian actor Zul Ariffin has stepped into the world of Malay folklore as the lead star of Baling, the latest upcoming film under the Astro Shaw Cinematic Universe (ASCU) banner.

The ASCU is a shared fictional universe connecting characters and stories from Astro Shaw's local films and television series.

Directed by Anwari Ashraf, whose previous work includes the Projek: High Council series and the Keluang Man film, Baling is set to be an action-horror thriller inspired by Raja Bersiong, the mythical ruler known as the fanged king.

The character originated in Malay folklore and literature, including Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa, which tells of a tyrannical ruler associated with the ancient kingdom of Ked...