KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 15 -- Malaysian actor Zul Ariffin is preparing to sink his teeth into one of the most challenging roles of his career, portraying the legendary Raja Bersiong in Astro Shaw's upcoming film Baling.

Astro Shaw announced on October 13 that Zul will play Yong, also known as Raja Bersiong, the mythical fanged king associated with the ancient kingdom of Kedah in Malay folklore and literature, including Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa.

The character is traditionally depicted as a tyrannical ruler.

Baling is the latest addition to the Astro Shaw Cinematic Universe (ASCU), a shared fictional universe connecting characters and stories from the studio's local films and television series.

Speaking to Malay Mail at a media screening of...