china
Feast Your Third Eye On Jackie Chan's New India/China Action Comedy, KUNG FU YOGA!
Certainly, martial arts and yoga share distinct similarities in fitness and philosophy aside from what makes the two stand out. But then again, it may have been only a matter of time before someone decided to come along to present an authentic feature film that ultimately dabbles with both systems of exercise. The question, of course, is how this will be done?
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Well, leave it to the productive results of a newly establiahed film co-production deal between India and China back in September which now brings word that international action superstar Jackie Chan, far and away from any hint at retirement and now boarding the new action comedy, Kung Fu Yoga. In a new report from The Hollywood Reporter via City On Fire, Viacom18 Motion Pictures India has signed a letter of intent stating the goal for the next three months to finalize the details of the film with China’s Taihe Entertainment and Shinework Media. Chan will reunite with Hong Kong veteran and director Stanley Tong whose resumé with the actor notably boasts Chan‘s crossover smash hit, Rumble In The Bronx prior to Police Story 3: Supercop, Jackie Chan’s First Strike and the 2005 period actioner, The Myth.
With a probable production slate for next year, Chan already has two projects on the way, including the February 19, 2015 IMAX 3D and 2D release of Daniel Lee’s Dragon Blade, and the upcoming international action caper, Skiptrace, with pending updates on Civilian, The Karate Kid 2 and Chinese Zodiac 2. In the meantime, with the popularity of martial arts action in India as it is, Kung Fu Yoga will likely bring fans closer to enlightenment. Meditate on that until further notice!
New Posters And Trailer Arrive For Tsui Hark's THE TAKING OF TIGER MOUNTAIN 3D
The promotional campaign has been a slow and steady one throughout the year for director Tsui Hark‘s latest offering, The Taking Of Tiger Mountain 3D. This week however, Bona Film Group is picking things up with a promotional blitz for the epic period actioner, packaged with new trailer and a flurry of new character posters to boot.
The film bares roots in history as late author Qu Bo’s 1957 debut short novel prior to becoming a popular Beijing opera during the 1960s, all based on a real-life event that took place in 1946 during the Chinese Civil War about a hero Communist soldier who infiltrates a gang of bandits. It’s a story of war, strategy and intrigue, and for our dear legendary director, that also means epic gun battles on skiis, Mexican standoffs, a dash of romance, and yes, maybe even a 3D tiger, but who’s complaining?
The Taking Of Tiger Mountain 3D is executive produced by Yu Dong and stars Zhang Hanyu, Zhou Dongyu, Gao Hu, Tong Liya, Lin Gengxin and Han Geng. Check out the latest trailer below, in addition to a previous trailer and a musical promo unveiled since the summer, along with the latest flurry of character posters just beneath.
Vincent Zhao Returns In The New Trailer For Upcoming Crime Drama, THE BOUNDARY
Actor Vincent Zhao is someone Asian action fans rarely ever hear from nowadays, but it is always good to see him staying busy, far away from previous drama. Soon, the marital arts action star will be seen in actor Wu Jing’s directorial debut, Wolf War, but not before ending the year with another riveting new crime drama that looks as hard-hitting as ever.
The film in question has a bunch of titles floating around online, but the one that seemingly sticks out the most is The Boundary. It is directed by Wang Tao stars Zhao along with Curse Of The Golden Flower co-star Liu Ye, and Black And White 2: The Dawn Of Justice 3D co-star Gulinazha in a story that centers on its two male leads in a tale that involves one man’s search for his missing fiance. The film has a plot but I can’t find anything in English, so you’re likely to find something posted by Filmsmash or some other place online in due time.
At any rate, the film gets its day on China on November 6, and has a trailer which you can check out right now, courtesy of MTime. No English-subs either, unfortunately, but hopefully you’ll get the idea.
China Pulls Opening Night Premiere Of Nicholas Cage Action Epic, OUTCAST
To say the least, the last several hours or so have been nothing short of an epic “WTF” for the folks over at Arclight Films. In a surprising move for what would have been this evening’s premiere in China for Hollywood film stunt coordinator Nick Powell‘s directorial period action adventure debut, Outcast, Chinese distributor and co-production partner, Yunan Film Group pulled the plug according to news from Screendaily.
Ying Ye, head of Arclight’s Asian label, Easternlight Films, and the film’s executive producer, Mike Gabrawy, expressed their shock and disappointment. “We are completely baffled – as far as we understood, the film had been cleared by China’s censors for release,” said Ye. “The film was so well received by all buyers who acquired it and even created a bidding war among US buyers. We are very frustrated that we were not informed.” Gawbry, who attended Beijing for the premiere, told the press “We’re still trying to get to the bottom of this – we’re in damage control on all fronts because the rest of the Asian distributors were confident and planning to go day-and-date with China. We don’t how this will affect their strategy and piracy,”. What’s more is that the report states the film does not have a solid U.S. release date despite previous reports of its Feburuary 2015 slot.
The Chinese/Canada/France produced film stars an international cast that includes Nicholas Cage and Hayden Christensen in a story of two war-weary former crusaders who are forced to take up the sword once more to protect and help a young prince reclaim his rightful place at the Imperial throne from his evil brother who has targeted him for assassination. The Four trilogy actress Crystial Liu Yifei, Special ID co-star and star of the upcoming action horror, Zombie Fight Club, Andy On and actress “Summer” Jikejunyi round out the cast.
The film was also greenlit for a sequel months earlier, but nonetheless, today’s move overseas indicates an uncertain future for the film on many fronts. Stay tuned for more updates.
H/T: Screendaily
RISE OF THE LEGEND Gets New Stills
In the late Qing Dynasty, a young man called Wong Fei Hung rises up against corruption and injustice to become a master of his time and an everlasting legend in the world of martial arts.
GENGHIS KHAN'S TREASURE Starts Filming In 2015
Chinese producing mogul Bruno Wu has been a very busy guy in the last three years, including putting together a joint venture with Hollywood producer Avi Arad. The initial goal, among others, included developing superhero properties based on Chinese culture and mythology, an objective that led to the assembly of Dragon Entertainment as of last year.
Two New Trailers Are Available For Lu Yang's Latest, BROTHERHOOD OF BLADES
One of the biggest setbacks of not being able to read and interpret Chinese is not being able to keep up with a lot of Asian cinema first hand. So, forgive me for letting writer and award-winning director Lu Yang‘s latest contribution to wuxia action, Brotherhood Of Blades, slip through the cracks.
The film is produced by Wang Donghui and regular John Woo cohort Terence Chang, and sets its story in the late Ming Dynasty where three best friends – palace guards are whisked away on a mission to hunt down an exiled eunuch politician, only to discover layers of conspiracy upon their success. Actors Chang Chen, Wang Qianyuan, Li Dongxue, Cecilia Liu and Nie Yuan round out the cast for the film’s current China release as of a few weeks ago August 7.
If you live in China and you’ve seen the film, feel free to drop a line in the comment section and share your opinions. Otherwise, feel free to check out a few new trailers that came after the initial teaser back in June.
The New THE TAKING OF TIGER MOUNTAIN 3D Teaser Skiis Its Way Online
Traction has been slow for the forthcoming release of director Tsui Hark‘s 3D period action epic, The Taking Of Tiger Moutain. Fortunately, with a possible December 2014 release looming, at least fans now get to see a small teaser of what’s to come. It doesn’t show much, except we see a modern day setting merging through a smartphone screen, transporting viewers to another era in history.
This is a little weird. Interesting, but weird… oh hell. Bring it Tsui! We love weird!
Set for a hopeful Holiday release later this year, the film is based on late author Qu Bo’s first book, the 1957 novel publication titled Tracks In The Snowy Mountain, which centers on the true story of a communist soldier who infiltrates a gang of ruthless-heavily armed bandits in Northeastern China. The principle cast includes Zhang Hanyu, Zhou Dongyu, Gao Hu, Tong Liya, Lin Gengxin and actor Han Geng making his film debut.
Check out the teaser below!
H/T: Twitchfilm
Check Out The New Teaser For THE FOUR 3D!
Banking on his promise to deliver a full trilogy as of a few years ago, director Gordon Chan has returned to the fray with the latest teaser for The Four 3D, featuring the return of our cast including Deng Chao, Crystal Liu, Anthony Wong and many more. The film marks the final installation of the franchise based on a series of novels by Malaysian author Wen Ruian about four unique detectives who use their skills to solve unsolvable crimes and apprehend powerful criminals, incidentally swept into what the film deems as their final battle with an ultimate evil force.
SYNOPSIS:
The reputation of the Four constables survives, but since Emotionless’s (Crystal Liu Yifei) departure, there have been changes at the Divine Constabulary. The four Coldblood (Deng Chao), Iron Hands (Collin Chou), Life Snatcher (Ronald Cheng), rescue Zhuge Zhengwo (Anthony Wong) from An Yunshan’s mountain fortress, then with the Emperor and Di armies, they attack.
But An Yunshan absorbs their power, which means the constables and their allies now face their most lethal opponent yet, a nearly invincible kung fu master who won’t stop until he has absolute power…
The Four 3 bows domestically on on August 22. Check out the new trailer below as well as a batch of stills from the new film courtesy of Enlight Pictues.
Wu Jing And Scott Adkins Trade Blows In The First Teaser For SPECIAL FORCE: WOLF WARRIOR!
Some say that patience is a virtue for anything worth waiting for, and for fans of martial arts stars Wu Jing and Scott Adkins, the reward is finally getting closer with the latest thirty second teaser for Wu‘s solo directorial debut, Special Force: Wolf Warrior (formerly known as Warg and Wolf War).
Up until now, we’ve only gotten small glimpses of the production with some viral stills and behind-the-scenes pics and featurette late last year. Other than that, it’s safe to say the film is still in post-production, but the film presents quite a good looking cast, which namely so far includes Yu Nan (The Expendables 2) and Vincent Zhao (The Blacksheep Affair) to name a few.
Hopefully more official info about the film’s cast, characters and plot will surface. In the meantime, with Wu still on the set of his next thriller, SPL 2: A Time For Consequences with Tony Jaa, Special Force: Wolf Warrior has finally delivered its very first, rewarding teaser, and one that will hopefully be the first of many with Wu behind the camera if he so chooses. Check it out!
H/T: Shawn Bernal
Check Out What's Happening At NYAFF 2014 This June!
Anyone in the mood for some Asian cinema? Then Lincoln Center is your place to be this summer, host to the usual wide array of films ranging from classic to contemporary projects. A few of them are currently upcoming in certain parts of the globe in one form or another. Hopefully you can attend this event yourself this month and see what all the fuss is about.
Watch An Action-Packed Promo For BLACK AND WHITE 2: THE DAWN OF JUSTICE
Check it out the now English-friendly featurette below, and stay tuned for some teaser and trailer, Fall release news ahead.