china
Pre-Production Begins For Yuen's CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON 2
Zhang Ziyi and Michelle Yeoh engage a sisterly clash of swords and will in Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000).
Well, it’s been a little over a year since it was reported that The Weinstein Company secured the rights to late Chinese author Wang Du Lu’s Crane/Iron pentalogy which inspired director Ang Lee’s 2000 award-winning Chinese-language wuxia epic, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Needless to say, it was a hit, and fourteen years later, the film is finally getting a sequel in the form of a prequel titled Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2: The Green Destiny.
This month, there’s more movement now being made for the film as pre-production has officially kicked off with plans to film most of the movie in New Zealand, courtesy of Auckland-based Iron Knight productions with the remainder of the film to be shot in China. The film is being directed by legendary action master Yuen Woo-Ping, with a script by Netflix Marco Polo series creator John Fusco, based on the fifth book of Wang’s Crane/Iron Pentalogy of novels.
The new movie will also reunite Master Yuen with actress Michelle Yeoh reportedly reprising her role from the first movie, along side the franchise’s latest addition, international action superstar Donnie Yen, all of whom previously share respective credits working on such kung fu classics like the 1993 Michael Mak film, Butterfly And Sword, and Master Yuen‘s 1994 film, Wing Chun. There’s no word yet on whether or not actress Zhang Ziyi will reprise her old role from the first film since recent news of her retirement from action roles. So, obviously, more updates lie in waiting.
The film is expected to be shot in both English and Mandarin languages and released sometime in 2015. In addition, more news is expected to come forward on Master Yuen‘s previously-announced July 2014 filming of Zu Warriors: Dawn Of Darkness, to be produced by Tsui Hark, as well as the contemporary potential trilogy kickoff, Vigilantes: The Lost Order.
H/T: NZ Herald, CriEnglish
Updates On FENG SHEN BANG Concept Art And Production
That very strategist will be played in a supporting role by Li himself, with actress Qi and The Grandmaster star, actor Tony Leung Ka-Fai respectively portraying the vixen spirit, Daji, and the tyrannical king she manipulates, King Zhou. Feng Shen Bang will also star Huang Xiaoming as mythological Zhou army ally Erlang Shen, along with actress Angelababy as a mermaid, Louis Koo as Buddhist wisdom god Mahamayuri, Wen Zhang playing Nezha, and Jacky Heung as Leizhenzi.
Concept Art For Wilson Yip's FENGSHEN YANYI Film Appears Online
Action legend Jet Li has seen his fair share of career highs and lows; His most recent coming as the result of his current condition in the form of hyperthyroidism which forced the actor to step back from his normal physical routine, a move that also reportedly took a toll on his ability to stay in shape. As a result, while the 50 year old actor’s career has given him plenty of space to relax and breath as he moves up in age, the future seemed a bit foggy as to whether or not fans would ever see Li do another action film, or more films at all.
Last year, it was reported that the actor stated to the press that he wouldn’t necessarily be making films for money anymore. In essence, it basically sums up the notion that he would pick certain projects — that was a while before reports of his hyperthyroidism finally went public. So other than the forthcoming release of The Expendables 3, fans shouldn’t be too eager to see the actor performing more than he can handle at the rate things are now going. However, details do await for Li’s latest cinematic venture, and it’s happening with none other than oft-Donnie Yen collaborator Wilson Yip.
Chinese media is currently circulating at least two conceptual pieces of art which are being used as references for roles to be played by Li and actress Shu Qi for the forthcomimg production of Yip’s big screen adaptation of the 16th century Chinese novel, tentatively titled Fengshen Yanyi, otherwise known as The Investiture Of The Gods. While other official news awaits reporting, sources indicate the new film will take place between 1600 BC and 256 BC, focusing on the epic battle led by King Wu against tyrannical King Zhou leading up to the fall of the Shang Dynasty. Furthermore, Li and Qi will be joined by a cast that also includes Louis Koo, Huang Xiaoming, actress AngelaBaby, and actor Tony Leung Ka-Fai, all of which may encompass some of the story’s human heroes, immortals and spiritual beings in some shape or form or another.
More information is required at this point, particularly as we are still waiting for some solid news on Yip‘s other previously announced involvement on Ip Man 3D. Other than that, it’s fair to say that Jet Li fans might have another epic film on their hands. And it’s still pretty early too. So patience is a must.
Source: iFeng
H/T: Kozo
Check Out The Explosive New Teaser For URBAN GAMES
Web is a fanatic of extreme sports, who indulges in Parkour during the night. When his sister is kidnapped, his determination to save her kicks off a game of life and death.
Wang Baoqiang Stars In Columbia Pictures' THE MONK!
Martial arts cinema fans have something more to look forward to between now and the next few years, thanks to the added efforts of none other than Columbia Pictures.
Get Your Sexy Female Agent Action Kicks In The Explosive New Trailer For AMEERA
Taiwanese filmmaker Xu Hong Hui‘s latest action thriller, Ameera, is hitting the cinemas in China on April 4, 2014, centered on a female agent who sets out to prevent a terrorist attack after failing her last mission. While there doesn’t seem to be much else to the premise, we do get a batch of stills and a fresh new trailer below which may or may not be self-descriptive depending on your knowledge of the film itself. We also get a glimpse of actress Patricia Hu back on the big screen with international action actor and co-star of The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions and Well Go USA’s latest release of Special ID, Collin Chou, headlining the film in classic kicking action since their late 2013 appearance in Angel Warriors.
Action, Romance And Wuxia Majesty Highlight The New Trailer For THE WHITE HAIRED WITCH OF LUNAR MOUNTAIN
Based on the classic martial arts novel by Liang Yusheng, it evolves around a pair of star-crossed lovers — a devilish outlaw (Fan Bingbing) and the righteous Taoist leader (Huang Xiaoming), and their love that could change the fate of the nation.
Justin Lin Lines Up To Helm SHAOLIN TEMPLE 3D
Having passed up offers to direct the pending Highlander reboot and the next Terminator movie since finishing up his participation in the Fast And Furious franchise with part six, director Justin Lin has since volunteered to take on Universal Pictures’ next Bourne film which will see Jeremy Renner return for a release date set for August 14, 2015. But taking on the classic superspy character based on the work of late novel author Robert Ludlum won’t be all Lin will place his focus on for the next few years, with the latest reports based on statements made a press conference this week in Beijing.
Lin, who also directed the mockumentary 70’s comedic martial arts spoof, Finishing The Game, is returning to his kung fu roots, reportedly aiming a $100 million 3D remake of director Chang Hsin Yen’s 1982 martial arts film, Shaolin Temple. Based on Shaolin folklore, the 1982 film takes place between the Sui and Tang Dynasties and centers on the story of a young man who escapes certain death and is spirited away to a Shaolin Temple where he is nursed back to health and taught kung fu, before setting out to avenge his father’s death at the hands of a corrupt general who betrays the Tang Emperor and usurps himself to power.
Prior to getting remade in 2011 under director Benny Chan’s Shaolin, the ’82 film led to two loosely attached sequels formulating a Shaolin Temple “trilogy”, headlining several earlier successes that would see a much younger Jet Li rise to kung fu cinema superstardom with a following transition to Hollywood blockbuster action hero before ultimately slowing down as of late due to a hyperactive thyroid condition. Coincidentally, the film is the second of Li’s previous work to find headlines once more since actor Eddie Peng landed the lead role of Wong Fei-Hung last year in Roy Chow’s upcoming film, Rise Of A Legend.
Shaolin Temple 3D is the latest project highlighting the new partnership between Beijing Enlight Pictures, Seven Stars and Perfect Storm with Troy Poon, Bruno Wu and Wang Changtian producing the film, while a Hollywood A-list writer is being sought after for the project.
Lin will also be executive producing the aforementioned Highlander reboot which will be helmed by Cedric Nicolas-Troyan.
H/T: Deadline, Impact
Go Behind The Scenes With The Cast And Crew Of THE MONKEY KING: THE LEGEND BEGINS
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[UPDATED] Chow Yun-Fat Goes FROM VEGAS TO MACAU In A New English-Subbed Trailer
The first trailer for writer and director Wong Jing‘s slick card tossing action comedy, The Man From Macau aired a few weeks ago, featuring actor Chow Yun-Fat reprising his classic role from the original God Of Gamblers film franchise. And this week, we finally get the same trailer with English subtitles and Cantonese audio (in addition to a new poster), and the Hong Kong title as it was previously noted throughout the year, From Vegas To Macau.
Kitamura's LUPIN III Gets A New Set Photo And Release Date
While we await further developments on the previously announced Versus sequel, acclaimed director Ryuhei Kitamura‘s upcoming action adventure heist flick, Lupin III continues to make headlines since beginning filming in October, and releasing several set photos featuring the cast and crew from its epic shoot. As such, the latest set picture (available below comes from the crew’s current filming location in Chendai, China as per a shooting schedule which also included Japan and Thailand.
Anime News Network forwarded the new photo above with news that the film has been slated for an August 30, 2014 release. Adapted for the screen by Mataichirō Yamamoto, Lupin III is based on a 1967 Japanese manga publication about a gentleman thief who, with the help of his crew, travels the world stealing priceless artifacts prior to announcing his intentions via calling card before every heist.
The film’s plot is said to be centered on how the main character and his crew initially met before forming their infamous gang. The film stars Shun Oguri who plays the lead role, along with Tetsuji Tamayama starring as Daisuke Jigen, actress Go Ayano as Goemon Ishikawa, actor Tadanobu Asano as Detective Kōichi Zenigata, and Meisa Kuroki as Fujiko Mine. Jerry Yan, South Korean singer Kim Joon and Thailand actor Thanayong Wongtrakul round out the cast.
Stay tuned for more info.
China And Korea To Co-Produce THE FIST This Year
The Hollywood Reporter states this week that director Park Kwang-hyun (pictured left) best know for his work on the 2005 blockbuster, Welcome To Dongmakgol, is helming what is being described as the largest-ever film co-production between Korea and China. CJ E&M’s latest project, The Fist, will share co-backing with China Film Group, and privately owned Pegasus & Taihe Entertainment.
KING OF THE STREET Hits North America This Summer!
The film stars Yue Song who co-produced and directed the film with Zhong Lei. Becki Li, Liu Ming, Wang Zaihe, Yang Junping and Hou Xu also star in the film, and is co-produced by Patrick Kong Lingchen. Song also wrote, co-edited and choreographed the explosive, non-wired fight sequences in the film.
Xing Yu Unleashes Kung Fu Fury In THE WRATH OF VAJRA
The film stars 34 year old Xing Yu (a.k.a. Shi Yanneng) a former shaolin monk who has already dazzled audiences on stage and in several films, including Fatal Contact, Flash Point, Ip Man, and twice with veteran action performer and director Xin Xin Xiong in Once Upon A Time 3 and Shaolin to name a few.
Stan Lee To Co-Produce ‘Perfect Chinese’ Superhero Film, ANNIHILATOR
Several reports came out as of last week from a press release about an upcoming new film based on one of Stan Lee‘s latest comic book creations, Annihilator, which has been in development since 2011. The feature film will be based on a script from screenwriter Dan Gilroy, whose previous works include Real Steel and The Bourne Legacy. It will be produced by Stan Lee alongside Barry Josephson and Magic Storms Entertainment, along with Douglas Falconer and Chinese state run National Film Capital who is also co-financing the film, which will consist of a budget of up to $150 million dollars.
NEWS: New Set Photos from upcoming film "FIST OF THE DRAGON"
According to the film’s IMDb page, the plot synopsis reads the following: