corey yuen kwai

[UPDATED] In Memoriam: Corey Yuen Kwai (1951-2022)

A previous version of this article was updated to include newly discovered details revealed regarding Corey Yuen Kwai’s passing. Special thanks to @Olyphantastic83 for pointing me in the right direction. One of the most influential names in action cinema, Corey Yuen Kwai, reportedly passed away two years ago at the age of 71. An exact death date has not been announced, although Yuen’s death was confirmed in a statement by Tin Kai-man, spokesperson for the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers, made to news outlet HK01. “About two years ago, Yuen Kui passed away due to COVID-19, but it has not been made public due to his family’s wishes,” Tin said. “As far as I know, he had immigrated to Canada in his early years.” The update comes following a tribute post by actor and screen legend Jackie Chan who broke the news on Weibo late Sunday, while commemorating the 65th […]

HBO Asia, CMC Now In Production For Original Martial Arts Films With Action Legend Corey Yuen

Lee B. Golden III

HBO Asia and China Movie Channel are officially in production for Master Of The Drunken Fist: Beggar So and Master Of The Shadowless Kick: Wong Kei-Ying, the first two of an anthology of original Qing Dynasty-set martial arts films to broadcast exclusively throughout Asia for television. Hong Kong action stalwart Corey Yuen Kwai, and choreographer Guo Jian-Yong, both who worked together on Yuen’s stylish Shu Qi headliner in 2002, So Close, will executive produce and direct, respectively, for the airing of both films beginning later this year through HBO and their pan-Asian film network, RED. I’m a little disheartened since I live in North America and HBO Asia is exclusive solely to 23 Asian territories. HBO Asia series Halfworlds is one that certainly has my attention and in the wake of this week’s news, I kind of hope that somewhere down the line we’ll see some news whereby HBO Asia […]

Philip Ng To Portray Bruce Lee In BIRTH OF THE DRAGON

Lee B. Golden III

There probably aren’t a lot of actors who could emulate martial arts legend Bruce Lee in a biopic. That search is a certain adventure indeed and likely has been since announcing The Adjustment Bureau helmer director George Nolfi‘s new movie Birth Of The Dragon in 2013, until this week. ComingSoon.net reports Hong Kong action star Philip Ng star of last year’s Once Upon A Time In Shanghai and a longstanding purveyor in action genre with hats as stunt coordinator, fight choreographer and actor in films like Dragon Heat, New Police Story, Invisible Target, Zombie Fight Club, Young And Dangerous: Reloaded and the upcoming Undercover Punch And Gun, will portray the role of Lee. Opposite Ng in the role of Wong Jack Man will be The Painted Veil actor Yu Xia with a story told from the perspective of a young martial arts student in the 1960’s caught between the brewing […]

THE RAID And THE AVENGING FIST Make The Cut For Well Go USA's Latest Of Re-Releases!

Lee B. Golden III

Well Go USA is simultaneously releasing two Asian classics this October to DVD. I’ve only seen one of these and its Andrew Lau and Corey Yuen’s The Avenging Fist, which does make a dodgy, but notable effort in pushing the envelope for visuals. With this, I’ll be looking forward to the reinstallation of Tsui Hark and Ching Siu-Tung’s The Raid film of yesteryear as well. We can never have enough of these, I guess. Read Tuesday’s announcement and check out the classic trailers for both until official trailers arrive! PLANO, Texas. (August 18, 2015) – Well Go USA Entertainment brings two action-packed, martial arts classics back for fans of awesome Asian cinema when the adventure comedy THE RAID (1991) and the sci-fi fantasy THE AVENGING FIST (2001) debut on DVD October 6. Each film is available separately. THE RAID Synopsis: The time is 1930s. China is in a state of […]

Check Out A New 'Bullet-Time' Featurette For RISE OF THE LEGEND

Lee B. Golden III

I can’t remember exactly when it was the last time I saw a full row of cameras on a set for any movie for a “bullet-time” shot, but apparently this technique is still popular enough to use. Director Roy Chow became keen to this on the set of his upcoming new movie, Rise Of The Legend, starring leading man Eddie Peng in the title role of Wong Fei-Hung, and while some will sure have their opinions about wire-work – a technique used for decades in Asian cinema and stagework, its use here does have some technological appeal. Besides, the last thing I think anyone would want is to see Peng try to do a “No Shadow Kick” of any kind without wires. Not gonna happen, and if “bullet time” can successfully deliver the desired affect of any of these fight scenes directed by Corey Yuen Kwai and his team, then […]

Lots Of Bruises And Pain In A New Featurette For RISE OF THE LEGEND!

Lee B. Golden III

Ah! Let the teasing commense! Ten hours a day for eight months is the reported duration spent while training lead actor Eddie Peng and the principle cast and crew for the forthcoming release of director Roy Chow‘s new film, Rise Of The Legend. Peng steps into shoes of previous legendary actors to claim the role of cinematic kung fu icon and late martial arts master and healer, Wong Fei-Hung in Chow‘s origin telling of young Wong’s inspirational rise against corruption and injustice in the late Qing Dynasty. Of course, training through pre-production and principal photography didn’t come without its fair share of injuries for its cast, particularly Peng who once injured his hand on set. And this is just one of the stories fans are bound to learn more about as the film commenses its promotional push with the usual trailers, stills and behind-the-scenes featurettes, including the latest cast training […]

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[UPDATED] RISE OF THE LEGEND Shares New Ink With Pick Up From Universal

Lee B. Golden III

The latest cinematic telling of the life and legend of martial arts master and healer Wong Fei-Hung has some new production and distribution participants in its midst with news that the folks Universal Pictures International are joining in as co-producers and majority international rights holders of director Roy Chow‘s new film, Rise Of The Legend. The new film stars Unbeatable lead, actor Eddie Peng in the title role, whose image can be now seen in the newest sales banner courtesy of Deadline: The film is produced by Bill Kong with a script by Christina To, featuring Peng who follows in the footsteps of previous martial arts cinema icons and written Chinese novels dating back to the 1930’s. The lead actor is joined by co-star and producer Sammo Hung, with Wang Luodan, Jing Boran, Wong Cho Lam and SPL 2 co-star Zhang Jin, in addition to actor Tony Leung Ka-fai and […]

Every Hero Has A Beginning In The Latest Promo Image For RISE OF A LEGEND!

Lee B. Golden III

There are a few classic kung fu movies that are poised to return as remakes, namely director Roy Chow‘s forthcoming reimagining of prolific kung fu master and healer, Wong Fei Hung in the new film, Rise Of The Legend. And on the heels of the film’s recent unveiling at this year’s Hong Kong FilMart, we now have a new promotional image for the upcoming film, this time featuring Unbeatable co-star, lead actor Eddie Ping in the classic role, which you can look at below. Other previous versions have earned their own historical acclaim far and wide in the past century, with names such as Kwan Tak Hing, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and Angie Tsang, so Chow‘s version will undoubtedly be a testament to see if a newer version can deliver the goods in a unique way offers a fresher vision for a new generation of kung fu fans. The promo […]

Ruben Fleischer Set To Direct SPY HUNTER

Lee B. Golden III

ComingSoon.net has reported via Deadline that director Reuben Fleischer (Zombieland) will helm the big screen adaptation of Midway’s popular 1980’s videogame, Spy Hunter, with a screenplay from Carter Blanchard. So far the film’s only known cast will feature actor Tom Hardy (The Dark Knight Rises, Warrior) in the title role, with legendary Hong Kong fight choreographer Corey Yuen Kwai (The Legend Of Fong Sai Yuk 1 and 2, Kiss Of The Dragon, The Man With The Iron Fists) to direct the action. Filmmaker John Woo was previously attached to direct the film, with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to lead. Hardy is set to appear in George Miller’s upcoming film, Mad Max: Fury Road. Stay tuned for more info.