donnie yen
[UPDATED] Yen's NOODLE MAN To Commence Filming This Summer
I blundered my earlier report on Wednesday pertaining to the news regarding one of action star Donnie Yen‘s most recent films announced, Noodle Man. The film was mentioned last year as the long-awaited Hollywood debut for the soon-to-be 52 year old martial arts superstar following an electric 31-year career in film spanning from Hong Kong cinema to action films in other markets, with just a few appearances in Hollywood to boot, and there is some actual news to share, still.
The film will reportedly begin principal photography this summer with Daming Chen helming and Michael Shamberg producing. The film will center on Yen in the role of a down-and-out ex-cop-turned-noodle shop owner who crosses paths with the Chinese drug lord responsible for his partner’s death fifteen years earlier. Casting rumors are rampant with the IMDb page listing actress Michelle Yeoh with previous mentions of actors Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino said to star as well, so hopefully we’ll learn more on that end. It’s also interesting in that Yen has even went on social media himself to announce his currently-filming Ip Man 3D to be his last action film, which would be reasonable considering concerns he’s shared to the public regarding his own health. Perhaps what he meant to say is that it would be his last kung fu film, but that doesn’t necessarily take away the physical demands of doing other action movies which Noodle Man is presumably said to be.
The film is just one of several titles which were said to be on the way, including Dragon City, The Master, Wesley and The Seven Fortunes, whilst other projects may be in store for his own banner at Superhero Films since 2013, which could mark the start of a prominent film career behind the lens. Time will tell as we wait to see what happens next, and whether or not Yen’s FINAL outing in the action and martial arts genre will come to pass. Meanwhile, Well Go USA will release Kung Fu Killer into the North American wild next week followed by The Weinstein Company’s August release of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2: The Green Legend.
Stay tuned for more info.
Head’s up to City On Fire for pointing out my error. At least someone reads my blog!
H/T: Jaynestars
IP MAN 3D To Be Donnie Yen's Last Action Film
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Pegasus And Yen's Super Hero Films Board IP MAN 3D, WESLEY And THE SEVEN WEAPONS
Donnie Yen in “Kung Fu Jungle” (2014)
Here’s at least one fact that I think a handful of us can agree on: Most of 2014 has been fairly critical of action star Donnie Yen leading up to the much more favored recent release of his newest endeavor, Kung Fu Jungle. Keep that in mind as we enter a new year that will see several of Yen’s upcoming projects unfold following the launch of his Super Hero Films banner a little less than a few years ago, including the long-awaited production of Ip Man 3D with legendary action masters Sammo Hung and Yuen Woo-Ping designing the fights, among other titles.
That said, word has it from Jaynestars with news of producer Raymond Chow’s announcement of at least two more films to be produced in collaboration between his own company, Pegasus Entertainment, and Yen’s banner. One such title will be an adaptation of famed author Ni Kuang’s serial sci-fi action adventure property, Wesley (idiomaically pronounced as Wisely), based on a fictional character whose otherworldly exploits often delve into the paranormal and supernatural have been subject to various mediums, including films of yesteryear with actors Chow Yun Fat and Sam Hui. The other will be The Seven Weapons, originally a televised Wuxia drama series which premiered in Asia back in 2010, based on the work of renowned novelist and writer, Gu Long, which focused on seven interconnected stories with individual weapons as the respective themes.
Yen‘s fanbase isn’t going to be bored any time soon in lieu of all this news, especially with his priorities at Super Hero Films in addition to his crossover debut lead in Noodle Man with Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro. Again, 2014 wasn’t exactly a stellar year for Yen, which obviously explains why Iceman 3D – Part 2 has been pushed back, although he did make a lot of noise at the time, and it is high time he got a principle Hollywood role to go with his upcoming appearance in Yuen’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2: The Green Legend.
At any rate though, with the positive responses to his latest cinematic kung fu bout with Wang Baoqiang late last year, it appears Yen is on track for another good year adding to his stellar career film. So, relax and enjoy the show.
H/T: City On Fire
Donnie Yen To Finally Get His English-Language Lead Role In NOODLE MAN
After previous English-language stints in films like Highlander: Endgame and Blade 2, and with Priority Run no longer a “priority” at the moment, international action sensation Donnie Yen mainly kept to the Hong Kong and China market putting forward an illustrious repetoire of action-packed features. Of course, some left a lot more to be desired, but his fanbase remains ever faithful, a fact that couldn’t be true at a better time than now for Yen‘s fanbase in North America with the forthcoming production of his latest actioner, Noodle Man.
[UPDATED] CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON: THE GREEN LEGEND Set For IMAX/Netflix Release, Date Confirmed
*A previous version of this article did not include the new pictures until 5:56am EST
Michelle Yeoh (left) and Zhang Ziyi (right) in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Well, this is new indeed. The news is just breaking at the moment, but apparently director Yuen Woo Ping‘s latest return to the Iron/Crane universe with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2: The Green Legend may not be distributed in regular 2D theaters. Instead, the film will be making its official groundbreaking day-and-date debut on IMAX screens and on Netflix on August 28, 2015. The film will be the first original movie to stream from Netflix in a new deal with The Weinstein Company as per the growing business relationship between the two companies for first-run film content and other programs.
Nevermind that the film will be in entirely in English, but it looks like TWC is putting its money where its mouth is with this one. Besides, who’s going to pass up a Yuen Woo-Ping flick reuniting the longstanding action master with two of the industry’s best? Amirite?
Details (and TWO new pics, courtesy of Netflix) below!
Michelle Yeoh as Yu Shu-lien in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend (2015)
Donnie Yen as Silver Lion in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend (2015)
Netflix has reached a deal with The Weinstein Co. for its first original movie — a sequel to Ang Lee’s 2000 martial arts pic “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” — set to hit IMAX theaters and the streaming-video service simultaneously next summer.
The film, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend,” is slated for a Aug. 28, 2015, debut. Produced by Weinstein Co., the movie is the first of several major films to premiere day-and-date both on the SVOD service and in select IMAX theaters worldwide.
Netflix has been eyeing day-and-date releases of movies, as chief content officer Ted Sarandos said in a keynote last year at the Film Independent Forum in Los Angeles. The launch of the movie is likely to catch the ire of exhibitors — who have in the past viewed digital encroachment on theatrical windows as a threat.
Meanwhile, Netflix already has an output deal with Weinstein Co. that makes the Internet-streaming provider the exclusive U.S. subscription television service for first-run films from TWC, beginning in 2016, and has other deals with the studio including for original series “Marco Polo.”
“Fans will have unprecedented choice in how they enjoy an amazing and memorable film that combines intense action and incredible beauty,” Sarandos said in a statement. “We are honored to be working with Harvey Weinstein and a world-class team of creators to bring this epic story to people all over the world and to partner with IMAX, a brand that represents the highest quality of immersive entertainment, in the distribution of this film.”
Added Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of TWC, “The moviegoing experience is evolving quickly and profoundly, and Netflix is unquestionably at the forefront of that movement. We are tremendously excited to be continuing our great relationship with Netflix and bringing to fans all over the world the latest chapter in this amazing and intriguing story.”
IMAX, for its part, has high hopes for the release in China — where Netflix does not presently offer service. In territories where Netflix and IMAX simultaneously release the film, “we are excited to offer consumers the option of deciding how, when and where they want to view the film, and exhibitors the opportunity to participate in this alternative form of content in a new and innovative way,” said Greg Foster, CEO of IMAX Entertainment.
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend” will star Michelle Yeoh (pictured, above) reprising her role from the first movie as Yu Shu-Lien, along with Donnie Yen (first two “Ip Man” movies, “Monkey King 3D”) as Silent Wolf.
Sequel is directed by martial-arts choreographer Yuen Wo-Ping, who previously helmed “Tai Chi Master” and choreographed fight scenes in “The Matrix” trilogy and the first two “Kill Bill” movies from Quentin Tarantino.
Principal photography is now underway in New Zealand. The new movie is based on “Iron Knight, Silver Vase” by Wang Dulu and scripted by John Fusco (“Marco Polo”), the original series about the famed explorer being produced by Weinstein Co. for Netflix.
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend” is produced by Harvey Weinstein and Peter Berg and Sarah Aubrey (both of “Friday Night Lights,” “Lone Survivor” and “Hancock”). Executive producers are Morten Tyldum, Ralph Winter, Anthony Wong and Bey Logan.
The film’s director of photography is Tom Sigel (“Drive,” “X-Men: Days of Future Past”) with the design team led by “Lord of the Rings” collaborators costume designer Ngila Dickson, production designer Grant Major and visual effects supervisor Mark Stetson.
Cast of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend” also includes Harry Shum Jr. (“Glee,” “Revenge of the Green Dragons”), Jason Scott Lee (“Seventh Son,” “Hawaii Five-O”), Roger Yuan (“Bulletproof Monk”), Eugenia Yuan (“Revenge of the Green Dragons”) and newcomer Natasha Liu Bordizzo.
Variety, THR, Marcus Rivera
More Pics And Featurette Footage For KUNG FU JUNGLE!
Yes, I know, I’m being repetitive. Sorry not sorry.
Merely hours after the most recent promotional pictures and posters were shared for the forthcoming release of director Teddy Chen‘s new martial arts thriller, Kung Fu Jungle, I would be foolish not to share another slate of promo materials that have now gone viral. The content includes a brand new featurette, and some new pics, and you can check those out right now, as well as the latest trailer just in case you’ve been living under a rock.
The film is slated for its premiere at the 58th annual BFI London Film Festival on October 12 before opening two and a half weeks later in Hong Kong and China. The film stars Donnie Yen, Wang Baoqiang and Charlie Yeung.
KUNG FU JUNGLE Gets New Pics And Posters!
Ahead of its forthcoming premiere at the 58th annual BFI London Film Festival, Emperor Motion Pictures is maintaining its momentum with the latest unveiling of official promotional pictures for director Teddy Chen‘s newest thriller, Kung Fu Jungle. Their efforts come just off the heels of a fresh new trailer that went viral last week for the new film starring action star Donnie Yen among a line-up of cinematic heavy-hitters, including Fan Siu-Wong and Shi Yanneng (Ip Man) to name a few. They are joined by Yen’s Iceman co-star Wang Baoqiang in a story setting up the ultimate kung fu battle between an a convicted killer looking for redemption, and a serial killer targeting the city’s martial arts masters.
The teaser and trailer so far hint a film jam-packed with mystery and psychological suspense, hybridized with blistering kung fu action. With any luck, the film will deliver ten-fold what these trailers are promising and fans can recover from any previous woes.
The film is due in Hong Kong and China on October 30 and 31, and James Marsh over at Twitchfilm has forwarded a fresh batch of pics and two new posters to feast your eyes on. Take a look at them below, in addition to the brand new official synopsis:
A vicious killer Feng (Wang Bao-qiang) is going round Hong Kong killing top martial arts exponents, leaving a secret weapon called the Moonshadow as his calling card. When convicted killer and kung fu expert, Xia (Donnie Yen), hears of this, he offers to help the police catch the killer, in return for his freedom.
Despite their misgivings, the police release the former police martial arts instructor into their custody. With his help, they realize from the chronological order of the victims that the killer is targeting his victims, all the top masters in their martial arts style, following a martial code of training.
When Xia also disappears after a close encounter with Feng, they suspect the worse: that the two are accomplices and Feng was the bait to help spring Xia from jail. But Xia has actually gone back to his home in Foshan to find out more about the mysterious calling card. While doing so, he discovers the killer’s identity and his motivation: the true philosophy behind martial arts was to kill opponents who were weaker than him.
Steadfastly, Xia refuses to be drawn into a fight with Feng – until the killer threatens the women he loves most. Only then does he realize that he would have to go against the martial code in order to uphold it.
KUNG FU JUNGLE To Premiere At The London Film Festival Next Month
Martial arts action star Donnie Yen has been drawing online crowds in anticipation of his next film, Kung Fu Jungle, which opens in Hong Kong and China the weekend of October 30. With new set pics now online accompanying the teaser and recent trailer, fans are ever hopeful that this next psychological pound-for-pound Fall thriller, directed by Teddy Chen will meet expectations.
As such, courtesy of international sales agent, Emperor Motion Pictures, the film now is getting an early gig at the 58th annual BFI London Film Festival as a last minute announcement with Yen and actress Michelle Bai also in attendance. The film, which Chen also co-wrote, centers on Yen and actor Wang Baoqiang, in the story of a convicted killer released from jail on the condition of aiding the police in profiling and catching a cold-blooded methodical killer using his deadly martial arts to murder top masters.
More info about the festival and its schedule can be read at its official website by clicking here.
H/T: Variety