dragon blade
DRAGON BLADE Gets A U.S. Release Date And Poster!
Set in China during the Han dynasty (206-220 AD), Dragon Blade follows Huo An (Chan), an official framed and enslaved for a crime he didn’t commit. Soon thereafter, however, he meets Roman soldier in Cusack’s Lucius and the pair begin to form an unlikely alliance.
Screw Retirement. Jackie Chan Re-Affirms Shanghai 3, Rush Hour 4, Armour Of God 4…And Who's Counting?
For 60-ish Guinness world record-holding martial arts star and legendary action cinema mainstay Jackie Chan, any talk of retirement has always been suspect considering the workload he continues to mount for himself. The 2012 release of Chinese Zodiac ’12 – CZ12, followed by Police Story 2013 and the recent box office success of director Daniel Lee’s record period epic, Dragon Blade, are all prime examples of Chan‘s fortitude in what seems to be a non-ending growth in career, which has always left a daunting affect on any discussion regarding whether or not he would turn the page on doing films for good considering his age.
Chan himself has spoken to the press in recent years about the subject with regard to the caliber and danger level of his signature action and stuntwork his career has become so known and celebrated for, and for his age it obviously makes sense that he would express an interest in taking some kind of a break. However, it appears the enduring work ethic of folks like Clint Eastwood and Sylvester Stallone have had an affect on Chan as both continue to work, with Stallone working on Creed and Scarpia this year and Eastwood’s recent directorial success on American Sniper. As such, Chan‘s statements quoted in a new article over at translatory Chinese news site, Jaynestars, are now hinting at otherwise continued plans for a follow-up to Armour Of God 3 (a.k.a. CZ12), a third ‘Shanghai’ movie proceeding Shanghai Noon (2000) and Shanghai Knights (2003), and a fourth Rush Hour movie.
Chan himself hasn’t really done a Hollywood film since 2010 with The Spy Next Door and Kung Fu Panda 2, the latter sharing production weight with Shanghai-based Oriental Dreamworks. That’s about five years, and so it is nice to see that the studios in Hollywood partly responsible in helping him cross over in the late 1990’s still see him as a viable star for American audiences. Plus, a forth Rush Hour film (aside from the new CBS series starring Jon Foo coming soon), and a third stint with actor Owen Wilson for Shanghai 3 have been in development hell since the relative preceding titles hit the big screen.
Needless to say, there will be more Chan. Director Renny Harlin’s latest with the actor in Skiptrace is still in post-production with the remaining possibility of Karate Kid 2 with Jaden Smith; Really, that latter title makes a total of four movies in development (five if you count his possible return to the vocal role of Monkey on Kung Fu Panda 3 in 2016), although time will tell as always. And at this rate, don’t be surprised if Dragon Blade gets a sequel greenlit. Early? Yes. Unlikely? Well, we’re talking Jackie freaking Chan here so…whatever.
Stay tuned for more info.
Jackie Chan's DRAGON BLADE Wields A Second Trailer!
Perhaps 2015 will service a nice bit of respite from earlier troubles as time moves on. Chan is still a busy man for his age and it’s great to see him put his energy and creativity to use, and the fans will obviously agree. Feburary 19 is the date for the film’s overseas release, so watch the trailer below, cross your fingers and hope for something stateside
A Grand Housing Of Set Props Highlight New BTS Footage For DRAGON BLADE
Chan will be joined by Cusack, Brody and other principal stars next year to tour the movie on the cusp of its Beijing premiere with dates set for Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan and others to follow. For now, check out the featurette and galleries below with fresh new photos courtesy of Superchan’s Jackie Chan Blog
DRAGON BLADE Shines Warrior Gold With New Character Posters!
In 48BC, during the Han Dynasty, Roman general Lucius (John Cusack) crosses into China after being accused of treason. In the Gobi Desert, he fights and then befriends Huo An (Jackie Chan), a once high-ranking commander, who has been framed by corrupt court officials and forced into slavery. The encounter ignites a thrilling piece of history that has never before been told.
Jackie Chan To Launch Self-Titled 'International Action Week' For SIFF 2015
It’s not exactly news that actor and action superstar Jackie Chan loves action movies, and his lifelong devotion to kung fu and the magic of cinema speaks for itself, evolving from his younger years as a Peking opera performer and professional stuntman, to actor, award-winning Hong Kong and Hollywood superstar, philanthropist and Guiness World Record holder. However, this week, Chan‘s generosity continues to prove boundless, in light of the events at the 17th Shanghai International Film Festival underway this month.
Next year when the festival launches again for its 18th year, Chan will partake in a new sidebar event title Jackie Chan International Action Week, a week that will incorporate a forum about action movies, and screenings of various action movies from around the world – including Chan‘s own films followed by a prize ceremony a public online voting system. The week long event will also include seminars on innovative action choreography and technique, as well as look into the use of computer technology for action design.
In a statement from Chan according to THR, Chan says, “Jackie Chan International Action Movie Week aims at commending excellent film-makers who have made great contributions to the world’s action movies, shown extraordinary performances, technical innovations guided new action talents, and made great efforts in passing on Chinese action movie traditions or promoted its development,”.
The news comes in light of Chan‘s current production of his new period action epic with director Daniel Lee titled Dragon Blade, one of three scheduled productions for the year next to the forthcoming production of Skiptrace with Renny Harlin directing, followed by the sequel production of Chinese Zodiac 2.
The 17th annual Shanghai International Film Festival contines as of June 14 through this Sunday. To learn more about the festival, visit their official website.
Production News On DRAGON BLADE, SKIPTRACE And CHINESE ZODIAC 2!
It took a little bit more time to bring some veracity to the latest photos news regarding the current prodiction of action star Jackie Chan‘s new epic, Dragon Blade, which just wrapped filming at Hengdian World Studios and will continue shooting in parts of the Gobi Desert this week. On Sunday, long after previous reports mentioning actors John Cusack and Adrien Brody joining the cast, official news arrived via industry site Variety formally announcing the actors who, based on a story by Chan, will respectively play Lucius, a Roman general who leads a legion of soldiers into China and escapes treachery at the hands of power-hungry warlord Tiberius. Opposite Brody, Cusack joins Chan who will play a fallen Han Dynasty commander who escapes enslavement as the two embark on a journey to protect China’s borders and sovereignty.
[UPDATED] Viral DRAGON BLADE Set Photo Shows Chan In Costume
CORRECTION (6/14): SuperChanBlog’s adminustrator confirmed that the photo going viral is a fake. Crisis averted and the world is safe once again. Carry on as usual.
In the weeks since Cannes, news regarding international action hero and Interpol’s crime fighting ambassador, Jackie Chan‘s latest film, Dragon Blade, have been slowly pouring in, with Black Mask helmer Daniel Lee directing from his own script, inspired by a long-developed story concept by Chan, which centers on a fallen Han Dynasty commander who crosses paths with a Roman general, whereupon they venture through the Western Desert on a thrilling adventure. The film, which joins Chan with actors John Cusack and Adrien Brody (discounting earlier mentions of Mel Gibson), has also reportedly broken records since last month pertaining to its ¥2 billion budget, as well as its record sales activity during Cannes where Chan made other headlines for separate films as well.
As for updates, the only particular view we get are behind-the-scenes pictures via SuperChanBlog, including Cusack in costume via Twitter a while back. Fortunately however, I came across a clear photo of Chan in costume through Facebook activity, and it appears this has been going viral since April based on what I’ve found. At any rate, if you’ve missed it, here it is below:
The film is expected to bow in spectacular IMAX 3D fashion at home on February 19, 2015, kicking off the Chinese New Year holiday. The film’s territorial release listing tentatively includes Taiwan, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Indonesia, the Middle East, the Philippines, Brunei, Burma, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.
The news is far from over on this one, so keep sharp.
Special thanks to readers MK Merc and Paul Martell for contributing.
UPDATE: Correspondence with fellow film writer and Asian cinema enthusiast Asian Film Strike offers a small collage of at least two viral set pics of Chan in costume, which may or may not coincide with the photo above, but are legitimate nonetheless. Take a look:
@FCSyndicate I think it might just be a hastily put together Cannes promo poster. This looks more legit : pic.twitter.com/fQKA1Q8I9M
— Asian Film Strike (@AsianFilmStrike) June 13, 2014
SKIPTRACE Skips To A New Director + DRAGON BLADE Gets New Sales Art
Stay tuned for more info!
Jackie Chan’s DRAGON BLADE Kicks Off Filming With A New Logo
“Dragon Blade officially got underway today in Hengdian with some battle scenes. Filming conditions were difficult, as a combination of heat, heavy costumes and a long day took their toll on cast, crew and extras alike.”
Chan And Gibson Board Daniel Lee's DRAGON BLADE
While legendary action thespian Jackie Chan prepares to debut his latest musical labor of love in the form of new boyband JJCC, the actor is also on his way to the production of a brand new period action flick titled Dragon Blade. The film will mark Chan‘s first time on the big screen with Hollywood actor Mel Gibson after the two were rumored in earlier reports last year as possible choices to appear together in director Patrick Hughes’ upcoming blockbuster release, The Expendables 3, before the latter of the two was solely confirmed.
Directed by Black Mask and 14 Blades helmer Daniel Lee, Dragon Blade will see Chan portraying a Chinese hero who forges a partnership with a Roman legion commander, played by Gibson, to save the world from a greater, ultimate evil. No other details are available for the film which will likely release in 2015.
Chan is currently working on his next big film adventure with co-star Sean William Scott in next year’s release of Skiptrace from director Sam Fell. Gibson will make his next appearance in The Expendables 3 in theaters nationwide on August 15, 2014.
Stay tuned for more info.
H/T: Impact Online