hayden christiensen

Hayden Christensen To Lead MARCO POLO 3D

Not to be outdone by Netflix’s most recent titular accomplishment, Paramount Pictures is moving forward with China Film Group on a new 3D venture for Marco Polo, with a fantasy take on the story of the Venetian explorer. The film has been in the works for a few years now with scribe Stephanie Koff, and The Fast And The Furious and Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story helmer Rob Cohen directing as of last April and May, and now as of this week, the film is circling a lead. There’s no hint at the plot, but the production is aiming at a take based on the Venetian adventurer’s exploits as chronicled in the 14th century book, The Travels Of Marco Polo (Livres des Merveilles du Monde), written in old French and varying in different forms based on several manuscripts, translations and notes, undercutting the existence of a single authoritative literary installation. There’s […]

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China’s OUTCAST Re-Launch Gets Re-Cancelled While eOne Unveils Its New U.S. Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

If you at all worked on Hollywod stuntman and debut director Nick Powell‘s period action epic, Outcast in some capacity, I can imagine how you may have been feeling ever since Chinese premiere was delayed late last year at the very last minute. Moreover, there are still no answers as to why that was even the case, though all we have at this point is more blurry speculation with regard to China’s crackdown on smut or the disapproval at the number of screens it will get. Thankfully however, the film was re-slated last November for a premiere sometime this month. So, case closed, right? Well, not if the latest report from The Hollywood Reporter has anything to say for it, with word that the film’s re-release has been cancelled yet again. And much like before, there are no solid answers to give as to why history is repeating itself. Someone […]

Nicholas Cage's OUTCAST Gets A 2015 Re-Launch

Lee B. Golden III

Reasons behind China’s unceremoniously cancelled premiere of debut director Nick Powell‘s period action epic, Outcast are still shrouded in mystery, but now it appears that things are finally getting back on track. An announcement was held on Monday this week in Los Angeles by La Peikang, chairman of China Film Group, and Zhang Xun, head of China Film Co-Production Corporation, stating the film’s forthcoming releases in China and North America in January and Febuary, respectively, Variety reports. The news comes just well over a month after a star-studded premiere in China was about to commense with actor Hayden Christensen and producers from Arclight on hand to lend their support for the film’s release at the time before Yunnan Film Group pulled the plug entirely, without warning, and to date, still no answers. “We have never been given a full explanation for the problems. But it is clear that Yunnan Film […]

China Pulls Opening Night Premiere Of Nicholas Cage Action Epic, OUTCAST

Lee B. Golden III

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 […]

Period Swordplay Epic, OUTCAST, Gets A New Teaser And More

Lee B. Golden III

Actor Nicholas Cage can currently be seen in the most recent promotional push for stunt veteran Vic Armstrong’s high-flying biblical thriller, Left Behind, which comes out this October. In the meantime, filmgoers will get to witness the actor’s more scruffier image as a 10th century warrior in the forthcoming release of Arclight Films’ new epic, Outcast. The film marks the latest move in the emergence of Hollywood’s stunt industry heading a film production in China, with award-winning stunt coordinator Nick Powell (Braveheart, The Bourne Identity, The Last Samurai, The Three Musketeers) making his much-earned directorial debut. Cage and Powell are joined by Star Wars I-III actor Hayden Christensen, The Four trilogy actress Crystal Liu Yi-Fei, and Once Upon A Time In Shanghai co-star Andy On. SYNOPSIS: When the heir of the Imperial throne becomes the target of assassination by his despised older brother, the young prince’s only hope is the […]