john woo

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THE KILLER: John Woo’s Action Classic Heads For A Reimagining At Peacock Next Year

John Woo fans have more to celebrate following the auteur’s 75th birthday, specificially for folks who are subscribed to NBCUniversal streamer Peacock with the announcement of a remake of 1989 action hit, The Killer. Chow Yun-Fat starred in the original which centers on an assassin who accidentally damages the eyes of the singer during a shootout and decides to perform one last hit to pay for her operation. The film was posied for a remake twenty years ago and circled a number of screenwriters, potential stars and directors, the latest being actress Lupita Nyong’o who boarded the project in early 2019 and left it later that year. Having proliferated himself as an auteur of ‘bullet ballet’ action cinema with The Killer and other hits like A Better Tomorrow and Hard-Boiled, Woo went on to carry over his Hong Kong accolades to the Western world, working with stars like Jean-Claude Van […]

SILENT NIGHT: Mute Joel Kinnaman Action Thriller Signals John Woo’s Return To Hollywood

Lee B. Golden III

How’s this for ambitious? Legendary filmmaker John Woo is readying a Hollywood comeback with Silent Night, a literally dialogue-free action thriller starring Joel Kinnaman (The Suicide Squad). Deadline‘s AFM-attentive Mike Fleming Jr. broke the news and revealed the following: Sources tell Deadline the story is basic, as a normal father heads into the underworld to avenge his young son’s death. Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee, Christian Mercuri and Lori Tilkin are reportedly producing with Capstone’s Ruzanna Kegeyan overseeing the project with Joe Gatta. As Fleming Jr. reports, Capstone is in negotiations to finance. This is a big move for Woo in the years since he transitioned from directing hits like Hard Boiled, The Killer And Once A Thief, to riding out his prolific successes on films like Hard Target, Broken Arrow, Face/Off and Antoine Fuqua’s The Replacement Killers, among other titles that fizzled out during his reign stateside ’til 2003. At […]

SEPTET: THE STORY OF HONG KONG Trailer Explores The Omnibus Project From Seven Legendary Directors

Lee B. Golden III

With the scaled-back 25th Busan International Film Festival set to launch next month, we now have a look at the long-awaited omnibus, Septet: The Story Of Hong Kong, formerly known as Eight And A Half by most outlets. The project is billed as the work of seven directors: Sammo Hung, Ann Hui, Patrick Tam, Yuen Wo Ping, Johnnie To, Ringo Lam and Tsui Hark, each contributing a short film to pay tribute to the city’s “golden era” during which all the directors emerged. The project also marks the last piece of cinema from Lam, who sadly passed away in December of 2018. Formerly announced as part of the since-delayed Cannes 2020 festival, the film will now open Busan on October 21. Head over to the festival website for more info.

John Woo: ‘My Dream Is To Make A Western’

Lee B. Golden III

It’s almost surprising that acclaimed action auteur John Woo hasn’t found himself in the throes of a Western film production yet. It’s not for lack of trying either considering his willful transition in the early 1990s to work on Universal Pictures’ Hard Boiled and enduring through a great deal of bureaucracy to release his cut of the film; It’s imaginable that this could have been a stepping stone toward that goal at the time for Woo in his post-Hong Kong career, although relocating to China after several productions in the U.S. made it pretty clear that at least tentatively, it wasn’t meant to be. With any luck though, those long-awaited dreams of doing a Western may eventually come to pass. Woo revealed such an interest in an in-depth interview published at The Hollywood Reporter on Friday by Pete Keeley. The interview connotated the 25th anniversary of the release of Woo’s […]

Hong Kong Action Classic Redo, THE KILLER, Circles Lupita Nyong’o To Star

Lee B. Golden III

John Woo’s latest international thriller novel re-adaptation, Manhunt, opens in North America on Netflix this Friday. It’s a noteworthy mention considering the film is one of two that the celebrated director had been kicking around in the last several years – specifically at least one other title being his Hong Kong action classic, The Killer. The film opened in 1989 and became a heroic bloodshed hit with actor Chow Yun-Fat in the role of a hitman who accidentally blinds a club singer during a shootout. The romance that ensues finds itself endangered when the exit job he takes to pay for her corneal transplant lands him in a deadly double-cross, forcing him to protect her with the help of the cop already hunting him down. Chow, already a rising star following the John Woo/Tsui Hark-shepherded A Better Tomorrow, became synonymous with the bullet ballet genre for many a film thereafter. […]

Review: MANHUNT (2017) – John Woo Returns To The Heroic Bloodshed Genre!

Review: MANHUNT (2017) - John Woo Returns To The Heroic Bloodshed Genre!

Wanna feel old? Last year, the film Face/Off (John Woo’s last true heroic bloodshed epic) turned twenty years old. It’s been an interesting two decades for the man who helped redefine the action genre. He butted heads with Tom Cruise over the flawed yet entertaining Mission Impossible 2, dove into hard sci-fi in the ironically titled Paycheck (so many Affleck jokes) and torpedoed his Hollywood career with the expensive (and ultimately unsuccessful) war epic, Windtalkers. Then he entered the Chinese film market with a pair of grand, two-part epics in the form of Red Cliff and The Crossing. Finally, after all these years, the maestro has returned to the kind of dual wielding spectacle that made him famous. But does he have another symphony in him? A remake of the 1976 Japanese thriller starring Ken Takakura of Black Rain fame, this slick thriller follows Chinese lawyer Du Qiu (Hanyu Zhang) who […]

MANHUNT: Zhang Hanyu And Fukuyama Masaharu Double Team In The New Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

Film auteur John Woo’s latest return to the helm with action thriller, Manhunt, hasn’t been the most celebrated, critically. At best, the reviews are a mix and it’ll also be a neat viewing for loyal fans and completists still keen on his work or interested in seeing a multilingual thriller that promises something in some capacity. Zhang Hanyu and Fukuyama Masaharu star. Manhunt follows the journey of upstanding lawyer Du Qiu (Zhang Hanyu), who is unwittingly drawn into a murder case when all the evidence at the scene points to him being the perpetrator. Knowing that he’s been framed, Du Qiu runs from the law to uncover the truth. The police launch a large-scale manhunt, but veteran detective Yamura (Masaharu Fukuyama) sees that this seemingly open-and-shut case is not that simple after all. During the intense pursuit, a bond begins to build between the fugitive and his pursuer, even though Yamura […]

John Woo’s MANHUNT Hails The ‘Return Of The Maestro’ In The New International Teaser Trailer

Lee B. Golden III

It was back in 2010 when acclaimed Asian action auteur, John Woo, received the Golden Lion for Career Achievement in Venice. It was also right around when he had completed the 2008/09 war epic, Red Cliff, nearly fifteen years following a post-Hong Kong crossover career into Hollywood that saw him directing a litany of titles that continue to pale in comparison to Woo’s glory days of heroic bloodshed and bullet ballet crime thrillers like A Better Tomorrow and Hard Boiled. It’s an era that fans have never forgotten. It is also one that stands as the perpetual driving force for Woo’s latest return to form, Manhunt, hailing from Media Asia this week in an ambitious remake effort inspired by Sato Junya’s 1976 film adaptation of Nishimura Juko’s earlier novel, “Hot Pursuit” which has Zhang Hanyu (Operation Mekong) leading the cast opposite Fukuyama Masaharu Fukuyama (Like Father, Like Son), and actresses […]

Review: REIGN OF ASSASSINS Hits Its Mark With Neither Flaw Nor Pretense

Lee B. Golden III

Set during the Ming dynasty, Su Chao Pin and co-director John Woo’s Reign of Assassins splashes onto the screen in the epic bravado of mythos, setting up the history of the Bodhi Kung Fu discipline; a fight system and martial philosophy developed by the powerful Indian Buddhist Monk Bodhi, who, as the legend tells it, went on a sacred exodus 800 years ago from India to China. It is said that when Bodhi died, it came to the subject of belief that his remains contained mystical powers, and from there a tradition flourished that whomever held possession of Grandmaster Bodhi’s remains would “rule the martial arts world.” At the start of the narrative, the last person to possess the remains, thief and assassin Xi Yu/Drizzle (Kelly Lin) of the Dark Stone clan, flees her group and disappears. She sees the renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Li (Shih-Chieh Chin) to change her […]

John Woo's MANHUNT Begins Principal Photography!

Lee B. Golden III

It’s a great time to be a John Woo fan if you’ve been nostaligic in recent time. As per the hype, expect his return to glory with the new cinematic re-adaptation, Manhunt which is now underway in Osaka, Japan and scheduled through October this year. Screendaily writes of the confirmed cast with actor Hanyu Zhang and Fukuyama Masaharu leading, based on Sato Junya’s 1976 film adaptation of Nishimura Juko’s earlier novel, “Hot Pursuit”, in which a lawyer must set out to clear his name after being framed and wrongfully accused of robbery, rape and multiple murders. Producers Chan Hing Kai (A Better Tomorrow) and Gordon Chan (Painted Skin) wrote the script with Zhang and Fukuyama joined by actresses Ha Ji-Won and Qi Wei. The ensemble cast rounds out with a list of seasoned and upcoming faces like actor Kurata Yasuaki (So Close) Kunimura Jun (Kill Bill, The Wailing) and Takenaka Naoto (Gonin Saga, […]

John Woo’s ONCE A THIEF Resets With New Cast, Stephen Fung Starring And Directing

Lee B. Golden III

Acclaimed director John Woo’s 1991 heist comedy, Once A Thief, may not share the usual “heroic bloodshed” tropes usually present in his other films, but it still remains a signature classic among ardent Hong Kong cinephiles. So, if you’re feeling at all nostalgic after this update, feel free to pop it in your DVD player and reminisce a bit before the remake comes. That’s right, the revamp is moving forward as a China/French co-production with Woo cohort Terence Chang producing following earlier updates in 2014. Actor and filmmaker Stephen Fung will helm as well as star alongside The Assassin star, actress Shu Qi and The Monkey King 2 co-star William Feng. The original, prior to Woo’s lesser-received Canadian CTV rendition in 1996, starred Chow Yun Fat, actress Cheire Cheung and actor and singer Leslie Cheung as a trio of international thieves who plot to get even when a powerful crimeboss […]

The Year Hong Kong Collided With Hollywood

Review: MANHUNT (2017) - John Woo Returns To The Heroic Bloodshed Genre!

The Long Road Starting as early as the mid-80’s, the Hong Kong film industry was making some inroads into Hollywood. Maybe it was the insane amount of money being casually tossed around… or maybe it was the giant communist nation that was set to retake control of it within the next ten years; whatever the reason, the biggest action film producer in Asia was looking to branch out. Seasonal Films led the charge with crossover B-movies like No Retreat No Surrender (1986), American Shaolin (1991) and Superfights (1995). The films possessed a so-bad-its-good quality that make them great fodder today but didn’t make enough of a splash in their day to move the needle. America just wasn’t ready for this much awesome Even the mighty Jackie Chan, already an international star, fell on his face when he tried to break into Hollywood with The Protector (1985). The film bombed so […]

John Woo's MANHUNT Confirms Two Leads

Lee B. Golden III

Names began swirling some casting news earlier this week with word that four actors were possibly up for roles in Media Asia’s forthcoming remake, Manhunt, from director John Woo. As of now though, the news reads as official with actors Zhang Hanyu and Fukuyama Masaharu set to lead the film when cameras commence rolling in May. The film advances from director Sato Junya’s 1976 film adaptation of Nishimura Juko’s earlier novel, “Hot Pursuit”, in which a lawyer must set out to clear his name after being framed and wrongfully accused of robbery, rape and multiple murders. Chan Hing Kai (A Better Tomorrow) and Gordon Chan (Painted Skin) are wtiting the script while Media Asia are tending to their slate at HK Filmart 2016. A third casting addition may be announced in the next few months as for whether or not actress Ha Ji-Won or actor Lee Byung-hun, or others will […]

Woo's MANHUNT Casts Zhang, Lee And Ha For Filming In June

Lee B. Golden III

Reportedly, casting is under way for Media Asia’s forthcoming production of the Japanese crime classic remake, Manhunt. For this, Apple Daily cites a diverse set of names with The Taking Of Tiger Mountain and Special ID co-star Hanyu Zhang along with South Korean leading man Lee Byung-Hun and actresses Ha Ji-Won as among the current crop to star. The film, once an adaptation of Nishimura Juko’s 1976 novel from director Sato Junya and starring the now departed Ken Takakura, centers on a lawyer who must set out to clear his name after being wrongfully accused and framed for robbery, rape and multiple murders. Details on how the remake with furbish things for the plot are nil at the moment as news on this film has been building for months now, and the Apple Daily report boasts a pretty meaty cast worth mettle while we await to find out more on Rurouni […]

John Woo To Remake His Bullet Ballet Classic, THE KILLER, In 2016

Lee B. Golden III

It was back in the Spring that celebrated film legend, director John Woo, announced his return to action with the forthcoming remake of Japanese crime thriller, Manhunt. This week however, appears to be a continuing pivot on that particular turning point with word now making the rounds that he’ll be looking forward to a remake of his ceremonious Hong Kong action classic, The Killer. The original film was released in 1989 and heralded as a signature title for the director’s stylish vision as per the era of Hong Kong cinema at the time. It starred Chow Yun-Fat as a top hitman who takes on one more job to pay for a surgery for an unwitting victim caught in the crossfire while on the run from a detective hot on his tail. 71: Into The Fire co-writer/director John H. Lee who is currently aboard Taewon Entertainment’s WW2 drama, Operation Chromite, was […]

Woo Teams With Catalyst For West-Meets-East Crime Series, COGNITION

Lee B. Golden III

Hong Kong action maestro John Woo is currently among an ensemble cast of seasoned veterans currently working on the eight part cinematic Hong Kong anthology, 8 And A Half. In the meantime, he’ll be seugueing back to television as of this week with newly-formed London company, Catalyst Global Media for the new West-meets-East neo-noir crime series, Cognition. The show will focus on an ex-detective who arrives to Asia for an experimental treatment that will hopefully target the painful decade of memories from a failed serial killer investigation believed to have induced his cancer, only to end up relieving the same trauma when copycat crimes begin to occur. Woo, whose directorial credits range from Hong Kong classics like The Killer and A Better Tomorrow to titles like Face/Off, Red Cliff and The Crossing 1 and 2, is executive producing the series with partner Terence Chang and executive producer Lori Tilkin. Misfits […]

Is Roel Reiné Directing A HARD TARGET Sequel?

Lee B. Golden III

Much ado has been said among fans for a potential sequel to action auteur John Woo‘s 1993 Hollywood feature, Hard Target. It felt more like a standalone actioner on its face, really, but that doesn’t mean following up would be impossible. Lead actor and action star Jean-Claude Van Damme is all for sequels to any number of his previous milestone hits, what with Hard Target having futher embedded his place as a Hollywood legend. So, if the latest report from Nu is true following earlier blurbs from the set of Van Damme’s China set on Pound Of Flesh, it’s no real surprise and I’m certain that nostalgic fans will surely appreciate this latest offering, now with The Man With The Iron Fists 2 and The Admiral helmer Roel Reiné in the director’s chair. However, there’s at least one catch. Reiné is reportedly set to begin shooting Hard Target 2 in […]

John Woo Returns To Action In 2015 For MANHUNT

Lee B. Golden III

Masterful action auteur John Woo‘s most recent efforts with the two-part romantic epic, The Crossing, met some lackluster commerical results upon its release late last year while its second half could arrive in May. In the meantime, the legendary director is refilling his plate once more following updates from the blurbosphere in lieu of this month’s events at the Hong Kong FilMart where Media Asia unveiled a new poster announcing their development for the new revamp of a classic Japanese novel and its proceeding film. Manhunt is the name of the film which doesn’t have a cast yet, but bodes excellently as an action thriller that centers on a lawyer who must set out to clear his name after being wrongfully accused and framed for robbery, rape and multiple murders. An adaptation of late author Nishimura Juko’s classic novel, Kimi yo Funnu no Kawa o Watare from publisher Tokuma Shoten […]

Johnnie To Headlines Alongside List Of Acclaimed Directors For An Eight-Part Hong Kong History Epic

Lee B. Golden III

It’s imaginable to be excited these days if you’re a fan of acclaimed Hong Kong filmmaker Johnnie To. The Triangle and Blind Detective helmer is already the prime subject of a remake effort over at Sony for his 2009 crime pic, Vengeance these days, although if a wee bit of Hong Kong history and some martial arts are your preference these days, then you’re in luck. Word from Twitchfilm states that To will be heading an 8-part anthology ensemble project, focusing on Hong Kong’s history within the last seven decades, with each portion attributed to seven other legendary directors, namely reuniting with fellow Triangle co-helmers Tsui Hark and Ringo Lam, in addition to attaching Ann Hui, Patrick Tam, John Woo, Sammo Hung and Yuen Woo-Ping. The project is reportedly one of three newly announced titles in development under To‘s watch, including a new crime pic with Drug War star Louis […]

A BETTER TOMORROW Gets The 4K Treatment

Lee B. Golden III

Internationally acclaimed filmmaker John Woo is quite expressive nowadays regarding his hopes of reinvigorating his old partnership with fellow film legend Tsui Hark, years after lighting the Hong Kong action genre for the world to see with the 1986 smash hit, A Better Tomorrow. Two more films within that franchise followed apart as the two parted ways years later (with the Korean remake of the first film arriving in 2010), and with Woo wanting to build that bridge, it would certainly revive the glory days for fans longing to see another masterpiece from the famous duo. Fortunately such admirers also happen to represent 181-year old Swiss watch brand and manufacturers, Jaeger-LeCoultre who took to this year’s events at the 17th annual Shanghai International Film Festival to auction off their products to help fund the 4K restoration of up to nine classic Chinese films since the two parties partnered in 2011. […]