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Review: Derek Yee’s SWORD MASTER (2016) Revisits A Classic With An Open Door Forward

The rest of the film is wonderfully done Chinese sword fantasy justice. The true hero of our story doesn’t come in after we learn and understand what Swordman Yen is about, showing how both these great swordsmen ultimately share the same paths whether they are heroes or villians. Kenny Lin, who plays as Ah Chi/Third Master wanders Bitter Sea City as a drunkard coolie employed by Dawn Moon Brothel, to escape his life as swordsman. Day in and day out, he’s been challenged by warriors from all over to make a mark for themselves, and tires from the world of warriors. His exodus from the martial world acts as a catalyst that drives the rest of the martial world to act upon the vacant spot for power which ultimately ends up coming back to him and Swordsman Yen.

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Check Out New Set Pics From Yee's SWORD MASTER

At some point between now and April, former actor-turned-director Derek Yee began production for his latest return to familiar territory with the period wuxia epic, Sword Master. Arriving in 2015, the film is based on late Hong Kong author Gu Long whose work inspired Yee’s then-lead starpower in the original Shaw Brothers production, Death Duel (1977), which centers around a swordsman whose past catches up to him after he fakes his own death to escape the underworld. 

Written by Yee along with fellow producer Tsui Hark and co-scribe Chun Tin-Nam, Sword Master stars actor Kenny Lin in the lead opposite actor Peter Ho who plays his nemesis. Actresses Jiang Yiyan and Jiang Mengjie rounding out the cast so far listed. Yee is producing the film under his Film Unlimited banner along Bona Film Group for the film’s 3D production at Hengdian Studios for which Filmsmash has just provided a fresh batch of new set pics. Check those out below and watch out for more news ahead.

H/T: Filmsmash

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THE SWORD MASTER Director Responds To Fans About Casting

Following up on the previous report regarding the latest concept image for director Derek Yee‘s new film, The Sword Master, Yee recently took to social media to set the record straight regarding some reported backlash over the casting of his new film. The film was finally announced last year with film auteur Tsui Hark attached as producer for a 3D rendering of the Shaw Brothers remake based on a classic novel that inspired the 1977 film, Death Duel.

“If a collaboration between Tsui Hark and I still need big stars to get you to waste your time and spend your money on a ticket, then we might as well pack up, go home, drink whiskey and shoot the breeze,” Yee posted on his Sina Weibo account. “It doesn’t matter who’s acting in the film. Tsui Hark and I are the top stars of the film!”.

Written by Yee and Hark with co-scribe Chun Tin-Nam, The Sword Master just began principal photography with 26-year old actor Kenny Lin (a.k.a. Lin Gengxin pictured left) as Third Master Ah Chi, the role that launched Yee‘s career as an actor at the time; Lin also had a small role in Hark‘s late 2013 flick, Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon. Also joining the cast are The Monkey King co-star Peter Ho reviving actor Yun Ling’s former role as Ah Chi’s nemesis, Yan Shisan; Actresses Jiang Yiyan and Jiang Mengjie round out the cast so far listed.

Personally, I never saw Young Detective Dee, but I certainly know who Hark and Yee are, and in that sense, I can certainly respect what Yee is saying with regard to his casting choices for this film. However, it is arguable that casting, in fact, does matter. Recent events that best exemplify this is the upcoming remake of The Raid under The Expendables 3 helmer Patrick Hughes, who is keeping names tightly under wraps but has already announced a six-month training regimen for a handful of actors involved. And people are extremely curious as to who is going to be cast to do that particular film justice.

However, curiousity may not be too much of an issue here for The Sword Master as we now know who will be cast. So while some speculation can be put to rest, what also matters is how Lin will deliver the iconic character from its 1977 predecessor for a modern day audience. Nonetheless, Yee‘s been after this remake for well over a decade now. That’s how much he loves this project, so I look forward to seeing how he applies his vision for the film when it comes out next year.

Lin will also be appearing in Hark‘s new film, The Taking Of Tiger Mountain later this year, as well as Tsai Yueh-Hsun’s upcoming action thriller sequel, Black & White 2: The Dawn Of Justice.

Stay tuned for more info.

QUESTION: What do you think of Yee’s statements? Leave a comment below or post to us on Twitter or Facebook with the hashtag #SwordMaster3D.

H/T: FilmBizAsia, IGN

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A Reality-Bending Story Of Love, Friendship And War In Two New Trailers For FIGHTING

A few trailers have made the rounds this year for the forthcoming release of Empire Symbol helmer, director Yu Junhao‘s new film, Fighting, also known as A Better Tomorrow (not to be confused with its prior uses by directors John Woo and Song Hae-Sung).

There isn’t much dialogue in either of the two videos, although they do appear to signify a period story that walks the line between reality and fantasy, between scene clips of war, two men fighting at center-ring, a woman levitating while glowing, and a butterfly landing on a piano before turning completely inanimate. Confusing? Yes. Weird? Maybe. But fortunately, we now have a synopsis that gives a bit more for Asian cinema followers to take in before the film’s release in China on March 21, 2014.

Produced by Jiang Ping, Fighting stars Peter Ho, Lu Yi and Wei Yi with Lam Wai, Hou Yong, Yvonne Yung, and late actor and legendary Asian cinema icon, Wu Ma in one of his final screen performances since passing away on February 4 this year at age 71.

SYNOPSIS (Special thanks to Z-Team member Lohan Buson for the translation):

Abandoned when he was a child, young GAO Ruofei was a very gifted boy. Twelve years ago he was picked up from the street into a home by Mr GAO who had recently celebrated his sixtieth birthday. Mr GAO took good care of him, but Ruofei never called him “father”. 

In a car accident, Ruofei lost his amazing running power. 

Deep inside Ruofei always thought his teacher Chen looked like a “butterfly goddess”. She encouraged him to join the family sport events of the school, but RuoFei strongly refused. Later on, he stole his teacher’s butterfly brooch but Mr Gao found out what he did so Ruofei ran away from home with the butterfly brooch and went to the place where he had been abandoned as a child praying that he could one day find his true father. 

Then a miracle happened: Ruofei found himself travelling into the past during a national game. 

Ruofei was strangely obsessed by an athlete named “Lone Wolf”, who had a very special charisma. 

Lone Wolf’s dream was to become a pilot. During the game, Lone Wolf met an American guy named Jason whose family was very wealthy. Jason was a vigorous man who was determined to win this martial arts tournament. 

Lone Wolf and Jason became the main focus of the entire game and a lot of people were betting on the outcome of their upcoming fight. 

Finally, it was time for the final battle, the duel started, two different temperaments and two different backgrounds but yet the fighters understood each other, equal in strength; each had its own qualities and merits, making the duel very suspenseful. 

Lone Wolf and Jason were once enemies (rivals) and now appreciated each other. 

Who would win the final battle and became the real hero?

H/T: Filmsmash

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