rise of the legend

REVIEW: Rise Of The Legend (2016) – “…I CANNOT DIE.”

Wong Fei-hung has been the subject of over one hundred films and television series, and you’d be forgiven for assuming the he was a fictional character for the way his story, a historical rubric, has been so romantically portrayed. Notable martial arts film stars including Sammo Hung and Jet Li have appeared as Fei-hung onscreen, the former for a brief turn in 2004’s Around The World In 80 Days and the latter in the Once Upon A Time in China series (1991). The 1993 film Iron Monkey featured Angie Tsang as a young Wong Fei-hung, a folk hero who, if you know your wuxia history, will grow up to become Jackie Chan in Drunken Master (1978). Kwan Tak-hing would play him the following year in Magnificent Butcher, and again in 76 other films – making a career of it. “Kwan who, sucka? My name is Wong!” In a word, Wong […]

RISE OF THE LEGEND Comes Home On U.S. DVD And Blu-Ray On May 24

Lee B. Golden III

Expect some more coverage on director Roy Chow’s 2014 treatment, Rise Of The Legend. For this, Well Go USA is proudly releasing the film to home platforms on May 24 with a five-part behind-the-scenes featurette and more as per their newest announcent. The film truly is epic and I still carry high hopes that this will get a follow-up. It’s hugely deserved. My review is over HERE, but stay tuned for more updates and opinion. View post on imgur.com PLANO, TEXAS. (April 12, 2016) – Martial Arts legend Sammo Hung (Ip Man 2) takes on Eddie Peng (Unbeatable), pegged by The Hollywood Reporter as “a serious contender for Next Great Martial Arts Star,” in Director Chow Hin Yeung’s epic action drama RISE OF THE LEGEND, debuting on Blu-ray™ and DVD May 24 from Well Go USA Entertainment. The story follows a powerful martial arts master (Peng) returning to the town […]

Screener Review: RISE OF THE LEGEND (2016)

Lee B. Golden III

I’m pretty new to Eddie Peng, having only seen him in Stephen Fung’s Tai Chi Zero and Tai Chi Hero at the time of the release. However, in the few years since then, he’s appeared to be just the kind versatile actor a director looks for, and maybe even one bold enough to take the lead in the revival of a classic martial arts film mainstay. Leave that effort to director Roy Chow Hin-Yeung whose career compass following Murderer (2009) and Nightfall (2012) now bring him to the forefront of his latest 2014 kung fu epic, Rise Of The Legend, reviving the folklore of martial arts hero Wong Fei Hung with an origin tale that does the work that none of its previous films did, lending plenty of opportunity for something truly fresh to bloom. The film opens with Peng front and center in a big-scale alleyway fight sequence, a […]

Watch The First Trailer For Well Go USA's Release Of RISE OF THE LEGEND

Lee B. Golden III

It’s taken two years to make happen but Universal Pictures International’s global acquisition of helmer Roy Chow’s Rise Of The Legend finally led to a platform over at Well Go USA. Thus, updating from its previous March 8 stamp, the company has officially announced a March 11 theatrical and VOD date, otherwise guaranteeing the big screen experience a fabled once-living martial arts hero commands. SYNOPSIS: A martial artist with extraordinary power (Eddie Peng) returns to the town where his father was murdered to face off against a ruthless crime boss (Sammo Hung) and bring justice back to the people. The official trailer has finally arrived and in proper, smashing fashion. Check it out below!

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Well Go USA Picks Up RISE OF THE LEGEND With A March Release

Lee B. Golden III

Director Roy Chow’s 2014 Once Upon A Time In China reboot, Rise Of The Legend, was warmly received by a number of viewers upon its local release at the time. Personally, it is also one that has fascinated me since Universal Pictures International acquired the rights to the film nearly a year-and-a-half ago, so I’ve been curious about it not having seen it myself apart from a number of others who may have already imported their own DVD copies from overseas. Thankfully, the powers that be have kept their word and the film is finally set to release on March 8 on DVD, Blu-Ray, VoD and Digital HD. Unbeatable co-star Eddie Peng leads in the role of the folkloric martial artist and evident healer, Wong Fei-Hung, in an origin story that ultimately pits our hero against co-star and action legend Sammo Hung (star and director of upcoming action thriller, The […]

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Watch The Official Music Video For RISE OF THE LEGEND

Lee B. Golden III

The forthcoming release of director Roy Chow‘s kung fu epic, Rise Of The Legend, is only a week and a half away from its initial theatrical release in China, and the momentum is definitely there. As for how it will do among the critics is still pending news to many, although one can only hope for some good prospects for a film that dares to make its case known among hardcore martial arts fans that are partial to the classics, and you really have to hand it to Chow for leading those efforts. The trailers themselves look glossy and present an otherwise very ambitious take on the classic, fabled life and legend of real-life martial arts hero, Wong Fei-Hung, and his origins as a rebel against corrupt government officials and the criminals who operate under them. Here, based on a script by Fearless scribe Christine To, a young master Wong’s […]

Check Out A New 'Bullet-Time' Featurette For RISE OF THE LEGEND

Lee B. Golden III

I can’t remember exactly when it was the last time I saw a full row of cameras on a set for any movie for a “bullet-time” shot, but apparently this technique is still popular enough to use. Director Roy Chow became keen to this on the set of his upcoming new movie, Rise Of The Legend, starring leading man Eddie Peng in the title role of Wong Fei-Hung, and while some will sure have their opinions about wire-work – a technique used for decades in Asian cinema and stagework, its use here does have some technological appeal. Besides, the last thing I think anyone would want is to see Peng try to do a “No Shadow Kick” of any kind without wires. Not gonna happen, and if “bullet time” can successfully deliver the desired affect of any of these fight scenes directed by Corey Yuen Kwai and his team, then […]

Cuts And Bruises A Plenty In A New Featurette For RISE OF THE LEGEND

Lee B. Golden III

Moviegoers in China are less than a month away from the theatrical release of director Roy Chow‘s newest, Rise Of The Legend. As such, you can expect the usual order of TV spots, promos and featurettes along the way before then, including this week for which one other featurette has made its onto YouTube. The new film highlights the rebellious origins of martial arts master and legend, Wong Fei-Hung and his fellow cohorts in their enduring battle against human traffickers, gangsters and the criminally corrupt. Talks of injuries have been had in the year or so since filming, a few of which can now be viewed here with lead actor Eddie Peng trying to punch his way through a fake pillar, and co-star Max Zhang, who damn near went half blind while filming, basically. And all for our amusement as film lovers, no doubt, which is all the more reason […]

New Banner Art And Featurette For RISE OF THE LEGEND

Lee B. Golden III

Not too long before the release of director Roy Chow‘s upcoming origin kung fu epic, Rise Of The Legend, we now have another new featurette from Yahoo!, as well as some cool new banner art for fans to check out below. Eddie Peng stars as the title character, Wong Fei-Hung, late and legendary martial arts master and healer from which many films of yesteryear have been based. Fearless scribe Christina To wrote the screenplay for the new film which focuses on a few notable details of the young master’s earlier years, including love, family, and his rise as a voice against crime and the criminally corrupt. The film launches in Asia courtesy of Edko Films beginning this November with worldwide distribution from Universal Pictures International next year.

Watch An Action Packed Featurette For RISE OF THE LEGEND!

Lee B. Golden III

At the moment, the most recent trailers we have seen for director Roy Chow‘s forthcoming kung fu origin epic, Rise Of The Legend seem to grant what looks like a promising spectacle for action fans. What remains to be seen though, is how it will deliver a proper reiteration of the classic story of martial arts master, Wong Fei-Hung, played by actor Eddie Peng. Well, in case you haven’t taken note yet, action legend Sammo Hung is contributing his time and energy as the film’s main pugilistic antagonist, and compared to last week’s trailer, there’s just a little more of that which you can now catch in a new short behind-the-scenes action featurette below. The film bows throughout Asia starting this November with a world wide release pending from Universal Pictures International.

Eddie Peng And Sammo Hung Duke It Out In The New RISE OF THE LEGEND Trailer!

Lee B. Golden III

Revisting the classic story of legendary martial arts master Wong Fei-Hung for the big screen is not something you take lightly. Alas, expectations are quite high for this newest origin telling from director Roy Chow in Rise Of The Legend, pitting lead actor Eddie Peng at the center of late Qing Dynasty upheaval in Guangzhou, against smarms of gangs and a human trafficking ring. The film will also reportedly deal with other layers of Wong’s life, regarding love, and his relationship with his father – all of which could help shape the film in advance toward greater prospects. Ergo, if sequels are to be, then watching Peng trade blows with legendary action star Sammo Hung is also a great way to get things started. Rest assured, the latest trailer below is just one in a handful of promotional videos fans can expect along the way until its release throughout Asia […]

Check Out These Stylish New RISE OF THE LEGEND Character Posters!

Lee B. Golden III

It’s neither too late nor early for some more promotional gems for director Roy Chow‘s biopictoral epic, Rise Of The Legend. With over a month to go before the film is finally released in China, there’s already some momentum building thanks to a few trailers now going viral, as well as some behind-the-scenes feaurettes. And yes, more are on the way. Of course, in the meantime, we now have another fresh new set of vibrant posters headlining our cast of late Qing Dynasty characters surrounding this new origin iteration of legendary martial arts master Wong Fei-Hung and his battle against society’s most corrupt. Check them all out below right now, and if you’d like, check out some previous pictures by clicking here. Rise Of The Legend Is written by Fearless scribe Christine To, and is also produced by Hung, along with Ivy Ho and Bill Kong, with fight choreography by […]

Check Out The Amazing Set Of RISE OF THE LEGEND In A New BTS Featurette!

Lee B. Golden III

At least one other kung fu epic is on the way for a theatrical release whether or not most fans may approve. Director Roy Chow will be tackling the odds next month for the upcoming release of his new film, Rise Of The Legend, which offsets a refurbished cinematic origin take of the iconic late Qing Dynasty martial arts legend, Wong Fei-Hung. Set in 1868 in Guangzhou, actor Eddie Peng takes the lead as a younger rendition of the title character who bands together with his fellow comrades in order to take down a gang of opium and human traffickers and the corrupt government officials who sanction them. Peng joins a list others who can now be seen in a new behind-the-scenes featurette from Edko Films Ltd., offering a small glimpse into the epic backdrop and set pieces to accomadate the new story. It’s all in Mandarin and I can’t […]

New Still, Training Pics And Character Postcards For RISE OF THE LEGEND

Lee B. Golden III

It’s no secret how challenging it has been for actor Eddie Peng and his fellow co-stars in preparation for the new film, Rise Of The Legend. Here, Peng fills the shoes of previous folks like Jet Li and the late Kwan Tak-Hing, both genuine martial artists compared to Peng who spent several months in training to play legendary martial arts master and healer Wong Fei-Hung. The film is the latest work of director Roy Chow in his new iteration of the kung fu hero in his younger years. The story is set in the year of 1868 at the bottom of the Qing Dynasty as young Wong, a gifted pugilist in Chu Kong, Guangzhou who finds himself at opposite ends with drug and human trafficking criminal gang, the Black Tigers, led by Thunder (Sammo Hung), and the corrupt officials who sanction them. Of course, some of the cast endured their […]

Wong Fei-Hung Kung Fu Reboot Epic RISE OF THE LEGEND Brandishes A New Poster

Lee B. Golden III

If you’ve been paying any attention in the past few months, you may have already seen the recent glimpses of Nightfall helmer Roy Chow‘s newest venture with the forthcoming biopictoral origin reboot, Rise Of The Legend. It’s a cinematic revamp of the classic story of the legendary and once-living martial arts master and healer, Wong Fei-Hung, whose life has become the very subject of decades of kung fu cinema greatness, most prominently in the eyes of martial arts action stylings of Jet Li and Jackie Chan, Tsui Hark, Yuen Woo Ping’s and the late Lau Kar-Leung and Kwan Tak Hing. The newest reinvention now finds actor Eddie Peng (Tai Chi Zero, Tai Chi Hero, Unbeatable) next in line to fill the shoes of the legendary no-shadow kicking hero from a script by Fearless scribe Christine To, and action director Corey Yuen (Fong Sai Yuk 1 and 2, The Transporter Trilogy). […]

Lots Of Bruises And Pain In A New Featurette For RISE OF THE LEGEND!

Lee B. Golden III

Ah! Let the teasing commense! Ten hours a day for eight months is the reported duration spent while training lead actor Eddie Peng and the principle cast and crew for the forthcoming release of director Roy Chow‘s new film, Rise Of The Legend. Peng steps into shoes of previous legendary actors to claim the role of cinematic kung fu icon and late martial arts master and healer, Wong Fei-Hung in Chow‘s origin telling of young Wong’s inspirational rise against corruption and injustice in the late Qing Dynasty. Of course, training through pre-production and principal photography didn’t come without its fair share of injuries for its cast, particularly Peng who once injured his hand on set. And this is just one of the stories fans are bound to learn more about as the film commenses its promotional push with the usual trailers, stills and behind-the-scenes featurettes, including the latest cast training […]

Hell Is The Only Way Out In The New Trailer For The Wong Fei-Hung Origin Epic, RISE OF THE LEGEND!

Lee B. Golden III

Director Roy Chow‘s grand plan to reinvent once-living martial arts legend and cinematic folk hero, Wong Fei-Hung wasn’t without its fair share of criticisms from purists. Of course, some of that noise died down with the teaser for said film, Rise Of The Legend back in August, giving a shiny and quite lusterful glimpse into Chow‘s forthcoming origin telling based on Fearless scribe Christine To’s screenplay. That said, the film is getting released in Hong Kong this November, and already has major distribution and production muscle behind it now that Universal Pictures is aiding in its distribution for other territories next year. The film stars Eddie Peng who previously showed his fighting chops last year in the MMA drama, Unbeatable, and he now returns to present himself im the iconic role that promises to revitalize the legacy of his influential role hailed by fans around the world, thanks in part […]

RISE OF THE LEGEND Gets New Stills

Lee B. Golden III

Moviegoers in China can expect a stellar new revival of the story of iconic martial artist and healer Wong Fei-Hung in director Roy Chow‘s new film, Rise Of The Legend. Produced by Bill Kong and Ivy Ho, the film releases on November 21 in China with Unbeatable star, actor Eddie Peng in an origin-oriented telling of Wong’s story, based on a screenplay by Fearless and True Legend scribe Christine To. SYNOPSIS: In the late Qing Dynasty, a young man called Wong Fei Hung rises up against corruption and injustice to become a master of his time and an everlasting legend in the world of martial arts. Universal Pictures International boarded the film in June announcing it will distribute the movie in North America and worldwide. A teaser has already gone viral for the film’s forthcoming release, as well as a batch of character posters. You can check them all out […]

RISE OF THE LEGEND Gets New Poster Art And A Kick-Ass Teaser!

Lee B. Golden III

Following Universal Pictures’s participation as co-producers and international rights holders with Edko Films Ltd. for director Roy Chow‘s Rise Of The Legend, the film is now poised for a November premiere in China and has an exquisite new teaser and promo art this week. Written by Christina To, the new film is a origin-based re-observation of the classic kung fu hero, Wong Fei-Hung, in a story that focuses on Wong’s younger years as a gangster before becoming iconic martial arts master and healer he became known for. The film also marks the latest of challenges for actor Eddie Peng, after starring in last year’s MMA feature drama, Unbeatable. Peng‘s lack of genuine training was an issue among the longstanding Wong Fei-Hung faithfuls mostly familiar with previous stars like Jet Li, late actor Kwan Tak-Hing, and others in previous movies. Suffice it to say, Peng took the challenge head on with […]

MMA Star Cung Le Pushes THE RAID Remake, CROUCHING TIGER 2 And Other Projects In Development

Lee B. Golden III

Mixed martial artist, professional fighter and actor Cung Le has quite an expansive career in film Hollywood and abroad. With well over a decade of credits with titles in America and parts of Asia, the True Legend and Fighting co-star has also gained some pretty huge notoriety with recent releases like the 2012 martial arts crime drama, Dragon Eyes, and RZA’s kung fu homage, The Man With The Iron Fists. As it stands, there’s no sign of Le stopping any time soon between working the professional fight arena and preparing for roles on set, according to a new viral video sent over to M.A.A.C.. While in Asia to promote his August 23 UFC match with Michael Bisping, the actor disclosed a small handful of projects that lie-in-waiting for him after his next fight with interviewers for MMA-in-Asia. Some notable projects and important names he mentioned included that of Hong Kong […]