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Vicky Zhao Joins Shu Qi And Tsui Hark For JOURNEY TO THE WEST Sequel

Nowadays, actress Vicky Zhao‘s career prominence has seen some great influence in recent years between directing and staking a near 10% ownership claim in Alibaba Pictures with her husband. I can’t really speak fully on what that means for this particular report, although bearing this in mind it seems fitting that she seizes the opportunity to return to the screen in some capacity.

On that note, it just so happens that Alibaba Pictures is producing director Tsui Hark‘s Journey To The West sequel following up Stephen Chow’s initial installment in 2013. And, according to Jaynestars, it just so happens that the production is bringing Zhao on board for a role, essentially reuniting the actress with Chow who directed the first film following their previous work together just fourteen years ago on the kung fu sports comedy epic, Shaolin Soccer.

The film also brings Zhao together with fellow So Close star, actress Shu Qi who starred in the 2013 film which released to critical and commercial acclaim. Journey To The West 2 is slated to commense filming this August while further details on the production. 

Stay tuned for more info.

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

The very fact that To‘s Hong Kong historical octology is loaded with so many names speaks with much regard to just how epic this project is going to be, as well as informative for those not too familar with the history of the bustling city and its culture. It’s not widely known what to expect of this particular project, although hopefully we’ll see some nuggets go viral along the way, although the attachmemt of the likes of Yuen, Hark, Woo, Hung and Lam have definitely garnered my interest.

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Review: THE TAKING OF TIGER MOUNTAIN (2014)

Review: THE TAKING OF TIGER MOUNTAIN (2014)

Tsui Hark’s thrilling adaptation of Qu Bo’s beloved adventure novel stars Tony LEUNG Ka-fai as a ruthless bandit, ruling the lands of Northeast China from his fortress on Tiger Mountain. A captain of the Liberation Army (LIN Gengxin) launches a counter-insurgency against the dictator with a skilled investigator (ZHANG Hanyu) sent to destroy the gang from the inside.

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THE TAKING OF TIGER MOUNTAIN Gets A U.S. Release

Director Tsui Hark‘s latest period action epic, The Taking Of Tiger Mountain is still on track for a Christmay Day 3D release in China next week, but now the word is that Well Go USA is granting a limited theatrical opening January 2, 2015 in limited cities. The film is based on late author Qu Bo’s 1957 debut short novel and subsequent 1960’s Beijing opera centers on a real-life event that took place in 1946 during the Chinese Civil War about a hero Communist soldier who infiltrates a gang of bandits.

The Taking Of Tiger Mountain stars Zhang Hanyu, Zhou Dongyu, Gao Hu, Tong Liya, Lin Gengxin and Han Geng. The release is reportedly being timed for Asians audiences in the U.S. and Canada with twenty locations between the cities of New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver. For more information, visit the official Well Go USA website.

H/T: Deadline

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New Posters And Trailer Arrive For Tsui Hark's THE TAKING OF TIGER MOUNTAIN 3D

The promotional campaign has been a slow and steady one throughout the year for director Tsui Hark‘s latest offering, The Taking Of Tiger Mountain 3D. This week however, Bona Film Group is picking things up with a promotional blitz for the epic period actioner, packaged with new trailer and a flurry of new character posters to boot.

The film bares roots in history as late author Qu Bo’s 1957 debut short novel prior to becoming a popular Beijing opera during the 1960s, all based on a real-life event that took place in 1946 during the Chinese Civil War about a hero Communist soldier who infiltrates a gang of bandits. It’s a story of war, strategy and intrigue, and for our dear legendary director, that also means epic gun battles on skiis, Mexican standoffs, a dash of romance, and yes, maybe even a 3D tiger, but who’s complaining?

The Taking Of Tiger Mountain 3D is executive produced by Yu Dong and stars Zhang Hanyu, Zhou Dongyu, Gao Hu, Tong Liya, Lin Gengxin and Han Geng. Check out the latest trailer below, in addition to a previous trailer and a musical promo unveiled since the summer, along with the latest flurry of character posters just beneath.

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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 New THE TAKING OF TIGER MOUNTAIN 3D Teaser Skiis Its Way Online

The New THE TAKING OF TIGER MOUNTAIN 3D Teaser Skiis Its Way Online

Traction has been slow for the forthcoming release of director Tsui Hark‘s 3D period action epic, The Taking Of Tiger Moutain. Fortunately, with a possible December 2014 release looming, at least fans now get to see a small teaser of what’s to come. It doesn’t show much, except we see a modern day setting merging through a smartphone screen, transporting viewers to another era in history.

This is a little weird. Interesting, but weird… oh hell. Bring it Tsui! We love weird!

Set for a hopeful Holiday release later this year, the film is based on late author Qu Bo’s first book, the 1957 novel publication titled Tracks In The Snowy Mountain, which centers on the true story of a communist soldier who infiltrates a gang of ruthless-heavily armed bandits in Northeastern China. The principle cast includes Zhang Hanyu, Zhou Dongyu, Gao Hu, Tong Liya, Lin Gengxin and actor Han Geng making his film debut.

Check out the teaser below!

H/T: Twitchfilm

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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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Yee's SWORD MASTER Flies In New Concept Art

It was late last year that producer and director Derek Yee was finally able to move forward on his long-awaited theatrical remake of director Chor Yuen’s 1977 film, Death Duel with its former title, Third Master’s Sword. This week, progress on the film’s production under Bona Film Group now goes viral in the form of recent concept art for the film now named Sword Master.

Take a look:

Based on late Hong Kong author Gu Long whose work inspired Yee‘s then-lead starpower in the original Shaw Brothers production, the story centers around a swordsman whose past catches up to him after he fakes his own death to escape the underworld. More details are needed on who will star, but this week’s concept art looks pretty reassuring, despite how some may feel about remakes. Plus, the film is also being made in 3D with producer and Hong Kong cinema auteur Tsui Hark who is also readying his next 3D martial arts war thriller, tentatively titled Tracks In The Snowy Mountains.

Release dates are pending, but hopefully we will attain some solid updates for this year. So stay tuned for more info.

H/T: Filmsmash

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THIRD MASTER'S SWORD Starts Production Next Year

Following Bona Film Group’s  RMB $1B film fund launch reported in August, Kevin Ma over at FilmBiz.Asia shared some updates on a two-part list of scripts newly approved by China’s state censorship board, SAPPRFT, including Lo-Chi Leung’s The Killer Vanishes, and Derek Yee‘s long-awaited production of Third Master’s Sword; The latter film is based on the writings of late Hong Kong author Gu Long whose work inspired Yee’s lead actor credit in director Chor Yuen’s 1977 Shaw Brothers film Death Duel which starred then-actor Yee in a story centered around a swordsman whose past catches up to him after faking his own death to escape the underworld.

The film has taken a while to get things rolling since its initial announcement back in 2000 with Tsui Hark set to direct with a cast that namely included actress Zhang Ziyi and actor Leslie Cheung before his death three years later, in addition to other legal setbacks there after. Fortunately, the film’s 3D production is now set to begin in January with Hark and Yee producing the film – no word yet on who will star or direct. Bona’s new film fund also included the five-month production of the big screen 3D martial arts war thriller, Tracks In The Snowy Mountains, an adaptation of late author Qu Bo’s 1957 publication of the same name which Hark is also directing.

Stay tuned for more info.

H/T: Filmbiz.Asia

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