yuen woo ping
Mike Tyson Challenges Donnie Yen To A Fist Fight In The New IP MAN 3 Teaser
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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.
[UPDATED] Shankar's I Releases Today In India. Check Out The Spectaculer Trailer!
UPDATE: A previous version of this article stated Yuen Woo-Ping directed the action. H/T to reader Josh Hurtado for issuing the correction!
THE GRANDMASTER 3D Re-Release Issues New Posters And A Trailer
Aside from all its accolades, director Wong Kar Wai‘s most recent kung fu epic, The Grandmaster, is probably the most lauded by critics for the tedious approach its helmer has taken to bring about a perfect version, of which there have already been several in the past year or so. Nontheless, Wong took it upon himself earlier this year to take the film back under the knife once more for a 3D conversion announced earlier this year in the hopes of creating a more streamlined and cohesive film, one that will likely be much more shorter than its original Chinese release. Alas, the newly 3D-converted film will be getting a 111-minute duration with some newer footage for its China audience beginning on January 8, 2015.
SYNOPSIS (from TWC):
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Wong Kar Wai, THE GRANDMASTER is an epic action feature inspired by the life and times of the legendary kung fu master, Ip Man. The story spans the tumultuous Republican era that followed the fall of China’s last dynasty, a time of chaos, division and war that was also the golden age of Chinese martial arts. Filmed in a range of stunning locations that include the snow-swept landscapes of Northeast China and the subtropical South, THE GRANDMASTER features virtuoso performances by some of the greatest stars of contemporary Asian cinema, including Tony Leung and Ziyi Zhang.
The film also probably marks the last time any of us sees Zhang in a martial arts role unless she plans on surprising us somewhere down the line, in which case, I personally don’t mind. As for The Grandmaster 3D, I certainly hope that this version takes kindly to the needs of the niche both at home and abroad; Aside from seeing master Yuen Woo-Ping‘s masterful choreography on sheer display, clearly the China version was better, and the critics have all agreed and it’s high time they were listened to…that is provided that a U.S. release is also in order.
Check out the trailer below along with the new posters in the following album, and feel free to visit Wong’s official blog for more insight and extra content.
H/T: Indiewire
![[UPDATED] CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON: THE GREEN LEGEND Set For IMAX/Netflix Release, Date Confirmed](http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xt_xxIEewo8/VCoRboqHXmI/AAAAAAAAOfA/zWU_ADqip0I/s548/crouching-tiger-hidden-dragon-still.jpeg "[UPDATED] CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON: THE GREEN LEGEND Set For IMAX/Netflix Release, Date Confirmed")
[UPDATED] CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON: THE GREEN LEGEND Set For IMAX/Netflix Release, Date Confirmed
*A previous version of this article did not include the new pictures until 5:56am EST
Michelle Yeoh (left) and Zhang Ziyi (right) in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
Well, this is new indeed. The news is just breaking at the moment, but apparently director Yuen Woo Ping‘s latest return to the Iron/Crane universe with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2: The Green Legend may not be distributed in regular 2D theaters. Instead, the film will be making its official groundbreaking day-and-date debut on IMAX screens and on Netflix on August 28, 2015. The film will be the first original movie to stream from Netflix in a new deal with The Weinstein Company as per the growing business relationship between the two companies for first-run film content and other programs.
Nevermind that the film will be in entirely in English, but it looks like TWC is putting its money where its mouth is with this one. Besides, who’s going to pass up a Yuen Woo-Ping flick reuniting the longstanding action master with two of the industry’s best? Amirite?
Details (and TWO new pics, courtesy of Netflix) below!
Michelle Yeoh as Yu Shu-lien in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend (2015)
Donnie Yen as Silver Lion in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend (2015)
Netflix has reached a deal with The Weinstein Co. for its first original movie — a sequel to Ang Lee’s 2000 martial arts pic “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” — set to hit IMAX theaters and the streaming-video service simultaneously next summer.
The film, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend,” is slated for a Aug. 28, 2015, debut. Produced by Weinstein Co., the movie is the first of several major films to premiere day-and-date both on the SVOD service and in select IMAX theaters worldwide.
Netflix has been eyeing day-and-date releases of movies, as chief content officer Ted Sarandos said in a keynote last year at the Film Independent Forum in Los Angeles. The launch of the movie is likely to catch the ire of exhibitors — who have in the past viewed digital encroachment on theatrical windows as a threat.
Meanwhile, Netflix already has an output deal with Weinstein Co. that makes the Internet-streaming provider the exclusive U.S. subscription television service for first-run films from TWC, beginning in 2016, and has other deals with the studio including for original series “Marco Polo.”
“Fans will have unprecedented choice in how they enjoy an amazing and memorable film that combines intense action and incredible beauty,” Sarandos said in a statement. “We are honored to be working with Harvey Weinstein and a world-class team of creators to bring this epic story to people all over the world and to partner with IMAX, a brand that represents the highest quality of immersive entertainment, in the distribution of this film.”
Added Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of TWC, “The moviegoing experience is evolving quickly and profoundly, and Netflix is unquestionably at the forefront of that movement. We are tremendously excited to be continuing our great relationship with Netflix and bringing to fans all over the world the latest chapter in this amazing and intriguing story.”
IMAX, for its part, has high hopes for the release in China — where Netflix does not presently offer service. In territories where Netflix and IMAX simultaneously release the film, “we are excited to offer consumers the option of deciding how, when and where they want to view the film, and exhibitors the opportunity to participate in this alternative form of content in a new and innovative way,” said Greg Foster, CEO of IMAX Entertainment.
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend” will star Michelle Yeoh (pictured, above) reprising her role from the first movie as Yu Shu-Lien, along with Donnie Yen (first two “Ip Man” movies, “Monkey King 3D”) as Silent Wolf.
Sequel is directed by martial-arts choreographer Yuen Wo-Ping, who previously helmed “Tai Chi Master” and choreographed fight scenes in “The Matrix” trilogy and the first two “Kill Bill” movies from Quentin Tarantino.
Principal photography is now underway in New Zealand. The new movie is based on “Iron Knight, Silver Vase” by Wang Dulu and scripted by John Fusco (“Marco Polo”), the original series about the famed explorer being produced by Weinstein Co. for Netflix.
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend” is produced by Harvey Weinstein and Peter Berg and Sarah Aubrey (both of “Friday Night Lights,” “Lone Survivor” and “Hancock”). Executive producers are Morten Tyldum, Ralph Winter, Anthony Wong and Bey Logan.
The film’s director of photography is Tom Sigel (“Drive,” “X-Men: Days of Future Past”) with the design team led by “Lord of the Rings” collaborators costume designer Ngila Dickson, production designer Grant Major and visual effects supervisor Mark Stetson.
Cast of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend” also includes Harry Shum Jr. (“Glee,” “Revenge of the Green Dragons”), Jason Scott Lee (“Seventh Son,” “Hawaii Five-O”), Roger Yuan (“Bulletproof Monk”), Eugenia Yuan (“Revenge of the Green Dragons”) and newcomer Natasha Liu Bordizzo.
Variety, THR, Marcus Rivera
Harry Shum Jr. Will Defend Legendary Weaponry In CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON 2!
20 years after the events depicted in ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,’ four heroes of the Martial World, Silent Wolf (Donnie Yen), Yu Shu-lien (Michelle Yeoh), Tie-Fang, and Snow Vase, must use all their courage and skills to keep the legendary sword Green Destiny from the hands of the villainous Hades Dai.
KILL BILL: THE WHOLE BLOODY AFFAIR Is Coming In 2015!
The film is an historical contribution to the martial arts action genre for modern day filmgoers, and a spiritual window into the Asian action classics of yesteryear, namely with the presence of stars like Sonny Chiba and Gordon Liu, and even made martial arts action maestro Yuen Woo-Ping a household name. Headlined by actress Uma Thurman with a stellar hit list featuring Vivica A. Fox, Lucy Liu, Daryl Hannah, Michael Madsen and late actor David Carradine who tragically passed away six summers ago, the film delivers all the glorious tropes of old-school martial arts action, Japanese anime and old-fashioned western thrills, with memorable costumes and weapons, and a story that kept fans on the edges of their seats so many years ago.
[UPDATED] ‘The Rebel’ Helmer Charlie Nguyen To Direct The Action For CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON: THE GREEN DESTINYt
Update: As it turns out, Nguyen will only be serving as co-producer and second-unit director, NOT action choreographer, following a Facebook post by Nguyen correcting tge matter, according to Twitch. Stay tuned for more updates, or at least until I learn Vietnamese. 🙂
While the domestic government-enforced ban and unceremonious leakage of Vietnamese filmmaker Charlie Nguyen‘s 2013 action vehicle, Bui Doi Cho Lon, left a huge hole for martial arts cinema fans last year, it appears the action will no less continue for The Rebel helmer who is said flown to New Zealand to over see action director duties for the production of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Destiny. Nguyen reportedly comes into the production after wrapping principal photography for the upcoming comedy titled Let Hoi Decide, as legendary action director Master Yuen Woo Ping has decided to extend action and fight choreography duties to Nguyen roughly a year after deciding to do both, with John Fusco providing the screenplay.
Actress Michelle Yeoh will be reprising her role from the first film with action star Donnie Yen, along with Nicholas Tse recently added to the cast, which is still in the slow and steady process of officially announcing names. The film is set to release in 2015 with Master Yuen previously reported to work on Tsui Hark’s next, Zu Warriors: Dawn Of Darkness, with further details awaiting production for Vigilantes: The Lost Order.
H/T: Twitchfilm
Pre-Production Begins For Yuen's CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON 2
Zhang Ziyi and Michelle Yeoh engage a sisterly clash of swords and will in Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000).
Well, it’s been a little over a year since it was reported that The Weinstein Company secured the rights to late Chinese author Wang Du Lu’s Crane/Iron pentalogy which inspired director Ang Lee’s 2000 award-winning Chinese-language wuxia epic, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Needless to say, it was a hit, and fourteen years later, the film is finally getting a sequel in the form of a prequel titled Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2: The Green Destiny.
This month, there’s more movement now being made for the film as pre-production has officially kicked off with plans to film most of the movie in New Zealand, courtesy of Auckland-based Iron Knight productions with the remainder of the film to be shot in China. The film is being directed by legendary action master Yuen Woo-Ping, with a script by Netflix Marco Polo series creator John Fusco, based on the fifth book of Wang’s Crane/Iron Pentalogy of novels.
The new movie will also reunite Master Yuen with actress Michelle Yeoh reportedly reprising her role from the first movie, along side the franchise’s latest addition, international action superstar Donnie Yen, all of whom previously share respective credits working on such kung fu classics like the 1993 Michael Mak film, Butterfly And Sword, and Master Yuen‘s 1994 film, Wing Chun. There’s no word yet on whether or not actress Zhang Ziyi will reprise her old role from the first film since recent news of her retirement from action roles. So, obviously, more updates lie in waiting.
The film is expected to be shot in both English and Mandarin languages and released sometime in 2015. In addition, more news is expected to come forward on Master Yuen‘s previously-announced July 2014 filming of Zu Warriors: Dawn Of Darkness, to be produced by Tsui Hark, as well as the contemporary potential trilogy kickoff, Vigilantes: The Lost Order.
H/T: NZ Herald, CriEnglish
Film Of The Week: MAN OF TAI CHI (2013)
SYNOPSIS:
Martin Scorsese To Possibly Sit With Yuen Woo-Ping And Donnie Yen To Discuss SEVEN SAMURAI
I have pretty much lost count as to the amount of films international action star Donnie Yen is racking up on these days. It feels like he is planning on staying as busy as possible for the next two years, laying out more and more movie announcements every week. And although today’s report from Deadline may not count as an official announcement, there is plenty of reason for this to possibly exist somewhere down the line.
Yuen Woo-Ping Set To Dominate 2013 And 2014 With ZU WARRIORS: DAWN OF DARKNESS And VIGILANTES
Martial arts action legend and director of the 2014 Yeoh/Yen reunion production, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2: The Green Destiny, Master Yuen Woo-Ping, is now being reported to direct the third installment of visionary filmmaker Tsui Hark’s Zu franchise, Zu Warriors: Dawn Of Darkness. Sources at Twitch and ScreenDaily suggest Hark will produce the $35 million dollar feature, backed by Bona Film Group, and will begin its Beijing shooting this July in stereoscopic 3D. Casting is still pending.
The film is based on the franchise, with the first directed by Hark and released in 1983 titled Zu: Warriors From The Magic Mountan, starring Sammo Hung, Mang Hoi, Bridgette Lin, Yuen Biao and Moon Lee, and is known mostly as one of the biggest kung fu film projects of its time, combining Hong Kong action with Western special effects filmmaking. The film was followed with the The Legend Of Zu (a.k.a. Zu Warriors) in 2001 with Ekin Cheng, Ceilia Chung, Patrick Tam, Louis Koo and Zhang Ziyi. Both are based on stories involving gods, demons and supernatural warriors battling on opposite sides for the fate of the world and Zu Mountain.
The news comes as recent announcements regarding the CROUCHING TIGER 2 sequel were made on Thursday to the delight of many fans looking forward to the reunion of the Yuen/Yeoh/Yen trio since 1994’s release of Wing Chun. Yuen also has another femme-fatale trilogy project that was previously announced in November of last year titled Vigilantes: The Lost Order, which is being represented by Birch Tree Films at Cannes this month. Filming for VIGILANTES is expected to begin in the Spring quarter of 2014, as casting is still pending.
Yuen’s action choeography will be seen in the release of Keanu Reeves’ directorial debut, Man Of Tai Chi, expected this July, followed by the North American release of Wong Kar-Wai’s epic biopic, The Grandmaster this August.
Stay tuned for updates.
Michelle Yeoh Speaks Out On CROUCHING TIGER Sequel
Metro recently got the chance to speak to international actress and action star Michelle Yeoh about her career from her days in dance to her rise as a Hong Kong action star. Among other things, the interview also illustrates where Yeoh currently stands while it is rumored she may reprise her role in Silver Vase, Iron Knight, the sequel to Ang Lee’s 2000 Oscar and Academy award-winning epic wuxia action love story, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, set to start shooting this May.