News ... or mere Rumours?

May 2004

-- Sha Po Lang --
On 21 May, Wu Jing has flown to Hong Kong to prepare for his latest movie Sha Po Lang 《杀破狼》(Sha Po Lang refers to three stars, each relating to one person, in Chinese astrology - Qi Sha, Po Jun and Tan Lang, or Killing, Obliteration and Avarice).  Wu Jing is playing a professional hitman with deadly kungfu and exceptional intelligence. At various points in the movie, he will get to spar against Donnie Yen and Sammo Hung. Production will take over two months. (It was mentioned earlier in the message board that this film tells of Mainland and Hong Kong police forces coming together to deal with a serious international stowaway case.) Wu Jing's recent rigorous training, coupled with lots of sweating, in Henan's Chen Village for over a month has paid dividends. He has become tougher - more able to take hits and falls - and has grasped new techniques that counter Muay Thai and Bagua Zhang (Eight Trigram Palm) and has also created a new martial style. All these will go towards paving the way for his new work as well as introducing fresher choreography.  ABBA Group Beijing Representative

-- Sony Pictures Classics on House of Flying Daggers --

Sony Pictures Classics' Co-President Michael Barker was interviewed on May 20 regarding its acquisition of North America's distribution rights to House of Flying Daggers for HK$100 million. Michael Barker, one of the largest Asian film distributors in US, said that his criteria for film acquisition are not based on whether it's star-studded or not. Rather, he would look at the director, for he believes that the film of a good director can't be bad. He had distributed seven Zhang Yimou movies, such as Raise the Red Lantern, before, all of which were successful at the box office. He felt that House of Flying Daggers is commercially viable without sacrificing its artistic merits, the latter of which is the main reason for acquiring the film. He believed that House of Flying Daggers would be well received by the US audience, just as Lee Ang's Academy Award winning picture Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which was also distributed by Sony Pictures Classics. Based on his experience, Michael Barker expects House of Flying Daggers to be nominated for Best Foreign Language Film as well as for Special Effects, Costume, Make-up, music and so forth, with Zhang Yimou as Best Director nominee.

When it was shown in Cannes Film Festival on May 19, the audience's response was overwhelming. At that time, he knew that he had made the right choice in getting the movie, which is one of the most touching movies he had ever seen. He believed it's time he submitted the movie literature to Oscar. The bamboo fight scene left a very memorable impression on him, and the audience were utterly amazed. He added that the final battle in the snow, though part of the snow were CGIs, was something he had never witnessed before. He felt that Zhang Yimou had surpassed himself with House of Flying Daggers, being equally engaging in story-telling and fight scenes, and full of climaxes. From the middle to the end of the movie, the unveiling of each suspense and mystery brings about delights and surprises to the audience. He said that when House of Flying Daggers is released in US, everyone would think that it couldn't be shot with at least US$100 million. The filmmakers would be astonished and envious of such a director and many Hollywood studios would want to get Zhang Yimou to shoot their movies. Michael Barker said that House of Flying Daggers is tentatively set for December release, most probably around Christmas season, in US, so that it would qualify for Oscar nomination. Beijing Youth Daily

Video: House of Flying Dagger Cannes Trailer (Shanghai Media Group, at around 4th minute)

-- Yu Qian Si Bao (Four Rarities of Royal Palace) --

Photo: Sina

After having finished shooting Wind and Cloud 2 TV series earlier this month, Zhao Wen Zhuo has moved on to a 40-part TV series Four Rarities of the Royal Palace (tentative) 《御前四宝》 on 13 May. The other main cast members include Tammy Chen, Wu Ma, Wang Gang, Zhang Tie Lin, Liu Yi Wei and Zhang Dan Lu. This major period comedy is directed by Huang Zu Quan, with Chen Wen Qing of Jackie Chan's Stunt Team serving as the action director, as well as doing some demanding actions himself. Four Rarities of the Royal Palace is written in a similar vein to Stephen Chow's slapstick comedies. A relevant short 3-D animation featuring a lovely doggie will be inserted into each episode.

Set in Kangxi Dynasty, it tells a bewilderingly ludicrous story: Emperor Kangxi (Zhao Wen Zhuo) makes a wager with a weird monk on the latter turning two beggars in the streets to someone of capabilities. Unexpectedly, a few years later, the inarticulate, stuttering beggar becomes a sharp-tongued magistrate while the weakling beggar becomes an astounding general. Subsequently, the two, together with Nalan Rong Ku and Shi Shi Lun become the four favourite officials of Kangxi. The four swear to brotherhood, but often have conflicts due to differences in their personalities. They would at one time work hand in hand together, only to quickly pick on one another immediately. The four would often accompany Kangxi in his inspection tour, dealing with the oppressors along the way and helping out the needy commoners, staging a ticklish comedy in the complex officialdom and ever-changing underworld.  Sina Entertainment

Inauguration photos: Sina

-- Quan Shen (King of the Sanda) --

Photo: Shenzhen Online

Post-production of God of Fist (tentative) 《拳神》, a movie on street fighting starring Sang Wei Lin, has just been completed. Professional boxers from Thailand, USA and Germany were also enlisted for the film. Sang Wei Lin was an outstanding Sanda fighter in Mainland, and was the champion of National Military Police Sanda Competion in 1998 and 2000. He was discovered by Tsui Hark who cast him as the leading star in Xanda, leading him to a successful transition from a sports to an acting career.

In God of Fists, Sang Weilin plays a well-known boxer who loses to an inferior opponent owing to a mishap. He becomes dejected and gives up boxing and moves from Hong Kong to China's Zhuhai. Around the same time, an invincible boxer from Thailand travels especially to Zhuhai in order to challenge this ex-boxer of legend.

Sang Wei Lin points out that while both Xanda and God of Fist are about boxing, there are many areas in which the two differ: Firstly, the matches in Xanda take place mainly in the boxing ring while in God of Fist, they take place in public places like warehouse, bar, street and construction site. The art of combat used in the former is primarily Sanda while the latter showcases various types of combats, including Thailand's Muay Thai, US' wrestling and German's strength-based fight.

Among the foreign boxers, Sang Wei Lin is full of praises for the Thailand boxing champion, who is a household name in his country and has been involved in numerous Thai features. During filming of God of Fist, the Thai boxer exhibited profound Muay Thai skills, which greatly benefited Sang Wei Lin. Sang Wei Lin believes that God of Fist is a highly enjoyable movie that shows various techniques of close-quarter combat, with many high quality fight scenes. God of Fist is aimed for summer vacation release.  Shanghai Afternoon Post

-- Seven Swords of Mt Tian --

Filming for first movie adaptation of Seven Swords of Mt Tian 《七剑下天山》 is scheduled to begin in Xinjiang on 1 August 2004 and will take up to four months. Seven Swords of Mt Tian has been in pre-production for over two years amidst little buzz. Wenlian Studio is in talks with two Korean stars - Jang Suh Hee and an unnamed actor - to be on board this film while other initial cast members include Andy Lau, Tony Leung Ka Fei, Sang Wei Lin. Wenlian Studio's president Ma Zhong Jun said that final casting and crew members will be decided in two weeks, after Tsui Hark returns from Cannes Film Festival as one of the jury members.  Henan Newspapering Center

-- Golden Dragon --

Korean actor Kwan Sang Woo of Volcano High, Spirit of Jeet Keun (sic) Do fame has been invited to join Golden Dragon 《金龙》, which may also star Chow Yun Fatt. This upcoming Disney feature will be directed by Yuen Wo Ping. Golden Dragon is about Snow White who returns to Hong Kong and eventually discovers that it will ultimately fall upon her to have battle against evil and starts training diligently in esoteric martial arts of the East so as to fight on the side of justice. Korean media reported that Yuen Wo Ping has the intention of grooming Kwon Sang Woo into the next international action superstar, after Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. However, when asked, Yuen Wo Ping, who has just returned to Hong Kong after surveying some locations in Beijing, said that casting and final casting decision are being handled by the production and that he is not at liberty to reveal anything. He said the cast will be made known when shooting begins this October.  Beijing News, Netease

-- Empire is of More Importance on DVD --

Empire is of More Importance (Nation First) 《江山为重》 TV series has now been released on DVD. Empire is of More Importance is about how Prince Hongli succeeds Emperor Yongzheng and be crowned as Emperor Qianlong and how he stabilises the country as well as coming to terms with the fact that he's actually not of royal birth and his wish to be reunited with his natural parents. Based on folklores, this series puts a real test to Wu Jing's acting, putting him in two roles - Emperor Qianlong and his rebel brother Chen Bang Guo. Available at YesAsia.

Also available on DVD is Love Between Man and Woman 《江山儿女几多情》 series, a romantic comedy about the love tussle between the Emperor Qianlong, Fang De and Miao Cui Hua, which sees Wu Jing playing a charming, dignified, magnanimous version of Emperor Qianlong, in contrast to Empire is of More Importance. Available at YesAsia.

-- Huadu Chronicles: Blade of the Rose --

Some information on Huadu Chronicles: Blade of the Rose (Twin Effects 2) may be found at EMG.

Plot Synopsis:

This tale is set in Huadu, an ancient land ruled by a cruel empress (Qu Ying), a place where men are subservient to women. The empress' reign is disturbed by a prophecy saying a boy will rise to become king, and restore the male regime.

Char (Jaycee Chan), a humble boy, is born to be emperor. He and his adopted brother, Leaf (Chen Po-lin), perform in a traveling show run by their adopted father, Blackwood (Tony Leung). Thanks to their friend, Lao (Edison Chen), the pair receive a stone with a map engraved on it. They set out on a quest for the treasure that the map is supposed to reveal.

Two lovely yet lethal female warriors, Blue (Gillian Chung) and Spring (Charlene Choi), join the boys on their journey. The youngsters encounter various challenges before they meet General Lone (Donnie Yen), a master swordsman who seeks to overthrow the empire. To do so he must first duel the Lord Of Armour (Jackie Chan).

April 2004

-- Bichunmoo TV --

Shooting of TV version of Bichunmoo 《飞天舞》, a near 50 million renminibi joint-production between Korea and China, has begun in mid April in Wuxi. The TV version stars Park Ji Yoon, Wang Ya Nan, Liu Li, Ju Jin Mo and has Ma Yuk Sing as the action director. The 33-part series, set at the turn of Yuan and Ming Dynasties, follows the basic premise of the movie about love, separation, and vengeance. The TV version is said to have a more detailed and thorough storyline, more compelling characters, compared to the movie. The series is being filmed using high definition camera imported from Korea. Shooting will last for 5 months and is tentatively set to be broadcast simultaneously in China, Korea and Japan at the end of the year.  Chengdu Daily

-- Twins Effect 2 Trailer and Official Site --

Twins Effect 2 official site (currently, in Chinese only) has been launched, together with a teaser trailer (left most menu), plot, characters and some production info. Twins Effect 2, produced by Emperor Classics Films Company with a budget of HK$ 80 million, out of which $10 million went to Donnie Yen for his special appearance, will be released in August.

Pictures: Southcn.com

-- Monk in New York; Green Hornet --

Photo: Tom

Jet Li recently showed up on 5 April at the press conference of Lebaishi soft drinks in Beijing as its ambassador. He has also done a commercial for Lebaishi soft drinks which was directed by Yuen Cheung Yan, whose last directorial effort is 36th Chamber of Southern Shaolin TV series. The commercial is about Jet Li encountering a group of fans who purposely snatches away his drink to test his kungfu.

"Our anger, our frustration, our despair, have much to do with our bodies and the food we eat. We must work out a strategy of eating, of consuming to protect ourselves from anger and violence. Eating is an aspect of civilization. The way we grow our food, the kind of food we eat, and the way we eat it have much to do with civilization because the choices we make can bring about peace and relieve suffering."  A Lifetime of Peace: Essential Writings By & About Thich Nhat Hanh

Jet Li said that Hero is his favourite work for it advocates non-violence, a state which he strives to achieve [while ironically not being a vegetarian.] To him, "wushu is a packaging which uses action to express a story, the heart and soul itself is a form of story." Jet Li readily admitted to declining physique, a topic which action stars would skilfully evade like Keanu Reeves dodging bullets. He dispelled rumours of him becoming a monk and becoming a vegetarian. He explained that "it is great practicing Buddhism among the society, for it's also an achievement to grow out of the big dye tub of the complex society without being tainted." He said he is past caring about fame and felt that "everyone should not fall prey to the trap of wealth, for richness in the mind is the most important. A person having more desires that could be realised would live in constant misery, such as some celebrities."

Jet Li said that he has already done lots of films since Shaolin Temple, and all that matters to him now is shooting what he likes. He has now found a director willing to take up his conceived script of Monk in New York which had been heretofore put on hold as it was thought to be unfeasible when Chow Yun Fatt had a similar movie Bulletproof Monk being made. Concerning words of Jet Li playing the role of Kato in Kevin Smith's Green Hornet, Jet Li said he had been in talks with the production since 5 years ago and they are still in talks. When asked if he would do Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Prequel, Jet Li didn't rule out the possibility but reiterated that it would mainly depend on Lee Ang, on when he shoots it and if he would want to recruit him.  Beijing Times, Hunan News, Qilu Evening News, Chongqing Morning News

More photos: Tom.com, Sohu (The second includes video of the press conference, look for the hyperlinked numbers 1, 2, 3 above the thumbnails.)

-- The Possible Return of Shaw Brothers --

The earliest history of Shaw Brothers could be traced to 1925, when they formed a film studio in 1925 in Shanghai, while Shaw Brothers Film Studio was founded in Hong Kong in 1958. They were at the peaks of success in the 1960s and 70s but stopped making films in mid 1980. Shaw Brothers' executive producer, Lawrence Wong Ka Hee, said that Shaw Brothers is building a whole new filming base, "the biggest in Asia, in the world, and is the most advanced film city", hoping to provide the best amenities for Hong Kong filmmakers, as a tribute to the 100 anniversary of Chinese filmmaking. The filming base could be used for shooting their own movies or be loaned to others. With China and Hong Kong starting to come together to make movies, it would be a worthwhile investment. (Shaw Brothers and Chinastar co-invested HK$1.1 billion in 2003 to build Hong Kong Film City.)

Wong Ka Hee said that they have intention of doing remakes of some of their classics, such as One-armed Swordsman, The Heroic Ones, all of which can be shot at the new soundstage - though no firm plan at the moment. Wong Kah Hee added that Andrew Lau would be one of the directors they would consider to hire. But if they are shooting a remake of 36th Chamber of Shaolin Temple, they would hire Quentin Tarantino who professed to have seen such Shaw Brothers movies as The King Boxer countless times. They had already got in touch with Quentin Tarantino, who would only be available in 2006. In the olden days, they would spend many days in filming, such as 36th Chamber of Shaolin Temple whose opening scene alone took 116 days of shoot. But now, film studios could do a movie in just over 10 days. He also quoted Drunken Monkey as another example - filming took over 80 days, and the actors and actresses were very serious, every move was plotted out carefully.  Beijing News

-- "Golden Dragon" --
"Golden Dragon*" 《金龙》, the martial arts, live action version of Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, is finally showing signs of materialisation. Golden Dragon's producer, Dede Nickerson, describes the film as an impeccable merger between Chinese wuxia fiction and Western romantic fairy tale. The evil stepmother from the original Snow White and the Seven Dwarves will still be around while many new plot elements have been introduced. Snow White would be played by a Hollywood actress while a number of Chinese stars will play other key roles. Disney is teaming up with China's Zhong Ying and Huayi Brothers to produce the movie, which is going to be filmed in China, including Sichuan's Jiuzhaihou and Huanglong, and Hengdian. Director Yuen Wo Ping and cinematographer Peter Pau will helm the project. Shooting begins in September or October in Sichuan. Gold Dragon is expected to premiere in 2006 (or 2005) to coincide with the launch of Hong Kong's Disneyland theme park.  Chengdu Daily

*This may not necessarily be the actual English title, being a direct translation from the Chinese title, which may not necessarily be a direct representative of the original English title.

A Sept 2002 report of live-action Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs from Ananova:
"Disney is reported to be negotiating with choreographer who worked on The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. US entertainment newspaper Variety says Yuen Wo Ping will help turn the fairytale into a live-action film. The project had been known as Snow White and the Seven Shao Lin, a reference to the Shao Lin monks of China who became martial arts masters, but is now untitled. The Snow White update will be set in the 1890s and follow a woman who returns home to Hong Kong to attend her father's funeral after 20 years living abroad. She discovers her stepmother is plotting against her and escapes to mainland China, where she seeks solace with seven Shao Lin monks who, in turn, come to believe the woman holds the fate of the world in her hands and protect her."

March 2004

-- The Infernal Fighter DVD Released --

Photo: YesAsia

Taking over a year in post-production with special effects talents from Hollywood, The Infernal Fighter 《无间道长》, a movie of magical fantasy, is poised to challenge the technical wizardry of Legend of Zu. Starring Fan Siu Wong, Christine Ng and Mark Cheng, this movie has been released recently in China.

Plot: A long, long time ago, humans start to become arrogant and forsake justice and overrate themselves as being mightier than Heaven. As a warning to the humans, God decides to induce a major calamity in the form of earthquake. This causes the demons which had been sealed below the ground to be released inadvertently, and they begin creating havoc on earth. Only Priest Infernal from Magic Sword Clan is capable of fighting against the demons, for he has inherited the Demon-Slaying Holy Sword, which can destroy all demons. The Demon-Slaying Holy Sword was forged by Magic Sword Clan's forefather using a piece of black metal from beyond Heaven. As the sword-bearer would ultimately die of exhaustion, the Demon-Slaying Holy Sword and its manual, Flying Immortal, are being kept separately. Three close childhood playmates are being adopted by Taoist, Demon and Immortal Realms and are groomed into Infernal Fighter, Rebel and Holy Maiden. As the fates of the three are being changed, so is the fate of the world which hinges on the paths they choose, be them good or evil. Subsequently, the Demon and Taoist Realms engages a death duel in a bid to acquire the sword and the manual.

Order Infernal Fighter DVD (Chinese version) from YesAsia

-- Jackie Chan Announces Project C --

Jackie Chan spoke of his plan for the year 2004. New Police Story is now in post-production, it was intended to be shown in June but is now pushed back to September to avoid clashing with Around the World in 80 Days. He would be filming a Hong Kong mega-blockbuster in late May or early June. Jackie Chan was undecided about the title which he tentatively called Project C. Project C will be done in a similar vein to New Police Story, and will be shot in Hong Kong, India and China's Yunnan. Filming ends by mid-September, when he heads to US to shoot Rush Hour 3. Beijing Youth Daily

-- Twins Effect 2 Photos --

DonnieYen.net has released a new set of photographs showing the his battle scene with Jackie Chan.

-- Wu Jing Featured at Kungfu Cinema --

Kungfu Cinema has recently added Wu Jing's profile to their pages.

-- Hong Kong Tapping into Mainland Martial Arts Talents --

Joe Cheung Tung-Cho, vice-chairman for Federation of Hong Kong Film Workers, recently requested Hong Kong's Legislative Council to ease the relevant paperwork, so that those from China with martial arts foundation and potential could come to Hong Kong to pursue a career in the film industry. Cheung Tung-Cho says that there is a shortage of burgeoning martial arts actors/actresses and martial arts choreographers, and there may be no one to succeed the current crop as they get on in years and it would take 8 to 10 years to train new martial arts stars.  Chengdu Daily

Jackie Chan also feels the same about shortage of new action stars. Attending an activity at Hong Kong Film Week, he said perchance he might set up an action film school that teaches "Jackie Chan Kung Fu" . When asked by Shanghai Morning Post if he would consider imparting his kungfu to disciples, Jackie Chan said that he did think of setting up a school, but not specifically teaching martial arts. The school would aim at onscreen action, such as how to blend kungfu with the camera artistically, so that the action would look more beautiful on the screen. He believed that the next generation of martial arts star would hail from China. The kids in Hong Kong now lead a luxurious life and their parents would not want them to undergo the arduous martial arts training. He once saw a bunch of young Chinese kids doing gymnastics, and admired how they were able to take hardships. He believed that the future martial arts stars would arise among them.  Shanghai Morning Post

-- Wu Jing's Untitled Upcoming Works --
Wu Jing's manager in Gold Label Management's Beijing branch said there are quite a sizeable number of scripts that has approached Wu Jing. Depending on when the movie with Donnie Yen starts filming, it might be possible to squeeze in a drama serial after June. Other than that, Wu Jing said he has at least two confirmed projects with Yuen Wo Ping. Both are set in modern days, and one involves helicopter, Taichi, Eight Trigram Palm (Bagua Zhang), some dangerous stunts, and whatnots. And Wu Jing is undergoing some gruelling sessions learning some new stuffs in preparation for them. Wu Jing is glad to be working with Yuen Wo Ping again, for he excels best in martial arts under Yuen Wo Ping's direction, such as in Master of Taichi.  Sunny Wu Jing

-- Laughing Taichi Released --

Chin Ka Lok's Laughing Taichi 《笑太极》 DVD (Chinese version) is now available for sale at YesAsia.

-- Xanda in Singapore --

Following Xanda's 《散打》 release and limited release in January and February in China and Hong Kong respectively, u-Weekly states that Xanda is opening in Singapore theatres on 25 March. Produced by Tsui Hark and directed and edited by Marco Mak, Xanda, a martial arts tournament based movie featuring actual Sanda champions, went through eight times of editing before the final cut was eventually made. Xanda, a more thematically earthly movie compared to other Tsui Hark works, is about a wushu practitioner (Sang Wei Lin) from rural area arriving at Shenzhen city. His buddy gets injured in a brawl when they try rescuing a damsel in distress (Ni Jing Yang) and in order to pay for his friend's medical bill, starts training in free-form fighting and its discipline and entering into Xanda competitions, eventually facing the ultimate Sanda champion (Teng Jun). Starring Sang Wei Lin, Zhao Zi Long, Teng Jun, Ni Jing Yang, Li Tie, Zhang Hong Jun.

Update: Xanda's release has been pushed back to 8 April 2004.

-- Jackie Chan's Role in Twins Effect 2 --

Jackie Chan joined the production of Twins Effect sequel on March 20 to shoot his scenes. However, he left the set on 23 March morning due to some urgent matters. Jackie Chan was originally scheduled to shoot from March 20 to 24. His unfinished scenes will be pushed back to early April when he returns again. Shooting expects to wrap up on April 20.

Jackie Chan plays a patriotic general of a former dynasty who fiercely guards its secret weapons depot. He transformed himself into a stone statue 100 years back, stationing himself at the arsenal's door. He would only come to life again only upon sensing someone powerful and threatening approaching - anyone else is ignored; they could frolic around, poke fun at the statue, but it will remain unmoved - and lay down his life defending the arsenal. To create a sense of mystery, mists (smoke) were created. While the crew could put on masks, Donnie Yen and Jackie Chan could not, and they had to be suspended on wire and fight each other, it was tough beyond words. The crew gave thumbs up to both actors' work ethics. Jackie Chan and his son did not meet on the set as they were in different camera units but Jaycee Chan would often pay respects to his father in his breaks. Donnie Yen is the only person in the production who meets Jackie Chan face to face and comes to blow with him, being the only one who presents a sufficient threat to awaken Jackie Chan.  Youth Times

-- Jackie Chan Makes Preparation for Yue Fei --
Jackie Chan announces plan to shoot Yue Fei 《岳飞》, the martyr of Song Dynasty, in 2005. The first draft of the script is done and he had already found collaborators for the movie. Jackie Chan will produce and star in the movie as General Yue Fei, while his son Jaycee Chan will play Yue Fei in his younger days. He said, "Yue Fei was a very loyal person. So am I, I am foolishly loyal to Golden Harvest, to friends and to the country." He is willing to reduce his pay and would take more if it does well at the box office. Jackie Chan would concentrate fully on Yue Fei after completion of another movie, probably Timebreaker. He also has intention of making Genghis Khan but nothing concrete has materialised so far.  Information Times

However, director Stanley Tong had his reservations. He said he had talk to Jackie Chan about Yue Fei but the role hasn't been decided, and Andy Lau is also among his shortlists. He said it's too early to talk about it.  Shanghai Youth Daily

-- Feng Xiao Gang on Kungfu Hustle Cameo --

Photo: Sina

China's Laureus Awards for Top Ten Sports Stars 2004 was held at a Shanghai theatre on 18 March. The event honours the most outstanding sportsmen/sportswomen of the year. Celebrities and directors from the showbiz, including Feng Xiao Gang, Tsui Hark and his wife See Nan Sun, Michelle Yeoh, Jet Li, Yu Rong Guang, Tao Hong, Li Ya Peng, Shui Ling, Jing Gang Shan, etc, showed up at the ceremony upon invitation. Some of them presented the awards.

Director Feng Xiao Gang talked about his cameo role in Kung Fu Hustle 《功夫》, in which he had three scenes, "I played a police who brought Iron Fist Clan to fight against Axe Gang. We lost, and fled, I wasn't even aware that my legs were chopped off by an axe and was still running." Tsui Hark laughed and interrupted, "Please, how could you still be running without your legs?" "It's comedy, and what it wants to achieve is heightened exaggerated effect," replied Feng Xiao Gang. Tsui Hark joked, "Why not use machine guns? Iron Fist and axes, so primitive?" Jet Li rejoined, "Isn't it obvious? If a machine gun was used, he wouldn't have stood a chance. Machine gun is my specialisation." And the trio had a good laugh.

Then, Feng Xiao Gang, who is shooting A Thiefless World, consulted Tsui Hark about shooting action scenes, "There is a scene shot in a railway tunnel. Andy Lau was standing on the train roof, and the train zoomed past through the tunnel, and the sunglasses flew off. I could never get that scene right." Tsui Hark paused and replied, "This type of scene can be tricky, you have to shoot on actual location, and take into account the perception of depth. The key factors lie in lighting and angle." "Frankly speaking, Andy Lau is very professional, he did not even use any stunt double for such a dangerous scene. I heard that he is doing six films for this year alone." Tsui Hark nodded. Feng Xiao Gang added, "I am spending nearly half the budget on action scenes, especially on the the train scene and special effects. Let's work together when there is a chance."

Next Feng Xiao Gang brought up the about digital cinemas in China, "There were eight digital theatres in US, and on hearing they were doing well, some people here also followed the trend blindly and now, there are over 30 digital theatres in China. However, most of the time, they have hardly any digital films running in the theatres. The production cost is staggering, no one dares to shoot digital films. Imagine how substantial the loss is." Tsui Hark agreed, "Yes. I don't foresee digital film market doing well in the near future. The conditions for are underdeveloped."   Nanjing Daily

Photos: Sina, Henan Newspapering Center, Netease

Video: Smgbb

-- Paco Wong Announces Two Actioners --
Gold Label Management's Paco Wong said he plans to groom Wu Jing to be the next major kungfu star, inspired by the success of Ong Bak: Muay Thai Warrior in Hong Kong. Paco Wong said, "The success of Ong Bak rekindled the audience's interests in martial arts movies. There have been very few new martial arts star emerging since Jet Li and Jackie Chan. As such, I hope to groom Wu Jing, for he has a firm martial arts background and is quite good looking. I will, in collaboration with Uncle Ba, produce two movies having Wu Jing in the lead, and am hiring a world-class martial arts choreographer to work with him, intending to hit the target with one single strike." The first movie has Donnie Yen as the co-star and begins filming next month. Both movies are being produced by Abba Movie, founded by Paco Wong and Uncle Ba.  Sing Pao Daily

-- New Dragon Inn 2 in the Pipeline --

Beijing Forbidden City Film Company is planning for a big-budget sequel to Tsui Hark's Dragon Inn. New Dragon Inn 2 (tentative) shall be written by the original screenwriter He Ji Ping who had also written the critically acclaimed The Great Conqueror's Concubine. The sequel should carry over the hallmarks of what made the original a success, such as the colourful and shimmering characterisation and a convoluted storyline, while adding more creative touches. The studio hopes to enlist the original team, including Tsui Hark to direct, for New Dragon Inn sequel, which may begin filming in second half of the year.  Beijing Star Daily

-- Ma Yuk Sing Says --

Ma Yuk Sing is working as martial arts director for action comedy The Flying Heroine: Little White Dragon (tentative) starring Cecila Cheung, who reprises Fung Bo Bo's role in the 1968 movie as Little White Dragon, and Francis Ng. The original movie The White Dragon was more serious in nature and had Liu Chia Liang directing the action. The Flying Heroine: Little White Dragon began filming last month and will be completed by early April. In this interview Ma Yuk Sing, talked about his mentor Ching Siu Tung, and shed his views on Yuen Wo Ping, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, etc venturing into Hollywood.  Beijing Youth Daily >>Full Story<<

-- Twins Effect Sequel --

Twins Effect 2 has finished its on location filming in Yunnan on March 7 and has moved to Guangzhou. Jackie Chan would join the production on the third week of March and stage the ultimate battle against Donnie Yen. Twins Effect 2 should wrap up by mid April and be released in August.  Sina Entertainment

Some production photos: Sina, Kungfu Cinema

-- Untitled Wing Chun Movie--

Leung Tin, a Wing Chun master who teaches at US International WingTsun Association, is teaming up with Gordon Liu on a movie about Wing Chun Master Dr Leung Jan. They have been working on the project for months. Some news and promotional photos may be found at Leungtingwingtsun.net.  Kungfu Cinema

-- Shaolin Vampire --

My Way Film Co's Shaolin Vampire (Shaolin vs Evil Dead) 《少林僵尸》, directed by Douglas Kung and starring Gordon Liu, Fan Siu Wong and Shannon Yao Yao, is going to be released in April.  Screen Daily

-- Laughing Taichi Trailer --

Photo: Cnave

《笑太极》 Xiao Tai Ji (tentatively: Laughing Taichi) is a forthcoming old school kungfu film shot late last year. Produced by Mainland's Guandong Greatstar Film and directed by Lin Wen Wei, it stars Chin Ka Lok, Billy Chow, Ma Jing, Chan Siu Pang, Jason Pai Piao. The movie, which contains generous dosage of comedy, revolves around Huo Jia Gui (Chin Kar Lok), mischievous son of a wealthy family, who is forever getting into fights due either to his frivolity or righteousness. Once, he helps a seriously wounded old guy against a group of attackers in black. Before dying, the old guy hands Huo Jia Gui a dagger. Unfortunately, this dagger brings Huo Jia Gui a series of mishaps, with Black and White Twin Jinxes seeking to posses it at all costs. Later, Huo Jia Gui meets a kungfu master who teaches him Laughing Fist. At the same time, he shamelessly pursues the latter's daughter. Given his intelligence, Huo Jia Gui eventually masters Laughing Fist and combines it with Taichi to form a formidable new skill called Laughing Tai Chi. And so, it's time he got back at those who had made him suffer.

Two film excerpts have been released at Cnave.

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