In the Pipeline

-- Chinese Hero --

Beijing Forbidden City Films reveals that they'll be making a kungfu comedy 《中华大丈夫》 Chinese Hero (tentative) this September. Yuen Tak will direct this movie that possibly stars Alex Fong, Charlene Choi, and Eva Huang Sheng Yi. Jeffrey Lau, who produces and pens the movie, will create some farfetched ideas such as parodying a blend of Chinese and Japanese martial arts. While Chinese Hero is set in the pugilistic world, it is actually about how a married couple lives together and the crises they may face.  Jinghua Times

-- Five Venoms Remake --

According to Celestial Pictures, Five Venoms remake will begin production in September with a tentative release date in around 4th quarter of 2008. The US$15m feature, which taps into 5 unorthodox skills, Lizard, Snake, Toad, Centipede and Scorpion Styles, will be shot in Shanghai, Haerbin, and possibly USA. Director Kirk Wong says that major changes are being made to the remake, which will be set in contemporary days in a fictitious city. A female role will be introduced in the form of Spider Lady. Tentatively, Jay Chow, Edison Chen, Maggie Q, Huang Xiao Ming and Wu Jing are being considered to play the Five Venoms while Gordon Liu their master.  The First

Remake of 80s' horror flick Painted Skin, to be directed by Andy Chin Wing Keung, is scheduled to begin production in October. Apparently, Donnie Yen has already signed on to play Wang Er Lang, while Fan Bing Bing and Daniel Wu are likely to play the female ghost, who will battle it out against Donnie Yen, and Donnie Yen's bookish brother Wang Er Shen respectively. The production hopes to repackage the film with today's standards in special effects, martial arts, and cinematography. Ching Siu Tung would be the choreographer. This version will focus on relations, and will not be as bloody and violent. The crew and cast will be announced formally in June.  Shanghai Youth Daily