In the Pipeline

-- The Kingdom and The Beauty --

Donnie Yen is heading to Beijing on July 1 to take part in the production of 《江山美人》The Kingdom and The Beauty (tentative), directed by Tony Ching Siu Tung and produced by Peter Chan, art directed by Hai Chung Man. Donnie Yen plays a general who is the childhood friend of the princess, played by Kelly Chen Hui Ling, who has been training in horse-riding and swordplay to prepare for the film with wuxia setting. However, she later falls for Leon Lai, who seems to be already attached to another production. Donnie Yen says that this movie will succeed the martial arts style of his previous movies. Ching Siu Tung says that the film title will be changed as its plot is totally different from Li Han Hsiang's The Kingdom and The Beauty, which was about king's relationship with a commoner he met at an inn.  Sina

-- Dragon Tiger Gate TV series --

《龙虎门》 Dragon Tiger Clan TV series was announced at Shanghai Film Festival. Production for this 40 part series will begin later this year. Fan Siu Wong and Hong Kong Changquan (Longfist) champion To Yu Hang, 26, who are starring in it,  put up a martial arts demonstration on the stage as part of promotion. Apart from celebrities from the region, the production is also looking to cast newcomers who are skilled in martial arts and acting, one of whom will get the chance to play Tiger Wang.  Sina, QQ | Photos: Sina, TOM

-- Duo Shuai --

Dennis Law says that he'd be making a martial arts film 《夺帅》 Duo Shuai (tentative, Seize the Leader/Flag) in July. The cast includes Sammo Hung, Tien Niu, Simon Yam, Wu Jing, Danny Lee, Maggie Shiu and Jacky Heung. Plenty of weapon fights are expected in this triad movie. TOM

-- Painted Skin Remake --

Painted Skin remake, a joint-production between China, Hong Kong and Singapore studios, will be directed by Wilson Yip and produced by Andy Chin Wing Keung, and Donnie Yen agrees to join what was touted as the new contemporary horror fantasy action romance hybrid at the Shanghai Film Festival as he has had several fruitful collaborations with Wilson Yip and believes that it will give him breakthrough. While there will be abundant use of special effects in the movie, Donnie Yen and the director have reached an agreement in which action scenes involving him will be on the authentic side and will not be overwhelmed by special effects. However, Donnie Yen has requested not to be the action director this time round, as he'd like to concentrate as an actor, and his entire career as an action star has taken a toll on his physical well-being. He says that it'd be 2 to 3 years before his lifespan as an action star is up, after which to he would switch to directing. The two female leads have not been determined. Shooting begins in around October.

Donnie Yen reveals that the story is set in late Yuen Dynasty, at the time when demons and devils roam free. A fairy Shui Mei Ling who killed her lover 100 years ago turned into a demon, and constantly needs the heart and skin of man to maintain her beauty. As her time for reincarnation draws near, her last victim Wang Er Sheng turns out to be a descendant of the lover she killed, while his brother Wang Er Lang (Donnie Yen) is a ghostbusting master who is highly skilled, brave and smart.  Yanzhao Daily, Sina | Photos: Sina

-- Iron Monkey Sequel --

One of the projects said to be revealed at Cannes Films Festival was Iron Monkey sequel/remake (or Man in Iron Mask), to be directed by Yuen Wo Ping. Andy Lau is expected to play one of the 2 male leads in this romantic kung fu film, while the female lead might go to Jeon Do Yeon or another Korean actress. Yuen Wo Ping has been preparing for this HK$300 million work since the completion of Fearless and is very particular about the martial arts sequences.

Iron Monkey sequel will be set in Manchu dynasty, and will employ new filming techniques that Yuen Wo Ping picked up in Hollywood. There might be generous amount of special effects in this movie which might imitate some Spiderman movements, such as scaling the walls in order to break into the mansions of the rich and help the impoverished. Other possible Yuen Wo Ping projects include 《侠女》 (Heroine/A Touch of Zen) and 《擂台》 (The Arena).  Shanghai Afternoon Post