Wu-Jing.org

-- Yip Man --

Donnie Yen makes an appearance for a newly launched Chinese entertainment magazine in Shanghai and he is asked about Yip Man's biopic that Mandarin Films is producing. Yip Man's eldest son, who serves as consultant for this project as well as Wong Kar Wai's version, has mentioned before that Donnie Yen was the prime choice to play his father.

Rather than giving a definite reply, Donnie Yen says that he's still pondering over it, "Actually, I am facing quite a bit of pressure, Yip Man was behind the founding of Wing Chun sect in Hong Kong. I can't tarnish his image." On being queried who is best suited to play the role of Yip Man, Donnie Yen replies, "Tony Leung is an acclaimed actor, I can't be compared with him in acting; however, in terms of martial arts, can he be compared to me?" Donnie Yen reveals that the sets are being constructed and production may begin next January.  Daqing Daily

-- Thangka --

Director Cheung Chi Leung is working on preproduction of in a wuxia movie 《唐卡》 Thangka. Thangka refers to a type of Buddhist painting or embroidery that can be rolled up and transported easily. Concerned about the difficulties of moving Buddha statues across highlands as she's married off to Tibetan King Songtsän Gampo, Tang Princess Wencheng had them painted instead. Written by Liu Heng Dan, the film tells of a pugilist being arranged as a stand-in for Princess Wencheng by Emperor Li Shimin in order to protect her from assassination as she travels to a foreign land. Cheung Chi Leung hopes to get Andy Lau and Tang Wei to star in Thangka. Set-building has already begun, and filming, which begins sometime in 2008, is expected to take several months in Tibet.  Nanfang Daily

-- China Film Group to Co-produce Hollywood Action Films --

China Film Group announces that it's currently in talks to collaborate with Hollywood studios on three movies. The first plans on getting Will Smith and either Stephen Chow or Jackie Chan on board, with either of the latter playing a Chinese stuntman who changes the life of a withdrawn American kid. The kid would be played by Will Smith's son while he may take on a villainous role. The second is Taichi Tiger, a project planned by Keanu Reeves to fulfill the wish of Tiger Chen. He'll play a supporting role while Tiger Chen the protagonist. Keanu Reeves, accompanied by Tiger Chen, visited Sichuan recently for location scouting. The third is Disney's remake of Snow White, whose cast is so far unconfirmed, though some names have been mentioned.  Yangcheng Evening News

-- The Mummy 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor --

Wu Jing plays an assassin from state of Chu, who, along with two other assassins, attempts to get rid of the despotic Dragon Emperor. The duel between Jet Li and Wu Jing, an indoor scene, is very exciting. As with Jet Li, Wu Jing has deep foundation in martial arts, his reflex is very swift and he's a fast learner. He is able to memorise the moves taught by the martial arts director within a short time and his moves are very crisp. Jet Li is equally comfortable sparring against Wu Jing. Both of them move very fast, they are equally matched, and need not worry about the other lagging behind. They coordinate with each other very well, resulting in very beautiful action from both.

Wu Jing is no less skilled in wires. The wire team is from Yuen Wo Ping's team, actually, the martial arts director is none other than Dee Dee (aka 谷轩昭 Ku Huen Chui), who's been working with Yuen Wo Ping all along. Safety aspects are well taken care of, the only requirement is for the actor and the wire team to coordinate with each other and trust each other. Many actors might fight well, but it's a big headache when it comes to wires. Either they use too much or two little strength when jumping or their timing are off. However, Wu Jing handles wires quite well. When watching the film, the audience would be hard-pressed to distinguish which moves were wire-assisted.  Liu Xiao's Blog

Videos of news reports offering glimpses of Michelle Yeoh vs Jet Li swordfight: A, B   Michelle Yeoh Web Theatre

-- Forbidden Kingdom Trailer --

A footage from Forbidden Kingdom that highlighting the action scenes has been posted at YouTube.

-- The Mummy 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor --

The fight scene between Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh is no less exhilarating than it is graceful. Both show excellent skills. They perform everything personally and the scene is captured from different angles. Their exciting performance often wins applauses from everyone on the set. The fight between Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh is meant to be kept as realistic as possible without much CGIs.

On the previous day, both Michelle Yeoh and Jet Li arrived at different times. Michelle Yeoh showed up at 10am and only did one take, after which she retired. Jet Li appeared in the afternoon and did three takes. Other shots were completed by doubles. Sometimes, one may not understand why doubles are used. Doubles are necessary part of a filming process, sometimes, they are needed so that the actors would not wear themselves out or they could be needed for shooting elsewhere at the same time.

Working as stunt doubles is a very demanding, stressful and risky job. They have to get up very early at around 3am and set off at 4am. On reaching the set, they have to set up the cranes and the wires, rehearse the moves. Sometimes they don't even get to have a meal until afternoon. Given the high demands of an action director, they'd have to do jumps and falls from some high places, and when doing weapon fights, wounds are unavoidable. When the director likes what they did, they may be required to fight longer. And it's easier for one stuntman to fight another since they would not be as stressed as facing a distinguished star. Depending on circumstances, sometimes, they would change their moves to suit the opponents, requiring them to be flexible, to take care of their opponents. Their contributions to the industry should not be overlooked.

Part of the plot: The Dragon Emperor's (Jet Li) martial arts skills are unrivalled, and having conquered all lands, he should be happy and contented, yet there's something that sticks out like a sore thumb - his love for the sorceress Zi Yuan (Michelle Yeoh) is unrequited for she is in love with General Guo Ming (Russel Wong). Guo Ming is valiant general who has contributed greatly on the battlefields and is respected by his troops, and enjoys the company of Zi Yuan. Green with envy, the Dragon Emperor always mistreats him. Guo Ming and Zi Yuan decide to leave the kingdom. The Dragon Emperor begins a hunt and find them at a town. He has the whole town massacred before apprehending Guo Ming, bringing him back to be dismembered by eight horses...  Liu Xiao's Blog, Lin-An News

-- Seven Swords 2 --

Sun Hong Lei reveals that Seven Swords 2 film is still an on-going project and Tsui Hark has been working on the script. He estimates that production might possibly begins next year. Charlie Yeung, who's invited, along with Sun Hong Lei, to a ribbon cutting ceremony, would not say anything about the script other. She believes Tsui Hark would give her a role that would be a delightful surprise. On the hand, Ciwen Pictures, the studio behind the TV version of Seven Swordsmen, is putting the TV sequel on hold due to high costs involved as well as the audience's declining interest on ancient series.

Tsui Hark had recently completed filming of Missing, a mystery about one of a couple gone missing at an ancient underwater ruins off Yonaguni Island. He also has several other projects ahead including 《女人不坏》 She Ain't Mean, which is a somewhat modern version of Peking Opera Blues, and Di Ren Jie. In addition, he has just acquired the rights to Jing Xu Feng's suspense novel 《天眼》 Divine Eye which deals with cracking of an enigmatic case in the recent 100 years.  Chengdu Evening News

-- Meet Ngai Sing at Pacific Media Expo on Nov 10 --
Los Angeles -- Actor Collin Chou (aka Ngai Sing), will appear at Pacific Media Expo, America's first major media trade show dedicated to Asian-Pacific popular culture and entertainment, on Nov. 10, 2007, 1 PM, with an hour-long panel and autograph session at Hilton Los Angeles Airport's Pacific Ballroom B. A martial arts expert for more than 30 years, Chou will field questions about his projects, including the much-anticipated The Forbidden Kingdom. Slated for release in early 2008, Chou appears alongside Jackie Chan and Jet Li in their first costarring film.

"We are honored that Collin Chou, a celebrated action star who has successfully crossed over to Hollywood, is coming to PMX," said Paula Angeles, director of marketing and community outreach. "We are also very excited to see the fusion of Asian culture and American pop culture come together in his latest film, The Forbidden Kingdom. It's a dream come true for fans of action films."

Chou, a veteran of Hong Kong action cinema who spent seven years as a member of Sammo Hung's acclaimed stunt team, will look back on his work with famed directors Hung, Yuen Woo Ping, Corey Yuen and Tsui Hark. In addition to the 15 films he appeared in before moving to the U.S., his prior and future American releases in THe Matrix franchise (2003-2005), Fearless (2006), DOA: Dead Or Alive (2006), The Signal (2007) and Batlle of Red Cliff (2008) will also be discussed.

In his latest film, featuring a screenplay by John Fusco, Chou plays the villainous Jade Emperor in The Forbidden Kingdom, a re-telling of the classic Chinese Monkey King's Journey to the West legend. In it, a modern-day American teenager (Michael Angarano) is transported to ancient China and with the aid of a kung fu master (Jackie Chan) and a silent monk (Jet Li), frees the Monkey King while eluding the Jade Emperor (Chou) and his soldiers, led by the White Haired Demoness (Li Bingbing).

Chou, his wife and two sons currently reside in Los Angeles, Calif.  Pacific Media Expo