Film News

-- Moss --

Fan Siu Wong is currently filming an action film《青苔》 Moss (tentative) in Hong Kong. Shedding his past heroic image, he plays someone from Mainland who's tricked into coming to Hong Kong to be a vagrant killer and scavenger. He has to make big sacrifice as he's dressed in dirty and stinking rags, with a really grimy makeup to boot. On the account of his slimy and shaggy looks, passers-by keep him at arm's length. As one who grows up in the mountains, he cannot fight using traditional martial arts, and can only use more primal, beastly assaults. Because of his beggarly outfit and having to stay around refuse dump, Fan Siu Wong had fallen ill previously. Moreover, he has to roar constantly when fighting, resulting in getting sore-throat. On the other hand, the director has been singing his praises, saying how great he is at action sequences. It's quite different from Fan Siu Wong's other recent role as an Interpol agent in Benny Chan's Connected. Moss is directed by Kwok Chi Kin and also stars Shawn Yue, Shaun Tam, Gill Mohindepaul Singh, Siu Yam Yam.  TOM | Video: Sina

-- Painted Skin / Skin Lover --

A little bit on the plot of Painted Skin has been revealed concerning the complicated relationships between the major characters. Owing to Chen Kun being besotted with another girl Zhou Xun, his wife Vicky Zhao Wei feels very hurt. Donnie Yen, who is secretly in love with his brother's wife, often comforts her, lending her a shoulder to cry on whenever she needs it. Donnie Yen feels sorry for his sister-in-law who's so gentle and kind, yet neglected by his brother. However, being a Taoist, he can only contain his feelings and restrain himself rather than openly declaring his love. Thus, he is very vexed by it. And the only one who is fully aware of the four-way eternal triangle and the real identity of Zhou Xun is a heroine Sun Li.

Zhao Wei says that Painted Skin is a big departure from the original, "This is actually a romance, while there are ghosts, it's not that important, I'll be a virtuous wife." She says that the relationships are more complicated, with more people being involved too. The director approaches the film from a unique angle, and there'll be plenty of suspense.  Xiao Xiang News, Shanghai Youth Daily

-- Wu Jing's Upcoming Project in 2008 --

During a chat with his fans on Dec 23rd, Wu Jing says that he's very busy working on his next project right now. He reveals that it should begin production in Hong Kong in around March 2008 or so. The martial arts sequences are expected to be extremely "rigorous". However, he says it is not for certain that he'd be directing. He'd be working with Nicky Li. The cast has not been confirmed yet. But, basically, those coming into contact with him must be able to fight, as they'd be doing very demanding action scenes.

However, it's not all plain-sailing as the script is not up to their expectations. They often hold meetings, collect information, watch matches, and might possibly incorporate some Mixed Martial Arts elements. So, sometimes, they'd feel mentally exhausted. They intend to do something big, and hope it'd be able to be released in Mainland and Hong Kong at the same time. As such, they'd have to make the film not too violent as to be rejected by Mainland censors. They're occupied with all these. Let's hope they iron out all wrinkles on the script by end of February so that production may begin on schedule.

Peter Chan: Man of War

The Straits Times, December 12, 2007
by Boon Chan    

Peter Chan's battle strategy to steer his new film from conventional period epics is to portray the gritty reality of 1850 China amid civil war.

A top drawer cast, a big-name director, a period epic with pulse-racing action sequences. The description applies equally to any number of films including Hero, Curse of the Golden Flower, and the upcoming Red Cliff and Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon. But this is filmmaker Peter Chan's The Warlords, a tale of three sworn brothers set against the tumultuous backdrop of epic battles and political intrigue.

-- Wu Jing's Future Works and Fatal Move --

After attending Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan, Paco Wong comforts Wu Jing, telling him not to be discouraged for not winning the award. Wu Jing is not disheartened, saying that it's already a big encouragement to be nominated, a form of confirmation to his acting. So, he's already very happy. At least, his effort and diligence has not gone down the drain.

In the recent years, Wu Jing has stood out in action films, gaining attention from within and without Mainland, and has also been approached by US studios occasionally. Wu Jing has been working hard on improving his command of English, so that when the right opportunity comes knocking, he'd not miss it.

His manager Paco Wong says that he'd be producing a martial arts film next year and Wu Jing would not only be starring in it, but he'd also let Wu Jing be the director, so that he can show his understanding and prowess of wushu on the silver screen.

-- Wu Jing to Attend 44th Golden Horse Awards --

When Wu Jing learned that he was nominated for Golden Horse Best Supporting Actor Award for his role as the antagonist in Invisible Target in October, he was taken by surprise for it's not often that an action star receives any nominations or awards. As veteran actors like Tony Leung Ka Fai and Louis Koo are also named in the same category, Wu Jing says that he's already very happy to be nominated and does not expect to win the award.

Wu Jing's manager Syllina says that it is the first time Wu Jing got nominated and it came somewhat unexpected. It shows that apart from his martial arts ability, his acting is given recognition too. Syllina adds that Wu Jing, who often dresses casually, would be in formal attire on that day.

Wu Jing says that the most memorable moments when filming Invisible were jumping off the the rooftop with Nicholas Tse and Philip Ng without doubles and the scene in which Nicholas Tse, Jaycee Chan and Shawn Yue personally letting him beat them up for real. He was really impressed by their work ethics.

Wu Jing mentions that getting a cameo role in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor is like a dream come true for it has always been his wish to work with his senior Jet Li and spar against him even though their exchange was pretty brief. He describes their fight as "natural, with good flow as the river".

As to his future projects, Wu Jing says that his management Gold Label is currently in pre-production of a film, and they plan to produce a saga out of it. Even if there are lesser investors in martial arts films, they would press on. Wu Jing, who would be attending the Golden Horse Awards on Dec 8, is arriving in Taiwan on Dec 7 afternoon and leaves on Dec 9, and would also be taking the opportunity to meet his Taiwanese fans.  300Hu, Sina | More photos: 300Hu