-- Legend of Shaolin Kungfu 2: 13 Cudgel Monks --
On 9 July, Legend of Shaolin Kungfu director Du Xiao, joined by cast members Bao Guo An, Ji Chun Hua, Xie Miao, Sun Hui Ning, attended a chat organised by Sina, whereby they shared their experiences on the set of the 40-part TV series.
A 12-minute trailer to the upcoming Legend of Shaolin Kungfu 2, starring Yuen Biao, Li Yuan, Xie Miao, Leung Kar Yan, Ji Chun Hua, Xu Xiang Dong, Sun Hui Ning, Wu Ma, etc. was also shown then and may now be viewed on Sina.
Based on the trailer, which is interspersed with excerpts from the original from 8th minute onwards, Legend of Shaolin Kungfu 2 looks to be of bigger scale and even more epic. However, being an unfinished product, it's too early to tell if the martial arts scenes would live up to expectations of the original.
Legend of Shaolin Kungfu 2 is currently in post-production with a targeted release by early 2009.
-- Ip Man --
On his blog, Bey Logan mentions meeting Donnie Yen in Shanghai last month while the former was attending Shanghai International Film Festival. He says that Donnie Yen reveals that Sammo Hung, Ip Man's martial arts choreographer, will have a cameo in the film, which is on break now after having wrapped up its Shanghai filming.
The production is currently on a worldwide hunt for a suitable candidate to play young Bruce Lee before completing the last few scenes in Hong Kong where Yip Man, in his late years, takes in the adolescent Bruce Lee as his disciple.
Apart from Ip Man, Bey Logan drops a brief note on Tsui Siu Ming's upcoming wushu movie Champions (《夺标》 Duo Biao) which took part in Shanghai Film Festival. He also took pictures with Tsui Siu Ming and the cast Dicky Cheung, Xu Xiang Dong, Xie Miao.