Wu-Jing.org

-- Bodyguards & Assassins --

After an hour of drama, the major battle finally commences following a speech by Tony Leung Ka Fai as he addresses the patriots Donnie Yen, Nicholas Tse, Bate'er, Li Yu Chun, Leon Lai, etc who are protecting Dr Sun Yat Sen from assassins led by Hu Jun, "Come what may, no matter how many lives are lost, you must hold out for 1 hr. This 1 hr is the hopes of millions of our comrades."

More images on Sina

Trailer: Sina

-- True Legend --

True Legend character posters for Zhao Wen Zhuo, Zhou Xun, Michelle Yeoh, Andy On, Guo Xiao Dong have been unveiled today afternoon, in conjunction with the launch of Sina True Legend sub-site.

Jiang Lu Xia, the only one at the event, is playing Tie Ji, who, along with her brother Will Liu, works for Andy On. She is a very mean person with plenty of fight scenes against Zhao Wen Zhuo. Jiang Lu Xia, who has been holding Yuen Wo Ping in high regard since young, indicates that it's the dream of many wushu practitioners to be able to work with Eighth Master.

-- New Swordsman --

Beijing-based Perfect World announces that they have signed up Yuen Wo Ping to direct 《新笑傲江湖》 New Swordsman / New State of Divinity (tentative). Perfect World representative says that as they haven't finalised the script, which is in the third draft, the cast has not been determined, in spite of rumours of Takeshi Kaneshiro being invited to play Linghu Chong, Zhou Xun as Ren Ying Ying and Jay Chow as Asia Invincible.

Described as a unique all-new wuxia film with radical visuals, the story traces Linghu Chong's exploits when he gets accused and expelled by his master for stealing Lin family's Bixie Swordplay Manual after mastering Lonesome Nine Sword Techniques, a peerless form of fencing that counters any other skills by means of spotting and striking at opponents' vulnerabilities, that a reclusive Huashan elder Feng Qing Yang imparted to him in secret.

Production for New Swordsman, which reportedly has a budget of 200m yuan, begins no earlier than late February next year.  Xiamen News

-- Legend of Chen Zhen --
Production on 《精武风云》 Legend of Chen Zhen has begun in Shanghai on November 15, amidst a press conference attended by Beijing Enlight's Wang Chang Tian, Zhang Zhao, Media Asia's Peter Lam, producer Gordon Chan, director Andrew Lau and the cast Donnie Yen, Huang Bo, Huo Si Yan, Shu Qi, Zhou Yang.
 
Donnie Yen, who is especially ardent about the project, plays the folk superhero Chen Zhen who returns to Shanghai and soon discovers a conspiracy between the local mafia and Japanese, "I have played Chen Zhen on Fist of Fury TV series 15 years ago, so I'm particularly ambitious about this role. In terms of action, I have confidence of presenting a whole new Chen Zhen. I hope this will engender another wave of wushu trend, and hope for this to become a classic."

Zhou Yang and Shu Qi will vie against each other for Donnie Yen's affection. They are both willing to brave any dangers for Donnie Yen. Huang Bo will play an underdog, while Anthony Wong a mafia boss.

Andrew Lau describes the main character as a superhero, one who is not only a master of martial arts, but will transform himself, taking up the onus of saving the entire city. And it will combine Donnie Yen style kungfu with special effects to create a superhero film. Gordon Chan says that this is not a remake, but a reinvention of the fictitious character.

Filming wraps up by early March 2009 for a release on around China National Day on October 1.  Sina

Press conference video: A, B, C

Most remembered by Hong Kong movie fans for his part as Smith in Yuen Woo Ping’s Tai Chi 2, Darren Shahlavi is a man of talent who has worked all over the world. But it’s from Asia, especially in Hong Kong, where this impressive martial artist started it all. During a couple of years, he did it all in the pearl of Asia, from extra parts to supporting actor and even bodyguard! As part of our series on Gweilos, Shahlavi has agreed to talk about all that and some of his more recent works in the West  HK Cinemagic >>More<<

-- Ip Man 2 --
Ip Man 2 has wrapped up production on November 8. While everyone is eagerly looking forward to the match between Sammo Hung and Donnie Yen, but perhaps because the recent surgery and health conditions, Sammo Hung regrets not getting enough kicks out of it, "Although I'm the martial arts choreographer, our moves were all rather regulated, being confined by the script. So, I made a pact with Donnie Yen to have a rematch next year if the opportunity arises."

Wilson Yip reveals that there is another martial arts exponent in the film, "He has been Donnie Yen's fan since he was a kid. He wouldn't have imagined getting the chance to spar against his idol after ten years."

With no intention of revealing who he is and what role he plays, Wilson Yip tantalises, keeping it a mystery, "I can only say that he fights even more vehemently than Sammo Hung."  Beijing Times