Film News

-- 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

How's your role in Tempest of the Westerly Winds?
Wu Jing: I'm nicknamed Goatherd, actually I long to be a hero, but never become one. I'm well-versed in wushu, might have been a soldier, and now I'm a trainee cop, understudy of Ni Da Hong, learning from him, enjoying life as a police. I took my brother's place when he died on duty. I'm only on contract, not an official cop. I'm an animated, quick-witted person, and am very good with car stunts. I'm also the best fighter.

-- 14 Blades --

Spoilers ahead

Law Kar Ying is playing an eunuch Jia Jing Zhong, one who is scheming, treacherous and insatiable. His portrayal of one who is vile and effeminate is very piercing.

--  Ip Man the Prequel --
In his interview with Sina, Leung Siu Hung, martial arts director for Ip Man the Prequel, says, "We already have had all the action sequences choreographed. We've also filmed a demo reel performed by the stuntmen, the boss and director are very happy. Ip Man the Prequel will also see Yip Man fighting foreigners, Western Boxing, Fencing, Japanese Karate...

"But the most exhilarating scene to look out for is Wing Chun vs Wing Chun, which is a showcase of the essence of Wing Chun. Yip Man's first master was Chan Wah Shun, who specialised in long range technique. When he was in Hong Kong, he trained under Leung Bik, who taught him inch punch. The combination and conflicts between these two polar characteristics in the film are most fascinating.

Producer Sin Kwok Lam says that Ip Man the Prequel will show various techniques of Wing Chun  in great detail, such as Wing Chun kicks and throws, à la The Prodigal Son.

《叶问前传》 Ip Man the Prequel (tentative) has begun production in Hong Kong on November 7. Herman Yau is directing this film, produced by Sin Kwok Lam. Ip Chun serves as the film's advisor and will cameo as Yip Man's second mentor Leung Bik. Under invitation from Foshan government, 2/3 of the scenes from Ip Man the Prequel will be shot on location in Foshan, including the original village Ip Man lived in.