-- Ip Man --

While promoting the launch of Ip Man soundtrack CD at a press conference , Raymond Wong formally announces their plan to shoot Ip Man 2 next year. In the sequel, having migrated to Hong Kong, Yip Man's four major disciples will be introduced.

They're thinking of doing a worldwide talent scout for a suitable candidate to play Bruce Lee, Yip Man's most celebrated disciple. Donnie Yen says that both he and Wilson Yip have a separate candidate in mind, and they're debating over whether to look for one with solid martial arts foundation or looks, "In terms of looks, Danny Chan bears the closest resemblance. But we won't necessarily approach him. Perhaps, we would consider one with similar background and demeanour."  Baidu Entertainment

In conjunction with next month's upcoming release of Legendary Assassin, directed by Nicky Li and Wu Jing, the informative 136-page Legendary Assassin Graphic Novel, essentially a coffee table book in Chinese containing multiple photos of the movie in front of and off-camera, and includes interview with the director, has been launched, and is now on sale at YesAsia.

At a Legendary Assassin press conference in Beijing, Wu Jing reveals that he'd direct two to three more films: a period movie, a modern actioner, and a comedy, after which he'd step down as a director and just be an actor. And these plans are close to a state of being realised.

He won't be affected by Legendary Assassin's box office takings, which the distributor Mei Ah estimates to be around 60m yuan. If the film doesn't do well enough and no one is willing to finance his movies, he will invest himself.

Wu Jing says that being a director is an important step in his career, and is very grateful to his manager Paco Wong for giving him such a chance. Things went on very smoothly for his directorial debut with Nicky Li.

But Wu Jing next step would be "ditching" his partner, and directing independently. He is ready to move on, returning to that which launched his film career and in which he excels: directing a period martial arts film with Tai Chi as the main theme. The script is almost ready, and it may perhaps let everyone get to know martial arts in a different light. It involves not only Tai Chi handwork, but also weaponry such as Taichi Sword.
 

Should you haven't already seen this little gem, you're strongly encouraged to get Master of Tai Chi, a milestone in martial arts productions.

Legendary Assassin will hold its premiere, to be attended by Nicky Li, Wu Jing, Celina Jade, etc., in Beijing on November 24, with other provinces in China to follow between 25 to 30.   Sina, MTime

-- True Legend --

Currently, True Legend, directed by Yuen Wo Ping, is being filmed on Beijing Fee Tang Soundstage where a gargantuan indoor set comprising rocky hills, steep cliffs, wooden steps, suspended bridge, etc. was built.

Why didn't you play any role in Ip Man but served only as the martial arts director?
Sammo Hung: There's no suitable role, and the boss thinks I'm too expensive.

As the martial arts choreographer of Ip Man, is it more difficult to craft, direct Wing Chun sequences than your past movies? Did you delve deep into Wing Chun?
Sammo Hung: Every movie has its own challenges, it's not merely restricted to Ip Man. Ip Man is primarily about a person, it tests the actor's ability, whether he has the capacity to portray such a person. What I did was to coordinate with the director and the actors to complete the martial arts scenes.

-- Legendary Assassin --
10 minutes Legendary Assassin behind-the-scenes: Sina
 

See also Legendary Assassin site @ Sina

-- Coweb --

Freshness comes also with new blood. Hung Yan Yan's second best idea to draw more people in theatres was to cast film newcomer, albeit kung fu expert, Jiang Lu Xia. Nationwide Shaolin Quan Wushu champion Jiang has already earned a deserved reputation with her performance in the reality-TV show "The Disciple" and with her Sina-hosted blog packed with demo clips showcasing her skills.

While making new with old and casting newcomers is barely ground-breaking, Hung plans to lure audience in theatres by going back to basics. Fight scenes are barely edited and reportedly shot in long takes. The female lead will perform all the action with no stunt double at all. In brief, we are back to the local old-school way of showing, or exhibiting, action.  HK Cinemagic >>More<<

-- All About Women --

Trailers to All About Women, a wacky Beijing metropolitan romantic comedy directed by Tsui Hark, starring Zhang Yuqi, Zhou Xun, Kwai Lun Mei, Alex Chung Chung Sun, Stephen Fung, Eddie Peng, are available on Sina: A, B, C

Behind-the-scenes: A, B