Wu-Jing.org - In the Pipeline

Stephen Chow to Direct Hollywood Co-production Tai Chi?

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:44:01 -0600

-- Tai Chi --
Stephen Chow has not done any films since 2008. While he was invited to play Kato in Hollywood film, they soon parted ways due to creative differences. And now, it seems that Stephen Chow is ready to make another venture into Hollywood with 《太极》 Tai Chi (tentative) that he would be directing and starring in. Budgeted at US$60m, the film, co-produced by China Film and an independent US studio, also stars Jack Black and Anne Hathaway.

Based loosely on Bruce Lee's Way of the Dragon, Stephen Chow plays a Chinese immigrant living in Chinatown, US, working as a dishwasher. The area is overrun by triads, who oppress the Chinese, such as collecting protection fees from the restaurant Stephen Chow is working at. Stephen Chow, who is actually a Tai Chi master living in anonymity, is compelled to set things right and teach the triad members a lesson they'll never forget. The Chinese can finally live in peace and they all come to seek tutelage under Stephen Chow, beseeching him to set up a martial arts school and propagate Tai Chi.

Reportedly, Stephen Chow has hired a teacher to teach him English as the entire film is in English, and also to facilitate communications with Western actors. However, when asked about the project, Stephen Chow declines comment, "At this stage, I have nothing to say on this."

Tai Chi is slated for production in June. While there was some casting news on King of Comedy 2, Stephen Chow may not necessarily be involved directly in the film. Stephen Chow would also be producing Hail the Judge remake later this year. Information Times

Donnie Yen 14 Blades Interview: Looking Forward to Working with Tony Jaa

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 02:10:39 -0600

What makes Green Dragon in 14 Blades different?
Donnie Yen: The character Green Dragon is something I've never tried before, for this person is neither good nor evil. I have done two similar roles before, one was Once Upon a Time in China, but it wasn't fully fleshed out. Initially, I didn't have confidence to bring out something fresh in this character, but director Daniel Lee told me to approach it from a villainous angle, then I started getting a hang of it. Personally, I'm completely different from Green Dragon, so I find this character very novel, for it's the exact opposite of my real life.

Continue reading "Donnie Yen 14 Blades Interview: Looking Forward to Working with Tony Jaa"

The Clashes of Guan Yu Onscreen

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 23:19:20 -0600

Presently, as many as 4 films on Guan Yu are being planned this year:

First is Felix Chong and Alan Mak's 《关云长》 Guan Yun Chang, slated for production in Beijing in March. The story focuses mainly on the period when Guan Yu was held captive by Cao Cao, showing his inner conflicts, and will see Guan Yu travelling a thousand li on his trusty steed, passing 5 obstacles, beheading six generals. Donnie Yen would play the eponymous historical figure, while Zhang Han Yu warlord Cao Cao.

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The Inspiration Behind Chinese Zodiac

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:28:58 -0600

-- Chinese Zodiac --
While promoting Little Big Soldier, Jackie Chan speaks of that which gave rise to the inspiration behind Armour of God III: Chinese Zodiac, his 100th movie in the leading role. It was six years back when Jackie Chan decided to do this film of exceptional meaning on recovery of lost Chinese national treasures - the last four missing pieces of Gardens of Perfect Clarity's 12 Head Statues of Chinese Zodiac.

He wants to address, through the film, the inequity concerning Chinese relics being kept elsewhere, "I once saw a Chinese Zodiac animal bust being auctioned in a foreign country, I was immensely stirred, why do we keep losing our national treasures to other countries? Last year, two more busts were auctioned, re-igniting my will to shoot the movie Chinese Zodiac. Why does such and such museum have so many Chinese national treasures? These are loots. Many big countries are saying those are world legacies, and they're safekeeping them, but in reality, they just want to possess them.

"Once, I set aside US$30m, intending to quietly buy back an animal bust for China. However, the final bid was US$100m, it was far too high, beyond what I could afford, and I had to give up. I had thought of making use of my kungfu skills, sneak into those museums, and get back all those lost national treasures one by one. But, their security was too high. But I believe, all these artifacts will gradually be returned by and by."

Jackie Chan is leaving no stones unturned on Chinese Zodiac, allocating 70m yuan for one major action scene alone, "I have been hesitant about this for a long time, many told me it is too extravagant, and advised me against it. But eventually, I still go for it. This film will contain many vigorous action scenes, I'd almost be fighting throughout the film, but my most demanding action scenes will stop at this movie." Hunan TV, Information Times

Chinese Zodiac: Stanley Tong Produces, Jackie Chan Directs

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 13:45:25 -0600

-- Chinese Zodiac --
Stanley Tong, who is collating and compiling information on Yi Quan with fellow disciples, hopes to shoot a TV series and film on it as most people are unfamiliar with it. He says that Yi Quan is a form of boxing focusing on regulating one's health, and has helped him tremendously in his life and career over the years.

Stanley Tong also reveals that his most important work right now is Chinese Zodiac, "I'll soon be working with Jackie Chan on his hundredth film Chinese Zodiac. We plan to do pre-production during Lunar New Year holidays as we're both tied down by other works otherwise. I am serving as the film's producer, while Jackie Chan is directing. Jackie Chan hasn't directed any film in a while, but I have complete faith in his ability as a director, and I'm also looking forward to this commemorative work of his."

Reportedly, Chinese Zodiac is an action-adventure-comedy relating to retrieval of lost Chinese national treasures scattered all over the world. Chinese Zodiac is slated for production in around April. Sina

Donnie Yen Seeks Quantum Leaps for Each Film He Does

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 07:30:06 -0600

With his rising popularity and big sellouts of his films, Donnie Yen is fast becoming one of the top earners in the industry, commanding up to 20m yuan per film this year, after Jackie Chan (30m yuan), Jet Li (25m yuan) and Chow Yun Fatt (25m yuan). Hailed as the new King of Kung Fu, he is getting even more offers this year, running the gamut from historical epic on 《关云长》 General Guan Yun Chang by Felix Chong and Alan Mak, through comic book adaptation 《中华英雄》 A Man Called Hero remake, to mythological feature 《大闹天宫》 Monkey King.
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Filmko Plans 3D Monkey King

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 08:11:26 -0600

-- Monkey King --

Filmko, which just wrapped up 3D wuxia film Don Quixote by Ah Gan, is moving on to pre-production of another 3D film 《大闹天宫》 Monkey King: Wreaking Havoc in Heavenly Palace, based on early part of Journey to the West. The film is budgeted at US$30m and Filmko is in talks with a US firm to co-produce.

Edmond Wong, the script writer for the film, says the the script is already out, and there'll be quite a bit of innovations over the original novel, "The film will show the realm of humans, demons, and deities, and there'll be major changes to Sun Wu Kong's personality."

The production is currently scouting locations for the film, while sets for five major fantasy locales - Mountain of Flowers and Fruits, Water Curtain Cave, Heavenly Palace, Eastern Dragon Palace, and Inferno Mountain - will be built. Special effects will be handled by Weta Digital, which is currently working on Don Quixote. No director or cast is attached right now. The Beijing News

Dennis Law Working on Violent Police Belle

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 07:46:31 -0600

-- Violent Police Belle --

Dennis Law is beginning production on 《爆裂警花》 Violent Police Belle (tentative), starring Wu Jing and Chrissie Chau, in April or May 2010. Chrissie Chau, who has been training in Muay Thai under Sen to prepare herself for the film, plays a cop who disguises herself as a student to infiltrate a school to investigate a case and will have multiple action scenes opposite Wu Jing.

Andy Lau Attempts to Fathom the True Meaning of Shaolin Kungfu

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 06:38:11 -0600

-- Shaolin --
As Shaolin is about to go into production later this month, the cast are receiving training in either Hong Kong or Mainland. Since two months back, Andy Lau has been training under martial arts directors Corey Yuen and Yuen Tak, as well as watching videos to learn the basics of Shaolin Fist.

Recently, Reverend Yongzhi and his disciple Xing Yu (aka 延能 Yan Neng) arrived in Hong Kong to give the cast specialised training. Andy Lau has been learning Seven-Star Fist under both of them, Reverend Yongzhi's fist is quick and powerful, and he is very fastidious about each movement and footwork, while Andy Lau is working very hard on it, practising each and every stance repeatedly and mindfully. Apart from martial arts training, Andy Lau, who meditates 45 minutes daily, also went to Shaolin Temple for a three-day retreat earlier on, hoping to understand the meaning of Zen and martial arts as one, in preparation for his role in Shaolin.

Andy Lau, whose earnest attitude influences his colleagues to train with him, says, "I have never tried meditating in the temple, studying scriptures and doing not doing, I didn't even have my handphone with me, thinking of nothing, purifying my thoughts. Actually, it's possible to talk nothing for three days, I felt more at ease and free. The true meaning of Shaolin kungfu is not limited to the kungfu per se, but also relates to the cultivation of one's mind, to reach the state of union of Zen and martial arts, gaining a deeper realisation of martial spirit."

Reverend Yongzhi, who rarely takes in any disciples, and has never taught anyone else outside the premises of Shaolin Temple, is making an exception for the film Shaolin, "I hope this new Shaolin film will propagate the real meaning of Shaolin martial arts. Shaolin kungfu is not simply about fighting, it also encompasses autogenous, infinity, understanding of Self, this is the meaning of Zen and martial arts as one. It's an affinity for Andy Lau to have the chance to pick up Shaolin kungfu."

Aside from Andy Lau, director Benny Chan reveals that Wu Jing and Yu Shao Qun would be learning Joint-lock Techniques and Sticky Hands respectively, while Nicholas Tse gets a unique set of skills specially devised for the film. However, as the three of them are busy filming in Mainland, missing the chance to be coached personally by Reverend Yong Zhi, Corey Yuen and Yuen Tak will record his movements and pass the instructions to them later. Benny Chan has also gone to Shaolin Temple with the assistant director several months back to meditate, to experience firsthand the spiritual practice of Shaolin martial arts. Netease

Video: Andy Lau Training in Seven Star Fist Sina

Lang Chen Plans Warrior For Wu Jing

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 07:47:25 -0600

Owing to low temperature and onslaughts of tempest, filming progress of Legendary Four: Tempest of the Westerly Winds, directed by Gao Qun Shu, choreographed by Nicky Li, is stymied. But, according to Lang Chen on his blog, the film should be wrapping up pretty soon.

Lang Chen, who was commissioned by Wu Jing to write Way of Tai Chi, is personally planning another work 《战士》 Warrior (tentative) for Wu Jing. He's writing the script with Wu Jing in mind and he would also be directing, though it is still quite far off before production begins.

He says that he mentions Wu Jing very often on his blog because he likes Wu Jing very much, for his simplicity, for his dedication to filmmaking, for the vulnerabilities and sensitivities within his heart.

It was when he first talked to him, for a few hours, that changed the way he looked at Wu Jing, who was but a kungfu star to him, a sunny person, and one with pride. When chatting, it is inevitable to gossip, to speak ill of others, yet in those few fours of talk, any word that came from Wu Jing's mouth did not involve anything negative about anyone.

And that is the type of people Lang Chen respects and adores. "Wu Jing is an actor, and has also become a director, I'm a director, and also a script writer, so, in our interaction, our topics mostly revolve around those things we that shared most passions on. He had his own views, and in fact, he had never-ending streams of ideas. Being in the industry of over 10 years, working till he's all burned out, was perhaps what he would desire most. I would augment his ideas, and also got rectified by him, I brought out new ideas... and the time passed quickly."

Yuen Wo Ping to Direct New Swordsman?

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:39:26 -0600

-- 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

Wing Chun Extends Its Wings Across Chinese Cinema

nospam@example.com (Scoops Guild) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:43:27 -0600

Whether it is fuelled by the success Wilson Yip's Ip Man or not, Wing Chun is fast becoming a popular kungfu onscreen, with many Wing Chun-themed movies being produced.

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