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Over 10 million yuan and around 4 months were spent on building the 1:1 life-size replica of Shaolin Temple in Yanshi, Yongkang. Some structures or props of the new Shaolin Temple were actually built larger for ease of filming or to impart a more numinous feel, such as the towering giant Buddha statue.

-- Shaolin --
Here are some early mages of director Benny Chan and action director Corey Yuen, as well as cast members Andy Lau, Wu Jing, Xing Yu and Nicholas Tse rehearsing on the set of Shaolin in Hengdian, courtesy of Netease and Sina.

It appears that both Andy Lau and Nicholas Tse are warlords initially, while Wu Jing is originally a monk. Though this is likely to change drastically as the film progresses, with the former becoming monks while the latter turns into a treacherous warlord. Yu Hai, 68, is playing the Shaolin abbot, Wu Jing's mentor. Jackie Chan would soon be joining the production for his cameo as a Shaolin chef with concealed skills.

-- Shaolin --

Shaolin is currently being filmed in Hengdian and on a 1:1 replica of actual Shaolin Temple built in Yanshi, Yongkang, Zhejiang. The Shaolin Temple set comprises of three main buildings, built at closer distance to expedite filming. They even created two remarkably lifelike cryptomerias in the premises. Benny Chan picked Yanshi due to its beautiful sceneries and surroundings, like stone pillars, multiple peaks, valleys, making it convenient to do location shooting around the set. A big portion of production will be filmed in the region.

However, the ever-changing weather in Yongkang is giving a big headache to Benny Chan as it could be sunny one day, cloudy another, or snow or rain the next day. In order to ensure consistency of the environment, a scene could take many days to complete. Benny Chan also says that the production will take an environmental conscious approach in order to preserve the land.

An executive working for Shaolin Temple mentions that Wu Jing, who arrived in Shaolin Temple on January 20, is staying there for a week to train in Shaolin martial arts. He says that Wu Jing has great martial arts skills, is very professional, has great character, is manly.  Yongkang Daily

Video: Touring Yanshi Shaolin set

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. 

-- Shaolin --

As opposed the bustling press conference (that was rather rowdy and disorganised due to huge turnout) held last October, Shaolin has begun production very quietly in Hengdian in the beginning of this month. Benny Chan is keeping a low profile as usual, and Shaolin's sets are off-limits to anyone, with tight security being implemented, as some reporters snooping around, fishing for information found out. Majority of  scenes revolving around Shaolin Temple will be filmed on the custom-built set; only a handful of scenes will be shot on actual Shaolin Temple.

Apart from previously announced cast Jackie Chan, Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse, Wu Jing, Fan Bing Bing, Xing Yu, Yu Shao Qun, Liang Jing Ke, et al., Yu Hai and Xiong Xin Xin are also joining the production. Shooting takes around 4 to 5 months, and the film is tentatively scheduled for year-end/next Chinese New year release.

-- 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

-- City Under Siege --
Director Benny Chan says that he has just made a 126 minutes cut of City Under Siege, "Every actor has done a very good job, their performances are terrific. And Aaron Kwok's acting is very moving. It's already a big headache edit the film down to 126 minutes, I can't bear to cut it any further, every shot is very thrilling."

Benny Chan says that this is his most challenging work in the recent years, as it involves superhuman characters and the use of copious CGIs.

City Under Siege, costing around 100m yuan to produce, will combine Chinese kungfu with Hollywood special effects. The mutants in the film - Aaaron Kwok, Collin Chou, Tie Nan, Zhang Wen Bao - will all be executing Chinese Kungfu. So do the mutant-busters Wu Jing and Zhang Jing Chu.  Netease

-- New Shaolin Temple --  
Rumours have been floating around for some time regarding who is set to star in Hong Kong veteran director Benny Chan’s upcoming - all star cast laden - martial arts epic Shaolin. Well now it seems most of the talent has signed on the dotted line and it’s quite the who's who of A-list Action stars. Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse and Wu Jing!! are confirmed, with that added plus of a cameo appearance by none other than Jackie Chan. Soooold!
 
 This movie is not be a remake or sequel to Jet Li’s 80s classic Shaolin Temple. Rather, it is an entirely new story, written by Alan Yuen, that is set in early 1900s Republican period. Shot in a real Shaolin Temple it will also feature real life Shaolin monks in the supporting cast using exotic Shaolin kung-fu. Filming is due to start this December, and is expected to be completed by April 2010.
 
 Synopsis: China is plunged into strife as feuding warlords try to expand their power by warring over neighboring lands. Fuelled by his success on the battlefield, young and arrogant Hao Jie sneers at Shaolin's masters when he beats one of them in a duel. But the pride comes before a fall. When his own family is wiped out by a rival warlord, Hao Jie is forced to take refuge with the monks. As the civil unrest spreads and the people suffer, Hao Jie and the Shaolin masters are forced to take a fiery stand against the evil warlords. They launch a daring plan or rescue and escape. 24FramesPerSecond, via Maz

-- New Shaolin Temple --

Representing Shaolin Temple's investment in the film New Shaolin Temple that Benny Chan is directing, producer Fu Yang Hua, head of Shaolin Cultural Communications, says that their negotiations with Andy Lau for a year have been fruitful, and he'd be playing a feudal lord's son who's a crack shot [While it could also be referring to spear in Chinese, gun is more likely given that the persona belongs to the military ruling class] if all goes well.

While Jet Li denies involvement, Fu Yang Hua says they're still trying their best to persuade Jet Li, hoping to bring about a pleasant surprise, "Even if we succeeded in bringing Jet Li on board, he won't have too many scenes, it's basically a cameo."
 
There's a good chance of Wu Jing, who was at One Foundation C1 Charity Race, organised by Jet Li, in Chengdu last weekend, joining too.
 
New Shaolin Temple, which showcases exotic Shaolin martial arts and involves the participation of real-life Shaolin martial monks, begins production in December 2009 and would wrap up by April 2010.  Shanghai Morning Post

-- New Shaolin Temple --

While the deal hasn't been sealed formerly on paper, Andy Lau, who has just finished filming Detective Dee, confirms that he'd be doing New Shaolin Temple. They have been in talks for a year and Andy Lau would play a feudal lord's son, whose gun is his most powerful weapon, and he also has to be trained in Shaolin kung fu. Three months before production begins, he'd start learning kungfu. Andy Lau says he is uncertain of Jet Li's involvement.

Director Benny Chan responds that he's currently filming City Under Siege, and EMP is taking care of New Shaolin Temple's pre-production, so he doesn't have the casting details, "From the commercial standpoint, the more celebrities the better, but it's impossible to have too many big names in one movie."

Benny Chan also adds that as a tribute to Shaolin kungfu, he will not be relying too much on special effects, and the martial arts scenes will be on the realistic side.  Sohu

-- New Shaolin Temple --

Upon being asked, Jet Li says he's not aware of New Shaolin Temple but reveals his next project (the charity movie?) as one in which he doesn't have any action. Coinciding with a report in early June surrounding Andy Lau, Benny Chan is directing the New Shaolin Temple movie.

As director Benny Chan gets interviewed by Sina specifically regarding New Shaolin Temple, he says he is in touch with several actors and some big names would be involved but the cast hasn't been confirmed.