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-- Forbidden Kingdom Sequel --

Having raked in US$70m in all worldwide, Huayi Brothers announces that they will be collaborating with Hollywood studios to produce Forbidden Kingdom sequel, with Lu Yan (Jackie Chan), Silent Monk (Jet Li), Jade Warlord (Ngai Sing), White Hair Demoness (Li Bing Bing) making a return.

Just before production began, Jet Li, as one of the film's investors, had an agreement with the Hollywood producers and bank that if the film makes less than US$40m worldwide, it's considered at failure; if it hits US$50m, they would talk about making a sequel; if it makes US$70m within 2 weeks of its opening, it's a confirmation.

While the script for Forbidden Kingdom sequel is far from completion, it's possible that the scenes giving background to White Hair Demoness, her past relationship, her hatred towards men that were cut from the original will be put back. Jet Li, who hopes to introduce Monkey King to the West, says casually that they could even have Monkey King battling DC comics superheroes like Superman, Batman in the sequel.

Apart from Forbidden Kingdom sequel, producer Casey Silver also intends to make another pic Legend of Lin Chong, with possibly either Jet Li or Chow Yun Fatt cast as the eponymous hero Leopard Head Lin Chong, one of the 108 heroic outlaws from Water Margins.  Beijing Times

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In this interview, maestro martial arts choreographer Yuen Wo Ping gives a blow by blow account of the choreography behind Forbidden Kingdom.

It has always been my practice to choreograph the action based on the script as well as the personality of the character, this is very important. Jackie Chan plays Drunken Immortal in the movie, he's more outgoing and lively, as well as suave, he loves drinking, it's like he's roaming the mundane world casually.

Continue reading "Yuen Wo Ping's Annotations on Forbidden Kingdom's Martial Arts Choreography"

On the biggest reason for taking up Forbidden Kingdom

Jackie Chan: If I were the director, I would not shoot such a movie in China. The story is too bizarre, it incongruent with Chinese culture. But the US studios think that it's fun to put everything together, such as Rush Hour, Shanghai Noon.

The storyline is very absurd, yet could be created in the West. Though to me, it's extremely ludicrous, but the US audience can accept it, so I shot it according to the script. The story is a fairy tale, just like a cartoon. I believe the scriptwriter loves Chinese culture, for he could combine Drunken Fist, Jade Emperor, Eight Immortals, Monkey King, etc. together.

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The world premiere of Forbidden Kingdom was held in Beijing on April 16. Apart from the major cast and crew such as Jet Li, Jackie Chan, Liu Yi Fei, Rob Minkoff and Yuen Wo Ping, various guests such as Zhao Wen Zhuo, Wong Jing, also turned up to show their support. 

Multiple videos at Sina

Photos from Sina:

-- Forbidden Kingdom --

Jackie Chan is a truly global phenomenon — a Hong Kong stunt man turned action movie star, he's an on-screen master of martial arts who also provides his own comic relief. His new movie, The Forbidden Kingdom, marks a momentous first-time collaboration between Chan and Jet Li. The movie can pretty much be summed up as The Wizard of Oz with lots of martial arts — set in a mythic, ancient China.  NPR >>More<<

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As actor Collin Chou (aka Ngai Sing) correctly pointed out, the Jade Warlord in Forbidden Kingdom is not necessary an evil character. He merely tries to keep the kingdom in order. So when characters that he considers unruly or who opposes him appear, he will not hesitate to remove them or teach them a lesson, just like how he taught the Monkey King a lesson by imprisoning him in stone for five centuries.

Video preview of exchange between Jet Li and Jackie Chan: IGN (40s)

Lu Yan is like the Drunken Master in his carefree take on life and his drinking habit. When he encounters Jason and reluctantly becomes his bodyguard, escort and kungfu teacher, the never serious Lu Yan shows his martial arts skills and his relentless honor and humor. Lu Yan bears strong character resemblance to a few of the Eight Immortals as according to the Chinese Taoist legends.

As for the old Chinese pawnshop owner named Old Hop, whose shop Jason frequents back in Boston, Jackie Chan has this to say, "Those were my favorite scenes. I was imitating Marlon Brando in The Godfather - in both the way he talks and walks but added in a little Jackie Chan style." Chan was never told Old Hop's age so he continued to interpret the character as he saw fit with no objection from the director. His main gripe was with the heavy layers of makeup to age his face and body.

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When Jet Li heard that he could take on the role of the Monkey King, he was instantly keen, having never played this beloved legendary character ever in his career. However, the five and a half hours of makeup that will ensue almost frightened him off.

Jet Li confessed, “I became afraid and almost said no because I was not sure how I will be able to act and fight in the whole getup.” So after much discussion with director Rob Minkoff and producer Casey Silver bouncing off ideas with the art and costume department, the image of the Monkey King was re-created, much to Li’s relief. Makeup time was drastically reduced to three hours.

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Behind-the-scenes footage showing Jackie Chan and Jet Li working Yuen Wo Ping to create the martial arts sequences: Yahoo (2:12 min)

Brief encounter between Jackie Chan and the soldiers: Youtube

Forbidden Kingdom pages at Alive Not Dead

The movie's gala premiere will be held in Beijing on April 15 or 16.

Background on Forbidden Kingdom

Jackie Chan and Jet Li, the two most revered martial arts superstar actors in the world today, have come together for the very first time in filmmaking history to pit their skills in The Forbidden Kingdom as Lu Yan and the Silent Monk respectively.

In this one-of-a-kind project, producer Casey Silver has not only succeeded in bringing together an exceptional group of people, including some of the best talent in Asian and Western cinema, for the first truly international Asian blockbuster movie. He has also pulled off a great feat in making the entire film in China.

This epic production is written by veteran screenwriter John Fusco, whose past works include the Academy Award®-nominated Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, and directed by Rob Minkoff of The Lion King fame, who brings his unique blend of character, comedy, drama and storytelling to the enthralling and innovative time-traveling story structure...

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