Wu-Jing.org

-- Beggar Su --

While no further development was heard of Iron Mask since May, Yuen Wo Ping has actually been furtively working on another project, 《苏乞儿》 Beggar Su (tentative), a remake of Hero Among Heroes in spirit. Beggar Su has already begun production without any fanfare in Beijing suburbs Mi Yun on August 28.

The Bund, May 6, 2008
Li Jun

The world's foremost martial arts choreographer Yuen Wo Ping is often called Eighth Master. However, among his siblings, he's the eldest brother. How did he come to be known as Eighth Master within the entertainment circle?. Yuen Wo Ping explains, this is because when he joined the film industry in the stunt profession when he was over ten years old, there were 8 sworn brothers then, and he was the youngest.

-- Forbidden Kingdom --

Having worked with Yuen Wo Ping a number of times, Ngai Sing, who plays Jade Warlord in the recently released Forbidden Kingdom, describes him as one of martial arts directors he most enjoys working with. Whenever Yuen Wo Ping invites him to join a project, he would not turn down him down.

Ngai Sing, who is expected to join Yuen Wo Ping's upcoming directorial project Iron Mask, elaborates, "Yuen Wo Ping's techniques change and improve with the advancement of technology and filmmaking, he is vastly different from some of the older generations who are not receptive to changes or new ideas. Yuen Wo Ping is often willing to listen to suggestions of younger filmmakers, he is willing to employ their creative ideas, and combined with his years of experience in martial arts choreography, re-works on his own ideas. His martial arts direction often tells a story, like a graceful, beautiful ballet.

-- Iron Mask --
The much anticipated Yuen Wo Ping film Iron Mask/Iron Monkey sequel is slated to begin production in July. The budget is around 150m yuan and funding comes from Europe and Mainland. Yuen Woo Ping intends to create Iron Mask a Chinese version of Batman and introduce the film to Europe and US. The film will feature a fair amount of martial arts scenes and special effects.

However, what's not so promising is that Louis Koo and Shawn Yue are expected to play the lead roles. While good in their own right and thy have done some decent action scenes, neither is an actual martial artist. Even those approached prior to this were non-martial artists - Chow Yun Fat, Jay Chow, Andy Lau - though they didn't eventually take up this project.

Set in Republican period in the early 1900s, Louis Koo plays a police constable by day, but when night falls, he dons a mask (which could imply frequent doubling) and goes about relieving the rich of their coffers so as to relieve the poverty-stricken, and even teams up with his disciple Shawn Yue against a very powerful, devious merchant. Being fan of Batman, Louis Koo is very happy to accept this role.  Information Times

-- Iron Mask --

Recently, Yuen Wo Ping, accompanied by his long-time collaborator producer/scriptwriter Anthony Wong Wing-Fai, is in Yunan's Weishan county to scout locations for his upcoming martial arts movie tentatively called 《铁面侠》 Knight-errant in Iron Mask. The ancient citadel of Weishan has hundreds of years of history. It resembles a chess board with 24 streets and 18 alleys, fully retaining Ming and Manchu dynasties' ancient buildings.

Having witnessed the beautiful archaic structures of Weishan and the scenic beauty of Mt Weibao, Yuen Wo Ping has basically decided to shoot Iron Mask on location in these two locales of Yunnan. Production is expected to begin in May or so.  Dali Daily | Photos: Tuniu, Sina

Some archived photos of Weishan, Mt Weibao, and Yuen Wo Ping

-- Untitled Yuen Wo Ping Film --

Edko Films Productions has put out an open casting call for an as yet “untitled” Hong Kong/China martial arts project to be choreographed and directed by the legendary Yuen Woo-ping. Edko reps are looking for a variety of fighters of all shapes, sizes and styles, traditional martial arts, MMA, UFC/cage fighters/WWE and everything in between. Details at Kung Fu Cinema.

-- Iron Monkey Sequel --

One of the projects said to be revealed at Cannes Films Festival was Iron Monkey sequel/remake (or Man in Iron Mask), to be directed by Yuen Wo Ping. Andy Lau is expected to play one of the 2 male leads in this romantic kung fu film, while the female lead might go to Jeon Do Yeon or another Korean actress. Yuen Wo Ping has been preparing for this HK$300 million work since the completion of Fearless and is very particular about the martial arts sequences.

Iron Monkey sequel will be set in Manchu dynasty, and will employ new filming techniques that Yuen Wo Ping picked up in Hollywood. There might be generous amount of special effects in this movie which might imitate some Spiderman movements, such as scaling the walls in order to break into the mansions of the rich and help the impoverished. Other possible Yuen Wo Ping projects include 《侠女》 (Heroine/A Touch of Zen) and 《擂台》 (The Arena).  Shanghai Afternoon Post