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Director Benny Chan didn't thought of doing a science-fiction initially (This was also echoed by Wu Jing on another occasion, who mentioned that it was a crime film when the director first approached him.), but as he doesn't want to repeat what he has done before, such as the typical cops vs crooks, car chase or gun combats.

Continue reading "Benny Chan Interview on City Under Siege: It's the Mutating Heart that is Most Gruesome"

At Ip Man 2 press conference on March 23, 2010, Donnie Yen boldly declares, "While there are a handful of Yip Man projects out there, this is the one and only film everyone has actually seen. So, from my standpoint, there is only one Ip Man film - the one I acted in. Yip Man is an otaku who fights very well, the movie's success has nothing to do with Wing Chun (Spring).

Continue reading "Spreading His Fame Across the Galaxy, Ip Man Fends Off Aliens in Third Instalment?"

-- Shaolin --

While the film by director Benny Chan is currently undergoing production for close to three months, they already have had a full length 2 minutes teaser trailer, released, in time for Hong Kong Filmart.

 

It offers a look around of the set of Shaolin Temple, glimpses of the cast Jackie Chan, Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse, Wu Jing, Yu Hai, Xing Yu, Fan Bing Bing, etc. in action, as well as a healthy dosage of predominantly Seven-star Boxing training scenes, one of which is led by Wu Jing, and fight sequences. Talk about speed and efficiency. 

 

Sadly, even till today, it seems Chinese/Hong Kong filmmakers still show little concerns for the animals, in particularly, the horses, when making films, the most common of which is the tripping and felling of horses galloping at high speed. Even in this production funded by Shaolin Temple, that advocates non-violence, the horses weren't spared the agonies.

 

In this case, as the trailer shows, an awning came crashing down upon the horses, that weren't anticipating, unlike human stuntmen, the dangers they would be in. Surely, wouldn't it be highly risky, pernicious and painful to have such a huge structure falling on our own heads, as well as the risk of debris getting into our eyes? Were there any safety measures taken? Were there any forms of protection gear or guards? Just as we don't want any harm to come our ways, we must treat animals, who are here to help us, bless us, and beautify our world, with kindness, care and respect.

 

Teaser Trailer: Sina / Youtube | Download

Continue reading "Shaolin Teaser Trailer"

Little Big Soldier is coming to Blu-ray and DVD, both containing special features, on April 10, 2010.

 

Set during the final years of the Warring States period of ancient China, the costume crowd-pleaser stars Jackie as a cowardly soldier of Liang, who has captured a heavily wounded young general of rival kingdom Wei through sheer luck. Hoping that he will be rewarded and possibly discharged from the army, the soldier, who longs for peace and freedom, takes the captive along on his way back home. Their initial animosity gradually turns into friendship as the odd couple encounters danger in the shape of refugees, nomads, and the Wei armies on their eventful journey.

 

Directed by Ding Sheng; Starring Jackie Chan, Wang Lee Hom, Yoo Seung Jun, Sin Song, Yu Rong Guang, Wu Yue, Wang Bao Qiang, 'New Seven Little Fortunes'

  

Preorder at YesAsia: Blu-ray | DVD

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.

Continue reading "Shaolin: Andy Lau Teams up with Wu Jing, Xing Yu and Yu Shao Qun Against Nicholas Tse and Xiong Xin Xin"

-- 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.

 

Gordon Chan has been in the industry for some decades, starting at the Shaw Brothers as a special effect assistant and later writing scripts for Tsui Hark, John Woo and the likes in the Film Workshop. Writing has always been an important part in his professional life as he wrote all his films and helped out a lot of filmmakers to shape engaging stories.
 
In addition to scriptwriting, Chan directed all kinds of movies from light social comedies like Heart to Hearts to nonsensical laugh-out-loud comedies such as the Fight Back To School series, King of Beggars, to police dramas and action flicks with Final Option, to kung fu films with Fist of Legend, to modern wuxia pian like Painted Skin or straight Jackie Chan’s flicks with Thunderbolt or The Medallion. HK Cinemagic >>More<<

-- Shaolin --
Having completed his week-long stint at Shaolin Temple training for the film Shaolin, Wu Jing has left on January 26 and returned to the set of Tempest of Westerly Winds, which has two more action scenes to go, to resume filming.

 

The executive working for Shaolin Temple says Wu Jing left him a very deep impression, is very professional and dedicated, has excellent driving skills, and is really multi-talented: diving, horse-riding, car racing, driving boat. He is very warm person and was very obliging to the kids at Shaolin requesting for a photo session, as well as fans at the hotel he was staying.

 

It's certainly worth noting that Yu Hai and Xiong Xin Xin are involved in Shaolin as well. Jackie Chan is joining the production after Lunar New Year. Xiong Xin Xin mentions having a great time fighting Andy Lau several days ago, who lives up to his name as the role model in the industry. Despite not having formal wushu training, Andy Lau compares favourably to the stunt professionals, due to his hard work and effort.

-- 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, 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