Wu-Jing.org

In the wake of Sichuan earthquake, rendering thousands dead or buried, buildings destroyed, roads blocked, with survivors facing shortage of food and water supply, various Chinese celebrities have made donations and expressed their concerns for victims of the disaster. Wu Jing, currently filming in Hong Kong, is also worried about the safety of everyone, including his fans in the affected areas, hoping that they are fine, and tide over the calamity soon.

Jackie Chan and Emperor Entertainment's chairman Albert Yeung jointly donated 10m yuan. Jet Li's One Foundation sent 1m yuan immediately, and also started fund-raising activities for further relief efforts, collecting around 18.6m yuan so far. Jet Li is heading to the disaster areas on May 16 to render his help. Various other celebrities, including Donnie Yen, Gillian Chung, Charlene Choi, Nicholas Tse, Zhang Guo Li, Zhang Ting, Eva Huang Sheng Yi, Andy Lau, Vicky Zhao Wei, Ruby Lin, etc. also chipped in 100 thousand to 300 thousand yuan each. 
 

Less than 2 weeks ago, Myanmar was devastated by cyclone. With one catastrophe following another, could these be early warnings of Earth being devoured?

Donations can be made via One Foundation. You may also find some links at Celina Jade's Blog.  Sina, Ningbo News.

-- 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

-- Duo Biao --

A ceremony marking the production of Sundream Pictures' major project of the year, 《夺标》 Duo Biao (Capturing the Cup), a movie on Chinese wushu, sports and Olympics, was held on April 27 in Hengdian. The inauguration kicked off with a lion dance and martial arts performances. Produced by Tsui Siu Ming and Amy Lee Fung Ming, directed by Kong Tao Hoi and Lee Kong Lok, the cast includes Dicky Cheung, Wong Tsui Yu, Debbie Goh, Michael Wai, Eric Li.

Tsui Siu Ming has also specially sought out martial artists Xu Xiang Dong and Yu Rong Guang, both of whom he worked with in Holy Robe of Shaolin Temple, to join the cast. Currently, Tsiu Siu Ming is in negotiations with Jackie Chan to play a cameo role as the arena contest organiser. 2 million yuan were spent building the arena which is expected to be filled up with 4000 extras.

-- Forbidden Kingdom --

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.

-- Forbidden Kingdom --

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<<

-- The Disciple --

Come June, the much anticipated successor to Jackie Chan will be announced in Beijing. Yesterday, Jackie Chan showed up at Wendu Water City, Beijing to officiate the launching of the finals of The Disciple, a worldwide talent show produced by Beijing TV Station in conjunction with Jackie Chan, which will be airing on Beijing TV every weekend from April 5 to June 7.

The 16 finalists, who have been undergoing gruelling trainings under the guidance of JC Stunt Team's Alan Wu and He Jun at the well equipped Water City Training Facility, will compete against each other in various fields, including explosion scenes, high-altitude wire-suspension, gunplay, car stunts, diving, obstacles course, etc.

-- Wushu the Film Trailers --

Hippopotamus Films has added several videos of the movie 'Wushu' to Youtube, the latest of which are teaser trailer 1 and 2.

Higher quality version is now available at Twitch. 

'Wushu' is produced by Jackie Chan, directed by Antony Szeto and stars Sammo Hung, Wang Wen Jie, Liu Feng Chao, Wang Fei, Mao Jun Jie, Zhang Jin... | Photos: QQ

Video preview of exchange between Jet Li and Jackie Cha