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Thursday, May 15. 2008
-- Missing -- Four Missing posters have been uncovered at a press conference marking the launch of Sina Missing site on May 15. Missing will be released on June 12 and proceeds from its premiere on June 8 in Beijing will be contributed towards Sichuan earthquake relief. In addition, Tsui Hark and Guo Xiao Dong have each donated 100 thousand yuan. 
Both tried to contact their friends in Sichuan but telephone lines were cut off. Tsui Hark says that it's imperative to monitor psychological problems of the victims who have gone through such traumatic experience. He would give some help when there's a chance.
More donation links may be found at Jet Li's Blog and AliveNotDead. Related Links: Missing Official Site Missing @ Sina
Wednesday, May 14. 2008
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.
Continue reading "Sichuan Earthquake"
Tuesday, May 6. 2008
-- 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
Tuesday, May 6. 2008
-- Legend of Shaolin Kungfu II: Thirteen Cudgel Monks --
Cheung Sing Yim, the director of the original Shaolin Temple which launched Jet Li's career and followed up with a remake New Shaolin Temple TV series in 1998 starring Wu Jing, recently paid a visit to the set of Legend of Shaolin Kungfu 2: Thirteen Cudgel Monks TV series and met an old acquaintance Ji Chun Hua, who continues to play a villainous role here, this time as Wang Ren Zhe. Both Shaolin Temple and Legend of Shaolin Kungfu 2 feature a similar setting based loosely on true historical accounts of thirteen Shaolin monks rescuing Tang prince Li Shimin.
While using different forms of expression, both are considered classics, portraying the essence of martial arts. Cheung Sing Yim is especially impressed by the filming technique and approach to the first Legend of Shaolin Kungfu and is equally hopeful for the sequel Thirteen Cudgel Monks. Both directors express disapprovals for too much flyings and special effects in today's wuxia films.
Hence, director Du Xiao sets certain goals when making Legend of Shaolin Kungfu, to show something new, to show some cultural aspects, and to show some entertainment, and above all else, to show the most authentic of martial arts and Shaolin culture, to let the audience witness the true values and meaning of Shaolin Kungfu. People Daily
Thursday, April 17. 2008
-- 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"
Wednesday, April 16. 2008
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.
Continue reading "Forbidden Kingdom Interview: Jet Li Gets Philosophical While Jackie Chan Speaks His Mind"
Wednesday, April 16. 2008
-- 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: 
Sunday, April 13. 2008
-- 27th Hong Kong Film Awards -- The 27th Hong Kong Film Awards ceremony was held on April 13 Evening. Jet Li receives Best Actor award for his excellent performance in Warlords, which sweeps through the event with seven other wins, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Visuals, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Sound Effects.
Jet Li says that he does not intend to thank director Peter Chan, for had the latter told him earlier that he'd win an award doing drama roles, he would not have done over 20 years of action films. He also expresses gratitude to the panel and his fans. He says there are too many people he'd like to thank, the scriptwriter, the director, his mother and father, his wushu mentor Wu Bin, Shaolin Temple's director Cheung Sing Yim... Best Screenplay goes to Au Kin Yee and Wai Kar Fai for Mad Detective. Donnie Yen wins Best Action Direction for his fresh and bold choreography for Flash Point. Lydia Shum, who passed away in February, was honoured posthumously with Professional Spirit Award. Sina
Saturday, April 12. 2008
-- 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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