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-- Legend of Shaolin Kungfu 2: 13 Cudgel Monks --

On 9 July, Legend of Shaolin Kungfu director Du Xiao, joined by cast members Bao Guo An, Ji Chun Hua, Xie Miao, Sun Hui Ning, attended a chat organised by Sina, whereby they shared their experiences on the set of the 40-part TV series.

A 12-minute trailer to the upcoming Legend of Shaolin Kungfu 2, starring Yuen Biao, Li Yuan, Xie Miao, Leung Kar Yan, Ji Chun Hua, Xu Xiang Dong, Sun Hui Ning, Wu Ma, etc. was also shown then and may now be viewed on Sina.

Based on the trailer, which is interspersed with excerpts from the original from 8th minute onwards, Legend of Shaolin Kungfu 2 looks to be of bigger scale and even more epic. However, being an unfinished product, it's too early to tell if the martial arts scenes would live up to expectations of the original.
 

Legend of Shaolin Kungfu 2 is currently in post-production with a targeted release by early 2009.

-- Legend of Shaolin Kungfu II: Thirteen Cudgel Monks --

Day Dai Tian 戴天 and Sengge Renrou 僧格仁钦 who played enemies of Shaolin Temple in the first Legend of Shaolin Kungfu, now join the Shaolin monks in fighting against a corrupt and oppressive regime under Wang Shi Chong (Leung Kar Yan).

Sengge Renrou  comes from Mongolia and is a champion Mongolian wrestler. Here, he plays Nine Catties, a stable boy to Cheng Yao Jin. A crude, straightforward and trusting person, he doesn't seek to rise up in ranks, but just wishes for a stable life and to serve Cheng Yao Jin loyally. Being one of immense strength, he uses an unusual weapon - a big piece of log.
 

-- Legend of Shaolin Kungfu 2: Thirteen Cudgel Monks --

Filming of Legend of Shaolin Kungfu 2: Thirteen Cudgel Monks is nearing completion. Pan Yuan Jia has posted videos of his two fighting scenes on his blog. Also, there's a news report at Youtube. Finally, various photos, a few of which are high resolution, have been released by cast members Li Yuan, Sun Hui Ning, Leung Kar Yan, Li Chong.

Tan Zong (Yuen Biao), as a grandmaster of martial arts, is the chief martial arts instructor in Shaolin Temple. As much as Wang Shi Chong (Leung Kar Yan) worries about the pugilistic fraternity forming an alliance to revolt against him and thus issues a ban on martial arts practice, he also tries to recruit top martial arts exponents to consolidate his powers. Here, he is trying to invite Tan Zong to work for him, but before that, he sets up a Wooden Bench Formation to test him.  Legend of Shaolin 2 Blog

-- Legend of Shaolin Kungfu II: Thirteen Cudgel Monks -- 

Yuen Biao is playing Tan Zong, one who is responsible for assembling 12 other monks to form Thirteen Cudgel Monks to deal with Wang Shi Chong. He is expert in 72 Peerless Arts of Shaolin, his skills unfathomable, having reached the state of union of Zen and Kungfu. He is pensive, collected, and doesn't exhibit his emotions. He has the bearings of a grandmaster of his times, caring for the affairs of the world.

Leung Kar Yan plays the antagonist Wang Shi Chong, a cunning, greedy, vicious, merciless general of Sui who later usurps the throne. He throws his weight about in the court and oppresses the populace. He bans martial arts practice in order to forestall any future threats.

-- Seven Swordsmen TV Series DVD with English Subtitles --

Taiseng is releasing the epic wuxia adaptation Seven Swordsmen TV series on DVD that includes English subtitles. Those finding the movie version disjointed or felt too rushed in some parts will appreciate the details in the TV version, which has a more coherent feel. It also features a more dynamic, ethnic soundtrack, and great audio and visuals. While boasting a cast of top martial artists from Mainland, save for a rare few scenes, the fights aren't especially worth lauding thanks to the quirky-editings. 

In Seven Swordsmen, Tsui Hark sets forth to to provide a logical explanation to the events before the original Liang Yu Sheng novel Seven Swords of Mt Tian, telling how The Seven Swords are formed, introducing new characters and fresh plotlines of scintillating intrigues and twists. He also explores the complex inner world of Chu Zhao Nan, whose ideals, beliefs and pride get shattered time and again once he sets foot onto the mundane world, which results in his change.

 In this wuxia saga set in 17th century China, the Manchurians have taken over the country from the Ming dynasty rulers. As the new Ching government begins a crackdown on martial arts practitioners, seven kung fu masters, each of whom carry a sword that represents one of the seven states of being, must struggle to keep their art and themselves alive. Based on the classic martial arts novel by renowned novelist Liang yusheng, Seven Swords is an epic story of love betrayal, friendship, heroism and masterful swordplay.

Directed by Jacob Cheung Chi Leung, Clarence Fok Yiu Leung. Cast includes Zhao Wen Zhuo, Yu Cheng-Hui, Xu Xiang Dong, Ji Chun-Hua, Qiao Zhen Yu, Sang Wei-Lin, Sun Jian Kui, Ada Choi, Li Xiao Ran, Wang Li Kun, Edell Ai Dai, Ray Lui, Wang Xue Bing, Leung Kar Yan...

Seven Swordsmen DVD ships on May 19 and maybe ordered from YesAsia.

-- Legend of the Dragon --

Legend of the Dragon 《龙威父子》, a new action movie directed by Sammo Hung in late 2004 sometime after completion of Sha Po Lang and starring Huang Xiao Ming, Sammo Hung, Timmy Hung, Leung Kar Yan, Richard Ng, Carl Ng, is slated for release in China in early April. Apart from Sammo Hung who did the martial arts choreography, China's Taichi champion Li Hui was also roped in to assist in fight choreography, which will showcase obscure martial arts like lizard crawl and bone-shrinking skill, and also see a duel between Taichi and karate.

Mainland actor Huang Xiao Ming, whose career is given a major boost since starring in TV adaptation of Jin Yong's Return of Condor Heroes that is wrapping up production soon, takes on the leading role as Qi Le Tian, one who is gifted in martial arts, while Timmy Hung plays Qi Le Tian's buddy and colleague. Both work as couriers and thanks to his agility, Qi Le Tian always gets the parcels delivered on time. Otherwise, he has little use for his skills, until a karate expert, played by Carl Ng, starts nursing grudges against him. So, he seeks help from his father Qi Long (Sammo Hung), a renowned Taichi master.  Beijing Youth Daily

Colour poster and some shots: Sohu