Wu-Jing.org

-- Bruce Law: The Accidental Stuntman --

Hong Kong's veteran stuntman and special effects expert Bruce Law had been busy coordinating car stunts and pyrotechnic effects on the Shanghai set of the new Hollywood production "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" which wrapped up production last month. Law recently took a break to discuss his career, from his first Hong Kong action movies to his latest work shooting in China. Hong Kong stuntman Bruce Law has performed in some 200 films over his past 21 years in the movie industry.

CNN: You started out as a professional Thai boxer, and you were even part of Hong Kong's Auxiliary Police Force. What finally brought you to the film industry?
BL: I actually got into the industry by accident. When the opportunity came up to work within the industry, I jumped at it. Meanwhile, my previous experiences had laid a somewhat diverse, but very useful, foundation for me.  CNN >>More<<

-- The Mummy 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor --

Wu Jing plays an assassin from state of Chu, who, along with two other assassins, attempts to get rid of the despotic Dragon Emperor. The duel between Jet Li and Wu Jing, an indoor scene, is very exciting. As with Jet Li, Wu Jing has deep foundation in martial arts, his reflex is very swift and he's a fast learner. He is able to memorise the moves taught by the martial arts director within a short time and his moves are very crisp. Jet Li is equally comfortable sparring against Wu Jing. Both of them move very fast, they are equally matched, and need not worry about the other lagging behind. They coordinate with each other very well, resulting in very beautiful action from both.

Wu Jing is no less skilled in wires. The wire team is from Yuen Wo Ping's team, actually, the martial arts director is none other than Dee Dee (aka 谷轩昭 Ku Huen Chiu), who's been working with Yuen Wo Ping all along. Safety aspects are well taken care of, the only requirement is for the actor and the wire team to coordinate with each other and trust each other. Many actors might fight well, but it's a big headache when it comes to wires. Either they use too much or two little strength when jumping or their timing are off. However, Wu Jing handles wires quite well. When watching the film, the audience would be hard-pressed to distinguish which moves were wire-assisted.  Liu Xiao's Blog

Videos of news reports offering glimpses of Michelle Yeoh vs Jet Li swordfight: A, B   Michelle Yeoh Web Theatre

-- The Mummy 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor --

The fight scene between Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh is no less exhilarating than it is graceful. Both show excellent skills. They perform everything personally and the scene is captured from different angles. Their exciting performance often wins applauses from everyone on the set. The fight between Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh is meant to be kept as realistic as possible without much CGIs.

On the previous day, both Michelle Yeoh and Jet Li arrived at different times. Michelle Yeoh showed up at 10am and only did one take, after which she retired. Jet Li appeared in the afternoon and did three takes. Other shots were completed by doubles. Sometimes, one may not understand why doubles are used. Doubles are necessary part of a filming process, sometimes, they are needed so that the actors would not wear themselves out or they could be needed for shooting elsewhere at the same time.

Working as stunt doubles is a very demanding, stressful and risky job. They have to get up very early at around 3am and set off at 4am. On reaching the set, they have to set up the cranes and the wires, rehearse the moves. Sometimes they don't even get to have a meal until afternoon. Given the high demands of an action director, they'd have to do jumps and falls from some high places, and when doing weapon fights, wounds are unavoidable. When the director likes what they did, they may be required to fight longer. And it's easier for one stuntman to fight another since they would not be as stressed as facing a distinguished star. Depending on circumstances, sometimes, they would change their moves to suit the opponents, requiring them to be flexible, to take care of their opponents. Their contributions to the industry should not be overlooked.

Part of the plot: The Dragon Emperor's (Jet Li) martial arts skills are unrivalled, and having conquered all lands, he should be happy and contented, yet there's something that sticks out like a sore thumb - his love for the sorceress Zi Yuan (Michelle Yeoh) is unrequited for she is in love with General Guo Ming (Russel Wong). Guo Ming is valiant general who has contributed greatly on the battlefields and is respected by his troops, and enjoys the company of Zi Yuan. Green with envy, the Dragon Emperor always mistreats him. Guo Ming and Zi Yuan decide to leave the kingdom. The Dragon Emperor begins a hunt and find them at a town. He has the whole town massacred before apprehending Guo Ming, bringing him back to be dismembered by eight horses...  Liu Xiao's Blog, Lin-An News

-- The Mummy 3--

Production of The Mummy 3 has already started in Montreal, Canada. Jet Li, who's playing the first Emperor of China, will join the production in September when they move location to China. Jet Li is currently in production of The Forbidden Kingdom. Portions of The Mummy 3 will be shot inside the Terracotta Warriors museum in Xi'an, the first for a Hollywood film. In addition to Brenden Fraiser, Russel Wong, Jet Li will also face Michelle Yeoh this time. Filming is set to complete by November and the film is aiming for an August 2008 release.  Alive Not Dead