Wu-Jing.org

-- Tai Chi Tiger --

While in Seoul promoting his latest movie Street Kings, Keanu Reeves, during an interview, becomes especially excited on the mention of Yuen Wo Ping. He says he met Yuen Wo Ping, whom he addresses as master or Eighth Master in Cantonese, in Beijing around half a year ago to discuss a kungfu movie, tentatively called Tai Chi Tiger. He'd play a villain character. Tiger Chen Hu will play the lead as a Tai Chi master.

Keanu Reeves says that it's still in scripting stage and that the film will be shot on location in China. He'd show the script to Yuen Wo Ping upon completion and hopes that Yuen Wo Ping would direct it. A few months back, Keanu Reeves was in Sichuan scouting locations with Tiger Chen.

On being enquired, Yuen Wo Ping says that he's very happy and look forward to collaborating with Keanu Reeves, but clarifies that he'd only be the martial arts director. The film will be directed by Tiger Chen himself, in other word, its going to be directorial debut of this young member of Yuen Clan. Yuen Wo Ping adds that he has also invited Keanu Reeves for another project to be shot next year.  Sina

-- China Film Group to Co-produce Hollywood Action Films --

China Film Group announces that it's currently in talks to collaborate with Hollywood studios on three movies. The first plans on getting Will Smith and either Stephen Chow or Jackie Chan on board, with either of the latter playing a Chinese stuntman who changes the life of a withdrawn American kid. The kid would be played by Will Smith's son while he may take on a villainous role. The second is Taichi Tiger, a project planned by Keanu Reeves to fulfill the wish of Tiger Chen. He'll play a supporting role while Tiger Chen the protagonist. Keanu Reeves, accompanied by Tiger Chen, visited Sichuan recently for location scouting. The third is Disney's remake of Snow White, whose cast is so far unconfirmed, though some names have been mentioned.  Yangcheng Evening News

-- Li Feng's Directorial Debut --

Li Feng's commercial kungfu movie was originally planned to start production in July. However, this has been delayed as the script is still being worked on. Li Feng, who is currently revising the script, hopes to begin filming by end of the year. He confirms that Yuan Quan, Tong Yao and Tiger Chen will star in the film. Tiger Chen, Yuen Wo Ping's protege, who will also be choreographing the movie, is giving Tong Yao demanding training in preparation for the movie. Li Feng would neither reveal the script nor the title of film until filming begins, "You could think of it as a Korean romance meets Hong Kong martial arts film. We intend to name the film after a martial arts style or move."  Nanguo Morning Post

-- Dancing Fist --

Tong Yao, who graduated from Central Drama Academy in 2002 and has background in dancing, is training for over eight hours daily to prepare for her role in 《舞拳》 Dancing Fist/Fistplay (tentative), an upcoming contemporary action comedy directed by Li Feng, who also wrote the script. She says that this is her first work with Li Feng. She was drawn to the project by the script and is obsessed with the characters, as well as the martial arts choreography. She's very excited to be working with Tiger Chen Hu, Yuen Wo Ping's protege. Hoping to become an action star, she goes through rigorous training under Yuen Wo Ping Stunt Team members (video) and intends to perform all action herself. She says that the movie will be a showcase of authentic martial arts. Tong Yao plays opposite Tiger Chen as a girl who gets bullied. After learning the arts of defence from a coach she meets, she goes back for revenge. Eventually, she realises that the greatest enemy is herself. Production begins in August.  Sina

-- Li Feng's Directorial Debut --

Script writer Li Feng is currently preparing for his directorial debut, a modern day actioner that bears some comics book elements. A US studio has injected US$5m into the movie and will help distribute the film in US. The cast includes Tiger Chen, who will also work as the action director, Tong Yao and Yuan Quan.

Tiger Chen Hu, who was discovered by Yuen Wo Ping and worked under him in The Matrix series and Kill Bill, describes his role as a young man who is not only skilled in martial arts but highly intelligent. He is someone who has great tolerance, is cheerful, able to take hardships, and is really cool too. Tiger Chen will exchange fists against the two actresses Tong Yong and Yuan Quan. Tong Yong is undergoing three months of training in martial arts. Tiger Chen believes that she will be able to handle the demanding action in the movie since she has some foundations in dancing. Tiger Chen says they will try to portray grace and authenticity of martial arts, and there will be numerous demanding stunts and large-scale scenes. Tiger Chen believes that only actual martial artists are able to bring out the original flavour of kung fu films as as films today tend to rely to much on special effects, wires and doubles. The film will be shot on location in with Xinjiang, Zhuhai, and Hong Kong. Shooting is expected to begin in July and will take around 3 months.  Sina