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-- Champions --

Champions, a martial arts comedy directed by Tsui Siu Ming, opens in China on October 31. The film features a variety of martial arts: Eagle Claw, Praying Mantis, Tai Chi, Southern Fist, Ditang Fist, Fanzi Fist, Arhat Fist, Tiger Taming Fist, etc, as well as an assortment of weaponry; and appearances by numerous wushu champions.

One notable wushu star in the film is Xu Xiang Dong, who plays An Yong, Chief of Eagle Claw Clan, who goes around challenging everybody initially. As one who stands by the motto "One who remains standing is the winner, one who is lying on the ground the loser.", he organises a martial arts meet to let everyone witness the prowess of his skills.

-- Champions --
The 30m yuan Champions is said to be an actual true blue kungfu film, with backdrop set against 1936 Berlin Olympics where Chinese wushu was showcased out of competition. The poster states that the film features 15 wushu champions, with 15 martial arts styles being exhibited.

Costarring alongside Dicky Cheung is Xie Miao, who having grown up, has been doing kungfu productions like Legend of Shaolin Kungfu. Two other noted martial arts stars are Xu Xiang Dong and Yu Rong Guang, who had previously starred in Tsui Siu Ming's Holy Robe of Shaolin Temple as a Shaolin disciple and a Manchu official sent to take control of Shaolin respectively.

-- Champions --
Trailer for old school martial arts film 《夺标》 Champions (Duo Biao), directed by Tsui Siu Ming, starring Dicky Cheung, Wong Tsui Yu, Debbie Goh, Xie Miao, Yu Rong Guang, Xu Xiang Dong, unveiled at Hundred Flowers Film Festival, is now up at MTime.

Champions is about an underdog wushu athlete played by Dicky Cheung who takes part in a martial arts tournament in order represent China in a martial arts performance at an Olympic Games so as to win the heart of a national sprinter, the girl he's in love with.

Champions, which showcases various schools of martial arts ranging from Praying Mantis Boxing through Eagle Claw to Taichi, is due out in November 2008.

Yesterday night, the final round of The Disciple, attended by various luminaries in the industry like Tsui Hark, John Woo, Ng See Yuen, Cheng Pei, Pei, Yu Rong Guang, was aired over Beijing TV. The Disciple contest was put on hold in mid-May following the Sichuan earthquake with the candidates going to do relief work and only resumed recently.

The champion goes to 涂圣成 Jack Tu Sheng Cheng, who grew up under strict training regime of his martial artist father since the age of six. The runners-up are 杨政 Yang Zheng and 易扬 Jerry Liau. Jackie Chan presents his calligraphy to the champion Yu Sheng Cheng and takes him in as his disciple. Yang Sheng Cheng will get to follow Jackie Chan, and be imparted with his skills on movie-making.

In conjunction with China Film Group, Emperor Motion Pictures, Beijing TV Station, Beijing Forbidden City Films, and his own studio, Jackie Chan will be producing three modern action movies 《速递206》 (Speedpost 206), 《不告诉你》 (Won't Tell You), 《热带气旋》 (Tropical Tornado) and one action TV series with them playing the lead roles. Production is expected to start in September.

The rest of the top 16 candidates will also have a chance to take part in the above projects. Stanley Tong and Peter Pau will be the executive producers, while Xie Dong, Jiang Tao and Cai Rong Hui will each direct a movie. Jackie Chan Stunt Team will choreograph the action.  EastDay | Videos at Sina

-- Duo Biao --

《夺标》 Duo Biao, co-produced by Sundream and Huayi Brothers, directed by Tsui Siu Ming, has wrapped up after over two months of filming. The martial arts film is slated for release this autumn.

Duo Biao is set in 1936 when China sent 69 athletes to take part in Berlin Olympics. At the same time 9 wushu team members also performed there. While China didn't do very well back then, her wushu performance greatly impressed the Westerners. And it was then that Chinese wushu was spread throughout the world.  Tsu Siu Ming hopes to show the spirit and culture of wushu through this film, with emphasis on realistic and detailed portrayal of traditional martial arts.

-- 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.