Wu-Jing.org

-- Iron Mask --
The much anticipated Yuen Wo Ping film Iron Mask/Iron Monkey sequel is slated to begin production in July. The budget is around 150m yuan and funding comes from Europe and Mainland. Yuen Woo Ping intends to create Iron Mask a Chinese version of Batman and introduce the film to Europe and US. The film will feature a fair amount of martial arts scenes and special effects.

However, what's not so promising is that Louis Koo and Shawn Yue are expected to play the lead roles. While good in their own right and thy have done some decent action scenes, neither is an actual martial artist. Even those approached prior to this were non-martial artists - Chow Yun Fat, Jay Chow, Andy Lau - though they didn't eventually take up this project.

Set in Republican period in the early 1900s, Louis Koo plays a police constable by day, but when night falls, he dons a mask (which could imply frequent doubling) and goes about relieving the rich of their coffers so as to relieve the poverty-stricken, and even teams up with his disciple Shawn Yue against a very powerful, devious merchant. Being fan of Batman, Louis Koo is very happy to accept this role.  Information Times

-- 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

-- 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"

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.

-- 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:

-- Forbidden Kingdom --

Behind-the-scenes footage showing Jackie Chan and Jet Li working Yuen Wo Ping to create the martial arts sequences: Yahoo (2:12 min)

Brief encounter between Jackie Chan and the soldiers: Youtube

Forbidden Kingdom pages at Alive Not Dead

The movie's gala premiere will be held in Beijing on April 15 or 16.

Background on Forbidden Kingdom

Jackie Chan and Jet Li, the two most revered martial arts superstar actors in the world today, have come together for the very first time in filmmaking history to pit their skills in The Forbidden Kingdom as Lu Yan and the Silent Monk respectively.

In this one-of-a-kind project, producer Casey Silver has not only succeeded in bringing together an exceptional group of people, including some of the best talent in Asian and Western cinema, for the first truly international Asian blockbuster movie. He has also pulled off a great feat in making the entire film in China.

This epic production is written by veteran screenwriter John Fusco, whose past works include the Academy Award®-nominated Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, and directed by Rob Minkoff of The Lion King fame, who brings his unique blend of character, comedy, drama and storytelling to the enthralling and innovative time-traveling story structure...

-- Iron Mask --

Recently, Yuen Wo Ping, accompanied by his long-time collaborator producer/scriptwriter Anthony Wong Wing-Fai, is in Yunan's Weishan county to scout locations for his upcoming martial arts movie tentatively called 《铁面侠》 Knight-errant in Iron Mask. The ancient citadel of Weishan has hundreds of years of history. It resembles a chess board with 24 streets and 18 alleys, fully retaining Ming and Manchu dynasties' ancient buildings.

Having witnessed the beautiful archaic structures of Weishan and the scenic beauty of Mt Weibao, Yuen Wo Ping has basically decided to shoot Iron Mask on location in these two locales of Yunnan. Production is expected to begin in May or so.  Dali Daily | Photos: Tuniu, Sina

Some archived photos of Weishan, Mt Weibao, and Yuen Wo Ping

-- Forbidden Kingdom --

A clip showing a training sequence whereby Jet Li and Jackie Chan teach Michael Angarano some basics in kungfu, with a newer trailer attached at the back: IGN

Poster: Aint It Cool News