Premiere Magazine just posted a production photo of CRADLE 2 THE GRAVE. It shows Jet Li fighting on the stage of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Click here for a scan

Script review: KILL BILL (Negative, Minor Spoilers) by Darwin Mayflower (Corona Productions)

Production report: KILL BILL by Tiger Girl of the East (Aintitcool.com)

Thanks to Cass

Related Reports

David Carradine Talks About KILL BILL (Aintitcool.COM) June 27, 2002

KILL BILL Script Review (JoBlo.com) June 23, 2002

KILL BILL Report From Beijing (Aintitcool.COM) June 14, 2002

KILL BILL Script Review (tnmc.com) May 22, 2002

Tarantino Starts To KILL BILL In Beijing Next Month (Reuters) May 22, 2002

Link

Harry Knowles' KILL BILL script review (Aintitcool.com)

Producer of THE EYE told Reuters that he was planning a sequel or possible a prequel of this horror flick which had a pretty good run this summer in Hong Kong. THE EYE is about a young girl who started seeing ghosts after being transplant with a pair of donated corneas. "Thai twin brothers Danny and Oxide Pang are again set to direct. Pre-production will begin this year with a Thai and Hong Kong cast shooting in Thailand for a 2003 summer release."
Thanks to Cass

Related Report

Two New Ghost Movies From Hong Kong (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) May 26, 2002

Links:

THE EYE Trailer 1: QuickTime Real 

THE EYE Trailer 2: QuickTime Real 

THE EYE Official Site

Thanks to Marie M

An report by Reuters has provided us a very detailed update on the gigantic re-release of Shaw Brothers' classics. Hong Kong based Celestial Pictures has paid US$84 millions for "all video, remake, sequel and theatrical production rights" and they have been restoring these movies from their original negatives for a while.

Click here for the report

DRUNKEN MONKEY (Shaw Brothers' current project):

DRUNKEN MONKEY Picture (United News) June 16, 2002

DRUNKEN MONKEY On-Set Video (NetandTV.Com) June 10, 2002

DRUNKEN MONKEY Trailer And Storyline (ColourChina) June 10, 2002

DRUNKEN MONKEY On-Location Videos (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) May 1, 2002

Shaw Brothers Official Website

This promo poster was shown at Cannes a while ago and now has been posted on Dark Horizons. This movie is written as a sci-fi action with great potential of becoming the biggest production in Asia. The story begins when a satellite, probably contains a lot of Titanium, crashes back to the earth. Debris of the satellite create one or a few time holes. A Ming Dynasty warrior (or something like that), played by Jackie Chan, traveled to present day through the time holes. This is just a setup of the movie and no more detail of the script has been revealed.

According to Screen Daily, shooting will start next March and it has been aimed at a release during the Chinese New Year of 2004. Cinematographer / director Jingle Ma is attached to helm the film.

Click here for the Screen Daily article

Lights Out Entertainment reports shooting of CRADLE 2 THE GRAVE has finally wrapped up. Looks like DMX is the one being responsible for letting the camera rolling for somewhat 25 additional days. Click here for the report

Aintitcool.com reports the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich has been used to double London's Charing Cross Station. Click here

Most likely, only the exterior is used. The interior scene has already been shot in Czech Republic.

Links: Old Royal Naval College, Charing Cross Station

Thanks to Lisa C

An two-part article on Jackie Chan posted on Czech website FilmWeb.Cz has been attached with some new SHANGHAI KNIGHTS shots.

Here are the links for the article: Part 1 Part 2

Meanwhile, Variety has reported that shooting in Prague is scheduled to be wrapped up today and after a week off, they will head to London and Calgary Canada for a few remaining scenes. (Thanks to Wendy and Marie M for this one)

Stephen Chow has told Hong Kong media that watching matches of The World Cup Football (Soccer) has given him some idea for the sequel. What exactly is the idea? He did not say.

Harry Knowles from Aintitcool.Com has talked about using his influence on Miramax to preserve the  integrity of SHAOLIN SOCCER. Click here (The same article also mentioned Tarantino will make part of KILL BILL on the old Shaw Brothers lot in Hong Kong.

Two Japanese Productions In Shanghai (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)

June 27, 2002

Shooting of two Japanese movies are underway inside the production facility of Shanghai Film Studio, where Zhang Ziyi's PURPLE BUTTERFLY is being made right now, and both movies are set in the old Shanghai.

Shooting of SPY SORGE, Bio-pic the legendary WWII Soviet spy Richard Sorge has started several days ago. Helmed by Shinoda Masahiro, the film will capture the entire life of Sorge, whose credit includes warning Stalin about Nazi German invasion of the Soviet Union and Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor. British actor Iain Glen plays Sorge and Masahiro Motoki plays the No. 2 man of Sorge' espionage ring. SPY SORGE will be Shinoda Masahiro's final film. Shooting will end

Related Reports:

Richard Sorge, Not An Ordinary James Bond (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) May 14, 2002

Onset report with production photos and videos (Toho)

Onset report with production photos (Yahoo! Japan)

Official Site (Toho)

Based on the same name novel by Inoue Naoko, T.R.Y. is a political thriller political thriller took place in 1911's Shanghai. Yuji Oda plays an arms dealer tried to deal with the Chinese Revolutionist and the Japanese Army.  Shooting in Shanghai has wrapped up and the rest scenes will be shot in Japan The Japanese release date is set for January 11, 2003.

Related Reports:

Onset report with production photo (Toei)

Onset shots - Chinese actor Shao Bing and Japanese actor Yuji Oda: A  B (SINA.COMi)

T.R.Y. Page (Shanghai Film Studios)

Photos: Oriental Daily

John Woo's Dreaming About Even More Movies (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)

In recent years, John Woo has rarely shown up in Hong Kong and each time he shows up in Hong Kong, John just couldn't stop talking about what movies he wants to make. In addition to a Hong Kong/US cop flick with Michelle Yeoh or even Zhang Ziyi, a musical, a female version of FACE/OFF, another ONCE A THIEF action, and a Western, he has told Oriental Daily what else he wanted to make - a film version of ROMANCE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS, a historical drama about modern China's founding father Dr. Sun Yat-sen, and a remake of his mentor Chang Cheh's classic CI MA.

John Woo also promised the beach scene with Nicolas Cage and Emily Mortimer in WINDTALKERS, which has been cut from the theatrical version, would be included in the DVD. He said the scene was vital to the whole movie, which showed great passions between two lovers. But he had to delete it because his original cut was 2 hours and 30 minute long, too long to be greenlighted by MGM. 

Photo: About.com

David Carradine, playing Bill in Quentin Tarantino's KILL BILL, has talked about his involvement in the project.

Click here

Thanks to Cass

More On John Woo THE DIVIDE/LAND OF DESTINY (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)

Disney has already picked up this project, which will be produced by Propaganda Films. The script is originally written by Mike Werb and Michael Colleary, and was rewritten by Tom Vaughan. This project will not be a Hong Kong gunplay plus American Western, but rather a pure drama set in the background of the construction of America's first transcontinental railroad.

John Woo's Dreaming About More Movies (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)

John Woo and Nicolas Cage action figures.	Nicolas Cage praised Chow Yun-fat as "a great actor" and called himself "a student".	Nicolas Cage and Chow Yun-fat will soon be in John Woo's THE DIVIDE.

While promoting WINDTALKERS in Hong Kong with Nicolas Cage, John Woo has briefly talked about other projects he wanted to do besides THE DIVIDE. According to Hong Kong media, he wanted to do a musical and a female version and FACE/OFF. The one he was thinking about the most was a Hong Kong/US cop flick. He wanted Michelle Yoeh to play the Hong Kong cop and even wanted to grab Zhang Ziyi on board.

More than once, John Woo has openly expressed his sorrow at the death of Chang Cheh. He said many of his movies, like DIE XUE JIE TOU (BULLET IN THE HEAD), DIE XUE SHUANG XIONG (THE KILLER) and even WINDTALKERS, had been influenced by Chang Cheh's movies, especially CI MA. John Woo was hoping to attend Chang Cheh's funeral before leaving Hong Kong.

WINDTALKERS is doing very badly at the box-office. After two weeks, it only earned $26.7 millions, way below the $100 millions have been spent on the movie. Woo and Cage will soon go to Japan and Korea. Hope they can recover some money from there. There is at least one good news - John Woo received an honorary fellowship from Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (click here).

Follow-up Report

There is a big confusion of what exactly is the working title of the upcoming Woo/Chow/Cage project. The earliest title is THE LINE, then changed to MEN OF IRON, then became MEN OF DESTINY and they THE DIVIDE emerged, now according to Reuters' report (thanks to Cass), the title is LAND OF DESTINY. The same Reuters article indicates Woo is also interesting in another ONCE A THIEF project and a Western. Click here for the article

Photos: Oriental Daily

Sammo Hung in THE HIDDEN INFORCERS

According to Sammo Hung's official website, this is a TV production and Sammo "plays Wa Fei-lung, a senior Chinese policeman who forms a new crime fighting and special investigation unit in China. The series co-stars Sammo's youngest son Sammy Hung last seen in action in "Highbinders", as one of Sammo's team. The 30 episode series features fight and stunt choreography by Hung Ga-ban members Ji Fai (Sammo's brother), Hak Ming and JJ Lan." Actress Fan Bingbing, will take small role in PURPLE BUTTERFLY, plays one police officer.

Chang Cheh (1932-2002)

Photo: Oriental Daily

Jackie Chan showed his interest in the project in Prague

Variety: Chan's the Man for 'Eighty Days' Remake

Hollywood Reporter: Chan books space on '80 Days' trip

  
Variety's article said, "The new version will focus on Passepartout (Chan), who after stealing a valuable jade Buddha, seeks refuge with London gentleman inventor Phileas Fogg." Personally, there are two things I do not believe will ever happen. First, Jackie Chan does not look like someone named Passepartout and second, Jackie Chan will never play a thief."

Photo: United News (Taiwan)

Related report:

Jackie Chan AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) May 15, 2002

Jackie Chan in SHANGHAI KNIGHTS costume

Photo: Oriental Daily

(Right) Shanghai Film Studios

Photos Shanghai Film Studios

Zhang Ziyi received the first interview since the shooting began.

A reporter from Chinese Business View has managed to grab Zhang Ziyi for ten minutes on the set of PURPLE BUTTERFLY. Ziyi said, "after a few days of shooting, I feel this production team has great desire to create. Maybe because we are all very young, including the director (Lou Ye), we worked very well." Scenes shot in the Northeast China (city of Changchun) are all for the period when her character was still a factory worker. She said, "the story is very complicated, so it's very hard to be summarized in a few words." When being asked about the reason she took this project, Ziyi said, "I think first of all, it's the script drew my attention; second, it's the director's young age. I always want to work with younger directors, because they can inspire me and create a lot of opportunities for me. Hollywood is not necessarily the only road for me."

Li Bingbing

According to another report, Li Bingbing has signed up to play a telephone operator, the role originally attached to Zhou Xun. Since 1994 Li Bingbing has stared in a dozen of TV series, most are period drama, and four feature films, including GUO NIAN HUI JIA (SEVENTEEN YEARS), directed by Zhang Yuan, who is currently making GREEN TEA with Zhao Wei, Jiang Wen and cameraman Christopher Doyle. 

Related report:

PURPLE BUTTERFLY - Production Moved To Shanghai (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) June 15, 2002

PURPLE BUTTERFLY On-Location Report (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) (see below)

More Plot Secret Of Zhang Ziyi's PURPLE BUTTERFLY (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) June 12, 2002

Zhang Ziyi Talks About PURPLE BUTTERFLY And HERO (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) June 6, 2002

Zhang Yuan Making GREEN TEA With Runaway Doyle (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) May 22, 2002

Photos: SINA.COM

Terence Chang	John Woo
Photos: About.com

John Woo's long-time partner, producer Terence Chang said, besides BULLETPROOF MONK and the upcoming THE DIVIDE, there are two more movies were in planning under the banner of Lion Rock Production. One is the remake of CHARLIE CHAN with Lucy Liu. Chow Yun-fat is probably not going to play Charlie Chan and Lucy Liu's character, rumored to be Charlie Chan's grand-daughter, might actually be the center of the movie. The one project is a pirate movie set in South China Sea. Chang said they are even looking for opportunity to make TV production.

Meanwhile, performance of WINDTALKERS during the first week of release is quite disappointing. With over $100 million budget, it only managed to bring in $14.5 dollars. At least $200 million are needed to make the movie completely breakeven.

(Top) today's photo (bottom) May 8's photo		Photos: Official Jet Li Website, Xin Hua News Agency  and Nanfang Daily

Today's shot shows director Zhang Yimou and Jet Li laughing together. What interesting is that it also shows extras taking a rest in the back. It shows two kind of shields. The round-shape one is used most likely for charging the enemy and the chevron-shape one is used mostly likely for holding position against enemy attack.

While in America, Zhang Yimou talked about HAPPY TIMES, HERO and others.

Click here for the interview

Thanks to Cass and Stanley

Related report:

Zhang Yimou's HAPPY TIMES Trailer (Apple Computer) June 7, 2002

	Director Lau Kar-leung (left) and leading man Wu Jing (right).

This pictures was taken by Taiwan's United News, when they visited the set in  Shanghai.

Photo: United News (Taiwan)

Related report:

DRUNKEN MONKEY On-Set Video (NetandTV.Com) June 10, 2002

DRUNKEN MONKEY Trailer And Storyline (ColourChina) June 10, 2002

Shooting in the Northeast China was done and the production team has moved to Shanghai three days ago. The remaining scenes will be made at two studios in Shanghai, Chedun and Shengqiang, and a few shots will be made in Nanjing. Meanwhile Zhang Ziyi has flown to Taiwan for a Pantene shampoo charity sales.

See Zhang Ziyi at Taipei's CKS International Airport and her on the Pantene China site.

Related report:

PURPLE BUTTERFLY On-Location Report (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) (see below)

More Plot Secret Of Zhang Ziyi's PURPLE BUTTERFLY (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) June 12, 2002

Zhang Ziyi Talks About PURPLE BUTTERFLY And HERO (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) June 6, 2002

Looks like Fann Wong's involvement in SHANGHAI KNIGHTS is quite an exciting news in her hometown Singapore. Here are two more interviews with Fann Wong from Singapore media.

Click here and here 

Thanks to Marie M

Related report:

Interview With Wong Fann, The Leading Girl In SHANGHAI KNIGHTS (Associated Press) (see below)

This promo was distributed at the Licensing Show in New York. It contains two frames of concept design and the official logo design. The top frame shows, I assume, a Tibetan monastery, a few tents, and some martial monks. Here is some spoiler: the architecture of the monastery is basically in southern Chinese style and those tent are not so Tibetan either. Tibetan monasteries featured in many Hollywood productions, like THE SHADOW, THE GOLDEN CHILD, and ACE VENTURA: WHEN NATURE CALLS, are designed horribly wrong. I know this is a fantasy movie based on a comic book. But, why not try to get it right? At least people like me really care about it. No Hollywood movie would ever show a Russian Orthodox cathedral looks like Notre Dame de Paris. Am I right?

Photo: Dark Horizons  

Ainticool got two short reports on KILL BILL currently under-production in Beijing. One is from "Ancient Old Man (translation)" and the other is from "TigerGirl of the East".

Click here

Footage of Chow Yun-fat's BULLETPROOF MONK was shown in NYC and Ralphie Dexter has become the first one tell us something about it.

Click here

Chengdu Economics Daily and City Evening News report PURPLE BUTTERFLY is currently under-production in Changchun, capital of Jilin Province. On June 7, they shot a scene of a mass demonstration with many extras. Only Zhang Ziyi and Nakamura To(o)ru showed up. Zhang Ziyi dressed as a student with long pig-tails.

A street was transformed to the 1930's Shanghai, with some rickshaws, a rusty bookstore, a Japanese

Zhang Ziyi	Nakamura To(o)ru	A public demonstration against Japanese aggression

restaurant ... On June 10, shooting continued on the rainy day. Many fans tried to get Zhang Ziyi's autographs but none of them got any luck. Once her takes were done, she immediately put on a pair of sunglasses and went into her vehicle.

All requests for interview from the media have been declined.

More shots:

Zhang Ziyi: A B C

The streeti: A B

Photos: SINA.COM and People' s Daily

Related report:

More Plot Secret Of Zhang Ziyi's PURPLE BUTTERFLY (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) June 12, 2002

Zhang Ziyi Talks About PURPLE BUTTERFLY And HERO (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) June 6, 2002

Photo: Oriental Daily

Fann Wong: A Singapore girl with one foot in Hollywood
Thu Jun 13,12:15 AM ET

By ALEXA OLESEN, Associated Press Writer

Click here for the full article

Thanks to Marie M

LightsOut Entertainment got some not so encouraging news from the set. Something about over-budget and over-schedule. Click here (The same report also restated director Brett Ratner's desire of shooting RUSH HOUR 3 and 4 together. Jackie Chan has mentioned such possibility before. Thanks to Marie M and Lisa C)

Corona got the largest collection of HULK news. Click here

Wong Jing	Maggie Q

Hong Kong media report director Wong Jing is ready to shoot NAKED WEAPON later this month. It is going to be a sort of sequel of NAKED KILLER, even though no one from the original is expected to return. Hong Kong supermodel Maggie Q will take the the leading role. The cast may also include Wu Yin-cho (Daniel), Anya (SHARP GUNS), Li Fei (THE CONMEN IN VEGAS), Cheng Pei-pei and Lien Kai (2000 A.D.).

This "sequel" will continue what made the original a cult film - combination of lesbianism and classic Hong Kong actions. Wong Jing, not sure he will direct or not, said there will be a hot lesbian scene between Maggie Q and Anya.

Photo: SINA.COM

	PURPLE BUTTERFLY is only the second film with Zhang Zhiyi as the lead.
	Photo: SINA.COM

China's New Daily has got a little bit more detail on PURPLE BUTTERFLY from China Film Group. The movie is set in the Japanese occupied Shanghai in the 1930's and 40's. Zhang Ziyi will play the leader of a secret organization which engaged in eliminating Chinese who were collaborating with the Japanese. She was also seeking revenge on the death of his boyfriend, who was probably killed by one of such collaborators. Nakamura To(o)ru will play a Japanese secret agent, who was a former classmate and ex-lover of Zhang Ziyi's character. Years later, he reunited with Zhang Ziyi's character in Shanghai but had no idea she was the one he was supposed to hunt down. Zhang Ziyi's former classmate at Central Drama Academy Liu Ye will play her another former classmate. After he took the wrong bag and became a wanted man by the Japanese, he jointed the secret organization too.

Spoiler Alert: highlight to read the description of the ending:

Almost all characters did not live till the end including Zhang Ziyi's character. She died during her last mission, which unfortunately remained unfulfilled by the time of her death.

Spoiler Ends here.

Love, loyalty and betrayal will the focus of this movie. With a lot of subplots, the storyline is very complicated and is filled with suspense and thrills. Zhang Ziyi will do some very passionate scene, which will be more exciting than the one she did in CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. Zhou Xun, the female lead of Luo Ye's directing début SUZHOU RIVER, may also joint the cast to play a supporting role in the film.

Director Luo Ye has worked on the script for several years. In order to get Zhang Ziyi, he even altered the script to make her role the focus of the film. This project must be very attractive to Zhang Ziyi, because she will only collect about 2 million Yuans (US$240 thousands) from it, a big drop from US$1 million she got from RUSH HOUR 2. Even though, the 2 million is still about 20% of the film's overall budget. However, a French company has bid US$1 million for the European distribution rights, which could cover much of the money will be spent on the film.

Shooting in Shenyang and Fushun of Liaoning Province will soon be wrapped up. Rest of the shooting will take place in Shanghai until the end of August. Release date in China has been scheduled in late May 2003.

Related report:

Zhang Ziyi Talks About PURPLE BUTTERFLY And HERO (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) June 6, 2002

Stanley Tong, the director of SUPERCOP, RUMBLE IN THE BRONX and FIRST STRIKE, told Beijing Morning News he was planning his own version of HUA MULAN, based on the Chinese folklore which was made famous by Disney's animation MULAN. He said this movie, which had been under-planning for a year and a half, was budgeted at US$25 million and he had signed a deal of releasing it in about 2000 theater in the United States. He also said this one will be made entirely in English and he was looking for a Chinese girl living overseas who can speak perfect English to play the legendary heroine.

We all know Michelle Yoeh is preparing her version HUA MULAN. The script is currently being polished by Wang Hui-ling, one of the screenwriters of CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. And, there are at least two more versions are under-planning. I say Michelle Yoeh's version has better chance to be successful and whichever comes out first will immediately shutdown all other MULANs. 

Photo: SINA.COM

Today's picture is another shot of Jet Li (left), director Zhang Yimou (middle) and action director Ching Siu-tung (right) on location of Jiuzhaigou National Park.

Photo: Official Jet Li Website

Thanks to Lisa C

Rotten Tomatoes's WINDTALERS Reviews Page

WINDTALKERS (Negative, Major Spoilers; 5) by Jon Popick (Planet Sick-Boy)

Thanks to Marie

Here is one more review: WINDTALKERS (Positive, No Spoilers) by Susan Granger (SusanGranger.Com)

Trailer of HAPPY TIMES, the film Zhang Yimou made right before he committed himself to HERO, is online now. Click here

If you prefer to watch it on a bigger screen but unfortunately with lower resolution, you can use a separately opened QuickTime Player. Here is the way to do it: right click this link, click "Copy shortcut" (Internet Explorer) or "Copy Link Address" (Netscape), open QuickTime Player, click "File", click "Open URL in New Player", right-click the URL bar, click "Paste", then click OK. Left-click the small square at the top-right corner to enlarge the QuickTime player window.

Follow-Up Report (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive)

Chinese Trailer (Real)

Stills A B

Chinese posters: A B C

Reviews:

HAPPY TIMES was basically a box-office failure when it was released over a year ago in China. Under pressure, director Zhang Yimou re-shot the ending in attempt to salvage the box-office. However, the audiences did not buy the alternative ending. Personally, I like the original ending though it is much less dramatic. The international version of this film uses the new ending and all reviews from the above were done on the international version.

Today's photo	June 5's photo	May 30's photo	One of May 31's photos, taken before the snow started to fall

Today's picture is another shot of Jiuzhaigou National Park. According to the Official Jet Li Site, it shows a location where some scene was made.

Photo: Official Jet Li Website

IWINDTALKERS (Negative, Minor Spoilers) by David Hunter (The Hollywood Reporter)

WINDTALKERS (Positive, Minor Spoilers) by Michael Dequina (Movie-Report.COM)

Thanks to Marie

Interview: Christian Slater (SurfMetro)

Thanks to Cass

Thanks to Marie

Shooting of PURPLE BUTTERFLY has begun today on the outskirts of Shenyang, capital of China's northeastern province Liaoning. Beijing Times has sit down with Zhang Ziyi before her departure to Shenyang. She said the movie is set in Manzhouli of China's Northeast (Manchuria) and Shanghai when both cities were under Japanese occupation during the 1930's and 40's. She will play Ding Hui, an underground worker. Her former classmate at Central Drama Academy Liu Ye will play another underground worker who only has just working relationship with her. Her love interest is Itami Jiyuushi (?), a Japanese army officer, who will be played by Nakamura To(o)ru. The other love interest of her will be played by an unidentified Chinese actor.

Zhang Zyiyi	Liu Ye	Nakamura To(o)ru	Luo Ye

About her role, she said, "I will play a young girl with two different psychological states in two different eras and under two different circumstances, (just like) they are two totally different persons. (The role) is not easy to play and is very hard to handle. This role offers me more room to explore, more than what any of my previous roles has offered.

When being asked about the difference between Zhang Yimou, the director of HERO and THE ROAD HOME, and Lou Ye, the director of PURPLE BUTTERFLY, she said, "they are from two different generations, therefore their understandings of cinema and their ways to handle films are different. I like SUZHOU RIVER very much. Actually, Zhang Yimou (one of China's Five Generation directors) suggested me to work with the Six Generation directors (like Lou Ye). He said as an actor, (I) should try to learn from directors of different types and a good actor should grow like that."

PURPLE BUTTERFLY is produced by Shanghai Film Studios and the shooting will soon move to Shanghai once scenes in Shenyang wrap up. PURPLE BUTTERFLY is Lou Ye's first project since his internationally acclaimed directing début SHUZHOU RIVER in 2000. Liu Ye has only stared in one movie before, LAN YU, a highly praised film about the queer world in modern China.

About HERO, she said, "(I) only played a supporting role, but I consider (the experience) is very valuable. I still feel the days I spent in Hengdian is very worthy. I am the only character who lived till the end (note: except the king of course), and if (they want to) make a sequel, I am the only one they have."

Photos: SINA.COM and Golden Harvest

Review: WINDTALKERS (Positive, Major Spoilers) by Capone (Aintitcool.com)

Thanks to Cass for the second review

Previews reviews:

WINDTALKERS (Positive, Very Minor Spoilers; 4.5/5) by Dean Kish (Movie-List.COM)

WINDTALKERS (Negative, Minor Spoilers; 5/10) by "The Spectator" (iScriptdb.com)

WINDTALKERS (Slightly Positive, Minor Spoilers; 7/10) by Katherine Brodsky (MODAMAG.COM)

WINDTALKERS (Negative, Minor Spoilers) by Hollyfeld (tnmc.org)

WINDTALKERS (Negative, Minor Spoilers) by 'ZZ Top (Dark Horizons)

WINDTALKERS (Positive, Minor Spoilers; 4 1/2 stars) by Dustin Gast (Zentertainment.COM)

WINDTALKERS (Positive, Major Spoilers) by Roark (Aintitcool.COM)

WINDTALKERS (Positive, Minor Spoilers) by Michael Dequina (Movie-Report.COM)

Today's photo	May 30's photo	One of May 31's photos, taken before the snow started to fall

Today's picture is a closer shot of the snowy mountain surrounding an unidentified lake in Jiuzhaigou National Park.

Photo: Official Jet Li Website

Today's shot shows three crewmembers working in the desert of Akesay County, Gansu Province. This is where the Silk Road passes by. No war has ever took place there when the king of Qin was conquering the other six kingdoms. Director Zhang Yimou picked the location just because the scenery is great.

Photo: Official Jet Li Website

	(Top) official logo from the website of Ocean Films, the French distributor of the movie   (left) Zhang Ziyi's test shot in 2046

This photo appeared at Cannes along with a new poster (sorry, don't have yet). It is a test shot of Zhang Ziyi's new look designed by William Chang in the newly resurrected project 2046. Shooting is about to begin sometime in the near future in Shanghai, or probably South Korea, or probably both.

The film is set to be delivered to next year's Cannes Film Festival in May 2003 and Ocean Films, the French distributor, has already reserved a page for 2046 on its website (click here).

Photo: Oriental Daily

8 Clips are now up on French site CineMovies.

Click here

Follow-Up Report

Interview: Christian Slater 

Thanks to Cass

According to Calgary Sun, the upcoming John Woo and Chow Yun-fat reunion has been renamed to THE DIVIDE. The original working title is MEN OF IRON and then changed to MEN OF DESTINY. John Woo likes neither one of them. THE DIVIDE will, at least partially, shot in Colorado. Producer Terence Chang said, "Colorado was able to supply us with the vintage trains we needed so we are shooting the movie there. THE DIVIDE tells the story of how the Chinese and Irish immigrants built America's first transcontinental railway in the 1860's. The title THE DIVIDE may hint us what the movie's tone will be. The railway, which united the United States, was built by thousands of immigrants been divided from the rest of American society. Click here for the article

Thanks to Marie

video clips of Entertainment and Access Hollywood's reports are now available on World of Owen, as as part the Wilson brothers' fan site. Click here

Meanwhile Calgary Sun just confirmed that Jachie Chan will stay in go to Calgary for a few days in early July. Unlike SHANGHAI NOON, which was shot almost entirely in Calgary, the sequel only offers Calgary a "cameo" role. Many western scenes and all Beijing Scenes were actually shot in Czech Republic. Click here for the article

Thanks to Marie

Reviews: KILLING ME SOFTLY (Negative, Major Spoilers) by Elaine

An X-rated French trailer is online now: Real  Windows Media

The movie will be released in France on June 5. Official French Site

Today's photo	One of May 31's photos	May 24's photo

Today's shot shows (from left to right) director Zhang Yimou, action director Ching Siu-tung, director of cinematography Christopher Doyle and Jet Li. The node on Jet Li's head is leaning to the right. This is because people from the kingdom of Qin considered "right" is more superior than "left".

Photo: Official Jet Li Website

Director Wang (Wong) Jing just picked singer actor Stephen Fung to carry the torch of his CONMAN franchise. Shooting of DU XIA 2002 (DO SING 2002 / GOD OF GAMBLERS 2002) is about to start. The original DU XIA (CONMAN) was made in 1997, staring Andy Lou.

CONMAN series is a spin-off of the GOD OF GAMBLERS series. In 1989 Chow Yun-fat portrayed the mysterious gambler in the original GOD OF GAMBLERS co-staring. In 1994 he returned in GOD OF GAMBLERS 2. In 1997 a prequel DOU SAN 3 TSI SIUNIN DOU SAN, staring Leon Lai, was made. Wang Jing has created another two spin-off "gamblers" franchises, DU SHENG (THE SAINT OF GAMBLERS) and DO XING (CASINO TYCOON).

Photo: SINA.COM

13 Jackie Chan photos has been posted on his official website. Click here

Here are three shots from Sing Pao (Stareastnet.com):

A: Jackie Chan in full costume

B: Another pictures of Jackie Chan holding his Taurus

C: Jackie Chan and members of JC Stunt Team (see Jackie Chan's double?)

Thanks to Marie Mullowney

Follow-up Report:

More good news for Jackie Chan. The the fight scene at the massage house in RUSH HOUR 2 just won best fight at MTV Movie Awards, although it is really bellow-the-average of typical Jackie Chan's fight scenes. Chris Tucker received the award. Click here and here. Click here for the complete list of winners. The award ceremony will be broadcast on MTV on June 6 and on MuchMusic in Canada on June 8.

Thanks to Marie Mullowney

Click here for part 1 of the interview. Part 2 will be posted tomorrow.