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News Archives |
| June 2002 | |
| CRADLE 2 THE GRAVE Photo From Premiere Magazine (Premiere Magazine) | |
| June 30, 2002 | |
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. |
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| KILL BILL - Another Script Review And An Onset Report From Beijing (Various) | |
| June 29, 2002 | |
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) |
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| Sequel/Prequel Of Hong Kong Ghost Thriller THE EYE (Reuters) | |
| June 29, 2002 | |
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."
Related Report Two New Ghost Movies From Hong Kong (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) May 26, 2002
Links: THE EYE Trailer 1: QuickTime Real |
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| Show Brothers Classics To Make Triumphant Return (Reuters) | ||
| June 28, 2002 | ||
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.
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 |
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| Promo Poster Of Jackie Chan's TITANIUM RAIN (Dark Horizons) | |
| June 28, 2002 | |
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. |
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| CRADLE 2 THE GRAVE Wrapped Up Though Weeks Behind Schedule (Lights Out Entertainment) | |
| June 28, 2002 | |
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
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| HERO News 91 - Picture From Official Jet Li Site (Official Jet Li Germany Website) | |
| June 28, 2002 | |
Today's shot shows Jet Li on location of Jiuzhaigou National Park. Right next to him, there are THREE cameras, including one mounted on top of a crane, and Christopher Doyle was operating one of them. Click here |
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| SHANGHAI KNIGHTS Filming In London (Aintitcool.COM) | |
| June 28, 2002 | |
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 |
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| SHANGHAI KNIGHTS Snapshots From A Czech Article (FilmWeb.Cz) | |
| June 28, 2002 | |
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) |
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| Stephen Chow Got Idea For SHAOLIN SOCCER Sequel While Watching The World Cup (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) | ||
| June 27, 2002 | ||
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. |
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Two Japanese Productions In Shanghai (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) |
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June 27, 2002 |
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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 |
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John Woo's Dreaming About Even More Movies (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) |
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| June 27, 2002 | |
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 |
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| David Carradine Talks About KILL BILL (Aintitcool.COM) | |
| June 27, 2002 | |
David Carradine, playing Bill in Quentin Tarantino's KILL BILL, has talked about his involvement in the project. Thanks to Cass |
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More On John Woo THE DIVIDE/LAND OF DESTINY (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) |
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| June 26, 2002 | |
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. |
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John Woo's Dreaming About More Movies (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) |
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| June 26, 2002 | |||||||
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 |
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| THE TUXEDO Official Website Launched (TheTuxedo.Net) | |
| June 25, 2002 | |
The official site, www.thetuxedo.net, has been launched with an action-packed flash movie. |
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| More Jackie Chan's SHANGHAI KNIGHTS Diary and Shots (Official Jackie Chan Website) | ||
| June 25, 2002 | ||
Now the dairy has been updated through June 9: Click her
New shots include: Jackie Chan's birthday party with Owen Wilson's fido friend - Garcia the Australian cattle dog (April 7)
Czech countryside used to double the wild west (May 30)
Replica of the Stonehenge and Jackie hugging sheep (May 31) Something is not so right. The real Stonehenge is on flatland but the replica was constructed on a hill. Click here for pictures of the real Stonehenge
Jackie Chan hanging around with Donnie Yen (June 2)
Crew meeting (June 7) Thanks to Marie M and JF |
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| HERO News 90 - Picture From Official Jet Li Site (Official Jet Li Australia Website) | |
| June 24, 2002 | |
Two new photos were posted on the Australia site. Both were taken in Dunhuang region of Gansu Province. For the first time, we can see the crew being responsible for the wire scenes. |
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| Ang Lee Made THE HULK Naked (Entertainment Weekly) | |
| June 24, 2002 | |
A short article on Entertainment Weekly mentioned Ang Lee has created a naked Hulk, just like he was first born, but no frontal. |
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| Two More SHANGHAI KNIGHTS Shots (Official Jackie Chan Website) | |
| June 24, 2002 | |
Check out these two pictures of Jackie Chan in two different costumes: Looks like more are on the way. Beware! Thanks to Marie M |
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| Sammo Hung's Cinematic Robbery Scared Local Residents In Shenzhen (JoBlo.com) | ||
| June 24, 2002 | ||
Sammo Hung is making a new movie called TE JING FEI LONG (DUK GENG FEI LUNG / SPECIAL UNIT FLYING DRAGON) in the city of Shenzhen, neighboring Hong Kong in the north. Some action in the film is quite real, maybe a little bit too real, and real enough to cause a few local residents to call the police.
According to a report by Southern City, two days ago, at about 6 p.m., many people heard a few gunshots. After arriving the scene, they saw a armored truck stoping on one side of the street, four security guides lying on the ground and one of them got shot on the chest. In the confusion, at least one of them called the police to report the robbery. Then they saw several police officers started to chase the robbers. People finally realized it was a staged robbery after discovering the crewmembers nearby. Days earlier, an explosion in another part of the city set off by the crew also scared a lot of people. Residents were very upset that they were not informed prior to the shooting.
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.
Production photos (Official Sammo Hung Website): A B Photo: Hong Kong Film's Web |
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| Zhang Ziyi Is Ill On The Set Of PURPLE BUTTERFLY But Shooting Continues (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) | |
| June 24, 2002 | |
Production manager of the movie Wu Yonglin told New Daily that Zhang Ziyi had got tonsillitis but she kept working anyway. Since early this month, Ziyi has been working nonstop, including making many rain scenes. Last week she made a very shot strip to Taiwan, and felt ill after returning Shanghai. Her illness has explained why she was the only one got her own car, why she was followed by so many people, and why she always stayed inside her dressing room between takes. Three days ago, when a report from Taiwan's The Star called her, she was lying in the hospital. "Ziyi is currently making some very sad scene, plus she got soaked for a very long time yesterday, her body just couldn't take it anymore", said her co-star Liu Ye said, "but Nakamura To(o)ru will go back to Japan tomorrow, Ziyi has to go back to the set tonight."
The production manager also said Li Bingbing's role was very small which would only take three to four days to complete.
Related report: PURPLE BUTTERFLY's Background History (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) June 23, 2002 (see below) PURPLE BUTTERFLY's Shanghai Scenes (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) June 20, 2002 Zhang Ziyi Talking BUTTERFLY And HERO (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) June 19, 2002 PURPLE BUTTERFLY - Production Moved To Shanghai (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) June 15, 2002 PURPLE BUTTERFLY On-Location Report (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) June 14, 2002 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 |
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| PURPLE BUTTERFLY's Background History (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 23, 2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Some fans has asked me the history which will be depicted in the film. Here is a brief description of what happened in Shanghai and the rest of China in the 1930's and 40's:
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| KILL BILL Script Review (JoBlo.com) | |
| June 23, 2002 | |
Script review: KILL BILL (Positive, Minor Spoilers) by Mike Sampson Link: Harry Knowles' KILL BILL script review (Aintitcool.com) Thanks to Cass |
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| Teaser Trailer Of DAREDEVIL With Action Created By Yuen Cheung-yan (JoBlo.com) | ||
| June 23, 2002 | ||
According to IGN, Yuen Cheung-yan, one of Yuen Wo-ping's brothers, is making three action sequences for the movie. Yuen Cheung-yan is responsible for action of CHARLIE'S ANGLES and the sequel. His is also a co-action director on THE MATRIX sequels. |
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| Martial Art Movie Director Chang Cheh Died At The Age of 79 (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) | ||
| June 22, 2002 | ||
Legendary Hong Kong kung-fu movie director Chang Cheh has died from pulmonary edema today in Hong Kong. From 1949's A LI SHAN FENG YUN to 1989's YI DAN QUN YING (nominal), he made near one hundred martial art movies, most were for Show Brothers. His most memorable works are DU BI DAO (ONW-ARMED SWORDSMAN) (1967), DA CI KE (ASSASSIN) (1967), BO SAU (1970) and CI MA (1973). Chang Cheh was also a screenwriter and his last work is for TV series LIE HUO SHAO NIAN QING. Many big names have worked for him including Wang Yu, Wu Ma, Ti Lung, Cheng Pei-pei, Lo Lieh, Chiang Dai-wai, John Woo, Lau Kar-leung, Lee Sau-yin and Andy Lau.
Link:
Photo: Oriental Daily |
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| SHANGHAI KNIGHTS Shots (Official Jackie Chan Website) | ||
| June 22, 2002 | ||
19 photos have been attached to five entries of Jackie Chan's diary posted previously. They include: The revolving door scene has made Jackie Chan very mad, Another snapshot of the revolving door scene and a picture of the Czech countryside Some antique Jackie Chan brought on his day off All Saints' Chapel, Cathedral of Santa Barbara and the Church of the Ascension of the Virgin
Thanks to Marie M and Wendy |
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| More News On Jackie Chan's Journey Of AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS (Various) | ||
| June 21, 2002 | ||
In his April 6th's entry of the SHANGHAI KNIGHTS diary (click here), Jackie Chan has mentioned the possibility of him staring in another movie adoption of Jules Verne's novel AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS. He said, "It's a film that I am interested in because it's educational and sends a positive message to the public. Each film I make has to be more exciting and challenging than the next. I like the idea of traveling to nine different countries to make this film. Traveling gives me an opportunity to learn about different countries."
Now both Variety and Hollywood Reporter have got a little bit more detail on this project: Variety: Chan's the Man for 'Eighty Days' Remake Hollywood Reporter: Chan books space on '80 Days' trip
Thanks to Bee and Marie M for the tip Photo: United News (Taiwan)
Related report: Jackie Chan AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) May 15, 2002 |
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| How Will Jackie Chan Play BELLBOY (About.com) | ||
| June 21, 2002 | ||
Bradley Allenstein, the screenwriter of THE BELLBOY has given us a very small sample of the script he wrote. In this movie, Jackie Chan will probably play a cop going undercover as a bell boy, who always tries to do two things simultaneously - fighting the bad guys and doing his duty as a bellboy. "For example, he goes down to return a piece of Tuna to the chef. He gets into a fight with the chef and he ends up cooking the fish himself and fighting the bad guys. He goes up to the guest and the guest goes, 'I think I'd rather have a cheeseburger instead'." Bradley Allenstein said unlike the original Jerry Lewis's BELLBOY, which has no plot and no point, this remake will actually have a story. Thanks to Cass Photo: Oriental Daily |
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| PURPLE BUTTERFLY's Shanghai Scenes (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) | ||||||
| June 20, 2002 | ||||||
Shooting of PURPLE BUTTERFLY continues inside Shanghai Film Studios' production facility built outside of the city. The facility contains replicas of streets, buildings and houses from the 1930's Shanghai. New Daily reports at Tuesday night, they shot the scene in which Liu Ye's character Situ being kidnapped and beaten up by the assassin gang ,led by Zhang Ziyi, after he took the wrong wallet. Probably because he was mistaken as their target. Yesterday, they made the scene with Luo Ye's character, after being beaten up by Zhang Ziyi's men, walking into a café to deliver a message. The whole scene took more than two hours to complete. Later Zhang Ziyi came and they took a few shots with Ziyi (still got her pig-tails) quietly following Luo Ye in the dark.
Zhang Ziyi is well "protected" on the set. She was the only one being assigned with a car and she was always staying inside her dressing room between takes. Many people were following her all the time, including her American assistant and her manager.
Yesterday they had to share the same "street" with another crew making a TV series. The leading girl of the TV production happens to be Li Bingbing, who might join PURPLE BUTTERFLY (see yesterday's report)
Video: the set being used by PURPLE BUTTERFLY (Quick Time). Click here (Connection is very slow. Better right-click and save it on your hard drive first)
Photos Shanghai Film Studios |
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| Zhang Ziyi Talking BUTTERFLY And HERO (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) | ||||||
| June 19, 2002 | ||||||
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."
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 |
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| Another Round Of Jackie Chan's SHANGHAI KNIGHTS Diary And More Pix (Official Jackie Chan Site) | |
| June 19, 2002 | |
The diary has been updated through June 2. Check it out
In another news, people from National Geographic Channel's Asian division said they are planning a documentary with Jackie Chan called KUNG FU. |
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| John Woo And Terence Chang Are Planning More (MonkeyPeaches Exclusive) | ||||||
| June 18, 2002 | ||||||
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. |
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