Many people, including Jason Powell, have asked me to comment on the report posted on AICN on July 25. The one wrote the report, only known as "The Devil's Halo", probably works for Columbia Pictures Film Production Asia or knows someone working for Columbia, because all titles being mentions in the report are somehow attached to Columbia Pictures.

KUNG FU COLLEGE - Stephen Chow is working on his next project, which will be another kung-fu plus comedy and will be set in the 1950's. According to his manager Tin Kai-Man, shooting is expect to begin early next year and will be released by the end of that year. They are still working on the script and Tin Kai-Man has refused to say more. No word on the title and if KUNG FU COLLEGE is the English title being pre-picked, I would say: change it!

GOLDEN ZENITH - Zhang Ziyi is currently working on PURPLE BUTTERFLY and as what I know this is the only project she is attached with. However PURPLE BUTTERFLY is only the literal title and possibly GOLDEN ZENITH is the official English title of the film. I am hoping it is not. However GOLDEN ZENITH could be one of so many projects have drown her attention.

SO CLOSE 2 - This is the first report on Columbia Pictures talking about a sequel of SO CLOSE. However, calling back all three female leads and director Corey Yuen could be somewhat difficult because they all have their own busy schedules. SO CLOSE is financed by Columbia Pictures and is scheduled to be released this fall.

WARRIORS OF HEAVEN AND EARTH - Same as HEROES OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. Possibly, Columbia Pictures has replaced "HEROES" with "WARRIORS" to avoid any confusion with Zhang Yimou's HERO. This is another Chinese production financed by Columbia Pictures and the post-production will end in September. A world-wide released will happen sometime next year.

THE MISSING GUN - This mainland Chinese film has already been released in China in May. Columbia Pictures will distribute it in North America with no release date confirmed.

MONKEY KING - Columbia Pictures is planning a big screen adoption of the classic Chinese novel Xi You Ji (Journey to the West) with Hong Kong actor Cheung Wai-Kin (Dicky) attached to play the Monkey King. Cheung said the Columbia Pictures will spend at least HK$60 million (US$7.7 million) on it. An unidentified "well-known" Chinese director is currently in talk to helm the film. Cheung said he wanted the movie being made from Chinese perspective. The Hallmark production THE LOST EMPIRE, which is partially based on the novel, really pissed him off. The TV adoption of the novel staring Cheung Wai-Kin will soon be shown in Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan.

NO THIEVES - If I were right, the literal title of the movie is NO THIEVES UNDER HEAVEN. This project, with director Fen Xiaogang and Stephen Chow attached with, is now dead or at least in coma.

UNDERWEAR GODFATHER (YAKUZA SIDE STORY) - Sounds like a Japanese production.

VERY VERY STORY - My guess is this is the English title of STORY OF FIRST LOVE being produced by Hsu Li-kong, one of the producers of CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON. It is set during the World War 2 and tells a story of a young Chinese girl falling in love with her French music professor. Hsu has been working on the project for two years and when he showed the script to Ang Lee, the answer he got is "Interesting but I don't have time". Then Hsu picked Yin Chi, whom he has worked with on YE BEN, to direct the film. Shooting is expected to begin in Paris and Shanghai this fall. Release date is set in September next year. Ang Lee may be listed as one of the producers, but only in name.

The official website of SO CLOSE has been fully launched. Formally known as VIRTUAL TWILIGHT, this modern day hi-wire hi-tech action is directed by Corey Yuen. Many people are referring this one to the Asian version of CHARLIE'S ANGLES. However, the plot is two sisters, played by Shu Qi and Zhao Wei, trying to bring down an IT corporation and a female police officer, played by Karen Mok, trying to stop them. Click here