FORBIDDEN KINGDOM: the movie [Archive] - Kung Fu Magazine Forums

Li Kao

08-04-2006, 12:34 PM

While this isn't really new to most of us here, I found a recent article and figured I'd share it. Still a rather nebulous project at this point, but we can all hope. Near the end of the article, Jackie also responds about his drunken hijinks at the Jonathan Lee concert in Hong Kong last month.

Original article: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20060801/D8J7ONE81.html

Jackie Chan: Movie Deal With Jet Li Near
Aug 1, 1:12 PM (ET)

By MIN LEE

HONG KONG (AP) - A movie costarring two of the biggest names in kung fu cinema - Jackie Chan and Jet Li - is nearly a sealed deal, with the only outstanding issue being the script, Chan said Tuesday.

"All the hurdles have been overcome. The only problem left is the script," Chan told The Associated Press after a press conference to promote his new action comedy, "Rob-B-Hood."

"We need a script that he approves and I approve. If that goes well, shooting will start in March or April in Shanghai," he said.

Asked about the plot, Chan suggested it will be action-oriented fare, saying he and Li must defer to the movie's Hollywood backers.

"It will be more American-style. It will be more suited to foreign audiences than Chinese audiences," he said. "If you make a Hollywood movie, of course you have to follow their wishes. They're paying us so much money."

He also revealed he will soon start shooting the third installment of the popular action comedy series "Rush Hour" with Chris Tucker, spending about a dozen days in France starting in September, followed by 10 days of shooting in New York and further filming in Los Angeles. He said the movie will wrap by March or April next year.

To cap off a busy filming schedule, Chan said he is also due to shoot a film in Japan that translates as "Shinjuku Incident" with Hong Kong director Derek Yee. He declined to reveal the plot, only saying it is based on a true story.

Asked about a recent Hong Kong pop concert that Chan disrupted with a surprise, somewhat drunken appearance on stage, he said he's resigned to the fact that his actions generate news.

"I'm used to it. I'll definitely be written about. I don't blame the writers," he said.

Chan appeared unannounced on stage at Taiwanese singer-songwriter Jonathan Lee's concert in Hong Kong last month. He then insulted the band and replied to heckles from the audience with a coarse insult.

But Chan, who has apologized for the incident, expressed frustration at the level of attention it drew.

"Everyone in the world has made mistakes, but it's just that we're celebrities. TV station managers, magazine editors, who doesn't drink, who doesn't get drunk?" Chan said.

jethro

08-04-2006, 04:11 PM

I still doubt they will ever make a movie togethter. Meltdown starring Jet Li and Jackie Chan err, Jackei Cheung I mean was just a little too forward making fun of Jackie.

And what is up with Jet? He says he is done with martial arts movies. Next thing we hear about is "the one" part 2 or some crap like that and then the tsui hark film, and now this?

Su Lin

08-04-2006, 05:15 PM

jethro

08-04-2006, 05:37 PM

check out the list of movies I just gor not too long ago

Sonny CHiba 5 pack-samurai reicarnation, killing mchine, shogun's ninja, the bodyguard, dragon princess.

Sonny Chiba 3-pack-The executioner, Golgo 13, Bulllet Train(I think).

Jet Li 3-pack- Shaolin Temple 1 and 2 and that crap movie Born to Defense(that is really what it's called).

Buddhis Fist(pretty good old school kung fu)

More chiba-G.I. Samurai, Karate for life

18 fatal strikes

Fist of legends 2:mad:

Legacy of Rage(decent)

Pride Fighting championships 1-5 box set

UFC 52 and another one

can't remember them all but I got each of those items on a 3 for $10 deal:eek: even the Pride , and the 5 and 3 packs! I may never have to buy movies again:D

ngokfei

08-08-2006, 09:52 PM

Jackie Chan and Jet Li are close to signing onto a film, together!

"All the hurdles have been overcome. The only problem left is the script.
We need a script that he approves and I approve. If that goes well, shooting will start in March or April
in Shanghai" Chan told The Associated Press after a press conference to promote his new action comedy,
"Rob-B-Hood."

He went onto confirm that it will obviously be action oriented. "It will be more American-style. It will be
more suited to foreign audiences than Chinese audiences."

from an industry memo

The Xia

08-08-2006, 10:05 PM

I'd be interested to see those two in a movie together.

jethro

08-09-2006, 12:20 PM

I'd be interested to see those two in a movie together.

ya think:D

The Xia

08-09-2006, 12:34 PM

Yep, Im confused .Thought Fearless was going to be Jet's last "action" film??? Hmmm, not sure what to make of it!
I am however, very much looking forward to watching Snake and Crane Arts of Shaolin tomorrow!
He said "Fearless" is going to be his last Kung Fu movie, not action movie. What does he mean by not doing any more Kung Fu movies but still doing action movies? After "Fearless", we probably won't see anymore great fight scenes from him.

brianK

08-09-2006, 05:52 PM

Jackie's right about the media needing to lay off of him. We've all gotten drunk and acted like an idiot at some time or another. And it's not like he got a DUI and then went on an anti-semitic rant or something crazy like that.:D And besides, he is the Drunken Mastah!
I sure hope Jet keeps making kung fu flicks. If not for Fist of Legend I never would have known how to deal with an evil samurai using just my belt. That's knowledge that'll help you in real life.:cool:

Brian

jethro

08-15-2006, 05:01 PM

jethro

08-16-2006, 03:08 PM

Jet and Jackie possibly hooking up with Dead Alive's Peter Jackson! Pete Jackson also directed Lord of the rings and heavenly creatures:eek:

I don't think this thing can get anymore wierd, any thoughts?

No one has heard, here is the article posted by KF cinema.

"China-based newspaper Star Daily reports that Peter Jackson is being sought as director for an upcoming Jackie Chan-Jet Li movie project. According to Monkeypeaches, the news source cites an anonymous insider for the tip. Jet Li has also reportedly been offered $9 million for his participation. But wait, there's more.

In an earlier posting, Monkeypeaches also cited The Beijing News for carrying an article on a likely story for the Chan-Li project. It appears to be inspired by China's classic fable Journey to the West. In a twist on the original story, screenwriter John Fusco (Hildago) has a teenage boy in present-day New York with a passion for kung fu movies whisked away to ancient China after picking up a magic cudgel from a pawnshop owner. The cudgel belongs to the Monkey King and in an effort to find a way home the boy searches for the imprisoned anti-hero to free him from his long confinement at the hands of the God of the Heavens. In doing so, the boy learns about the true meaning of kung fu and the redeemed Monkey King is free to go on his epic journey after helping his rescuer to get back to his own time.

The current rumor is that Li will play the Monkey King himself while Chan will play “Lan Caihe,” one of the Eight Immortals who aids the boy in his quest.

The film is reportedly being jointly produced on both sides of the Pacific by Casey Silver Productions, Relativity Media and Shanghai Film Studios. Bill Badalato (Around the World in 80 Days) is attached as one of the producers.

A time-traveling Journey to the West screen adaptation isn’t a new idea. In 1995, Stephen Chow (Kung Fu Hustle) played a reincarnation of the Monkey King who, having stepped out of time in present day Hong Kong, reluctantly goes back to fulfill his destiny in the entertaining two-part, comedy adventure series A Chinese Odyssey. Six years later Russell Wong (Romeo Must Die) starred as the Monkey King along with Bai Ling in The Lost Empire, a poorly-received network TV movie that followed an American journalist’s trip through time where he frees the Monkey King and fights by his side.

Jackie Chan is presently promoting his latest completed film, Rob-B-Hood, an action comedy scheduled for release in Asia in September. The action star is also getting ready to step into a third Rush Hour movie with returning co-star Chris Tucker.

Jet Li is just as busy with the U.S. release of his Huo Yuanjia kung fu biopic Fearless coming to theaters Sept. 22nd and his next feature, Rogue, already in post-production and slated for release in 2007."

This is definitely not sure fire but does look like it could be good. :D :D :D :D

doug maverick

08-16-2006, 05:25 PM

jet li: i don't want to do martial arts films no more i want to do regular acting!

producers: B!tch you can't act you better stick to kicking and punching thas what you do.

jet li: but i'm tired of it and my knees hurt!

producer(pulls out contract): well this here says we got five more film out your ass, and trust me there not going to be no romance comedy with, jennifer aniston. hey don't you wushu guys have a saying "eat bitter"

jet li : yeah and?

producer(whips out lemon): chow down cause ur not going anywhere.

ngokfei

08-19-2006, 08:18 AM

Peter Jackson to direct Chan-Li Kung Fu classic

Melbourne, Aug 16: King Kong director Peter Jackson may soon be at the helm of a new film that would team up martial-arts greats Jackie Chan and Jet Li.

Jackson may either direct the untitled film or produce it. According to Moviehole Li will portray the villain, and Chan as the hero.

Chan recently said the movie, which starts filming next March or April, "will be more American-style.

“It will be more suited to foreign audiences than Chinese audiences. If you make a Hollywood movie, of course you have to follow their wishes. They're paying us so much money,” he added.

Bureau Report with inputs from ANI

“Whether he does it or not, Chan and Li are making a fortune to participate. Jet is reportedly being paid a hefty $9 million to play the film's villain, and Jackie Chan has said on the record that, "they're paying us so much money." There's a reason for that. The untitled film is supposed to be a more Americanized action movie, and Jackie only does those when he wants a big paycheck. “ Cinema Blend-Josh Tyler”

GeneChing

08-21-2006, 12:10 PM

There was that old rumor about Jackie and Jet teaming under Zhang Yimou last year.

Zhang Yimou Might Unite Jackie Chan and Jet Li in his Fourth Martial Art Film (http://www.monkeypeaches.com/0508M.html#17A)
August 17, 2005
During an interview with Chinese newspaper Nanfang Daily, director Zhang Yimou's partner producer Zhang Weiping said they were still working on the script for the long-awaited project with Jackie Chan and they might even ask Jet Li to join the cast as well. Zhang Weiping said this film would show a completely new Jackie Chan and would not be another Jackie Chan comedy. Jackie Chan is very excited by the project but Jet Li has said he would not do any more martial art films unless he finds a really good script. Both of them said they had been looking for an opportunity to work in the same film. Zhang Yimou will do his third martial art film with Chow Yun-Fat and Gong Li first and the shooting will begin in February next year.

Maybe mid August is the time Jackie and Jet release these rumors....

Shaolinlueb

08-21-2006, 06:00 PM

i think jackie chan would do better as the monkey king IMO

jethro

08-24-2006, 09:46 PM

i think jackie chan would do better as the monkey king IMO

I have to obviously second that.

gwa sow

03-22-2007, 09:50 AM

http://movies.yahoo.com/mv/news/va/20070322/117455200300.html
an article says hes in talks to be in mummy 3. but....
last paragraph

"Li is now in preproduction on an untitled project, which teams him with Jackie Chan. Li was last seen in Rogue Pictures' "Fearless.""

anyone else know anything??

GeneChing

03-22-2007, 10:10 AM

I think the Mummy project is actually more intriguing news.

gwa sow

03-22-2007, 01:15 PM

whoops sorry, i rarely wonder over to this side of the forum

GeneChing

03-26-2007, 03:04 PM

Angarano kicking it with Chan, Li (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003561960)
By Borys Kit

March 23, 2007
Michael Angarano is in final negotiations to star alongside Jackie Chan and Jet Li in the untitled J&J project. Rob Minkoff is directing, while Casey Silver produces.

Angarano will play a troubled 17-year-old wannabe kung fu warrior who, after a humiliating defeat at the hands of a street gang, is sent back in time to ancient China on an impossible mission to set free the imprisoned Monkey King (Li) and return to him his all-powerful staff. John Fusco wrote the script.

The project is due to start filming in early May in China.

Ryan Kavanaugh and Raffaella De Laurentiis are executive producing. Relativity Media is financing.

Angarano, repped by ICM and Coast to Coast, recently starred in Columbia Pictures' "Lords of Dogtown" and the Walt Disney Co.'s "Sky High." His upcoming projects include "Snow Angels" with Kate Beckinsale, "The Final Season" with Sean Astin and Rachael Leigh Cook and "Man in the Chair" with Christopher Plummer. I think I've seen this movie a hundred times before already...:rolleyes:

Jimbo

03-26-2007, 04:50 PM

Sounds like another sub-par Hollywood movie with Jackie Chan in supporting role to make a star out of yet another little-known up-and-comer.

Zenshiite

03-26-2007, 06:39 PM

Hishaam

03-27-2007, 07:32 AM

He said "Fearless" is going to be his last Kung Fu movie, not action movie. What does he mean by not doing any more Kung Fu movies but still doing action movies? After "Fearless", we probably won't see anymore great fight scenes from him.

What i understood from the last KFM interview with Jet is that Fearless will be his last "martial art" movie, meaning a movie which has an MA philosophical message, in this case his view on the subject. In other words he'll still be doing kung fu/action movies but not "martial arts" movies.

doug maverick

03-27-2007, 08:14 AM

well rob minkoff does alot of kid stuff so this is def. gonna be a pg film, thats one. two don't hope for a fight with jet and jackie and if there is one don't hope for a good one(anybody remember jackie's two wack a$$ fights with donnie) i don't know why but it seems to me like jackie doesn't like to be showed up. i remember when i saw police story 2 and michelle did that motor bike stunt jackie had to do the helicopter thing to try and top it. now i'm a fan of jackie like everyone else i'm just making a observation. man i rather just wait for city with no mercy(called,flashpoint now) to come out so i can see an awesome fight between collin chou and donnie yen.

Giuseppe_S

03-27-2007, 01:30 PM

GeneChing

04-11-2007, 12:50 PM

Superstars Jackie Chan and Jet Li to Pair for First Time in Lionsgate Action Epic THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM

Relativity Media to Finance and Casey Silver Productions to Produce

Principal Photography Begins May 2nd in China, Under Director Rob Minkoff

SANTA MONICA, Calif., April 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lionsgate (NYSE:LGF) , the leading independent filmed entertainment studio, announced today that principal photography on the action epic THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM will begin on May 2nd in China. Directed by Rob Minkoff (STUART LITTLE, THE LION KING), the film marks the first-ever onscreen pairing of martial arts superstars Jackie Chan (RUSH HOUR, DRUNKEN MASTER) and Jet Li (FEARLESS, ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA). The original screenplay by John Fusco (YOUNG GUNS, HIDALGO) is based on the traditional Chinese legend of the Monkey King. The film is produced by Casey Silver (LADDER 49, HIDALGO, the upcoming LEATHERHEADS, currently filming in South Carolina with director/star George Clooney and Renee Zellweger) of Casey Silver Productions. Relativity Media is financing the film, with the company's Ryan Kavanaugh (3:10 TO YUMA, TALLEDEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY) serving as executive producer. Renowned action choreographer Wo Ping (THE MATRIX, CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON) is creating the fight sequences, and the director of photography is Peter Pau (CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON). Overseeing the production for Lionsgate are President of Theatrical Films Tom Ortenberg, President of Film Production Mike Paseornek, and President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions Peter Block. The announcement was made today by Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer.

Lionsgate plans a U.S. theatrical release in Summer 2008 and will co-release the film with The Weinstein Company. Lionsgate UK will self-distribute the film in the United Kingdom. The Weinstein Company will handle distribution in Spain, France and Latin America. Relativity Media will be handling foreign sales on the picture.

"THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM has all the makings of a modern classic, and we are thrilled to fly its flag at Lionsgate," said Feltheimer. "Casey Silver scored a real coup in bringing together two titans of martial arts, Jackie Chan and Jet Li, for their first onscreen pairing. He also gave them a project that is absolutely worthy of their talents, built upon a very savvy script that combines Chinese legend with the story of a modern, kung-fu obsessed teenager. And Rob Minkoff is the ideal director to handle the film's combination of heart, head and lightning-fast limbs."

Commented Silver, "It's an honor to be working with Jackie and Jet, and a testament to the quality of John's script. Rob's passion and perspective on the movie promise an exciting ride for the audience. We're also terribly excited by the opportunity to collaborate with action director Wo Ping, DP Peter Pau, and a host of exceptionally talented performers and technicians from Asian cinema. Relativity has been a staunch advocate for the movie and I'm thrilled that we have the feisty folks at Lionsgate behind the release of the movie."

Said Kavanaugh, "We are very pleased to be partnering with Lionsgate again, and could not think of a better marketing and distribution platform for this film. We have truly enjoyed working with Casey on this project and know that his vision along with Rob Minkoff's will bring this adventure to life."

SYNOPSIS
An American teenager who is obsessed with Hong Kong cinema and kung-fu classics makes an extraordinary discovery in a Chinatown pawnshop: the legendary stick weapon of the Chinese sage and warrior, the Monkey King. With the lost relic in hand, the teenager unexpectedly finds himself traveling back to ancient China to join a crew of warriors from martial arts lore on a dangerous quest to free the imprisoned Monkey King.

ABOUT RELATIVITY MEDIA
Relativity Media, LLC is a financing, consulting and production company that utilizes both traditional and non-traditional channels in order to raise production and distribution funds, both for major studios and independent production entities. To date, Relativity has structured and consummated more than $4.22 billion in production slate financings. Relativity most recently provided financing for such films as TALLADEGA NIGHTS: THE BALLAD OF RICKY BOBBY starring Will Ferrell, RV starring Robin Williams, THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT, the animated film MONSTER HOUSE, and INSIDE MAN starring Denzel Washington. Films financed by Relativity that are currently in production include James Mangold's 3:10 TO YUMA, starring Russell Crowe and Christian Bale and THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM, starring Jackie Chan and Jet Li.

ABOUT LIONSGATE
Lionsgate is the leading independent filmed entertainment studio, winning the 2006 Best Picture Academy Award(R) for CRASH, generating two consecutive years of $300 million-plus domestic theatrical box office, operating a $500 million-plus home entertainment business and producing a broad slate of prime time television series for fiscal 2007. It is a premier producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment, and video-on-demand content. Its prestigious and prolific library of more than 10,000 titles is a valuable source of stable, recurring revenue and a foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate brand is synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.

Shaolinlueb

04-11-2007, 08:23 PM

yeah i agree jackie would make better monkey king. jet would make better monk. ;)

GeneChing

04-12-2007, 01:24 PM

I think Jackie would make a better Stuart Little and Jet would make a better Lion King. Given the direction, I'm skeptical we'll get what we all really want out of this - the Jackie vs. Jet fight.

Jimbo

04-12-2007, 04:42 PM

I don't think we'll see a good Jackie/Jet fight in this movie because 1: It's an American film. 2: It sounds like a kiddie/teen fantasy. 3: The real focus of the movie will be the guy playing the teen and Jackie and Jet will probably be acting as the frame while the kid will be the picture, though their names will be the main draw.

I'm not even sure a Jackie/Jet fight would come off very well in any event. After the way Jackie looked in New Police Story, it might be too late already. And I don't like to say that, but that's my observation.

doug maverick

05-19-2007, 11:31 AM

it will still suck, jackie doesn't like to share the lime light think about the two donnie yen fights one was american the other was chinese and they both sucked donkey balls. i heard that a fight between the two has been confirmed but it doesn't mean anything its gonna suck this movie is gonna suck again i say booooooooooooooo....... but then again yuen woo ping is doing th choreo so who knows

jethro

05-19-2007, 12:05 PM

Just off the top of my head, is Jet the biggest named actor Jackie has ever worked with? I would put him above Owen WIlson, but that is all I can think of. I agree Doug, he doesn't like to share the limelight.

GeneChing

05-21-2007, 09:38 AM

You're forgetting a lot of Jackie films. Jackie has worked with Ryan O'Neal, Eric Idle, Coolio, Sylvester Stallone, Whoopi Goldberg, Burt Reynolds, Farah Fawcett, Roger Morre, Dean Martin, Peter Fonda, Sammy Davis Jr.... and many, many more...

jethro

05-21-2007, 02:41 PM

I don't remembre him working with some of those actors, but I am sure it was before he became big in America.

doug maverick

05-21-2007, 03:44 PM

cannon ball run buddy how old are you?

jethro

05-21-2007, 04:17 PM

I said I don't remember him working with SOME of those actors. I don't remember Sylvestr Stallone or Coolio in Cannonball Run, but it has been a while since I have seen it.

And also, like I said, I don't think jackie worked with any big actors besides Owen Wilson once he became big in Amercia, and that was LONGGG after Cannonball Run.

GeneChing

05-21-2007, 04:45 PM

An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn is considered one of the worst films of all time by many. It was about the making of a fictional film titled Trio starring Sly, Whoopi and Jackie. Brought to us by that wizard of bad film, the man behind Showgirls, Joe Eszterhas.

I don't think you can call yourself a true Jackie Chan fan unless you've suffered through BHB. There's no fight scene whatsoever, but you get to see Jackie with Sly and Whoopi telling the audience to **** off.

doug maverick

05-22-2007, 08:54 AM

that its a bad movie about a bad movie. directors who direct bad movies for the money or whatever usual put alan smithie on the credit instead of their name. i got an alan smithie credit won't tell you the films name thou. kurt wong(the big hit) has one as well.

jethro

05-22-2007, 03:41 PM

That movie sounds really bad. I have to see it!

doug maverick

05-23-2007, 11:44 AM

but its not one of those its so bad its good deals. its just bad.

GeneChing

08-22-2007, 10:45 AM

44 + 53 = 97 & it's WAR (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46416) that comes out this Friday, but if you can overlook those inaccuracies, this is still an amusing article.

'Expectations are low for fight scenes with Jackie Chan' (http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/009200708221531.htm)

Hong Kong, Aug. 22 (AP): Jet Li is urging audiences to keep expectations low for his eagerly anticipated fight scenes with Jackie Chan in the upcoming Hollywood movie ``The Forbidden Kingdom'' because it's not that kind of movie _ and they are both getting too old.

In a phone interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, 44-year-old Li said he and Chan, 53, talked about working together for more than a decade.

``When Jackie Chan and I first wanted to work together 15 years ago, our passion was at its peak. We were both in our 30s. Our desire to succeed was very strong,'' Li said. ``Now we joke that when we watch the 'The Forbidden Kingdom' our combined age is 100.''

But, he added, if the audiences still want fight scenes, ``we'll oblige.''

The martial arts stars come to blows in ``The Forbidden Kingdom'' because of misunderstandings rather than genuine animosity, and that the story doesn't really call for anything more, Li said.

``How intense are the battle scenes? My mentality is to not have high expectations,'' he warned.

``The Forbidden Kingdom,'' due out in the U.S. on Friday, is about an American teenager's fantasy journey to ancient China to rescue a mythological monkey king. The idea for the film originates from the classic Chinese novel ``Journey to the West,'' in which a monkey king, a pig and a friar guard a Buddhist monk in search of religious texts.

Li plays the monkey king and a silent monk, while Chan will play another monk called T'sa-Ho.

But audiences should no longer look for reflections of Li's true character or beliefs in the films that he appears in.

``I'm done talking about my aspirations for martial arts,'' he said.

Li said ``Fearless'' _ a 2006 film about a brash, proud young man's transformation into a sage master _ captured his true philosophy of martial arts, but that all his movies since then have merely been a means to an end.

``I don't necessarily identify with the stories I act in. I don't necessarily have to agree with their handling of violence and life. I'm just an actor. ... I just do my job,'' he said. ``Often when I go back to the hotel after shooting I reflect on why I'm doing this.''

The actor's focus, he says, is One Foundation, a charity he launched recently to promote disaster relief and mental health among youngsters and that acting gives him the profile to promote the cause.

``If I don't have the platform of movies, how can I get the chance to promote my beliefs?'' he said. ``It's quite a painful choice.''

Li, a former Chinese kung fu champion, made his name in Hong Kong movies with the ``Once Upon a Time in China'' series before moving to Hollywood.

But although his Hollywood movies have been consistent box office earners, he hasn't crossed the US$100 million (euro74 million) mark at the U.S. box office, according to figures compiled by sales-tracking Web site Box Office Mojo.

Li said his movies are budgeted and marketed with a specific return in mind.

``The budget for the kind of action movies I make won't exceed US$35 million (euro25.91 million). You have to earn that amount back in global sales. Your marketing budget is limited, perhaps between US$5 and US$8 million (euro4 and euro6 million). With that setup, your box office will fall between US$20 and US$40 million (euro15 and euro30 million),'' he said.

``This business approach _ how much to invest, how many people will watch movies of this kind _ it's a fixed model,'' Li said.

Li called the martial arts hit ``Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'' an aberration, saying that usually huge box office successes are underpinned with comparably larger production and marketing budgets.

The Oscar-winning Ang Lee film set a record for the top-grossing foreign-language film in U.S. box office history, earning US$128 million (euro95 million), according to Box Office Mojo figures.

GeneChing

09-20-2007, 09:41 AM

What should we think when both Jet and Jackie are saying 'don't expect much'?

Report: Jackie Chan says new movie with Jet Li 'not great'
The Associated Press
Published: September 18, 2007

HONG KONG: Jackie Chan says the new Hollywood action movie he shot with Jet Li "isn't great," a news report said Tuesday, while Li said in his blog that fans should not have overly high expectations for the film.

"The Forbidden Kingdom," which finished shooting in China last month, has been eagerly anticipated because it marks the first on-screen collaboration between Chan and Li — kung fu cinema's two biggest stars.

But the two actors have been playing down the film's potential appeal to Chinese viewers, saying it is targeted at a U.S. audience.

A news report carried on the Web site of China's state-run Xinhua News Agency quoted Chan as saying, "The movie I just shot with Jet Li, 'The Forbidden Kingdom,' actually isn't that great."

Chan was speaking at a news conference in the northeastern Chinese city of Changchun on Sunday, Xinhua said.

"'The Forbidden Kingdom' is a movie made for Americans," the report quoted Chan as saying. "Chinese viewers may not like it. If I say it's a good movie now, then many people will be filled with overly high expectations and be disappointed when they see the movie."

Solon So, a spokesman for Chan, said Tuesday that the action star could not immediately be reached to confirm the remarks.

Separately, Li made similar remarks, seen on Li's Web site on Tuesday.

"I hope everyone uses an open mind to watch 'The Forbidden Kingdom' and not invest too much expectation into my fight scenes with Jackie Chan," he said.

"The Forbidden Kingdom" is about an American teenager's fantasy journey to ancient China to rescue a mythological monkey king. The idea for the film originates from the classic Chinese novel "Journey to the West," in which a monkey king, a pig and a friar guard a Buddhist monk in search of religious texts.

Li plays the monkey king and a silent monk, while Chan plays another monk called T'sa-Ho.

"After all, this is a story about an American child's dream 'Journey to the West' created by American producers and American scriptwriters. We may have to look at many elements in the movie from a different angle," Li was quoted as saying.

Chan has been known to be blase about his Hollywood work. He said in a 2005 interview with The Associated Press that he uses the high salary he earns in the U.S. to fund Chinese-language projects that he's truly interested in.

Before shooting on "The Forbidden Kingdom" started, he told reporters, "I don't have any expectations. It's just making an American movie."

"I believe the world is anticipating the movie, but I'm not too involved," Chan also said at the time.

doug maverick

09-20-2007, 01:03 PM

well all know its garbage. i've been saying it from the beginning. these hollywood directors just don't know what to do with people like jackie and jet, they keep trying to shape them into hollywoods image of an action hero instead of letting them do their on thing cause thats how they became popular in the first place.

GeneChing

09-20-2007, 03:00 PM

If it wasn't their thing, why did they sign the contract?

I feel for Jackie and Jet right now. They didn't have the advantage that Bruce did. They have to face old age as martial arts movie stars, and no one is letting them go gracefully, like say Kwan Tak Hing did. Beyond Kwan, there aren't many that have gone there before. The martial arts movie star is a relatively new permutation of celebrity status. And arguably, only Bruce, Jackie and Jet have really gone international.

doug maverick

09-20-2007, 06:01 PM

GeneChing

09-21-2007, 09:04 AM

Donnie's coming from an entirely different direction, but I totally hear you in terms of choreography. Donnie still has a lot to prove. It makes him edgier, which is a plus for an action star. Jet was an international celeb before he hit puberty. I'd venture that there are still many martial arts people who don't really know what Donnie's up to now. Shame on them really. Both Jet and Jackie have been on the international celebrity rollercoaster for decades, trying to break into Hollywood. Donnie isn't even on the map in Hollywood now. I've always thought he had tremendous potential to break Hollywood because he doesn't suffer from the accent issues that plague both Jet and Jackie. But maybe that works against him in a perverse way. Maybe Hollywood prefers an accent for a Chinese male lead. I still have high hopes for Donnie. Even though I wasn't that into Flashpoint (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46000), the action was awesome. I almost hope Donnie doesn't break Hollywood and keeps working in HK. HK gives him more creative freedom for sure. He probably couldn't do the kind of choreography for Hollywood that he does for HK. Jackie often talks about the same problem.

doug maverick

09-21-2007, 11:35 AM

donnie actually has several defferent deal with film companies in america and is constantly being called on to do second unit director work(he's actually making a name for himself here in the states as a good second unit man) but the thing with donnie he's an artist and he wants alot of control and his ego refuses him to take anything less. hollywood has lots baurachcrocy we all know and ego's as well so its often a clashing of the mines. as donnie is actually very marketable due to the fact that his english is perfect much better then both jackie and jet li, and he has leading man looks unlike both jet and jackie. but again donnie's problem is he doesn;t want to play ball which both jet and jackie do. they are content with getting there money and just go back to hong kong and make movies that their fans like because hollywood is so constrictive. but donnie wants everything he's in to have the best action. if you watch some of interviews you'll see what i mean about the ego as a matter of fact: wong fei hung intereiw part I (http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ee3E1y2HOfM) wong fei hung interview part II (http://youtube.com/watch?v=_ITeCq9kPno)

iron monkey interview part I
(http://youtube.com/watch?v=LoKcwOitfR0)

iron monkey interview part II
(http://youtube.com/watch?v=-1UA5-WIRT8)

GeneChing

09-27-2007, 11:36 AM

Is Korea really renowned for its effects?

"Kingdom" shifts to Korea for effects marathon
Written by Patrick Frater and Clifford Coonan
Thursday, 27 September 2007
By PATRICK FRATER and CLIFFORD COONAN

Lensing has been completed on "The Forbidden Kingdom," the big budget actioner that stars Jackie Chan and Jet Li together on screen for the first time.

Under Oscar-winning cinematographer Peter Pau, pic was filmed from May 2 at the massive Hengdian World Studios in Zhejiang Province and took in locations including Anji, Dunhuang, Fangyan, Xianju, Wuyi Mountain. Helmer is Rob Minkoff ("Stuart Little," "The Lion King".)

It now moves to South Korea for special effects work, where a consortium of effects houses Macrograph, Inc., Digital Tetra Inc. (DTI) and Footage has been assembled for the movie. Producers claim that "Kingdom" is the first non-Korean movie with such a complex and ambitious special effects profile to use Korean facilities.

Working with a budget of some $70 million film is produced by Casey Silver Productions in association with Relativity Media and in co-production with Chinese studio Huayi Brothers Media Group.

Story by John Fusco is a loose adaptation of classic Chinese tale "The Monkey King." It sees an American teenager transported back to ancient China, where he learns about honor, loyalty and friendship, and the true meaning of kungfu.

Cast also includes Michael Angarano, Crystal Liu Yi Fei, Collin Chou and Li Bing Bing.

Pic is repped in int'l territories by pic's equity financier Relativity media. It will be co-released in the U.S. by Lionsgate and The Weinstein Co. Lionsgate UK will distribute the film in Blighty, while Weinstein has rights in Spain, France and Latin America.

Executive producers are Ryan Kavanaugh of Relativity Media and Raffaella De Laurentiis "The dynamics of filmmaking in Asia have changed tremendously since I was last here (with 1993's "Dragon: The Bruce Le Story," De Laurentiis said. "The industry has made enormous strides and our collaboration with Huayi Brothers Media Group has been very fruitful."

"For a film that has crossed so many boundaries and set numerous precedents, it was only fitting to have a top-notch Korean visual effects team come on board. We've been fortunate to assemble the best and brightest from Macrograph, DTI and Footage, and I believe they will bring the film to another level," Silver said.

"Korea is on the cutting edge of media in Asia, so I am excited to see this team work their magic," said Minkoff.

"DTI Pictures has always dreamt of working on such a major project," Yoon Suk Lee, the CEO of DTI, said

"Being a part of an international production of this scale will help to further develop the company," Tae Jung Han, prexy of Footage, said.

"Macrograph's goal has always been to become a global CGI house," Dr. Inho Lee, the CEO of Macrograph, said.

doug maverick

09-27-2007, 07:20 PM

actually yeah they are. there a certian korean company thats extremely good and its a cheap way to get good effects. me personally i don't play with effects if i'm gonna use i'd want the best and lets face it ILM(industrial light and magic) is the best, but that korean company and this french and canadian company com in a very close second

Silent Assassin

11-15-2007, 11:29 AM

Here it is, The Forbidden Kingdom trailer

http://www.jackiechankids.com/files/TFK_Trailer.htm

sanjuro_ronin

11-15-2007, 11:31 AM

Looks cool.

doug maverick

11-15-2007, 12:58 PM

**** it looks real good.

doug maverick

11-21-2007, 01:44 PM

wonder why this hasn;t gotten any activity people been talking about how bad this movie is going to be but the trailer looks really good. come guy comment please.

Dragonzbane76

11-23-2007, 09:36 AM

Chan and Jet ever done a movie together before??

Can't remember but that's not saying much.

doug maverick

11-23-2007, 11:00 AM

no they haven't

doug maverick

12-04-2007, 12:20 PM

forbidden kingdom. originally i was [art of the nay sayer group but after watching the teaser and seeing the full cast line up(jet li, jackie chan, collin chou, wu jing) i gotta say this movie is going to be awesome just for action alone. all it needed was donnie yen and sammo hung to round it out as having all the top martial arts actors in hong kong in the film.

冠木侍

12-04-2007, 09:02 PM

We've been waiting a long time for Jackie Chan and Jet Li to work on a collaboration. So, they are finally doing it with Forbidden Kingdom and I personally cannot wait to see it.

I was able to get a little bit of the plot summary. Plus, I was fortunate enough to have read a bit of the original Journey to the West (only part of the first volume).

There are high expectations with the choreography (at least for me) because both Chan and Li execute their Kung Fu very differently. It will be very interesting to see.

doug maverick

12-04-2007, 09:28 PM

don;t have high expectations for the choreagraphy. jackie has way tomany injuries and jet is way to out of shape to put togather soemthing truly amazing. but i think the fights are gonna look good. both jet and jackie told the public don;t get your hopes up

冠木侍

12-05-2007, 12:33 AM

Well, I understand where you are coming from but I believe they still got it...so to speak.

Jackie's injuries may be taking a toll on him but that will not stop his creativity. He's been doing this for most of his life, so I think he still has some tricks up his sleeve. And he seems to persevere even through his worst injuries.

Jet is still a phenomenal martial artist. He may not be as quick as he was before but he still has speed and technique.

I'm sure when they collaborated, they came up with something good. The trailer showed some nice stuff (if indeed that was the actual trailer). It was like waiting for Fearless to be released.

In any case, it will be a good treat for any martial arts fan...at least we can agree on that :)

doug maverick

12-05-2007, 01:30 AM

冠木侍

12-05-2007, 06:56 AM

in any case i can;t wait to see it. i never been to much of a jet li fan. always been a big jackie fan, my mother practically drilled jackie chan movies in my head since i was a kid and she is his biggest fan(they even share the same birthday and are the saem agae) although except for the rush hour series she doesn;t care much for his american stuff. me personally i'm a big donnie yen fan, and have been for the past ten years and i'm happy all those guys are out of hing kong so my man donnie could shine he's the saviour of hong kong action. and he's the same age as jet and still moves twice as fast.

PS. jet hasn't looked good since hung yan yan stoped doubling for him. ;)

I haven't seen much of his work. His supporting roles in movies gives me a glimpse of his talent. He is not a household name like the aforementioned Jackie or Li but I don't doubt his abilities. He has faced off against both the former and the latter mentioned stars.

Anyhow, these period pieces of Chinese history (real and fictional) have always been entertaining for me. I think it was during the shooting of Cradle 2 the Grave, Jet was asked in an interview if he was ever going to work with Jackie.

I've been a Chan fan for a long time. Li caught my attention in Lethal Weapon 4 . After watching Fist of Legend, I knew there was a new action star on the rise in America.

I'm sure your mother is quite the fan. And it would only be natural that she introduced you to her favorite movies. She sounds like a nice person. I get something different when I watch their movies. Each has a unique style, each brings something different to the table. It just makes me wonder what they have in store for us. I would like to hear details about how they disagreed on certain things and if they generally got along with each other. I'm sure they are acquainted (to what extent I do not know) and have a good professional relationship but things change when making a movie.

Since martial arts is about evolution, growing and learning; it will be interesting to see how they perform, what their commentaries are about the movie and how it represents the literature of a rich culture.

doug maverick

12-05-2007, 11:49 AM

I haven't seen much of his work. His supporting roles in movies gives me a glimpse of his talent. He is not a household name like the aforementioned Jackie or Li but I don't doubt his abilities. He has faced off against both the former and the latter mentioned stars.

Anyhow, these period pieces of Chinese history (real and fictional) have always been entertaining for me. I think it was during the shooting of Cradle 2 the Grave, Jet was asked in an interview if he was ever going to work with Jackie.

I've been a Chan fan for a long time. Li caught my attention in Lethal Weapon 4 . After watching Fist of Legend, I knew there was a new action star on the rise in America.

I'm sure your mother is quite the fan. And it would only be natural that she introduced you to her favorite movies. She sounds like a nice person. I get something different when I watch their movies. Each has a unique style, each brings something different to the table. It just makes me wonder what they have in store for us. I would like to hear details about how they disagreed on certain things and if they generally got along with each other. I'm sure they are acquainted (to what extent I do not know) and have a good professional relationship but things change when making a movie.

Since martial arts is about evolution, growing and learning; it will be interesting to see how they perform, what their commentaries are about the movie and how it represents the literature of a rich culture.

if you haven;t watched any donnie films go watch them.

sha po lang/killzone

dragon tiger gate

flahpoint

in the line of duty 4

tiger cage 1 and 2

ballistic kiss

legend of the wolf

drunken tai chi

once upon a time in china 2

iron monkey(his performance of wong key ying was one of the most acurate performances in terms of kung fu of the wong family outside of lau kar leungs camp, jet li's performance as wong key ying sucked to me)

seven swords (he stole the movie)

those are some of the best donnie films.

GeneChing

12-05-2007, 12:34 PM

doug maverick

12-05-2007, 02:46 PM

well this film has to much ma film talent to suck. like i said all it needed was sammo and donnie to make it complete

冠木侍

12-05-2007, 10:26 PM

I will watch when i have time. Thanks for the list.

I've seen movies where he is not in supporting roles;

Highlander: Endgame
Blade II
Shanghai Knights
I remember watching Once Upon A Time in China II a while back

I hope his acting is better utilized when he is the leading actor in the movie. From what I saw of his supporting roles, I really wasn't that impressed. But his fighting is still good.

冠木侍

12-05-2007, 10:33 PM

...but I can't publish it just yet. It's promising. I look forward to any new MA film, but being a lifelong fan of Jackie and Jet, I'm especially looking forward to this one. I think it's fascinating to watch J & J age on screen. It's something we didn't have with Bruce Lee. Chuck Norris has aged, but as we know (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39196), he's evolved into something very different. Of course, there have been martial actors past their prime - Kwan Tak Hing comes to mind. Aging presents a totally unique challenge for martial arts stars.

That is similar to my thoughts in a previous post. I think they are still able to deliver. It would be hard to imagine Jackie or Jet past their prime...because they've been with us for so long. Chuck Norris...I checked your link out. Amusing.
I've seen similar sayings on t-shirts at a certain website (I was looking for martial art themed t-shirts and came across them).

Now we shall see if wisdom does come with age and if martial artists embody those traits that make them shine above the average person...

doug maverick

12-05-2007, 10:33 PM

go watch them. you will be impressed gaurenteed.

SPJ

12-19-2007, 08:52 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hE7ny2bfXF0&feature=related

:)

doug maverick

12-19-2007, 06:29 PM

the trailer was posted here for a while. its what made me change my mind for this movie.

Shaolinlueb

12-21-2007, 09:48 AM

i just watched the trailer and i am doing a 180. this looks good, cant wait.

doug maverick

12-21-2007, 12:17 PM

冠木侍

12-23-2007, 09:55 PM

okay i started thinking. i just started watching entourage, i watched all four seasons and in season four ep 3 i think. the film the guys produced medillen the story of pablo escobar is not that good, but the trailer is awesome. what if thats what they are doing to us with this film. just a thought. later guys

As far as trailers go, that could be one possibility. Trailers are not really accurate in terms of continuity or even a quick plot synopsis. Various clips are taken and put together in order to generate interest. Some of the clips we see in a trailer may not even be part of the movie because the it is put together before the movie is still in the process of being edited for content.

Ideally one should go into a movie with an open mind; watch it from opening credits to closing credits and then render a critique. We all know what we like and what we don't. Chan and Li have been around and we have been waiting a while for this.

If we try and read too much into something, it may inadvertently ruin the whole movie watching experience.

Just thinking out loud. :rolleyes:

doug maverick

12-23-2007, 10:04 PM

As far as trailers go, that could be one possibility. Trailers are not really accurate in terms of continuity or even a quick plot synopsis. Various clips are taken and put together in order to generate interest. Some of the clips we see in a trailer may not even be part of the movie because the it is put together before the movie is still in the process of being edited for content.

Ideally one should go into a movie with an open mind; watch it from opening credits to closing credits and then render a critique. We all know what we like and what we don't. Chan and Li have been around and we have been waiting a while for this.

If we try and read too much into something, it may inadvertently ruin the whole movie watching experience.

Just thinking out loud. :rolleyes:
yea i'm in the business i know what they do to make trailers. but i get what you mean

冠木侍

12-23-2007, 11:00 PM

yea i'm in the business i know what they do to make trailers. but i get what you mean

Cool. Not a bad way to do business.

GeneChing

12-31-2007, 12:55 PM

It's now on the official website (http://www.forbiddenkingdommovie.com/). They don't even play the Jackie/Jet card in this trailer.

doug maverick

12-31-2007, 03:24 PM

the new trailer is a peice of sh!t.

Nebuchadnezzar

12-31-2007, 08:41 PM

the new trailer is a peice of sh!t.

It's just a trailer. I don't see anything wrong with it. As a matter of fact it explains the presence of the white kid with all those Chinese.

doug maverick

12-31-2007, 08:45 PM

true but i just wasn't feeling it

SPJ

01-01-2008, 09:34 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BVo23wypgQ

a trailer.

Yung Apprentice

01-01-2008, 09:38 PM

It'll be a step up from the Medallion for Jackie Chan, but a definate step down from Jet.

doug maverick

01-01-2008, 10:10 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BVo23wypgQ

a trailer.
thats the same trailer we been talking about.

doug maverick

01-01-2008, 10:35 PM

It'll be a step up from the Medallion for Jackie Chan, but a definate step down from Jet.

actually its the reverse if you want to talk about in terms of blocks busters. jackies movie have made more money then jets in the us WAY more. and in terms of the cinematic new police story blows away all of jets modern films yes even unleashed(maybe not in action but certainly in the acting between the two; no sticking morgan freeman who can honestly make **** look good on screen) jackies films have made an estimate of 726,000,000 in movie ticket sales(not including DVD, or other revenues just movie ticket sales) and thats like what 7 or 8 films, thats alot of ****ing cash bra. jet is estimated at 220,000,000 in movie tickets sales(again not including dvd or any of revenues) and he's done about the same amount of U.S. made films. i mean his best film is unleashed which still floped. so actually for jet to be even put in a big hollywood budgeted film is a big step up for him in fact the only films he had in the us that were bonafide hits were lethal weapon four(of which he had a small role so can't really count it as his film but he did kinda steal the show) and romeo must die(yes thats right romeo must die, it doubled its budget with ticket sales thus its a hit).and again if you talk about the thematic they both have only doen two good U.S. film. so actually this is a step up for jet and a step down for jackie.

Shaolinlueb

01-02-2008, 08:24 AM

behind the scenes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NEZw3z52S4

GeneChing

01-31-2008, 04:58 PM

FK Slideshow (www.movies.yahoo.com/slideshows/generic/theforbiddenkingdom.html)

SPJ

01-31-2008, 08:14 PM

Jet Li was introduced to buddhism when he starred at his first movie "shaolin si".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbEdujMiJbU&feature=related

he also played a monk in this new movie.

interesting to note that he may "act" more after these years of practicing ,

in all his other hollywood movies, Jet Li was always an assassin, police, and even on a leash.

Jet Li is always with a big smile in real life.

in all his hollywood movies, he was like cold blooded fighter/killer with few expression on the face, from lethal weapon, romeo must die, the one, kiss of dragon,----

hopefully, this hollywood movie would show a different him.

:)

SPJ

01-31-2008, 08:35 PM

among all Jackie Chan movies;

I actually like "myth" the best.

It was a beautiful love story lasted over 2000 years.

the Korean princess married to Qin emperor. She fell in love with JC the general escorting her to the palace.

--

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pSc0czs0yM

anyhoo,

it would be nice to see both JL and JC in the same movie.

can't wait to see the movie.

:D

GeneChing

02-11-2008, 11:30 AM

Just released on Yahoo Movies (with a teaser on the J&J fight)
FK Trailer (http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/theforbiddenkingdom.html?showVideo=1).

doug maverick

02-11-2008, 01:00 PM

now thats a mutha f ucking trailer.

sanjuro_ronin

02-11-2008, 01:25 PM

Sweet !
Boy am I glad that jet stopped doing MA movies ! :D

Nebuchadnezzar

02-11-2008, 03:29 PM

Sweet !
Boy am I glad that jet stopped doing MA movies ! :D

He stopped doing "Period" pieces not martial art films. :rolleyes:

doug maverick

02-11-2008, 03:32 PM

well this is a period peice, warlords was a period peice, **** the next **** he's doing is a period peice. so what the **** are you talking about. you mean folk hero movies.

Errant108

02-11-2008, 03:49 PM

A lot of Asian American youth are ****ed about this movie cuz it's another white dude saving the helpless Asians & hooking up with an Asian girl.

doug maverick

02-11-2008, 05:16 PM

so,what they ain't got spend there ten fifty to see it.

Errant108

02-12-2008, 02:52 PM

so,what they ain't got spend there ten fifty to see it.

Not exactly. On several AA forums, there's been discussions of protesting the opening or boycotting the film.

It hasn't gotten as much negative press as "21" however, supposedly a true story. However, in real life, the main characters were Asian American young men. Hollywood has decided to change the lead roles to white kids.

Lucas

02-12-2008, 03:46 PM

I heard yesterday that this film hits American theatres in ?March?

Lucas

02-12-2008, 03:48 PM

oh i also heard either jackie or jet are playing the monkey king.

if that so it better be jackie....

doug maverick

02-13-2008, 01:22 PM

oh i also heard either jackie or jet are playing the monkey king.

if that so it better be jackie....

its jet, ofcourse jackie would be better because he's more animated but its jet

Nebuchadnezzar

02-13-2008, 01:29 PM

oh i also heard either jackie or jet are playing the monkey king.

if that so it better be jackie....

Unless the official website is wrong, it's neither.

doug maverick

02-13-2008, 01:34 PM

well jet has been giving credit as the monkey king as well as the monk. so maybe imdb is wrong.lol

doug maverick

02-13-2008, 01:41 PM

Nebuchadnezzar

02-13-2008, 09:47 PM

just came from the official site and uhhhh....yeah it doesn't say that neither is playing the monkey king it just shows the trailer. and jet is acredited as playing the monkey king. and i remember there were pictures of him as the monkey that were released way back when they started filming this.so what site are you talking about???

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809869644/info

If he's doing more than the Silent Monk, (who isn't so silent) then it's a brief appearance as the Monkey King.

doug maverick

02-13-2008, 10:05 PM

he's playing both roles

SPJ

02-13-2008, 10:18 PM

monkey king or sun wu kong is my favorite childhood fairy tale.

the novel was written in Ming dynasty.

the tale is also popular in Japan.

a monkey born out of a stone that was energized by the sun, moon, wind, water etc.

he broke weapons easily,

only the cane/stick is worthy of him. It was called ding hai sheng zhen. or godly needle that pacified/calmed the sea. It was borrowed. and east sea dragon king used it to stable the east sea. sun wu kong took it. he called the stick to become small, the stick listened to its rightful owner. sun wu kong called the stick to become a needle. and he hid the needle in his ear.

he switched sides of his ears for hiding the needle, so nobody may steal it from him while he is asleep.

--

I may go on and on.

reincarnation does tricks, the stick/needle owner may be a stone monkey, an asian dude or white boy, who cares.

most important of all, the needle/instrument will respond only to its owner's calling.

--

oh my past life may be the monkey king, that is why I know so much.

--

it is a good fairy tale that strikes the fancy/imaginations of children for generations since Ming dynasty.

look . I am getting to my 50's. and yet I am still a sucker for fairy tale and reincarnation stuff.

--

to each his or her own.

my point is that what is the deal of boycotting the film that tells a good tale or it is not real.

culture knows no boundary of man made nations/countries.

monkey king and his staff may be a chinese fairy tale.

who said it can not be a fairy tale for western children

stressing children and fairy tale.

:eek::confused::D;):):p

doug maverick

02-13-2008, 10:21 PM

who's bycotting the film??????????????

HtownShaolinBum

02-13-2008, 11:25 PM

yes, yes, I have heard about this movie. Unfortunately, hollywood seems to be on a serious crap streak(besides RAMBO, that movie rocked), and the plot to this one sounds pretty bad. It is your usual come up with a big ridiculously stupid plot just so you can stick a white guy in the lead role, when it would obviously be much better and make more sense to cast an Asian dude. I'm white, btw.

I also heard that Jackie Chan accidentally hit the crap out of Jet Li's face while doing a scene together. Jackie said that he was afraid that Jet was going to get mad and kick his @$$.

HtownShaolinBum

02-13-2008, 11:35 PM

It hasn't gotten as much negative press as "21" however, supposedly a true story. However, in real life, the main characters were Asian American young men. Hollywood has decided to change the lead roles to white kids.

There you go. Hollywood has no balls.

I also heard that there is a remake of Seven Samurai coming out with GASP!!! GEORGE FREAKING CLOONEY in the lead role. WHY GOD? TEH WHY?

HtownShaolinBum

02-13-2008, 11:57 PM

but jet and donnie are around the same age and donnie looks like he's getting better. so no excuse for mr. jet li, and yeah that is their thing now. cause money talks somebody offers me 15m. to jump around on camera i'm in.

Are they really? I'm gonna have to look that up. Donnie Yen looks much much younger and is doing some impressive, innovative stuff.

I think that Jet is depressed. In his interviews he seems very sad and in WAR, he seemed like he hated being on screen the whole time. I think that perhaps this depression is why his Kung Fu performances have been seriously lacking lately.

doug maverick

02-14-2008, 12:58 AM

Are they really? I'm gonna have to look that up. Donnie Yen looks much much younger and is doing some impressive, innovative stuff.

I think that Jet is depressed. In his interviews he seems very sad and in WAR, he seemed like he hated being on screen the whole time. I think that perhaps this depression is why his Kung Fu performances have been seriously lacking lately.

jet li's not depressed at all he's a very very happy man. he's got his health his family his foundation and not to mention **** loads of money. he's the highest paid star in hong kong right now. as for interviews check this out (http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/01/08/talkasia.jetli/index.html)

doug maverick

02-14-2008, 01:01 AM

There you go. Hollywood has no balls.

I also heard that there is a remake of Seven Samurai coming out with GASP!!! GEORGE FREAKING CLOONEY in the lead role. WHY GOD? TEH WHY?

its actually a remake of Magnificent Seven. which was an awesome as gangsta as western starring yul brenna(who actually was asian believe it or not, half anyay) which was a remake of the original seven samurai.

HtownShaolinBum

02-14-2008, 03:38 PM

its actually a remake of Magnificent Seven. which was an awesome as gangsta as western starring yul brenna(who actually was asian believe it or not, half anyay) which was a remake of the original seven samurai.

Ok, well that is cool. I was wondering how they were going to fit Clooney into a Samurai film.

And yeah, after watching that interview with Jet, he seems alright. I guess he is just depressed when he works in Hollywood(can't say I blame him)

Errant108

02-14-2008, 03:58 PM

my point is that what is the deal of boycotting the film that tells a good tale or it is not real.

culture knows no boundary of man made nations/countries.

monkey king and his staff may be a chinese fairy tale.

who said it can not be a fairy tale for western children

stressing children and fairy tale.

:eek::confused::D;):):p

It's not about the story.

It's about Hollywood once again requiring a white male lead in an Asian story.

It's about Hollywood never portraying an Asian male as a romantic sexual being, about only approving of white male/Asian female relationships.

Look, I am torn too. I'm a white boy who grew up on kung fu movies, so the idea of saving China with Jet Li & Jackie Chan by my side would be like a dream come true.

And I ain't gonna say that Crystal Yifei isn't hotter than all Hell...

But it's time that Hollywood stopped denigrating Asian Americans and feeding this bull**** which only serves to inform American culture in negative ways.

But hey, what do I know...

doug maverick

02-14-2008, 06:04 PM

It's not about the story.

It's about Hollywood once again requiring a white male lead in an Asian story.

It's about Hollywood never portraying an Asian male as a romantic sexual being, about only approving of white male/Asian female relationships.

Look, I am torn too. I'm a white boy who grew up on kung fu movies, so the idea of saving China with Jet Li & Jackie Chan by my side would be like a dream come true.

And I ain't gonna say that Crystal Yifei isn't hotter than all Hell...

But it's time that Hollywood stopped denigrating Asian Americans and feeding this bull**** which only serves to inform American culture in negative ways.

But hey, what do I know...

don't blame hollywood for that romantic sexual thing blame the wives of hong kong stars like jet li. every action film every every film has a romantic angle in it. trust me its not hollywood that decideds not to do it. its the stars themselves.

Errant108

02-14-2008, 08:24 PM

don't blame hollywood for that romantic sexual thing blame the wives of hong kong stars like jet li. every action film every every film has a romantic angle in it. trust me its not hollywood that decideds not to do it. its the stars themselves.

Dude...ASIAN AMERICAN.

Russell Wong, an amazing actor and martial artist, can't even be the lead in a TV show.

Asian American actors can't get romantic lead roles at all. Black actors can. Latino actors can. White actors certainly can.

So yeah, when another Hollywood movie comes out where it's up to the white kid to save China & get the girl, why do you think Asian Americans might be a little ****ed?

This role could have been played by an Asian American kid. It would have even added extra pathos to it. The character could have been a young Chinese American boy who'd been adopted by white parents, and through this adventure into ancient China, gets in touch with his roots.

doug maverick

02-15-2008, 01:16 AM

what the **** are you smoking dude russel wong had his own show(vanishing son which guess what he was the f ucking lead) for five years(thats a long time in tv land). sammo hung had his own show for three seasons and he couldn't even speak f ucking english, sure they added arsenio hall to try and get the rush hour effect. but the show was called martial law and he was sharal law which made him the lead. so what are you talking about. do you even know what your saying.

doug maverick

02-15-2008, 01:22 AM

as for asian americans getting ****ed about the white kid saving china. i have quite a few asian american friends and they really don;t give a flying flook maybe there in the miniority or maybe therre the majority. hollywood is not run buy artist who are interested in making movies. they are run by companies who are interested in making money. so they gotta do what they gotta do to make that guap. jet and jackie were payed a **** load of money to make this film. and they are the stars. the kid was added in to basically be the token white guy. just like if you see an all white movie they'll be a token black guy or vice versa for an all black or latino film. thats how its done you gotta add that splash of color so non asians or non blacks or non whatever who are not into fantasy or martial arts film will see it. its weird but this stuff is tested and tested its not done for fun. crouching tiger hidden dragon was the most succesfull all asian casted film in history, no film out of china has repeated that none not one and none have caim close, thats why hollywood is afraid.

SPJ

02-15-2008, 09:09 AM

GunnedDownAtrocity

02-16-2008, 06:23 PM

one is wearing white, one is wearing black. its on.

http://imdb.com/title/tt0865556/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hE7ny2bfXF0

diego

02-16-2008, 08:56 PM

one is wearing white, one is wearing black. its on.

http://imdb.com/title/tt0865556/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hE7ny2bfXF0

I'm looking forward to this, thanks GDA:)

cjurakpt

02-18-2008, 06:49 AM

actual movie website

http://www.forbiddenkingdommovie.com/

looks very cool...

BTW, anyone notice that the young boy's character's last name is Tripitikas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripitaka)?

SPJ

02-18-2008, 08:39 AM

cool.

looking forward to it.

:)

SanHeChuan

02-18-2008, 11:10 AM

I just hope Michael Angarano's kung fu doesn't suck.

As far as I know he doesn't have a Martial background.

cjurakpt

02-18-2008, 03:08 PM

I just hope Michael Angarano's kung fu doesn't suck.

As far as I know he doesn't have a Martial background.

so what? I mean, Ralph Macchio didn't have a karate background and he was...oh...I see your point; never mind...

HtownShaolinBum

02-18-2008, 05:48 PM

so what? I mean, Ralph Macchio didn't have a karate background and he was...oh...I see your point; never mind...

Haha. I thought I was the only shlomo who dogged on The Karate Kid.

Jackie and Jet might do some OK stuff in this flick. Jet seems to hate being in hollywood films, so I dont expect his performance to be very inspired. I'm going to be watching to see what Wu Jing does(yes, as much as I think this movie will stink, I will probably still see it) Maybe he will play a villain. He was good as a villain in Sha Po Lang.

HtownShaolinBum

02-18-2008, 05:55 PM

Haha, just looked at IMDB, this Michael Agnarano kid was the main kid in Sky High. He is a Shia LeBoeuf clone. Oh well, I'm just glad they didnt get some super pretty boy, stuck up A$$-hole.

As much as I hate to admit it, I kinda want to see this movie.

doug maverick

02-25-2008, 11:11 AM

Haha. I thought I was the only shlomo who dogged on The Karate Kid.

Jackie and Jet might do some OK stuff in this flick. Jet seems to hate being in hollywood films, so I dont expect his performance to be very inspired. I'm going to be watching to see what Wu Jing does(yes, as much as I think this movie will stink, I will probably still see it) Maybe he will play a villain. He was good as a villain in Sha Po Lang.

wu jing being listed in the cast of this film is actually a typo because he's actually in mummy 3 not forbidden kingdom. as for the kid from what my source tells me he was casted because he looked like shia, who was the person they originally wanted in the film.

martialartspeon

02-25-2008, 02:58 PM

one is wearing white, one is wearing black. its on.

http://imdb.com/title/tt0865556/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hE7ny2bfXF0

Awesome, that is just what I wanted to hear! Can't wait to see these two go at it on film.

Zenshiite

02-27-2008, 06:39 PM

I appreciate that the monkey king story has a new life/twist on the big screen.

the original writer of the novel, wu cheng en

he would appreciate that, too.

http://www.china-on-site.com/monkey.php

:)

Have you seen this? Monkey King manga (http://www.darkhorse.com/profile/profile.php?sku=10-259)

GeneChing

02-28-2008, 01:27 PM

But it mentioned Jackie and Jet (Jaa too, but we won't dwell on that), so I decided to put it here.

Where are all the heroes? (http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/02/28/1203788497894.html)
Joe Queenan
February 29, 2008

A JUMBO-SIZED Sylvester Stallone prowling through the Burmese jungle in search of captive missionaries is surfacing in movie houses everywhere. The fourth instalment in the Rambo series, this one fusing violence and religion with a deftness and delicacy no one has approached since the Son Of God went head to head with the Roman Empire in the Passion Of The Christ, Rambo IV: This Time I Mean It has been released a full 20 years after the last one lifted our hearts and buoyed our spirits. In Rambo III, it will be remembered, Stallone achieved his physical apotheosis as the most muscular muscleman in the history of muscular muscularity. But 1988 was a long time ago - so long ago that Rambo and the mujahideen were fighting on the same side in war-torn Afghanistan. So long ago that Stallone did not immediately elicit guffaws in the theatre when his vengeful alter ego appeared on the screen.

For better or worse, the motion picture industry is now experiencing the disappearance or extinguishing of certain stars it is going to have a tough time replacing. This is particularly serious in the action hero genre. Just as there are franchise movies - Spider-Man, Shrek, The Matrix and, apparently, Rush Hour - there are franchise actors: Cary Grant, Clint Eastwood, Tom Cruise. These are bankable stars who so completely dominate a genre that when they fade away or die, it's hard to replace them. There was never another Steve McQueen. We are still awaiting the second coming of Sean Connery. We may not even be able to find a replacement for Keanu Reeves.

The fact that Rambo IV is out and the fact that Harrison Ford will soon light up the screen in the fourth Indiana Jones escapade, indicates not only that Ford and Stallone are in bad need of a hit, and are loath to exit gracefully but that Hollywood has not found anyone to replace them. Yet, just as Daniel Craig was recently commandeered to replace Pierce Brosnan, Hollywood should have recruited someone to move into the Rambo franchise years ago. The problem has been apparent for some time. After all, it has been years since Arnold Schwarzenegger's dwindling box office appeal persuaded him to launch a second career in politics, and even longer since it became obvious that Stallone and Ford were no longer credible action heroes. At the moment these careers were imploding or, in Ford's case, winding down, two young stars emerged who looked like they might have what it took to replace Arnold and Sly as the kings of the action genre: Vin Diesel and The Rock. But, so far, they have not seized the crown. The Rock, who has a warm, self-deprecating style, failed to take the world by storm in films such as The Scorpion King, The Rundown, Last Man Standing or Doom. And even though he stole the show out from under John Travolta with his winning turn as a disoriented, gay bodyguard and country and western singer in Be Cool, no one actually saw the film, so it didn't do much to advance The Rock's career. The Rock's biggest hit to date is the recent The Game Plan, an inane ball of fluff that purports to be a heartwarming comedy. The fact is, the public hasn't had a chance to weary of The Rock as an action hero. He's never had a hit as an action hero

Diesel, anointed the next big thing after The Fast And The Furious and before xXx, has mostly been in a string of duds since then. More a sight gag than a performer, the bovine, robotic Diesel had his most recent success with The Pacifier, a not-especially-funny comedy in which he played a Schwarzenegger-like bodyguard charged with protecting a family of demonically annoying children. What this means is that The Rock, in making The Game Plan, was not only following in Schwarzenegger's footsteps; he was following in Vin Diesel's. This is embarrassing.

Some people still don't think that Arnie and Stallone ever had much to offer, that their success was more the result of good scripts, good directors, good timing and good luck. This may be true. But if they didn't have much, Vin Diesel doesn't have anything.

With only Bruce Willis, and, to a lesser extent, Hugh Jackman to fall back on as action heroes not yet collecting social security, the industry is facing serious problems in this sector. And elsewhere. A few years ago, it became apparent that Jet Li was starting to wind down his career as a star of top-shelf martial arts films. Never more than an adequate actor but a charismatic screen presence, Li had been sharing the martial arts marquee with Jackie Chan for some time. But unlike Chan, a gifted comic actor and amazing stuntman, Li is a true master of the martial arts, whose gyrations are breathtaking. More classically appealing than the legendary Bruce Lee, Li had gradually turned himself into a bona fide international movie star whose films actually enabled him to break out of the kung fu ghetto. But Li is now in his 40s and probably knows it's time to exit the martial arts cosmos.

Speeding his departure are unexpected successes such as Ong Bak, a martial arts extravaganza starring the 32-year-old Tony Jaa. Jaa's non stop aerial stunts were so breathtaking that he seemed at the time to be a natural to replace Li, particularly because he also has a boyish aura that makes him credible as a hero, unlike Norris, Van Damme and Seagal, who always seemed a bit sinister. But Warrior King, the follow-up to Ong Bak, did nothing at the box office, suggesting that even if Li is prepared to surrender his throne, Jaa is not ready to occupy it. Jaa might also think about working on his English; it never hurts to master the language of the people most likely to make you rich. Though, come to think of it, Schwarzenegger never bothered to master English and it sure didn't hurt him.

mawali

02-28-2008, 03:17 PM

They may be trying to add the teen male demographics (Hannah Montana male crowds!) with the parents=family 4-6 people, you have a larger money making weekend vs the 1-2 buddies out to see an action flick with Li and Chan.

GeneChing

03-10-2008, 09:36 AM

...in New Zealand...

Jet Li and Jackie Chan square off (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=200&objectid=10497230)(+video)
11:51AM Monday March 10, 2008

Two titans of the kung fu world Jet Li and Jackie Chan square off in China's most expensive film ever made.

Jet Li, born Li Lianjie in Beijing, started practicing the martial arts, or Wushu, when he was eight. He won several national championships as a teenager before he gained instant fame for his role in the 1982 China-made movie Shaolin Temple. He is now the most paid Chinese actor in Hollywood.

Jackie Chan is arguably the most famous Chinese kung fu movie actor, famous for his comedy-style kung fu fighting. Starting a career from early 1970's, he has played roles in over 100 films.

Li said the opportunity to square off with Chan was a life-long dream come true - for both of them. "After 15 years, we finally have the chance to fight each other. We are very happy. We have some 27 or 28 years of fighting experience and it was easy for us to work together."

The film tells the story of a young American boy who finds a magic stick in Chinatown. He gets transported back in time and to China where he's destined to save the mythological figure, the Monkey King.

The Chinese action blockbuster premieres in April.

GeneChing

03-10-2008, 10:00 AM

It's really all about the Reuter's vid... ;)

Jet Li, Jackie Chan face off! (http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/viewmedia/49025)

Two titans of the kung fu world Jet Li and Jackie Chan square off in China's most expensive film ever made.

Jet Li, born Li Lianjie in Beijing, started practicing the martial arts, or Wushu, when he was eight. He won several national championships as a teenager before he gained instant fame for his role in the 1982 China-made movie Shaolin Temple. He is now the most paid Chinese actor in Hollywood. Jackie Chan is arguably the most famous Chinese kung fu movie actor, famous for his comedy-style kung fu fighting. Starting a career from early 1970's, he has played roles in over 100 films.

doug maverick

03-10-2008, 10:01 AM

on the Q.T. i heard disney flipped when both jet and jackie started selling the film short. from what i'm hearing the action between jet li and jackie chan is good. but i hear that colin chou stole the show as the lead villian the jade warlord.

GeneChing

03-11-2008, 03:01 PM

...but it needs a place here too. We're giving away three more full-size lobby standee for the upcoming film Forbidden Kingdom. I just built one with our warehouse manager Manuel. We were going to put it in our lobby, but the powers that be think it's too big. Tiger Claw (http://www.tigerclaw.com) is doing a very special promotion for this historic film at four tournaments in March and April. Free posters will be available at the Tiger Claw Booth, where you can enter to win one of the lobby standees that will be on display at the event. These are the huge professional 12 x 8 x 2' standees that are usually reserved for major cineplex lobbies (fortunately they break down and can be folded up). One standee will be given away to a lucky winner at each of the following events:

2008 Santa Cruz Open, April 5th, at Aptos High School, Aptos, CA (http://www.santacruzopen.com/index.php)

16th Annual UC Berkeley Chinese Martial Arts Tournament, April 5th, Haas Pavilion on the UC Berkeley Campus, Berkeley, CA (http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~calwushu/cmat/16/main.php)

Golden Gate Internationals, April 18th, at the Hyatt Regency, Santa Clara, CA (http://www.amapaallstars.com/events.htm)

We already gave one away last weekend at the American Open 2008, at Cal State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA. (http://www.americanopentkd.com)

Thanks to to good people at Lionsgate (http://lionsgate.com/?section=film) for this very special promotion. Forbidden Kingdom opens in theaters everywhere on April 18th.

doug maverick

03-11-2008, 06:38 PM

this movie is going to be one of many, i'm sure. its gonna do real big numbers

golden arhat

03-12-2008, 09:26 AM

jet li

jackie chan

need i say more?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e66Og0lOCcE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BVo23wypgQ&feature=related

Broken Fist

03-12-2008, 09:32 AM

This is going to be a sweet movie! Think I might just have to call into work sick :D

ghostexorcist

03-13-2008, 10:32 AM

It's going to suck, but I'll go see it anyway. It looks like a knockoff of that tv movie "The Lost Empire" and Stephen Chow's "A Chinese Odyssey I & II"

doug maverick

03-14-2008, 12:21 AM

ghostexorcist

03-14-2008, 05:49 AM

its not really a knock off of those films. its just all those films including this deals with the same chinese legend and that is that of the monkey king. but in this one they actually journey to find the monkey king and return the staff. actually some inside info i heard the white kid tested extremely low in test screening and disney is trying to downplay him. which was reason of the sudden change of the trailer and if you see the official poster it only features jackie and jet. which work doubly as a marketing ploy to play up the fight between the two.

You have to admit that these movies have striking similarities. For instance, The Lost Empire is about a white guy that gets transported back to the past to help China’s future by rescuing the Monkey King. The Chinese Odyssey series is about the Monkey being killed for murdering the Tang Monk and reincarnating as a human bandit chief. He too later travels back in time and finds the cave that contains his cudgel and golden crown. When he places the crown on his head, he transforms into the Monkey King.

Jet Li is like Stephen Chow’s bandit chief as both are reincarnations of the Monkey King. Likewise, I imagine that Jet Li will transform into the Monkey King when he gets his staff back. All of the movies have a protagonist traveling back in time. The white kid from this movie (the superpowered Will Stronghold from “Sky High”) is like the white guy in The Lost Empire who is sent back in time to find the Monkey King to save the future.

The general vibe I get from comments left on the youtube trailers is that a lot of people are mad about a white, no-name actor with no prior martial arts training being cast in such a monumental movie. I'm a westerner and even I think it's stupid. On top of that, I think the wire-work looks horrible. But that won't stop me from seeing it. I'm willing to part with $8 just to see Jet and Jackie stomp on each other.

doug maverick

03-14-2008, 09:13 AM

ghostexorcist

03-14-2008, 09:51 AM

well like i said the subject matteris similar. and yeah people are ****ed at the white kid whose there for no freaking reason. if it was me i would've used a chinese kid who didn't give a **** about his culture and was totally american. i mean like i said the white kid tested really low so disney is trying to play up jet and jackie. i mean just look at the official poster the kids not even on it.

I think the white kid was placed in the story because the screenplay was written by John Fusco (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Fusco). He also wrote Young Guns I & II, Thunderheart, and Hidalgo.

I agree about the Chinese kid. At least use someone who has an actual connection to China. His adventures in ancient China would make him appreciate his heritage.

Shaolinlueb

03-14-2008, 10:06 AM

the chinese chick in it is hot.

SPJ

03-14-2008, 02:06 PM

my kids are liu yi fei fans, too.

:)

Seppukku

03-15-2008, 07:14 AM

I heard that rumor like a year before but I thought that someone's manager/agent/whatever came out and denied them as just rumours. IF this will ever happen it will be the greatest movie in history. Period :D

Yeah, but I remember when "Twin Dragons" came out, which had 2 Jackie Chans...or even "Double Impact" which had 2 Jean Claude Vann Damme's.

They were sure recipes for success, but they lacked a certain je ne sais quoi.

GeneChing

03-19-2008, 09:37 AM

And I thought having Tiger Claw give away lobby standees (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showpost.php?p=847335&postcount=138) was novel.

Youtube Forbidden Kingdom Video Remixer (http://youtube.com/user/forbiddenkingdom)

GeneChing

03-19-2008, 09:43 AM

Nice pics. I especially like Li Bingbing's outfit (http://english.cri.cn/3086/2008/03/19/1261@335576_5.htm).

Kung-Fu Kings Build "Forbidden Kingdom" (http://english.cri.cn/3086/2008/03/19/1261@335576.htm)
2008-03-19 08:13:26 CRIENGLISH.com

Two of China's best-known action film stars, Jackie Chan and Jet Li, appeared together on Tuesday in Hong Kong to kick off promotions for their first collaboration, "The Forbidden Kingdom."

Director Rob Minkoff and female leads Liu Yifei and Li Bingbing also attended the press conference, the film's first in Asia.

"The Forbidden Kingdom" is being heavily promoted as the first film starring both Jackie Chan and Jet Li, an opportunity Li said both he and longtime friend Chan had waited 15 years for. He said working together made them even closer, like brothers.

Critics are saying that young actress Liu Yifei, who signed earlier with the William Morris Agency, might have a career breakthrough with her first international film.

The English-language action adventure was inspired by the classic Chinese legend of the Monkey King. It is slated to open in North America on April 18, and in Asia on April 24.

GeneChing

03-26-2008, 12:21 PM

I couldn't get the CCTV vid to play tho. :(

"The Forbidden Kingdom" ready to meet Asian press (http://www.cctv.com/program/cultureexpress/20080324/101441.shtml)
Source: CCTV.com
03-24-2008 09:34

The Forbidden Kingdom, featuring performances by Jackie Chan and Jet Li, comes before the press for the first time. The press conference was attended by both kungfu stars as well as director Rob Minkoff.

It was announced at the press conference that The Forbidden Kingdom will go into world wide release April 24th. Next month, Jackie Chan, Jet Li and Rob Minkoff plan another event in Hong Kong, at which time they promise to reveal more details of the production. Tuesday's press conference was attended by most of the cast.

Jackie Chan and Jet Li have known each other for 20 years. This is the first time that the two have played in the same film. During the four months of shooting, the two became close friends.

Besides the opportunity to play opposite Jackie Chan, Jet Li took the role in the hope of entertaining his daughter. The story is about the inspired imagination of a young man, a westerner's interpretation of ancient China. Li Bingbing, the female lead actress, said she was thrilled to collaborate with the two kungfu masters.

Li Bingbing, actress, said, "Actually I feel I am the luckiest of them all. In the movie, I can fight with the two kungfu masters at the same time. There's lots of intense action. Both of them lead dozens of warriors. They come together after more than three decades. The first person they meet is me. So we have a huge fight. It's quite exciting. And both of them are wounded. I am unscathed."

During the interview, both Jackie Chan and Jet Li said they expecting to do another big screen collaboration. Both remain reluctant to give specific details about the project.

GeneChing

03-27-2008, 09:46 AM

An affair?! What the heck is Jet saying!?!
:rolleyes:

'Forbidden' gets China world bow (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/international/news/e3if4e91f7b1cbab8c23b37f1b1b0443cd5)
By Karen Chu
March 18, 2008

UPDATED 4:35 p.m. PT March 18

HONG KONG -- Jackie Chan and Jet Li's "The Forbidden Kingdom" will have its world premiere April 16 in Beijing, producer Raffaella de Laurentiis confirmed Tuesday, marking the first major Hollywood-China co-production to debut in China.

Producers on the big-budget action adventure, which was financed by China's Huayi Brothers, recently submitted an application with China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television for permission to roll out their red carpet in the nation's capital.

"Kingdom" marks the first time that Chan and Li -- who have had parallel careers breaking from Chinese-language into English-language films -- have worked together. The pair met in the '80s, after Li made his mark in "The Shaolin Temple" (1982) and Chan was already a household name in Asia with "Drunken Master" (1978).

"It was as if we were having a secret affair," Li joked at a Filmart news conference Tuesday touting the $75 million production.

Said Chan: "I'd drive him around Hong Kong. It was before the handover of Hong Kong to China."

It took them 15 years, however, to finally duke it out onscreen in "Kingdom," which centers on a troubled Boston youth (Michael Angarano) who is magically transported into one of China's most famous ancient legends.

The film will be released April 18 in the U.S. by Lionsgate and April 24 in Hong Kong by Emperor Motion Pictures.

Aside from featuring the two biggest names in Asian action, the film also offers "a sampling" of references from icons and elements in Chinese mythology and legend, director Rob Minkoff said. The helmer was brought in to add texture to the film, he said, but not necessarily to cater to Western audiences' tastes.

Regardless, the biggest draw of "Kingdom" will be the fight scenes, which Chan was particularly happy to recall.

"Our director of cinematography, Peter Pau, kept telling us to slow down," Chan said. Yuen Woo-ping ("The Matrix" series) was the action cinematographer.

GeneChing

03-28-2008, 04:45 PM

Check out Kung Fu Superstars on Yahoo (http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809869644/video/6358590/#7077413) and the showdown on Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agyUFtXN0WU&feature=PlayList&p=8BCBD6CEBAD4D82E&index=1).
:cool:

SPJ

03-28-2008, 07:45 PM

looks like;

Jet Li is doing mantis and JC is doing tiger fist.

:D

shaolin_allan

03-29-2008, 11:14 AM

That did look like mantis actually. I didn't realize jet li had trained much mantis, but possibly he learned some or retrained whatever amount of mantis he had learned before. It's not surprising though that Jackie was using tiger fist as he is well known for his prowess in the 5 animals system. I just watched an older Jackie Chan movie recently I had not seen before and it was really good. Has anyone seen snake & crane arts of shaolin? I can't wait to see Forbidden Kingdom though, it looks great.

GeneChing

03-31-2008, 10:47 AM

He worked with Yu Hai for his first three films. Read my cover story on The Big Monk of Shaolin Temple: Mantis Grandmaster Yu Hai (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=688) from our 2007 January/February issue (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=687).

shaolin_allan

03-31-2008, 08:27 PM

That was a great story Gene. Looks like jet li did study quite a bit of mantis. Thanks for the link!

ghostexorcist

04-01-2008, 03:33 AM

My nephew won four free tickets to this movie. We are both going, but I don't know what to do with the other two tickets. The tickets are for a theater in northern Kentucky. I would give the other two tickets to someone on here, but I doubt my sister will let me give them out.

GeneChing

04-03-2008, 11:10 AM

This Saturday, April 5th, come by the Tiger Claw booth and enter to win a pair of tickets to a special advanced screening of Forbidden Kingdom next week in San Francisco. Scheduled to attend this screening are the film's stars, Collin Chou (http://www.collinchou.com/HOME.html)and Crystal Liu (http://crystalliuyifei.com/), director Rob Minkoff (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0591450/), and screenwriter (and author of our May June 2008 cover story) John Fusco (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0299301/). A pair of tickets will be awarded at the following two local tournaments:

2008 Santa Cruz Open (http://www.santacruzopen.com/index.php), at Aptos High School, Aptos, CA

16th Annual UC Berkeley Chinese Martial Arts Tournament (http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~calwushu/cmat/16/main.php), Haas Pavilion on the UC Berkeley Campus, Berkeley, CA

Additionally, we will be raffling off a giant Forbidden Kingdom standee (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showpost.php?p=847335&postcount=138) at both events, and there will be free Forbidden Kingdom posters and postcards for everyone.

Good luck everyone. I'll be at Berkeley (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36106&page=3). If you're going there, I hope to see you.

GeneChing

04-04-2008, 12:25 PM

Come by the Tiger Claw booth at either 2008 Santa Cruz Open or
16th Annual UC Berkeley Chinese Martial Arts Tournament this weekend and we will load you up! Beyond our aforementioned contest, we will be giving away 5 different posters (four of the solo hero posters and the new J&J poster), two postcards (the four heroes and the J&J), trading card packs (complete with bubble gum) and official Forbidden Kingdom green tea. :cool:

shaolin_allan

04-04-2008, 01:06 PM

I know it's for a different movie, but does anyone have any links to a site to watch jet li's "warlords"? I found a few links on the net all to the same site but the quality is so bad you can barely make out the movements in it, thanks.

GeneChing

04-04-2008, 02:00 PM

...we've been discussing Warlords here (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46453). I know it's available on HK platform DVD (region 3?) and I just did a quick search and found it on NTSC (US platform).

Li Kao

04-04-2008, 05:37 PM

It's going to be a feature Saturday night as part of the Phoenix Film Festival (http://phoenixfilmfestival.com). I'm excited as I believe it will be shown on the CineCapri screen, which is just shy in size of the standard IMAX screen. I've seen a few movies on this screen over the years -- it's definitely the best one in Arizona and always makes for a riveting experience. While I doubt there will be the celebrity turnout like the SF screening, and I unfortunately probably won't score any schweet J&J schwag (any posters left Gene?), I still can hardly wait! :)

Zenshiite

04-05-2008, 01:48 PM

GeneChing

04-07-2008, 10:27 AM

MovieTickets.com is holding a special FORBIDDEN KINGDOM sweepstakes for a trip to S.F. (https://www.movietickets.com/contests/fk1/fk1_default.asp) If you win, be sure to come by our offices because you heard it here. We're about 40 miles south of S.F.

SPJ

04-07-2008, 08:07 PM

big beauties/actresses from china.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZkg8RLcTDs

I like he mei tian.

my kids like liu yi fei.

my bro--

both li bing bing and liu yi fei casted in the coming movie "forbidden kingdom" in april.

some clips from the movie;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agyUFtXN0WU

a ferocious tiger against a quick and agile mantis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWrcpowXnSM

snake no match for eagle claws, use crane beak/wing, ouch ou ou ah ah stop, --

show respect for your teacher. I laughed so hard--

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVlfDbRZ9qg&feature=user

a drunkard against 3 swords soldier

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbs3vTxOVTY&NR=1

the whip and a piece of long white cloth grabbing the monkey king staff

three prongs--, double hooks from liu yi fei-- wow some many diverse weapons of old times.

--

I meant once we are done with the tax filing.

my bro's and I will go to see the movie and have laughs and fun.

;):)

SPJ

04-07-2008, 08:09 PM

I am so used to li bing bing playing the good girl/character.

it would take some time for me to get used to her playing a bad character.

:D

jackmcmanus21

04-08-2008, 07:20 AM

im looking forward to seeing this...there hasn't been a Jet Li or Chan movie i haven't enjoyed besides Rush Hour...not much of a fan of Tuckers annoying voice

Zenshiite

04-08-2008, 08:15 AM

This is playing this weekend at the Philadelphia Film Festival.

GeneChing

04-08-2008, 10:19 AM

I had the pleasure of working with John Fusco since he wrote our cover story for our May June 2008 issue (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=758). I found him to be a genuine traditional practitioner of kung fu and was very impressed by his character. We were in dialog about the story during the writer's strike and he insisted that we donate his compensation to Jet Li's One Foundation (http://www.one-foundation.com/news_en.php). I am scheduled to meet John in person this Thursday and I'm really looking forward to it.

Martial Arts Movie Born In Vermont (http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=8132956&nav=4QcS)
Williston, Vermont - April 7, 2008

Monday night's movie premier in Williston was a celebration bridging Vermont and China, with all the trappings of Hollywood: autograph signings and a real red carpet walk.

The celebtration was in honor of "The Forbidden Kingdom." The story, written by Morrisville screenwriter John Fusco, is a martial arts fantasy adventure that pairs movie fighting legends Jackie Chan and Jet Li. Fusco drew inspiration for the script from his own studies at the Vermont Kung Fu Academy.

"When Jackie Chan was reading the script and said, 'Shon dong black tiger? How did you learn about that? How did you know about "praying mantis?" Where did you learn about "flying lohan?"' I said, 'In Vermont,'" Fusco said. "And he said, 'No, no, Vermont's (all about) maple syrup, not kung fu!'"

The writer proved Jackie Chan wrong about that, and had backup in doing so from another Vermont talent. Essex High School graduate, Morgan Benoit, now works in Los Angeles as an actor. Like Fusco, he also studied at the Vermont Kung Fu Academy, and credits that experience with changing his life.

"When I was a kid, I grew up in Vermont, and was getting in trouble as a teenager," Benoit said. "At 14 and 15, I was just hanging out with the wrong crowd. Martial arts took me away from that in put me on a positive path."

That path now appears to be leading him to success in Hollywood. He has a small roll as a villain in "The Forbidden Kingdom," and shares screen time with Jackie Chan.

Both Benoit and Fusco hopes the movie kicks up interest in kung fu, in the same way "The Karate Kid" did for karate.

"It would be great to re-introduce martial arts as a positive influence for kids," Fusco said.

Monday night's screening was just a preview. "The Forbidden Kingdom" doesn't open in wide release until April 18.

GeneChing

04-09-2008, 05:36 PM

Check out our exclusive coverage by Forbidden Kingdom's screenwriter, John Fusco.

FORBIDDEN FIST: The Making of THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=761)

This online version is unabridged.

This is the cover story for our 2008 May/June issue (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=758), on the newsstands now. This issue comes with a free FORBIDDEN KINGDOM poster.

GeneChing

04-11-2008, 11:00 AM

I saw Forbidden Kingdom last night and found it delightful. Jet and Jackie's on screen chemistry is fantastic. It's also quite an homage for anyone who knows there kung fu movies. There are generous nods the Shaw brothers, King Hu, Golden Harvest - in this way, the film quotes the gospel. Yuen Woo-Ping's choreography is heavy on the wires and CGI (there's a lot of qi blasts) but it works well for the story and the J&J fight surely deserves a slow motion rewind. Crystal Liu's performance was stand out. She's definitely the new Chinese ingénue to watch. If you know kung fu, screenwriter John Fusco's treatment of the story is very respectful of the arts. The fact that he's been a genuine practitioner for years and a fan of the genre really shows through.

This is an important film and I hope that you can all go out and support it. Forbidden Kingdom is independent, filmed in China, with an almost all Chinese cast. It's a major kung fu film, and we don't get them on this level very often. J & J working together - that's absolutely historic. It almost didn't happen. If this film succeeds, it'll send a strong message to Hollywood that we want more kung fu cinema. Forbidden Kingdom comes out on April 18, which will pit it against the heavily marketed Forgetting Sarah Marshall. The following weekend is Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo, and then summer rush is on. The next weekend, Iron Man (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49445), then Speed Racer (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49394), then Narnia: Prince Caspian, then Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50164), then Sex in the City & Foot Fist Way (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50402). So Forbidden Kingdom really needs to capture the box office these first few weeks to make a mark, before the big blockbusters come in an smash up everything.

If you love kung fu movies, you'll enjoy Forbidden Kingdom, so be sure to support it at the box office.

And let's not forget Kung Fu Panda (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39752)...

SPJ

04-11-2008, 07:37 PM

dun know how the movie would do in the US.

but I know, the movie will do well in Hong kong, Taiwan, China and Japan.

crystal liu starred in so many Chinese wu xia tv series based on Jin Yong's novels.

She is a household name in these countries.

not to mention, aging fairing JC and JL.

--

there are many loyal audience for the three out there.

:)

GeneChing

04-14-2008, 04:31 PM

On John Fusco...

Dream weaver: Renowned film writer John Fusco credits his successes, including 'Forbidden Kingdom,' with a journey that began in Waterbury (http://www.rep-am.com/articles/2008/04/13/lifestyle/332564.txt)

BY BRYNN MANDEL REPUBLICAN-AMERICAN
Waterbury native John Fusco wrote "The Forebidden Kingdom," a story imspired by his marital arts interests, which began as a kid in Watertown. Here he practices Kung Fu on a Chinese mountainside during filming. Fusco's film stars Jackie Chan and Jet Li and debuts in theaters nationwide April 18.

It unfolded as a bedtime story, a tale woven by John Fusco for his son around the Chinese legend of the Monkey King and a magical staff.

On Friday, an adaptation of that nightly narrative by a one-time Wilby High School dropout rolls out in theaters nationwide. The big-budget film, "The Forbidden Kingdom," pairs the martial arts dream team of Jackie Chan and Jet Li for the first time. It employed the cinematographer and action choreographer from 2003's critically-acclaimed "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." And it blossomed from the mind of a man who grew up in Prospect and whose first interests in the martial arts were stoked at the former Academy of Korean Martial Arts in Watertown.

In "Forbidden," an American teen discovers the special weapon of a Chinese sage in a pawnshop, then finds himself transported to ancient, warrior-populated China. Fusco shared his legend-based bedtime story with a producer a few years ago on the Moroccan set of another of his scripts, "Hidalgo," setting in motion events leading to this week's release.

Fusco spent last summer watching Chan and Li spar on location in the Gobi Desert and Chinese bamboo forests. During down time, he traded training tips with the celebrities he now casually refers to as "Jet" and "Jackie." Li praised Fusco's script, saying he was "immediately impressed" by the Waterbury-area native's knowledge of Chinese legends.

"Stories like the Monkey King ... are completely unknown to most Western audiences. But the script got so many details right, and it created this great fusion of Eastern and Western sensibilities," the star said in publicity materials.

The film realizes decades-old dreams for the 40-something Fusco. Besides being a fan of the "Forbidden" action heroes, Fusco is a devotee of dashing after dreams.

He credits his screenwriting success — "Young Guns" and "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron" are among 10 he's penned — with his determination to reconnect with the wonder and excitement of childhood.

"It all goes back to this creative well that was established in my younger years," said Fusco.

His older sister remembers them well. Kathy LeBlanc served as makeup artist, actor and production assistant on Fusco's earliest films. In the backyards of Prospect, the two filmed childhood fantasies about Frankenstein and werewolves with a Super-8 home camera.

When something such as martial arts or Billy the Kid enraptured her brother, he embraced it wholeheartedly, said LeBlanc, a Naugatuck Valley Community College professor who visited China during "Forbidden Kingdom" filming.

Writing movies was his dream "as far back as I can remember," said Fusco, but screenwriting awards and A-list friends were not always abundant.

By telephone from his Vermont home earlier this month, Fusco described how a high-school football injury temporarily derailed him.

It claimed his Wilby High football career and martial arts studies. Fusco started wandering. At 16, he quit school. Hit the road as a musician. Hitchhiked the South. Returned to Waterbury to work periodic factory jobs. Throughout, he continued with his avocation, writing. Eventually, life on the road grew old.

"I made up my mind at one point, I was going to go back and reclaim that lost dream," said Fusco, expressing no regret over those years. "It exposed me to interesting characters. Most of all, it made me hungry."

He returned home, earned his GED and enrolled at what is now called Naugatuck Valley Community College, where he met wife Richela Renkun. He attended New York University film school.

While there, he won the prestigious Nissan Focus Award for students, paving the way for work with movie industry giants like DreamWorks and Robert DeNiro.

After a stint in Los Angeles, Fusco moved to Vermont. He returns to Waterbury — which he used as a fictionalized setting for his 2002 novel, "Paradise Salvage" — to visit family, and stock up on Italian groceries.

About eight years ago, Fusco rediscovered martial arts through a Vermont-based Shaolin kung fu master. Fusco introduced his son, Giovanni, to the discipline-instilling activity, as his own father had done years ago in Watertown. He feels grateful to be living his childhood dreams.

"Lots of people told him it was impossible. They'd laugh at him. He just truly believed it," said LeBlanc, Fusco's sister, crediting their mother for her encouragement. "He's not changed. He's still my little brother."

On Forbidden Kingdom...

The Forbidden Kingdom (http://www.screendaily.com/ScreenDailyArticle.aspx?intStoryID=38242)
John Hazelton in Los Angeles
14 Apr 2008 15:58

US/China. 2008. 113mins
Anticipated both for its Jackie Chan-Jet Li star pairing and its East-meets-West production approach, The Forbidden Kingdom attempts to put top-flight Asian martial arts together with family friendly fantasy in an English-language action adventure package. The elements of this well crafted and good-looking US/China co-production should attract sizeable and demographically broad audiences around the world. But the formulaic story and slightly calculated feel will make it hard for the independently distributed genre mashup to reach the box office heights achieved by some of the Hollywood majors' recent fantasy adventure offerings.

After its Beijing premiere this week, the Casey Silver/Huayi Brothers production (backed by Relativity Media) gets a wide, PG-13 release in the US on April 18 through Lionsgate and the Weinstein Co. That will give it a two week jump on the first of the similarly teen- and family-targeted summer blockbusters and should, at the very least, set up a lucrative video run later in the year.

The star pairing and genre mix will be especially attractive in the international marketplace, giving the film – distributed by Lionsgate or Weinstein in a handful of major territories and by local indies elsewhere – a fighting chance of competing with bigger studio releases over the crowded summer season.

The Asian thread of the script by John Fusco (Young Guns, Hidalgo) is based on the traditional Chinese legend of the Monkey King, but the story is told from the point of view of modern day American teen Jason (Angarano from Man In The Chair and Snow Angels).

Recalling elements of The Karate Kid, Lord Of The Rings and plenty of other quest adventures, the predictable plot has martial arts fan Jason magically transported back to ancient China and charged with freeing the Monkey King from the clutches of the Jade Warlord (Chou, from Flashpoint). Jason's companions are Chan's tipsy kung fu master Lu Yan, Li's straight-faced Silent Monk and pretty Golden Sparrow (Chinese pop and screen star Liu Yifei). Acting for the Warlord is the White Haired Demoness (Li Bing Bing, from The Knot).

American director Rob Minkoff (The Lion King, Stuart Little) steers the narrative with a steady if uninspired hand - one training montage may be obligatory in this sort of outing but a second seems a bit desperate - while Hong Kong martial arts master Woo-Ping Yuen (The Matrix, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) choreographs the action sequences.

The four or five big fight scenes have some nice settings and feature the kind of aerial ballet and precision footwork for which Woo-Ping is renowned. They're enhanced by special effects (mostly done in Korea) that are well up to par for a production with a reported budget of between $50m and $70m.

The fight scenes don't quite rise to the imaginative level of Woo-Ping's best work, though, and the significance and subtleties of the film's one head-to-head encounter between martial arts legends Chan and Li - for whom this is a first on-screen meeting – will probably be lost on general audiences.

Eye catching Chinese locations beautifully shot by Hong Kong cinematographer Peter Pau (another Crouching Tiger contributor) are another plus, but beyond its visual appeal the film is lacking in real substance. What character development there is follows strict genre guidelines and the comic potential in the difference between Chan's and Li's characters is rarely exploited.

As well as fighting technique, the two Asian superstars bring a lot of charisma to the proceedings, though they're hardly stretched dramatically. Angarano is very likeable as the misfit Jason and though his career so far has cast him more as an actor than a heartthrob his presence should help attract (female and male) teen moviegoers.

With its mix of Chinese and American talent, money and expertise, The Forbidden Kingdom is being billed as representing a middle way between two schools of film-making. As such, it will certainly help improve relations between two vital national industries. As a movie, however, it ends up feeling a little too much like a compromise.

Zenshiite

04-14-2008, 05:27 PM

That article was GREAT! I can't wait to go check this out!

冠木侍

04-14-2008, 10:00 PM

I am so used to li bing bing playing the good girl/character.

it would take some time for me to get used to her playing a bad character.

:D

Her character cannot help but make me think of the Bride With White Hair....

made famous by none other than Bridgette Lin.

GeneChing

04-15-2008, 09:39 AM

THERE IS A SPOILER IN THIS ARTICLE

Although you should click the link to see the photos. Crystal was wearing that same mini-silver-flasher jacket when we met, and only an ingénue of her potential could get away with an outfit like that. Having seen her in it, up close, well... life is good.

Over the Shoulder! (Celebrity Events) (http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/overtheshoulder/archives/136364.asp?from=blog_last3)
The kingdom of Hollywood was a bit warmer yesterday and so was the conference room at Four Season's Hotel. As the press waited patiently for Jackie Chan, Crytal Liu, Collin Chou, writer John Fusco, director Rob Minkoff and producer Casey Silver, we tried to keep our cool with ice tea, sodas and water.

As soon as the cast and crew strolled into the conference, there was a mad rush of journalists in putting their digital recorders onto the table where the talent sat at. First question to Jackie Chan was about this movie and what he thought of it. It was a bit funny because he said he hated doing these types of Hollywood movies because they are different than Chinese made movies. However, if his movies like the "Rush Hour" and "Shanghai" movies has an audience and that young kid emulates the martial arts in a positive way that he gets from the movie, then he'll do more even if he doesn't car for them.

We all laughed but saw the writer, director and producer cringe a bit.

As for his take on the protests against the Beijing Olympics. His answer was plain and simple to the point that the Olympics shouldn't be about politics and should be more about sportsmanship and goodwill on the field.

I think Jackie Chan loves to organize things. While doing the press conference/junket for the movie, he was arranging the digital and cassette recorders in rows and when a tape would get to the end of its reel, he would turn it over and press record.

Another weird thing of Chan and I guess that's his hospitality kicking in, every time each talent member would finish their water, he would have his assistant give him a bottle of water and refill each person's glass.

I felt a bit bad for Crystal Liu when a journalsit asked if there may be a sequel. Jackie, producer and director said it depends on the audience. Then Jackie turns to Crystal and said, "We'll you're not going to back." Then he revised his thoughts and said, "She may be depending on the audience."

I was a bit freaked out though, when out of a dozen of journalists he looked straight at me and at least I thought he mouthed "I remember you." I kind of brushed it off. Maybe he did remember me. In one of my first junkets, I did "The Tuxedo" junket in which he starred opposite Jennifer Love Hewitt. He asked the question, "How many of you liked this movie." No body responded. However, I didn't realize I had my hand on the table and doing a "so-so" movement. All of sudden, he points at me and says, "You are my friend. You are honest and truthful about the movie." So who knows, maybe he did remember me.

Anyways, "Forbidden Kingdom" opens April 18, 2008 nationwide.

Li Bingbing *is* the Bride with White Hair. Her character's name is Ni Chang, and the Bride's name was Lian Nichang. It's a reference that Fusco put in. Like I said, "It's also quite an homage for anyone who knows there kung fu movies." If you know your movies, you'll be constantly smiling at the references.

As for Li Bingbing, one of my criticisms of the film is that there wasn't enough of her. She was great - the camera loved her in that costume - but her character could have been developed more. Again, if you know your movies, if you know the bride, I suppose there already is some development. I'm hoping that the Bride with White Hair is this year's pick for Halloween costumes for the ladies. She's a great mythic figure (and I do mean *figure*).

GeneChing

04-16-2008, 09:31 AM

I think author Richard Corliss totally nailed this piece. It's an excellent observation on J&J's longevity as action stars.

Hong Kong Kung-fu Stars Can't Be Stopped (http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1729684,00.html)
Thursday, Apr. 10, 2008 By RICHARD CORLISS

"We can kill each other when it's over," says Jackie Chan as the Drunken Master Lu Yan to Jet Li's Silent Monk in the new Asian-American fantasy film The Forbidden Kingdom. But when these honored veterans of Hong Kong martial-arts movies get into fighting mode, it's an open question as to whether they'll survive till the end of the shoot. (Chan ends each of his films with gruesome outtakes of the injuries he suffered doing his stunts.) For all the safety precautions taken, the two stars still have to give every fiber of their disciplined, battered bodies to get through the kung-fu scenes. It's what made them action stars to begin with: the willingness to display their physical gifts while undergoing something like physical torture. In a phrase, macho masochism.

So why is it that their careers have outlasted those of Western action stars? Chan has been in nearly 100 films since he did bit parts as a child actor. Li's been making movies nonstop for 26 years. Shouldn't their bodies, let alone their audiences, have given up by now? Steven Seagal made fewer than 20 features. Jean-Claude Van Damme had about a decade's worth of wide releases. Arnold Schwarzenegger managed 20 years of action stardom, and he's considered the gold standard.

Then there's the work. Contrast Chan's and Li's homemade, our-pain-for-your-gain, almost literally death-defying feats with those of Hollywood action stars from the same generation. Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Chuck Norris--they all looked fit and muscular, and some had martial-arts backgrounds. But when it came time to do the heavy lifting, especially as they reached midcareer, the doubles were usually called in.

It was not that these men lacked the guts to put themselves in danger but that they worked in a system in which that sort of bravado wasn't necessary or even allowed. Hong Kong saw action realism as a badge of honor; Hollywood was the fantasy factory. And its action-film stars were such valuable commodities, they had to be handled like preemies. The studios were breeding these men for 20-to-30-year careers. Let them perform their most daring stunts? Nah, we have people who do that.

Today these one-time Hollywood studs are only occasionally doing action films, or they are working in the direct-to-DVD subbasement, or they have retired to government service. And Chan, 30 years after he became an East Asian star with Drunken Master, still has a two-continent career: Cantonese-language films at home, the Rush Hour movies here. Li, who became a Hong Kong superstar with the Once upon a Time in China series, segued to the West with hit movies in Hollywood (Romeo Must Die) and France (Fearless).

It's true that they're both a bit younger than Stallone or Norris; this month marks Chan's 54th birthday and Li's 45th. But the two stars have been training and punishing their bodies since they were kids. When he was 8, Chan went to live and learn at a draconian martial-arts school. By 11, Li was the star of China's junior wushu team; in 1974 he performed on the White House lawn for President Nixon. So Chan's and Li's real ages, in Hong Kong action-movie years, are about 108 and 90, respectively. It's amazing that these guys can lift a fork, let alone a foot.

The actors whom Chan and Li most closely resemble are the comedy stars of early Hollywood: Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd, all onstage since youth. In films full of physical derring-do, they prided themselves on executing their own graceful maneuvers and extravagant stunts. The other big silent-action hero, Douglas Fairbanks, was famous for his perilous leaps between high structures. His reckless agility, as much as his radiant smile, made him a worldwide sensation.

When sound came in, Hollywood substituted talk for action. And when action films returned in the '70s (in part because of the success of Bruce Lee's Hong Kong epics), the stuntman system was firmly in place. Most stars of today's Hollywood action pictures, cosseted in visual effects, barely need to exert themselves at all.

Meanwhile, kicking, tumbling and sweating in The Forbidden Kingdom, Chan and Li continue to practically kill themselves for our pleasure. No wonder audiences are so loyal. They believe them.

doug maverick

04-16-2008, 09:57 AM

with the exception that Li was always doubled by hung yan yan, after the shaolin temple movies.

SPJ

04-16-2008, 10:05 AM

SPJ

04-16-2008, 06:44 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kVouVK8WVI

done filing tax returns.

but caught a bad cold.

will see the movies on Sunday.

:)

ghostexorcist

04-16-2008, 08:58 PM

I watched it tonight (April 16th) at a advanced screening in Cincinnati. I did not like it. The girls are major cuties, though.

GeneChing

04-17-2008, 09:41 AM

Lots of pics of Chinese celebs that you probably don't know... :rolleyes:

Opening Ceremony of "Forbidden Kingdom" (http://english.cri.cn/4026/2008/04/16/1241@346850.htm)
2008-04-16 21:24:07 CRIENGLISH.com

Cast members including (From Left to Right) Jet Li, Jackie Chan, Liu Yifei and Li Bingbing and Jet Li's daughter pose at the premiere ceremony of Huayi Brother's kungfu epic "The Forbidden Kingdom" in Beijing's Chaoyang Park Wednesday afternoon.

April in Beijing is not hot yet, except for the Chaoyang Park in Eastern Beijing, where the world premiere ceremony of Huayi Brother's kungfu epic "The Forbidden Kingdom" was held Wednesday night.

At the press conference on Tuesday, organizers claimed it will be the most shining show biz gala before the opening of the Beijing Olympics. So it was. Dozens of stars were invited to walk the red carpet and sign names on the promotion board.

Singers like Chinese pop duo Yu Quan, Sun Nan, Bobo, Zhang Liangying, and Shang Wenjie as well as Taiwan hostess A-Ya and mainland actor Huang Xiaoming attended the red carpet ceremony. Of course, the peak of the ceremony came as the cast members appeared. Chinese kungfu superstar Jet Li also brought his daughter in the hope of entertaining her.

Besides showbiz stars, hundreds of reporters from world's major media organizations came to report on the film's premiere. Besides the shining stars, the film itself attracted overseas reporters. Western public seems to be satisfied with a westerner's interpretation of the Monkey King legend.

As the first film starring both kungfu masters Jackie Chan and Jet Li, the Forbidden King will hit cinemas in North America on April 18, and in Asia on April 24.

GeneChing

04-17-2008, 09:47 AM

Another review. I expect more of these over the next few days...

Martial arts legends together at last (http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/steven_rea/20080417_Martial_arts_legends_together_at_last.htm l)
By Steven Rea

Inquirer Movie Columnist and Critic
In one sense, The Forbidden Kingdom is to Asian martial arts movies what Heat was to American crime thrillers. That is, it represents the first on-screen pairing of two 100-percent genuine screen icons.

Michael Mann brought Robert De Niro and Al Pacino together back in 1995, and Rob Minkoff (who? oh yeah, the guy who made Stuart Little) puts Jackie Chan and Jet Li in the same room for this enjoyable, if hardly momentous, kung fu fest set in the smog-free days of ancient China.

Nicely shot, with heaps o' stick fighting and cartwheeling stunt and wire action, The Forbidden Kingdom is about a 21st-century teen (Michael Angarano) who hangs out in a South Boston pawn shop and - through a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-ish turn of events - gets tossed back in time, clutching a mystical staff.

Said weapon is much coveted by several parties, including the Jade Warlord (Colin Chou), who can smirk with the best of them, and the White-Haired Demoness (Li Bing Bing), whose tresses have more snap than a dominatrix's whip. (She has one of those, too.) The kid's staff could also bring the Monkey King - a mischievous martial arts master with funny facial hair - back to life, having been turned to stone in a duel that, long ago, didn't go so well.

Chan and Jet Li play the soused and silly Lu Yan and the agile, austere Silent Monk, respectively. An unlikely team, the drunken master and the Zen fighter pair up to teach young Jason (Angarano) how to battle hordes of oncoming, armor-plated extras, and to proffer advice on courting the lovely, though deadly, Golden Sparrow (Liu Yifei). And so, our gang is off on a journey through green and glorious countryside, stopping in the bamboo forests for training montages, in a tavern or two for acrobatic fisticuff sessions, and ultimately at the palace of the Jade Warlord, where a major face-off ensues.

Delivering their lines in not-exactly-fluid English, Chan and Li quip and kickbox, while the women strike daunting poses and Angaro looks on with an expression that's equal parts dread and awe. Neither Chan nor Li are required to do anything that your typical middleaged martial arts superstar couldn't pull off in his sleep.

The special effects are effective, though not terribly special. While director Minkoff pays homage to past masters of the genre, the past masters were better at this game than he.

GeneChing

04-17-2008, 09:55 AM

Neither Jackie nor Jet were at the press screening I was at. :(

Exploring The Forbidden Kingdom with Jackie Chan (http://www.thedeadbolt.com/news/104379/jackiechan_interview.php)
April 17, 2008

After becoming known as one of the busiest martial arts action stars of all time - if not THE busiest - Jackie Chan really doesn't need an introduction. The guy simply kicks butt! At the age of 54, Chan is still as busy as he's ever been and now fans will finally see Jackie team up with fellow martial arts legend Jet Li in director Rob Minkoff's The Forbidden Kingdom, which hits theaters on April 18.

Although Jackie and Jet have been trying for years to find the right project to work together, both martial-arts-turned-action-stars finally settled on The Forbidden Kingdom, about a young American teenager who finds the lost ancient weapon of the legendary Monkey King and travels to China to return it to its owner. However, before he does, he must learn how to fight from two uniquely different martial arts masters played by Jackie Chan and Jet Li.

At the recent L.A. junket for The Forbidden Kingdom, The Deadbolt took a few lessons from master Jackie Chan as he talked about how he felt working on the project, the adjustments that he's had to make with his martial arts, the original movie he had in mind for a collaboration with Jet Li, being an ambassador for the upcoming Beijing Olympics, and how it felt to wear a wig.

Are you pleased with the way The Forbidden Kingdom has turned out? Is it how you envisioned it would be?

JACKIE CHAN: I don't know. Every time I make American film, I just trust the American director and American writer. Myself, I would never make this kind of film. For me, those kinds of films are ridiculous. They don't make sense. [laughs] But the American way, the American audience is more interested in this kind of movie.

Which part did you feel didn't make sense?

CHAN: No, the whole thing. [laughs] Why drunken master? Monkey king? Alls kind of things, but at the end, it's the children; there is a young boy in New York who loves - just like the writer - he loves American culture. It's a fantasy like a fairytale. It's okay. Otherwise, I won't make this movie... American audiences, even he like it. The Asian like it. So, that's why Jet [Li] and I agree to make this movie. Now, I hear so many good things about this movie and everybody is talking about it - I still worry. Just like Rush Hour one. After I finished Rush Hour, I said, "My career finished. A second time I try to get in American market and now I'm finished. I go back to Asia and that's all." Then "Boom!" - big hit. This is ridiculous. Why do people like these kinds of things? Then Rush Hour 2 - now, whenever American writer or director comes and presents a script, nobody is against it for the American market.

What types of alterations and adjustments have you had to make with martial arts at your age?

CHAN: I think the last six or five years you can tell I have changed my style, right after Around the World in 80 Days and then I go back to make New Police Story, The Myth, Rob B Hood, Rush Hour 3 and Forbidden Kingdom. Right after Forbidden Kingdom, I just finished a movie called The Shinjuku Incident. It's just totally, one percent action and heavy, heavy drama. The next one will be big action! Then maybe a love story. I want to change. I want to be a real actor. Not just action style. I am the myth. Jackie Chan is a myth. I am still surviving right now, more than 30 years. I am the only one. How long cannot I keep fighting? So this is why I have to change, change, change. I have encouraged a director for my next film, it's a good idea for him. He's been working on, not a new idea, it's about Chinese culture and combined with European (American), more those kinds of situations. I'm not like I used to be in Drunken Master 3 or 4. No, I'm tired. [laughs].

How was the wig that you had to wear? Did it cause any problems?

CHAN: Yes, especially when the shooting time was so hot in the desert. It's so itchy, and probably for a young girl they are used to it. I'm always, like, very slowly just do this [twirls hair]. So itchy! But there were things, the old guy, the old hawk - Wow! I wanted to kill the director. [laughs] For five days, I get a phone call in the morning. Makeup until 12:30. After lunch, first shot. Two shots, wrap. I said, "No, shoot more." Take off all the makeup for two hours. Everyday? Almost 11 hours in makeup.

Looking back, you used to be the student and now you're the master after so many films. How is that feeling?

CHAN: I just don't believe it's so quick, now, that I'm becoming a master. Then I realize, "Wow, Drunken Monkey was 30 years ago." My master has already passed away. Now, I am the master. Feels funny. But what can you do? That's a human being life.

Is it safer to do movies like Kung Fu Panda?

CHAN: Kung Fu what? [laughs] Yes.

Did you like that?

CHAN: Yes. I forget. Making a Hollywood film, you don't have a very big movie because they have a safety captain, insurance people on the set. They have to check first: "Don't do it. Let me check, make sure everything is safe." And I really think that John [Stevenson], the director and also, Disney and DreamWorks they are making Chinese culture movies like Mulan, Forbidden Kingdom, Kung Fu Panda. All those years, I always think, "Whenever the Western people make anything we know, Superman - yeah, we know. Spider-Man, well, we know. Whenever you make King Arthur, we know. But whenever we try to make something Chinese culture overseas, nobody knows." When we make Chang Dynasty, who is Chang? When we make some very famous Chinese story, nobody knows. Even Mulan, Disney makes Mulan and now the whole world knows Mulan. So, we need American famous director or non-famous director or famous studio to help us make some Chinese traditional culture movies. The history brings you to the wall. Then the people more understand China, more understand China, then more people will have interest in China and more people will come to China to visit us because I am a tourist ambassador. [laughs] Really, thank you. Please write more Chinese things, yes.

What was the first movie you wanted to make with Jet Li?

CHAN: Fifteen years ago I wrote a script with him and the script was very interesting. I am the bad good guy, he is the cop. He had to catch me around from the bottom of Russia all the way back to Beijing. Between, something happens and even the police are looking for Jet Li, the bad guy looking for Jet Li, then the police are looking for me. And then Jet Li couldn't catch me. I had to get rid of him. And we cannot take the plane, we cannot take the train, we cannot take anything. No transportation. We have to walk on the mountains, cross the river. Different regions of Chinese, different dialects. There is a lot of comedy going on. Lots of travel going on. Lots of great action.

So, where do things stand with that project?

CHAN: When I present the script to American writer, he doesn't like it. [laughs] The company had spent another million for him to rewrite the script. After he write the script, I don't like it. And when he writes the script, it's two brothers. Somehow I don't know he's my brother, somehow I know he's my brother. The two of us - he just wants money. Don't pay me the script copyright. So, this is why it doesn't happen. And I think also, we don't have the middle guy. Every time I see Jet, it's like, "Let's do it when?" And he's like, "Yeah, let's do it!" And then "Dead, boom, gone." Because this time it happened, because Casey [Silver], in the middle, all those years, every ten days he gives me a call. The script, "No, it's not done." - "Jet, sent him the script." He was the one flying back and forth, back and forth. Then, it makes the whole thing happen. Thank you.

Do you have any old classic favorites?

CHAN: Classic movies? Drunken Master. [laughs] Director Woo Shanu, King Hu. Dragon Inn and A Touch of Zen, Young Master, Police Story... [laughs] Rush Hour.

continued next post

GeneChing

04-17-2008, 09:57 AM

But I could squeeze both pages 1 & 2 on my first post, so I only linked page 3.

Since both yourself and Jet Li have such different styles, how were the action sequences and working with Jet? What was it like while you were behind-the-scenes? (http://www.thedeadbolt.com/interviews/jackiechan3_interview.php)

CHAN: Behind-the-scenes? I just remember first day we are on the set, Woo-ping and the stunt coordinators had choreographed an action sequence and Jet and I were going to take a look. And two stunt guys were doing a demonstration. And I'm standing there with Woo. You know, I am a fast learner. I have been doing this action for so many years. I just look at it once, "Just show me one more time." And then I say, "Let's shoot without rehearsal." And then I look at Jet, and Jet Li's like, "Okay, let's shoot." Then, I suppose - just to make fun of him - and all the cameramen were like, "What? No rehearsal. Okay, let's do it." After first cut, the director and Woo-ping come up and say, "Good, but can you guys slow down?" - because, he wanted to show off quick, I wanted to show off quick. I wanted quicker! Then the director says, "New technology." We had to slow down a bit, and then we slow down. Fighting with him is a very, very comfortable. [The] comfortable is not like some action villain. They just don't know how to fight. It's "Ow" and it gets you hurt. And it just doesn't look good. I have never fought so many other actors and villains, and it's boom and - good, those kinds of rhythm. Wow. I think because I'm good, it makes him comfortable. [laughs].

Will you be in Beijing for the Olympics? How would you like people to be able to see the Olympics?

CHAN: I am the Olympic Ambassador. I always promote Olympics. I just want to tell - Olympics are the Olympics. Cannot mix with politics. Olympics for me is love, peace, united. Every four years are the Olympics no matter what country. Every country when they have Olympics, a lot of people come out opposed. Like L.A., the same, Russia, the same... But this year everyone is just concentrated on China. It just doesn't happen in China, it happens everywhere. I just want to say, please, understand, they are just some naughty boys. They are doing it for no reason. They just want to show up on TV. They know, if I can get the torch then I can go on the TV for the news. That's the wrong thing. They misunderstand. And like I said before, more making Chinese films, more tourists come to China and watch the Olympics and welcome. I am standing in the airport and bowing: welcome, welcome, welcome.

How did it feel to do Drunken Fist after all of these years?

CHAN: Sometimes, I'm very embarrassed. I have to do it again; again and again. I said, "Why does everyone have to see me?" Like I said before, when the people know Jackie Chan movie, "Oh, Drunken Master!’ Especially in the west, even Brett Ratner, Rush Hour 3, there is one scene where I get drunk and get in a fight with a drunken master. And I said, "No! Why does everybody want me to fight drunken master?" But this movie, at the beginning I refuse. But later on, later on, I find out, "Okay, it's a purist movie. And the young boy, love it. That's okay." Not any more. Not any more.

It might be because it looks so special, unlike anything else. That's why we like it.

CHAN: Really? Okay. That depends the box-office. If the box office is good, the next one will be Forbidden Drunken Master.

Can you talk about the locations and how that experience was for you?

CHAN: For the last 10 years I've been working in China, traveling around, because with The Myth going on we've been traveling to so many different locations, different places for the location. For me, it's nothing... I think for him, "Wow, great location, great location." For me? Just used to it.

Is there talk of a [Forbidden Kingdom] sequel?

CHAN: Yeah, just like Rush Hour. Boom! Rush Hour 2, then Rush Hour 3. Now, Rush Hour 4. I mean, Shanghai Noon and Shanghai Knights. Shanghai Dawn! Forbidden Kingdom, Forbidden what? Return to Forbidden Kingdom [laughs].

GeneChing

04-17-2008, 10:06 AM

Nice pic of Crystal if you follow the link.

Mythic Film Had Equally Grand Production (http://www.dailycal.org/article/101328/mythic_film_had_equally_grand_production)
By Joy Regullano
Contributing Writer
Date Added Thursday, April 17, 2008 | 2:10 am

For the cast and crew of "Forbidden Kingdom," making the film was as great an adventure as the story it tells-that of an American teenager who, after being dropped into mythical China, is charged with fulfilling a prophecy. Screenwriter John Fusco originally envisioned the tale as a bedtime yarn for his 7-year-old son. Not only did it feature a character the young boy could relate to, it also introduced him to Chinese philosophy, the lesser-known but equally important facet of martial arts. It then remained to translate this idea onto the silver screen.

"Making movies is not easy," director Rob Minkoff said. In this case, challenges began long before production. One of the first and biggest hurdles Minkoff encountered was working out the collaboration between what Fusco called the "martial arts dream team."

"I think it's a miracle that these two guys agreed to be in the movie," he said, citing studio politics and a "quite extensive contract." Even the promotional movie poster had to be carefully thought out in terms of who to bill first. Eventually though, someone suggested using one "j" for both names so that neither would have priority.

"We've got these megastars," Minkoff said. "We have to treat them equally. We can't put one above the other."

Once everyone arrived on set in China, the escapades took a different turn. Fusco recalled riding Bactrian camels to climb to the top of dunes and sliding down on bamboo slats for a scene. And praise to the hardworking crew, because the quest for great cinematography didn't stop there. In a fight scene filmed among cherry trees in full bloom, Minkoff attested to the fact that each and every blossom was hand-glued onto the branches.

But what really made Fusco laugh was meeting Chan for the first time: "Talk about an adventure-driving around the streets in his customized sports car."

Meanwhile, Collin Chou and Crystal Liu, who are talented, high profile actors in their own right, also underwent a sort of adventure. When asked about working with the martial arts greats, Chou replied, "It's not just your dream come true, it's also my dream come true."

Indeed, the roles they played offered excitement in and of themselves. Chou, who portrays the Jade Warlord, protests the usual-and reasonable-label of villain. "I see I am a great hero in this movie," he said. "He's a guy trying to protect the kingdom." Liu, on the other hand, plays an intense young warrior who is more than a stereotypical romantic interest. "This girl is very strong. She's not just a girl waiting for a white boy to fall in love with," she said.

Although already famous in China for her singing and dancing, Liu still found this foray challenging. "You know, Collin Chou is professional at martial arts, so I'm a little bit nervous to play in front of him," she said. "Especially, he's a man and we have to kill him � [Choreographer] Woo Ping also has a high standard for my character."

Their favorite moments from production, however, both involved birthdays. Chou remembered his being the same day as Minkoff and celebrating it together with dinner and fireworks. Liu's 20th birthday fell on the day filming wrapped. Although at first she thought everyone forgot her birthday, she was surprised by the gift of three big cakes.

Overall, the making of "Forbidden Kingdom" seems to have as much of a claim to excitement as the movie itself.

But Minkoff's biggest challenge? "Not getting killed," he said. "Every minute of the day, I was just worried they were going to beat the crap out of me."

GeneChing

04-17-2008, 04:17 PM

...for *our* official review.

FORBIDDEN KINGDOM: Monkey King Meets the Wizard of Oz (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=764) by Dr. Craig Reid

More to come... ;)

GeneChing

04-18-2008, 08:58 AM

One of the things I really like about Forbidden Kingdom is that it evokes so many classic kung fu flicks. As we all know, it's a massive genre. I hope the film inspires more people to dig through the film archive and see what a rich resource it is.

Kill Bill, meet your masters (http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/arts/story.html?id=ff3d1aa5-ed0a-43f3-afa8-481b8004097e)
AL KRATINA, Freelance
Published: 7 hours ago

Film can be quite educational. For example, teen movies have taught me never to pick on nerdy girls, lest they take off their glasses to reveal radiant beauty, or telekinetically turn the high school gym into a charnel house during prom. So, to prepare for the possible eventuality of being teleported to ancient China like the hero in The Forbidden Kingdom, a martial arts film hitting theatres today, I decided to watch a few kung fu films. I could have referred to the back catalogues of Jackie Chan and Jet Li, the film's co-stars, but Chan's work focuses on getting cheap laughs through self-injury, and the diminutive Li's ankle-biting combat style is suitable only for hobbits and pre-schoolers. Here are some lesser-known DVDs that offer tips on the weapons and skills needed to survive Asian action films.

Swordplay. Using a sword is fairly self-explanatory. Still, there's artistry involved in decapitating an enemy and pirouetting in the arterial spray like a Fred Astaire routine set to Slayer's Raining Blood. In Lady Snowblood (1973), part of the '70s cycle of ultra-violent Japanese samurai films, a young woman avenges her father's death in a nearly scene-by-scene blueprint for Kill Bill (2003), every death bringing to mind the Kool-Aid Man springing a high-pressure leak. One-Armed Swordsman (1967), from the legendary Shaw Brothers Studio, isn't as bloody. But the crippled hero's skill is equally impressive as he battles enemies who, in a sort of Middle Earth arms race, have developed defensive "sword-locks."

The Rope-Dart. While the rope-dart featured in 1982's Legendary Weapons of China is essentially a spiky yo-yo, there's something to be said for not carving out one's own eye while pulling off a Lindy Loop. The imaginative film, about several magical kung fu clans hunting down a renegade martial arts master, is representative of the blend of action and fantasy that characterize many Chinese action films, known as "wuxia." For equally odd weaponry, check out Dirty Kung Fu (1978), about a blundering bounty hunter, where a tobacco pipe is to used to crush bone instead of necrotize oral tissue. And in the hilariously dubbed Shogun Assassin (1980), a gory Americanized re-edit of two films from the Baby Cart series, an ex-assassin caring for his young son is attacked by female ninjas hurling what appear to be Asian radishes stuffed with knives.

Calligraphy. Anything can be a weapon in the right hands, from melted toothbrushes to a microphone wielded by the Jonas Brothers. The Prodigal Son (1982), a broad comedy in which an asthmatic transvestite from a travelling opera teaches kung fu, features legendary action star Sammo Hung performing kung fu calligraphy. Not only is the scene visually stunning, but it gives us writers inspiration to one day learn a skill more impressive than paraphrasing Wiki-pedia articles.

Chess. I thought that chess was just something you taught your kid to play if he sucked at hockey. But apparently it's also an ancient Asian game of strategy. In The Buddhist Fist (1980), directed by Woo-ping Yuen, famed action choreographer of the Matrix films and The Forbidden Kingdom, a scene involving chess is just one of many inventive action sequences, which also include a chopstick battle with a hunchback.

Spirituality. Martial arts are not just about the body. The Boxer's Omen (1983), while ostensibly focused on Thai kickboxing, illustrates the importance of spirituality in battle, an integral part of many Asian action films. The film offers a strong grounding in the role of ancient traditions in conditioning the mind and body, as well as demonstrating how to bring a decomposing corpse back to life by stuffing it into an eviscerated alligator while vomiting partially digested maggots and chicken genitals into its mouth, and training spiders to bite people in the eyes. By far the most educational film you'll see all year.

GeneChing

04-18-2008, 09:05 AM

...but we expected that. Make sure to see our review (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=764) which I mentioned yesterday on post 189 (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showpost.php?p=854933&postcount=189). Our reviews are always written with the discerning martial arts reader in mind.

Here's one that focuses on John Fusco again, who penned Forbidden Kingdom as well as our current cover story (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=761) (just in case you haven't been paying attention to the rest of this thread.)

John Fusco Pens The Forbidden Kingdom (http://www.canmag.com/nw/10998-forbidden-kingdom-john-fusco)
Published April 17, 2008 in Movie Interviews
By Fred Topel

Any Hollywood hack can make up a story where Jet Li and Jackie Chan have to fight. It takes someone well versed in martial arts to ground it in the real philosophies of tradition. John Fusco, who looks tougher than any other screenwriter you'll meet, is a practicing martial artist, so he lent his knowledge to The Forbidden Kingdom.

"I studied the Shaolin styles and have been into martial arts since I was [little]," said Fusco. "I wrote in a lot of the action like I write action in any screenplay, for metrical effect and for pacing, and had a lot of fun with writing the different styles. Of course, then we had the master. I'm just a student. It was a jumping off point but there was a lot of interplay, collaboration, all so exciting. [Director] Rob [Minkoff] and I would go down to the training center with Woo Ping and just watch what he would do with these pieces. We would all collaborate on it and then of course everything that would happen once it was on its feet, all the invention was just incredible. Talk about a fantasy to watch."

To Fusco, adding martial arts philosophy elevates The Forbidden Kingdom above most modern fight films. "It's the way I learned from my sifu and I believe that a lot of this philosophy is missing in martial arts today. Martial arts schools used to be a very positive experience and about character building and discipline for young people. Now martial arts has a mixed martial arts connotation. A lot of parents see it as being very violent and don't want their kids involved anymore. Really, the philosophy is so good for young people. We're hoping that this film can energize that again and bring that back into martial arts for more people."

To keep the film relatable to the young kids he hopes to inspire, Fusco added the element of a modern day teenager traveling back in time. "It all started as a bedtime story that I made up for my 11-year-old son, who started to show an interest in martial arts which excited me. I wanted to introduce him to the legends and lore and the classics behind martial arts literature and cinema. I tried reading Journey to the West to him and it was a little over his head at 11 years old. So I started making up a time travel journey into the mythic China of Kung Fu legend and lore that he could relate to. It just grew night after night and introducing all these elements and then grew into a screenplay."

The film gives many different styles their due. "When Jason (Michael Angarano) travels back into this alternate universe, it's sort of Oz is this Wuxia world where people fly and their martial arts are elevated to that level. All the classic novels have those elements. So Woo-ping wanted to embrace that and have three levels of the supernatural in Collin [Chou]'s character, the more classical Shaolin styles and then the straightforward street style."

The Forbidden Kingdom opens to theatres on April 18th.

GeneChing

04-18-2008, 09:43 AM

J & J commenting on each other. (http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/theforbiddenkingdom.html?showVideo=1)

For me, it's not about J beating J. It's about J&J beating Sarah Marshall. Be sure to go out and support this film this weekend. If you love martial arts movies, a big box office opening will send a clear message to Hollywood.

Nebuchadnezzar

04-18-2008, 02:56 PM

agreed that it is a good article about the longevity of an action star in action films.

I can think of

1. first James bond star from 60's-- has to be replaced several times to continue the sequel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8FGLeVtTko&feature=related

2. lethal weapon may not continue, with mel gibson felt old fighting jet li.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CtnQaX3AsM&feature=related

3. --

--

:)

Not good examples.

Lethal Weapon has run out of steam and James Bond was never to be played as anything but in his thirties.

Explains why almost twenty years later, Bart Simpson is still in the fourth grade and Maggie is still in diapers.

Shaolin Wookie

04-19-2008, 09:03 AM

Where's the love? I thought the movie was great. I've read J to the West at least five times in its 4 volume set and read hosts of abridged translations--but I wasn't expecting content--I wanted to see an action flick and that's what I got. None of that Crouching Tiger imitation, lachrymal filmmaking. I thought they did a great job packing myths into an adventure movie (way better than any recent adventure flick), even with the white kid...LOL....

The "rain" scene had me in stitches.:D I'm laughing now just remembering it. Hell, my girlfriend thinks kung fu is ****y and she liked it.

As much as I thought Jet Li did a better job with his English than in the past, his

"NO FOOL!"

Had me and the entire theater cracking the **** up. LOOOOOLLLLLL!!!

jethro

04-19-2008, 04:05 PM

I thought it was pretty good. I had a lot of problems with it, but I still enjoyed it. If Jackie and Jet werent in it, I imagine it would have been pretty crappy. But luckily they are in it, and give great performances. The American did good in the fight scenes, but I didn't like his acting. Or maybe it was just his stupid looking ponytail I didn't like, I dunno.

Jimbo

04-19-2008, 05:36 PM

I thought it was pretty decent, a lot better than I was expecting, anyway. I did not care much for the "kung fu ge-ek" guy's puppy-dog expression, but he did well enough. The rain scene was my favorite little part of the film..lol! Some of the "heavenly" scenes almost looked like they were filmed on old Shaw Brothers indoor sets, though I'm sure it was probably in a Beijing studio.

Jackie looks better than he has on film in a long time, IMO.

The orphan girl with the jade dart is pretty hot; on the other hand, I'm old enough to be her father. eek...!

There is plenty of action in it, but I got the impression there was nothing really that outstanding in any of the fights. It almost seems as if Yuen Woo-Ping has run out of ideas, and there is a sameness to his choreography in recent years.

It's kinda hard to pinpoint which audience it's targeting. Sometimes it seems like a kids' movie, then it seems very unlike a kid's movie (stabbings, throat slashings, a shooting, etc.). Overall, though, this movie is definitely a cut above anything m.a. that's come out in some time, and the landscapes and Peter Pau's cinematography is beautiful.

Shaolin Wookie

04-20-2008, 06:50 AM

SPJ

04-20-2008, 05:25 PM

just saw the movie. like the story line.

I especially like the laughing from jet li.

when realized that the young boy from boston and not middle kingdom or not chinese will rescue the monkey king and return the staff to its rightful owner.

Jet Li smiled with big grins and then a whole heartedly laugh.

That was what Jet Li is really like in real life with big grin and laugh.

in contrast to all his other hollywood movies that there were only all serious or no expression from him.

That was the priceless moment. Just for watching him laughed, that was well worth the movie ticket.

--

who is going to rescue monkey king's spirits from the encased or enschrined stones.

--

this young boy from boston, ha ha, ha haaaa haaaa---

--

all the story kind of moves along with jackie chan doing most of the talking.

so jackie chan is the story teller or the center for the momentum to move along in the movie.

--

sparrow or yan zi may practice mi zhong or yan qing and she uses flying darts.

--

li bing bing seemed to be too pretty, and too young to need the elixir. she uses a long whip, her hair whip and eagle claws?

--

oops, not to say any more to spoil the fun for others yet to see the movies.

-

:)

SPJ

04-20-2008, 06:22 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDT5riABgRA

Li bing bing played a girl that loved a doctor from taiwan.

it is a triangle romance.

the story started from taiwan, 1947.

Chinese civil war, korean war and then tibet.

--

I like li bing bing b/c this movie.

of course, she is also in many other movies and tv series.

--

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA-tald4oK4&feature=related

li bing bing played a nurse that fell in love with the doctor that treated her wound from bomb shreds in a field hospital under the trench in north korea.

--

chen kun and li bing bing in wu xia tv series.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_HKcy7tepk&feature=related

:)

Zenshiite

04-20-2008, 06:54 PM

That was a fun ride. A really fun ride. Some corny stuff, but hey... it was FUN.

Jet was great, Jackie was great. I loved the intro with all the classic posters. Awesome.

SPJ

04-21-2008, 06:54 AM

I heard about the story of the monkey king from a story teller in front of the temple. I was about 5 or 6 years old. late 1960's in taiwan.

--

then my uncle saw me that I went to the temple all the time just to listen to the story. So he bought me a story book about xi you ji or journal of travelling to the west, written in old chinese text with some illustrations/drawings. there were no periods or comma's. it was very difficult to read, however, the story intrigued me. I read the book so many times, gradually I started to know how to read the old chinese text.

--

it is a novel written by wu cheng eng with a lot of buddhism connotations.

monkey king eventually helped tang's monk travelling to india and acquire some sutra's or scriptures.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_King

--

it is a very popular legend and fairy tale for chinese and japanese.

--

:)

SPJ

04-21-2008, 07:11 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSV7041mZCw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXUsvPvLUKw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_whh18ZSrjY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VToAbDy5LNs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejs9rHc45hc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kzIvV_8hg8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgC9j2YeobQ&feature=related

this animation series made in China.

the most popular one in PRC from what I heard.

--

so I bought vcd's for my son.

but he already knows the story from my telling him the story before bedtime.

--

:)

GeneChing

04-21-2008, 09:35 AM

It bested Sarah Marshall by more than $3 million. Next weekend, it goes up against Baby Mama, Deception and Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo (which really should have been released last weekend :D), so there's a chance it can hold the top slot for another week. Keep your fingers crossed.

'Forbidden,' 'Forgetting' Fly (http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2486&p=.htm)
by Brandon Gray
April 20, 2008

A couple of new movies with decent appeal lifted weekend moviegoing above the same period last year, but overall business was still sub-par for the time of year.

Oriental fantasy The Forbidden Kingdom wafted to the top of the weekend chart with an estimated $20.9 million on approximately 3,900 screens at 3,151 locations. The Lionsgate release was sold as a family adventure, a hyper Wizard of Oz-Karate Kid-Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon hybrid, and as the first pairing of action stars Jackie Chan and Jet Li, who each have fan bases that have led to consistent returns in the past. Forbidden Kingdom's start ranked on the high end for each with attendance in the vicinity of Chan's Shanghai Noon and Shanghai Knights.

The latest raunchy comedy from producer Judd Apatow and crew, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, estimated $17.3 million on around 3,400 screens at 2,798 sites, doing a bit better than the similar The Heartbreak Kid. Heavily promoted and distributed by Universal Pictures like Apatow's The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up, the $30 million production didn't reach the heights of those pictures. But it was never going to with its negative angle, from the title to posters saying "You Suck Sarah Marshall" to a main character whining about his breakup, and with its more narrow subject, like its tropical setting and Hollywood leads.

Outside of Forbidden Kingdom and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, little else was going on. Al Pacino vehicle 88 Minutes nabbed a modest estimated $6.8 million at 2,168 theaters, hindered by marketing that wasn't clear whether the movie was a real time thriller or a conventional serial killer mystery. Also opening, creationist propaganda piece, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, being pitched as a documentary in a manner similar to Michael Moore's fare, inherited a windy estimated $3.2 million at 1,052 venues. Though meager, it wasn't a total flunkout given the genre and its independent release.

Last weekend's top grosser, Prom Night, wilted 56 percent to an estimated $9.1 million for $32.6 million in ten days. The drop was typical of the genre and better than fellow second weekend titles, Street Kings and Smart People, which had alarming falls of over 60 percent each. Audiences continued to reject Leatherheads, down 52 percent for a flabby $26.6 million in 17 days, and successful gambling thriller, 21, took its steepest hit yet, off 47 percent for nearly $70 million in 24 days.

GeneChing

04-21-2008, 09:45 AM

Not that I know anything at all about NZ film... :rolleyes:

Martial arts movie opens number 1 at the box office (http://www.tv3.co.nz/News/Martialartsmovieopensnumber1attheboxoffice/tabid/209/articleID/53186/cat/41/Default.aspx)
Mon, 21 Apr 2008 07:00a.m.

The first collaboration between Jackie Chan and Jet Li opened with a roar at North American cinemas at the weekend - becoming the first martial arts movie to open at number one in four years.

The Forbidden Kingdom exceeded industry forecasts with its 26 million dollars in ticket sales.

Chan and Li play mentors to a modern-day kung-fu devotee who has been hurled back in time to rural China.

It's directed by Stuart Little maker Rob Minkoff and has been well received by the critics.

GeneChing

04-21-2008, 09:54 AM

Journalist Rick Bentley was probably at the same event. It was at the Ritz Carlton. When I get the chance, I'll write up my interviews with Collin and Crystal for the e-zine...

Actors hope 'Kingdom' raises their profiles (http://www.theolympian.com/film/story/424673.html)
Rick Bentley
McClatchy Newspapers

SAN FRANCISCO - Collin Chou and Crystal Liu Yifei traveled different career paths on their way to becoming actors. His path was more physical. Hers was more artistic. Their diverse journeys came together when the pair starred with Jackie Chan and Jet Li in the new action/fantasy film "Forbidden Kingdom."

The actors have arrived in the Bay Area just hours after the Olympic torch run created a furor in the city. The Olympics will be held in August in Beijing. Yifei suggests there is connection between the two.

"I think the work of some great Chinese directors has brought to an American audience more and more of a curiosity about China, especially now with the Olympics," Yifei said during an interview.

She adds that this interest in China is creating more work in American films for Chinese actors. "Forbidden Kingdom" was directed by Rob Minkoff, the man behind the animated "Lion King" and "Stuart Little."

Taiwan-born Chou plays the film's antagonist, the Jade Warlord. The actor is best known to U.S. filmgoers through his work in "The Matrix Reloaded" and "The Matrix Revolutions." But that role came long after he was established in the Hong Kong film world.

The more than 30 films he made there capitalized on his martial arts skills. The 40-year-old actor began his fight training when he was 5.

"A lot of people say martial arts actors don't have acting skills. That is totally wrong. We work even harder than normal actors," Chou said.

Both his martial arts and acting skills were put to the test in this film because of action choreographer Woo-Ping Yuen, the man behind the fight sequences in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." He pushed the actors to make the fights as powerful and poetic as possible.

Chou smiles and says filming the fight scenes was even more demanding just because martial arts film legends Chan and Li were on the set.

"You have to achieve their standards," Yifei said.

Yifei, who was born in China, took a more artistic path to her career. The former model studied singing, dancing and the piano until she moved as a child to the United States with her mother. She returned to China when she was a teenager to pursue an acting career.

In the past six or seven years since then, she has landed several lead roles in Chinese television series and has had a successful music career. She's released on album of rap and soft rock.

Yifei easily related to her role of Golden Sparrow because like her, the character found a balance between her warrior and artistic sides.

It is easy to get caught up in discussing the martial arts portion of "The Forbidden Kingdom," especially with the talent that ends up throwing all of the punches and kicks. But Chou stresses there was more to making this movie than just trying to please martial arts fans.

"This is a very good family movie for people who want to experience an adventure. A lot of people will face difficulties in their lifetime. But this film says 'Never give up.' That is most important to teach people to survive in this world," Chou said.

Now that the film has been released, Chou and Yifei both are ready for more work in U.S. cinema. "Every actor wants to go to Hollywood because it is the largest film industry in the world," Yifei said.

Sihing73

04-21-2008, 04:12 PM

Hello,

Well I did my part for the MA movies, I went to see The Forbidden Kingdom last night :D

The movie was okay, but imho it could have been much better. I did like Sparrow though ;) It was nice to see Jet Li and Jackie Chan together and their speed was amazing. All in all not a bad way to spend an hour or two.

SPJ

04-21-2008, 07:05 PM

I really like to see both jet li and jackie chan play in the same movie again.

jet li seems all serious and then an outburst of great smile or laugh.

jackie being all funny, that is what he wants, to be a comedian to entertain and bring laughters to everyone.

I know it is only a wishful thinking.

I also like to see monkey king sequel or sequel of forbidden kingdom.

my kids like Liu yi fei.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gq3d6OU5Q4&feature=related

for me of course, me like li bing bing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ78L918jRg&feature=related

--

:)

Zenshiite

04-21-2008, 08:10 PM

Saw this in the gift shop of the Chinese garden in Portland Oregon this past summer:

The Monkey King: A Superhero Tale of China, Retold from The Journey to the West (http://www.amazon.com/Monkey-King-Superhero-Journey-Ancient/dp/0938497413/ref=pd_sim_b_img_10)

There's also a new translation of the novel:

Monkey: Folk Novel of China (http://www.amazon.com/Monkey-Novel-China-Wu-Cheng-en/dp/0802130860/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1208833785&sr=8-1)

I think I'll have to get them both someday. One for me, one for my son.

Lucas

04-22-2008, 08:38 AM

Excellent costumes and props. The Jade Warlords Kwan Dao at the end was just sick looking.

Tiger vs. Mantis was fun to watch also. Though it was an easy prediction to figure both jet and jackie's characters would be evenly matched. ;)

GeneChing

04-22-2008, 09:40 AM

Journalist Seto Kit Yan covers a lot of ground in this review. He (or she? :o) gives the film a worldwide context. This is an important film for many reasons. I hope we can take the box office for one more week this weekend.

Yin and yang (http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/22/movies/21018111&sec=movies)
By SETO KIT YAN

Whether or not Jackie Chan and Jet Li oppose or compliment each other in the latest Hollywood flick The Forbidden Kingdom, audiences seem to be lapping up all the action.

The massive hype about The Forbidden Kingdom revolves around it being the first movie collaboration between the two biggest Asian screen martial arts exponents, Jet Li and Jackie Chan. With a working title like The J & J Project, and having Yuen Wo-Ping as action director and Peter Pau as director of photography, the movie promised lots of sparks as the two legends go head-to-head for the first time.

In a recent report by LAT-WP, the Lionsgate Films and Weinstein Co release directed by Rob Minkoff that paired Li and Chan for the first time, topped the weekend box office in the United States with an estimated US$20.9mil (RM65.7mil) in ticket sales.

Financed at an estimated US$75mil (RM236mil) by Relativity Media along with Weinstein and Lionsgate, the martial arts adventure skewed male but attracted an age balance. The audience was 58% male and 54% under 25, Lionsgate said.

“It was a stroke of genius to pair Jackie Chan and Jet Li because the audience responded with a lot of enthusiasm,” said Steve Rothenberg, Lionsgate’s president of domestic distribution, according to the report.
Jet Li and Jackie Chan getting philosophical at the international press conference in Beijing last week.

As keen audiences packed into cinemas last weekend to witness the historic clash of the kungfu titans, the burning question on everyone’s lips was, no doubt, Who really is the Kung Fu Zi Wang (King of Kungfu)?

In Beijing last week during an international press conference to launch the movie, the two superstars were posed the question ... and back bounced an unexpectedly philosophical reply.

“He’s yang and I’m yin,” answered Li. “He hopes for changes to happen overnight while I’m prepared to take things step by step. So, together we perfectly complement each other.

“Yin and yang are one. We cannot say who is better since one cannot exist without the other. How about you, tell me who’s better – man or woman? You can’t pick one, right? Although you can say that sometimes some men are better at certain things and at other times some women are better. That’s why we’re the best of ‘brothers’,” was Li’s clever reply to the rather difficult question.

Chan turned 54 early this month and Li will be 45 this weekend. Together their ages add up to 99 so they really couldn’t wait any longer for their first on-screen pairing. And though they’ve known each other for over 20 years, opportunities to work together had not materialised before.

Their first opportunity came 15 years ago when they both filmed for the same company, Golden Harvest, but plans fell through due to political issues and distribution problems. A second opportunity came seven to eight years ago in Hollywood but, again, things did not work out. This time around, both are glad everything worked out fine.

Prior to the press conference, it was reported that in earlier interviews, both Chan and Li had advised audiences not to expect too much from The Forbidden Kingdom.

Chan explained, “Actually, I’ve never liked any of the movies I’ve filmed. Every time I watch them, I realise that there are areas which can be improved upon. To me, that’s how progress can be made as I embark upon my next movie.”

Li, on the other hand, said: “It’s very simple for me. I just wanted to make a movie for my daughter. I hoped it would be one that all the family could sit down happily and watch together during summer. The challenge was to simplify the culture to make it accessible to a general audience.”

Chan then posed the media present a question, “Have you all watched the movie? Did you like it or not? Honestly, tell us the truth.” Our attempts to put forward our ideas about the movie brought about his next response.
Drunken Immortal Lu Yan (Jackie Chan) and Silent Monk Lan Cai He (Jet Li) sparring in The Forbidden Kingdom.

“After so many years of film-making, when we make American films like Rush Hour, it only appeals to American audiences, but not South-East Asian ones. Similarly, powerful Asian movies like The Warlords are well-received in the whole of South-East Asia but can hardly be marketed overseas to Western audiences,” lamented Chan.

“People like Tom Hanks and Tom Cruise only need to make one movie to appeal to all audiences. Harrison Ford is accepted as he is making the sort of movies he pleases. Yet for us Asian actors, there is a need to make movies to appeal to separate audiences. I hope to make a film that can appeal to both Asian and Western tastes at the same time,” Chan added.

“I believe that it will be possible one day though maybe not so soon. We can slowly convert audiences and it could take many more years. But it can be done,” Li added.

Although Beijing-born Li and Hong Kong-born Chan are both practical and straight-talking action-oriented men, the two couldn’t be more different, where their backgrounds are concerned.

Li started studying Chinese martial arts when he was eight, and trained with the Beijing wushu team. He won his first national wushu championship when he was 11, and has since gone on to win a string of championships; he has been declared a National Treasure by the Chinese Government.

Chan was apprenticed to the Chinese Drama Academy, a Peking Opera School, where he excelled in martial arts and acrobatics since he was six. He joined Seven Little Fortunes, a performance group, and made his first movie appearance at the age of eight.

Playing two characters each in The Forbidden Kingdom, both appeared to have had quite a lot of fun making the movie.

Li is practically unrecognisable as the impish simian warrior Monkey King Sun Wukong as opposed to the serious Silent Monk Lan Cai He, one of the Monkey King’s 72 transformations.

Chan is also barely recognisable while channelling Marlon Brando (from The Godfather) as he portrays blind pawnshop owner Old Hop as opposed to the constantly inebriated Drunken Immortal Lu Yan.

As the Silent Monk and the Drunken Immortal, respectively, Li and Chan tutor South Boston teenager Jason Tripitakas (Michael Angarano) in traditional Chinese martial arts.

In an effort to make Chinese popular culture more easily accessible to Western audiences, all the characters speak English and Mandarin in the dream-like adventure, which is a light-hearted collection of elements from various Chinese classics and myths.

The interview with the two action superstars took place at the China Beijing Hotel barely three days after Li was named best actor at the 27th Hong Kong Film Awards for his dramatic portrayal of the conflicted General Pang Qing-Yun in the Peter Chan-helmed Chinese war epic The Warlords (Tou Ming Zhuang), beating other heavyweights like Andy Lau (also for The Warlords), Aaron Kwok (The Detective), Lau Ching Wan (Mad Detective), Simon Yam (Eye in the Sky).

“Life’s a stage. It’s all a process of acting out different roles from the day you were born to the day you die, and you can’t take anything with you anyway. I don’t need recognition for it but, like Jackie says, winning the award could make the people around me very happy. Even Jackie himself was so glad he hugged me,” said Li.

“Making action movies, which are undoubtedly commercial vehicles, you already get your rewards through the box-office takings. What more can we ask for? It’s only fair for art films to get recognition through awards,” he added.

Chan chimed in: “These days, it can be different. In those days, I’d take the money any time because we had bills to pay and mouths to feed. But now, we can afford to take a good script that allows us a breakthrough even though the budget is on the modest side, like Derek Yee’s Shinjuku Incident, for instance.”

Apart from starring in the Derek Yee-helmed Shinjuku Incident (due in cinemas September), Chan will also provide the voice for Master Monkey in Dreamworks Animation’s Kungfu Panda alongside Dustin Hoffman and Angelina Jolie (out in June). Li will next be seen as the Han Emperor in The Mummy 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (out in July).

Till then you’ll have to be satisfied with the two master fighters having lots of fun, onscreen and off, in The Forbidden Kingdom.

The Forbidden Kingdom, distributed by Buena Vista Columbia Tristar Films (Malaysia), is now showing in cinemas nationwide.

GeneChing

04-23-2008, 09:17 AM

Same story - Kingdom beats Sarah Marshall - but we'll see what next week brings...

'Kingdom' fights to top of box office (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117984308.html?categoryid=13&cs=1)
'Sarah' settles for second
By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK

Lionsgate and the Weinstein Co.’s Jet Li-Jackie Chan starrer “Forbidden Kingdom” was the surprise black-belt master of the weekend box office, beating out Universal’s Judd Apatow romantic comedy “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.”
“Forbidden Kingdom,” produced by Casey Silver, grossed an estimated $20.9 million as it opened in 3,151 theaters on the strength of its star billing and friendly PG-13 rating. It’s the first time Chan and Li have appeared together on the bigscreen.

The heavily marketed and R-rated “Sarah Marshall” grossed an estimated $17.3 million from 2,798 runs to place No. 2, according to Rentrak.

Perf is a mixed bag for Apatow. “Sarah Marshall” opened better than the previous two comedies coming out of the Apatow camp, “Drillbit Taylor” ($10.3 million) and “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story” ( $4.2 million), but fell short of the openings of “Superbad” ($33 million), “Knocked Up” ($30.7 million) and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin” ($21.4 million).

Combined, “Forbidden Kingdom” and “Sarah Marshall” were a shot in the arm for the sluggish box office, which has been consistently running behind 2007 levels. Weekend grosses were up 9.1% over the same frame last year, when “Disturbia” led in its second weekend with $13 million and “Fracture” opened to only $11 million.

Sony holdover “Prom Night” came in No. 3 for the weekend, declining 56% in its second sesh to an estimated $9.1 million from 2,700 runs for a cume of $32.6 million in the horror pic’s first 10 days.

Jon Avnet’s Al Pacino starrer “88 Minutes” -- the weekend’s other new wide release -- came in No. 4, grossing $6.8 million from 2,168 locations. Distributed domestically by Sony, the poorly reviewed film has already played overseas.

Ben Stein’s documentary “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” made the top 10 chart at No. 9, grossing $3.1 million from 1,052 runs for a per- location average of $2,997 after being heavily marketed to conservative religious auds. Docu examines what it says is the attempt of science to suppress the discussion and teaching of intelligent design.

Opening in only 102 locations, Weinstein Co.’s Morgan Spurlock docu “Where in the World Is Osama Bin Laden?” grossed an estimated $143,299 for a tepid per-screen average of $1,405.

Younger males turned out in droves for “Forbidden Kingdom.” Of the aud, 58% were males, while 54% were under the age of 25.

“Forbidden Kingdom” revolves around a teenager (Michael Angarano), who travels back to ancient China and joins up with a band of martial arts warriors to save the legendary Monkey King.

“It was a stroke of genius to pair Jackie Chan and Jet Li,” said Lionsgate prexy of distribution Steve Rothenberg. “Those are exactly the numbers we were striving for. We wanted to get the older martial arts crowd, but we also wanted the teenagers.”

“Forbidden Kingdom” marks the eighth film in a row that Lionsgate has opened to No.1 or No. 2. Lionsgate and TWC are partners on the film, which was financed by Relativity Media. Lionsgate is domestic distrib, while TWC, through its Asian Film Fund, is distributing in some overseas territories.

TWC topper Harvey Weinstein said he believes the film will tap into the family market. “It’s really a four-quadrant movie,” he said.

“Forbidden Kingdom” earned an A- CinemaScore, while “Sarah Marshall” earned a B.

Well-reviewed “Sarah Marshall” played slightly younger and slightly female. Of the aud, 53% were women, while 56% were under the age of 30.

U said it was a terrific start, considering the time of year, and that the film cost only $30 million to produce. Studio predicted the film will have strong legs, although competition could get fierce as the box office moves into summer on May 2, not to mention that U opens Tina Fey-Amy Poehler laffer “Baby Mama” next weekend.

Comedy didn’t have the advantage of a particularly well-known cast, or director. Nicholas Stoller directed, while Jason Segel wrote and starred. Both are members of Apatow’s troupe.

“I think this is a great result, considering how bad the market has been,” said Universal prexy of domestic distribution Nikki Rocco. “Comedy works, and I think people know the Judd Apatow brand, and his films always have a great multiple. This is in that category.”

U prexy of marketing and distribution Adam Fogelson concurred, saying he expects the pic to do four times its opening gross, meaning around $70 million, if not more.

Last summer, U’s “Knocked Up” grossed $148.8 million domestically, while Sony’s “Superbad” cumed $121.5 million. In 2005, Apatow burst on the scene with “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” which grossed $109.4 million. (Apatow directed “Knocked Up” and “Virgin.”)

The prolific Apatow is involved with two upcoming summer films, the Adam Sandler starrer “You Don’t Mess With the Zohan,” which he wrote and produced, and “Pineapple Express,” which he produced.

“Sarah Marshall” was originally set to open May 30, but U moved up the release, in part to get out of the way of “Sex and the City,” which opens the same day. Studio’s “Baby Mama” was always set to open April 25.

While holdover “Prom Night” stood up well against the new competish, Fox Searchlight and New Regency’s R-rated cop actioner “Street Kings” took a steep 68% decline its second sesh to place No. 7. Keanu Reeves-Forest Whitaker starrer grossed an estimated $4 million from 2,469 runs for a cume of $19.9 million. Big Fox is distributing the film.

Fox senior VP of distribution Bert Livingston said he wasn’t sure why itdropped, particularly since the film ranked No. 1 during the week, ahead of “Prom Night.” He said other titles, including “88 Minutes,” may have taken business away.

Smaller fare

On the specialty side, Overture’s “The Visitor” nabbed one of the best per-screen averages of the weekend as it expanded in its second sesh. Film grossed an estimated $163,000 from 18 theaters for a per-screen average of $9,056 and a cume of $280,000.

Searchlight’s docu “Young at Heart” grossed an estimated $144,703 from 33 runs in its second weekend for a per-location average of $4,385 and a cume of $225,617.

Paramount Classics’ Rolling Stones docu “Shine a Light,” directed by Martin Scorsese, grossed an estimated $581,000 from 220 runs for a per- screen average of $2,541 and a cume of $3.8 million in the film’s third frame.

MGM’s “Pathology” grossed an estimated $50,000 from 46 runs for a per-site average of $1,087.

Dragonzbane76

04-24-2008, 08:51 AM

wow has some real competition there. I mean come on a movie of paint drying could hold the top. Not that I'm saying forbidden is bad, just not much out there at the moment.

sanjuro_ronin

04-24-2008, 08:56 AM

Timing is everything, MA teach us that. :D

GeneChing

04-24-2008, 09:39 AM

I'm very serious about supporting this film. I'm always serious about supporting major martial arts films that have breakthrough potential. Next week, I'll be pushing Mamet's Redbelt (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46439). Of course, my heart of hearts is with FK. If we want to see the martial arts film industry rekindle, we have to support films at the box office.

As for the competition, Sarah Marshall was heavily marketed and boasts good pedigree. Producer Judd Apatow was behind Superbad, Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Starring Jason Segel, Kristen Bell and Mila Kunis, and raking in $17.7 mill, that's a sconce better than paint drying.

I think this review was at the same press conference I was at - again, I'll have that written up soon.

‘Forbidden Kingdom’ didn’t originate as Li-Chan vehicle (http://www.examiner.com/a-1355987~_Forbidden_Kingdom__didn_t_originate_as_Li _Chan_vehicle.html)

SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - Jet Li and Jackie Chan have long been considered two of the finest martial artists to commit their ultraphysical, impossibly graceful stunt work to film. It only makes sense, then, that someone would have had the bright idea of casting them together before now in an action epic that would put all others to shame. Right?

Well, yes, except it didn’t happen until director Rob Minkoff (“The Lion King”) and screenwriter John Fusco (“Young Guns”) invited the pair to star in “The Forbidden Kingdom,” a playful, everything-plus-the-kitchen-sink affair in which Li and Chan play mysterious warriors on a quest to rescue the immortal Monkey King.

If that sounds just a tad silly, it is — deliberately so — but Fusco’s story, which began as a bedtime tale he concocted for his 11-year-old son, is also an unabashed love letter to the martial-arts culture that has fascinated Fusco ever since his own boyhood.

“My father was a Korean War veteran, and he picked up this secret form of self-defense there,” says Fusco. “I always begged him, ‘Tell me moves!’ He saw that I was really passionate about it, so I started taking classes at the Academy of Korean Martial Arts in Connecticut when I was 12 years old. It changed my life, and I started reading everything I could find about martial arts and Eastern culture.

“It’s important to remember that this movie wasn’t intended as a Jet-Jackie production. It began as a story that was important to me, that reflected my love for the martial arts and martial-arts cinema.”

Like Fusco, who began studying Shaolin kung-fu eight years ago near his home in Vermont and later in China, Minkoff has spent the last decade living in the United States and Beijing. A rabid fan of martial-arts cinema since childhood, the Palo Alto native jumped at the chance to shoot a film in Heng Dian, China, co-starring two of the genre’s most celebrated masters. But that doesn’t mean he didn’t have misgivings.

“Jet and Jackie are completely different — one is dark, one is light,” he says. “Jackie is the life of the party, Jet is a devout Buddhist. So there is a really strong contrast there. Plus, the movie has an incredible amount of very stylized, very poetic dialogue, and Jackie is more of a silent comedian in the mold of Buster Keaton. It’s the most English language either of them had ever done.

“We knew it could be great or it could blow up in our faces. Ultimately, we really wanted them to share the movie as equals, and for there to be a balance of their personalities reflected in John’s script. I think they did an amazing job connecting with his words and with each other in a way that is really convincing.”

Regardless of their differences in temperament, Chan was impressed by Li’s ability to meet the physical demands of each exhaustively choreographed scene with ease. While Chan admits that most fight sequences require 10 to 15 takes, his high-flying contests with Li took only three to five.

“All I did was tell Jet I’d do these few strokes and let him know my rhythm,” the “Rush Hour” star says. “He would pick up my rhythm and just react with his strokes. That kind of chemistry is rare."

Ronin22

04-24-2008, 10:59 AM

Well Gene I did my duty and supported it last night

I thought it was great even though it was predictable and a little cliche at times but very fun to watch.

Great action and the landscapes were awesome. If im not mistaken that village the kid wakes up in is the same one as in Jet Li's Fearless.......beautiful place.

The part when Jackie tries to make it rain was hysterical!

SPJ

04-24-2008, 11:31 AM

fearless is good and with a catchy song from jay jou.

I wish this movie has some music or a catchy song, too.

with jc and jl 2 kung fu superstars, I can't really ask for more.

I know the story of huo yuan jia and saw many movies about him already.

I wish they develop the other character more before ending with a near death match. well it was meant to kill and not friendly match any more.

monkey king story would attract a lot of crowds already.

I heard that li bing bing and crystal liu do not get along well.

--

but over all, much enjoyed.

good to know, it did well in the ticket box, too.

hope that it has sequel.

me and my brothers are all big fans of the monkey king.

we want more stories.

--

:D

Lucas

04-24-2008, 11:58 AM

Dragonzbane76

04-24-2008, 02:59 PM

As for the competition, Sarah Marshall was heavily marketed and boasts good pedigree. Producer Judd Apatow was behind Superbad, Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Starring Jason Segel, Kristen Bell and Mila Kunis, and raking in $17.7 mill, that's a sconce better than paint drying.

Still your not going to convince me that there are good movies out there now. :)

Of those mentioned above I liked superbad. But Sarah Marshall movie has no appeal what so ever for me. Not my type of movie. Still not much out there at this time. And yes I would rather watch paint dry than Sarah marshall movie :)

GeneChing

04-24-2008, 05:41 PM

Jackie Chan, Jet Li conquer N. American box office (http://www.reuters.com/article/industryNews/idUSN1827098420080420)
Sun Apr 20, 2008 1:35pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - "The Forbidden Kingdom," a first collaboration between action heroes Jackie Chan and Jet Li, kicked its rivals at the weekend box office in North America, also becoming the first martial arts movie to open at No. 1 in almost four years.

According to studio estimates issued Sunday, "The Forbidden Kingdom" sold $20.9 million worth of tickets during its first three days, handily exceeding industry forecasts.

Chan and Li play mentors to a modern-day kung fu devotee (played by Michael Angarano) who has been hurled back in time to rural China. It was directed by Rob Minkoff, best known for making the "Stuart Little" family movies. Most critics seemed to like it.

Other debuts included the raunchy romantic comedy "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" at No. 2 with $17.3 million, the Al Pacino thriller "88 Minutes" at No. 4 with $6.8 million, and the Ben Stein documentary "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed" at No. 9 with about $3.2 million.

Last weekend's top film, the teen horror "Prom Night," slipped to No. 3 with $9.1 million, taking its 10-day haul to $32.6 million. It was released by Screen Gems, a low-budget division of Sony Corp.

"The Forbidden Kingdom" was released domestically by Lionsgate, a unit of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp, with some financial involvement from the closely held Weinstein Co. Lionsgate had hoped for an opening in the mid- to high-teen millions, said Steve Rothenberg, the studio's president of domestic theatrical distribution.

Li, who turns 45 on Saturday, starred in the last "chopsocky" chart-topper, "Hero," which opened to $18 million in August 2004. His most recent effort "War," a thriller co-starring Jason Statham, opened at No. 2 last August, with $9.8 million.

Chan, 54, topped the chart last August with the buddy comedy "Rush Hour 3," which opened to $49.1 million, but ended up underperforming its predecessors.

MALE NUDITY

"Forgetting Sarah Marshall" stars Jason Segel, who also wrote the script, as a guy who is dumped by his girlfriend (Kristen Bell). In a rarity for Hollywood films, the critically acclaimed release depicts full-frontal male nudity.

The film's distributor, Universal Pictures, said the $30 million film opened at the higher end of expectations, and women made up just over half of the audience. It was produced by Judd Apatow, the director of such films as "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" and "Knocked Up." Universal is a unit of General Electric Co's NBC Universal.

"88 Minutes," filmed two years ago and already released on DVD in some countries, was almost unanimously ripped by critics. Daily Variety said it was "easily" the worst of Pacino's storied career. It was released by Sony's TriStar Pictures, which paid $5 million for North American rights and expected to make money on the deal.

"Expelled" makes a claim for "intelligent design," a controversial contention that some biological structures are so complex they could not have appeared merely through evolution. It was distributed by Rocky Mountain Pictures, a private firm based in Salt Lake City, Utah.

It's the male nudity that's turning you off, isn't it Dragonzbane76? I feel ya, bro, I feel ya. Two words: Kristen (http://www.beyondhollywood.com/gallery/kristen-bell-in-maxim-magazine-march-2006/) & Mila (http://www.stuffmagazine.com/cover_girls/girl.aspx?id=509) :p Better than drying paint, I'm tellin' ya. ;)

Dragonzbane76

04-24-2008, 08:21 PM

It's the male nudity that's turning you off, isn't it Dragonzbane76? I feel ya, bro, I feel ya. Two words: Kristen & Mila Better than drying paint, I'm tellin' ya.

haha yeah that's it.

i have no qwam about the women but it takes more than a nice looking A$$ to make a movie. well unless where talking porn then that's different. :)

GeneChing

04-28-2008, 09:34 AM

Well, it was fun to be America's #1 movie while it lasted. I had a feeling that Baby Mama was going to take the box office this weekend. I was tempted to post my prediction, but didn't want to jinx anything.

'Baby Mama,' 'Harold & Kumar' Yuk It Up (http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=2489&p=.htm)
by Brandon Gray
April 27, 2008

Two new comedies perked up the weekend box office to medium range business by late April standards and a sizable increase over the same time last year.

Baby Mama knocked out a solid estimated $18.3 million on approximately 2,900 screens at 2,543 theaters. The $30 million comedy opened slightly higher than last weekend's heavily promoted Forgetting Sarah Marshall, appealing with the kind of pregnancy and parenting humor that has worked in past hits from Parenthood to Knocked Up. According to distributor Universal Pictures' exit polling, 68 percent of Baby Mama's audience was female and 55 percent was over 25 years old.

Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay inhaled an estimated $14.7 million on around 2,900 screens at 2,510 theaters. The $12 million marijuana-steeped comedy more than doubled the start of its 2004 predecessor, Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle, and will soon exceed that movie's $18.3 million final gross. After its modest theatrical run, the first movie expanded its audience, leading to greater box office for the sequel, which promised a similar trip in its marketing.

Also opening, Deception flopped with an estimated $2.2 million at 2,001 venues. Erotic thrillers disappoint more often than not, but this picture was at the bottom of the subgenre.

Last weekend's top two, The Forbidden Kingdom and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, retreated within typical ranges. Forbidden Kingdom deflated 47 percent to an estimated $11.2 million for $38.3 million in ten days, while Sarah Marshall subsided 38 percent to an estimated $11 million for $35.1 million in ten days. 88 Minutes ticked off 48 percent, and Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed devolved a steep 54 percent.

Nim's Island logged the smallest drop among nationwide releases, down 20 percent to an estimated $4.5 million for $39 million in 24 days. 21 and Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! also held well, and the latter is still the highest grossing picture of the year by a country mile with $147.9 million in 45 days. Its reign should be short-lived as the summer movie season kicks off next weekend with the release of Iron Man and the hope of a revitalized box office after a rough past few months.

As of this posting, FK is at $41,517,029 worldwide after two weeks (according to the aforementioned boxofficemojo). Never Back Down (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=47451), the other major movie martial release for 2008 is at $33,614,274 worldwide after 6 weeks, with only a $8,603,195 opening weekend. So FK has the title for the 2008 top martial arts flick so far. I don't have high hopes for RedBelt (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46439), mostly because I can't imagine MMA fans being that into David Mamet and Tim Allen. I think it may be a very promising film, but the best it can hope for is trickle over from sold out showings of Iron Man (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49445). I feel the next real contender is Kung Fu Panda (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39752) - that goes us against You Don't Mess with Zohan (Adam Sandler as a Israeli commando going underground as a hair stylist).

xcakid

04-28-2008, 10:00 AM

Well I saw it yesterday afternoon. Went to matinee cause I am cheap :p

It was pretty good and very well done. One thing that is still causing confusion to me though. How is it that they can speak english in China back in the day? Prior to westerners coming there. :D

GeneChing

04-29-2008, 09:24 AM

I'm delighted to see FK did so well in China. Jet is on a major roll there, eh?

"Forbidden Kingdom" rakes in 16 mln yuan in China's 1st day release (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-04/26/content_8057066.htm)
www.chinaview.cn 2008-04-26 20:38:18

BEIJING, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Martial arts adventure "The Forbidden Kingdom" raked in 16 million yuan (2.3 million U.S. dollars) in Chinese mainland within 24 hours after its Thursday debut, the Beijing News reported on Saturday.

The movie sets the highest opening day box office record in China this year, according to the newspaper.

The movie, featuring two of China most well-known kung fu stars Jet Li and Jackie Chan, tells the story of a modern American teenager hurtled back in time to ancient China, where he is charged with a task to free the fabled warrior -- the Monkey King -- with the help of kung fu masters played by Chan and Li.

China's two major box office blockbusters this year, the military drama "Assembly" directed by Chinese director Feng Xiaogang, and the war epic "Warlords" by Hong Kong director Peter Chan raked in 15 million yuan and 10 million yuan respectively on their first day of release.

A record 1,228 copies of "The Forbidden Kingdom" -- 683 film copies and 545 digital copies -- were ordered for its mainland screening.

"It is reasonable to assume box office income will top 100 million in first week," said Wu Hehu, vice president of the Shanghai United Cinema Line, which operates a chain of cinemas around China.

"The cinema line showed over 30 movies around the country on April 24, and brought in 1.48 million yuan in total. 'The Forbidden Kingdom' alone contributed 1.37 million yuan," Wu said.

The kung fu adventure also brought in 1.03 million HK dollars in its first day public release in Hong Kong on the same day, while the Happy Funeral, a local-made light comedy ranking No.2 inbox office income in Hong Kong on Thursday, brought in only 270,000 HK dollars.

Jimbo

04-29-2008, 06:15 PM

I'm glad that FK at least hit the number one spot its opening weekend, anyway. Truthfully, I did not expect it to hold onto that spot beyond the first week. Martial arts-themed films, and Asian films that hit number one in the U.S. rarely, if at all, stay at that spot more than one week, and tend to drop noticeably after that. But it's a good film after a relative dry spell for m.a. movies in the U.S. theaters.

I did go to see the new Harold and Kumar film; I have to admit, it was pretty funny.

GeneChing

05-02-2008, 09:11 AM

Check out my exclusive e-zine article - Behind the Scenes of FORBIDDEN KINGDOM (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=765) - including interviews with Collin Chou, Crystal Liu, Director Rob Minkoff and screenwriter John Fusco.

冠木侍

05-02-2008, 11:16 PM

I was going to wait but decided not to. I think I should have. This is my initial reaction, not having read or heard anyone else's opinion yet.

As a movie, I was actually disappointed. The contemporary scenes were a bit corny and those gang members were just ridiculous.

Watching Jackie and Jet fight together was amazing. Jackie's "Drunken" style was nice to see again. Jet played a good Monkey King, very playful and obnoxious and his stonefaced (sometimes laughing) Silent Monk was a good foil for Chan's antics and jokes.

Collin Chou was cool to watch. He seems to be getting a bit more American exposure. A bit of irony...he was Jet's replacement in Matrix Reloaded.

I was anxious to see what they would do with the "Bride With White Hair" and they just messed it up. The original movie had a better depiction. Li Bingbing is SOOO attractive but the 'bride' was better played by Brigette Lin.

Liu Yife was the underdog qt in this one. Whether as Sparrow or just a 'Chinatown Girl,' she's got screen presence. I know I'll be seeing her in future films.

Michael's acting in this movie gave me some lines on my forehead. Him screaming in English while other people were speaking Mandarin didn't sit well for me. I think he could've put on a stronger performance. Seems he was still in "Sky High" mode...

All the fight scenes rocked. That, and a chance to see the two gorgeous actresses would probably be my only reasons for watching this movie again.

One man's opinion, like it or not.

jethro

05-03-2008, 07:47 PM

I agree about the lead actor. His acting didn't do it for me, but he did surprise me a bit in the fights. But all I keep reading in reviews is how good his acting is. WHat the hell are these people smoking! I went into the movie thinking it would be horrible, but I liked it. I rated it a 7/10.

doug maverick

05-05-2008, 11:58 AM

and it was good as expected liked the interview with colin the best, the guy is going to do big things. one thing about the pictures of gene that i just couldn;t help but noticing th striking resemblance you have to th star of my film under the gun(a crime story) (http://www.youtube.com/underthegunllc)

WARNING: this is not a plug(ok its a bit of a plug but hey they do look alike)

you can also check out his insanley popular and hillariously funny youtube video's where you can see his face better Shyaporn theerakulstit (http://youtube.com/shyaporn)

he could be your ling lost little brother. except for the fac thats he's thai and your chinese!!!!

GeneChing

05-06-2008, 02:20 PM

Thanks for the props on the article. But comparing me to an thai emo hamlet. I dunno, man, those are fightin' words. ;)

I enjoyed talking to Collin. I made a slight faux pas by starting by telling him I've been following his career. You're never supposed to open with that, but in my case, it was true. Talking to Rob was cool too. He came from this entirely different angle and I got a good laugh out of him with my 'lion king to monkey king' line, to which he countered immediately with his Rafiki comment. That quick comeback was to his credit. Plus he referenced Chuck Jones and I always bow down to masters like Jones. Crystal totally bewitched me. She's really luminous in person - a true starlet - and makes such penetrating eye contact that it was difficult to stay focused. And I've had many discussions with John in preparation for the cover story, so it was really great to meet him in the flesh. We could have rapped for hours, but he was on a rather strict interview schedule.

doug maverick

05-07-2008, 10:15 AM

i once wrought a paper of the relation between the chuck jones cartoon's and good kung fu comedy films. got a b+. as for shy he does all these funny ass video's on youtube that particular one was about how theater is dead check out his one on how asian's are secretly planning to take over the world.

GeneChing

05-08-2008, 09:50 AM

Was your paper before or after Kung Fu Hustle (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28036), doug? If before, you should take it back to your prof and say "I told you so" :p

Another "Forbidden Kingdom" expected (http://www.china.org.cn/culture/2008-05/07/content_15100308.htm)

The overwhelming box-office success of the action-adventure flick "The Forbidden Kingdom" has prompted its producers to shoot a sequel.

Sources from the film's Chinese investor and distributor, Huayi Brothers, said Tuesday they will once again collaborate with Hollywood for part two of the Jackie Chan-Jet Li film, the Beijing Times reported.

The two action heroes will appear in the follow-up film, together with actress Li Bingbing, who made her major Hollywood debut with "Forbidden Kingdom."

The sequel is likely to feature a romance between Jet Li and Li Bingbing's characters, the Beijing Times report says.

According to earlier rumors, Huayi Brothers president Wang Zhongjun said a sequel would be made if global revenue of "The Forbidden Kingdom" hit US$50 million.

The film raked in almost half that amount in its opening weekend in North America two weeks ago, topping the local box office with US$20.9 million. According to the Beijing Times, the US$70-million film has already broken even.

(CRI May 7,2008)

doug maverick

05-09-2008, 09:25 AM

and i actually gave him the paper with a copy of the film. he sent the paper back with an A+. not that it meant anything i wasn't even in college anymore.lol:)

doug maverick

05-18-2008, 07:25 AM

so finally watched this film, and i gotta say i liked it my nephew loved it. i actually was confused a bit with some things and then remembered that the story was written by a westerner. cause certain things didn't make sence to me cause i know alot about the monkey king and so some of the story was a little like huh? and then i read an interview where jackie chan said pretty much the samething. but you know what none of that matters aside from the white kid who really shouldn;t have been in the film at all the film was really good. i didn't know that jet li was actually an investor in the film, and so was yuen woo ping who was the exec. producer or at least one of them. anyway the film reminded me of wizard of Oz. and never ending story combined. i just wish that instead of having a kung fu movie obsessed white kid they could've had a super westernized chinese kid who is so far removed from his culture and then he finds this artifact in his family's attic or something and is transfered back to ancient china. i think that would've made a much better story. also they don't explain why everyone goes from speaking chinese to speaking english i'm going to assume that the staff gave him the abillity to understand what they were saying. thats a stretch yes but its the only explanation i could come up with. i'm gonna give this film a 7 out of 10. lets see what they do with the sequal.

Zenshiite

05-19-2008, 04:10 PM

Doug, I assumed the kid could just suddenly understand because it is... after all, essentially a mystical dream for the dude. At first he's confused and then it's like the subtitles kick in in his kung fu cinema obsessed mind.

I do like your idea for a totally Westernized Chinese-American kid though. That may have worked better, but knowing where the writer was coming from I was pleased. The dude's love for kung fu and kung fu movies and the fact that he wrote this movie based on a bedtime story he told his son make this one great in my opinion. I'll be interested to see what happens for a sequel.

冠木侍

05-19-2008, 07:33 PM

A sequel. It would be a good venue to fix certain things. Li Binbing was underutilized in this movie, as I had noted before. It would be nice to see her in a love scenario.

Let's also not forget Crystal Liu...

Never Ending Story + Wizard of Oz + Warriors of Virtue.

It would not have bothered me to read subs throughout the movie. Jet and Jackie could have just spoken Mandarin throughout. The gimmick that could have been used was that the kid was given an ability to understand Mandarin. Similar to Dougie's idea without the need for mangled English. Since this was almost over 50% a "period piece" of martial arts film, it would have given the ambiance a boost.

Or they could have had Michael A. take basic Mandarin lessons....? Maybe not.

This movie I can see would be very popular with children. Still, the fights i liked.

doug maverick

05-23-2008, 11:06 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dOvea5_iw8

Wood Dragon

06-11-2008, 07:07 PM

For those who have seen the movie:

Right after they start grinding Random Caucasian through the steps of Kung Fu 101, we have a 10second shot of Golden Sparrow performing some taiji-esque empty hand form, which looked pretty cool. Was that actual taiji, or Movie Fu?

GeneChing

07-15-2008, 10:55 AM

"Jackie Chan is a myth and I’m in survival right now."

Changing man Chan (http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-and-lifestyle/2008/07/13/changing-man-chan-91466-21332991/)
Jul 13 2008 Wales on Sunday

Jackie Chan is Hollywood’s favourite all-action hero. Currently starring in The Forbidden Kingdom and Kung Fu Panda, the star tells EMILY LAMBERT why he now wants to make the transition from martial arts star to serious actor...

WHEN Jackie Chan first heard about the concept of his new movie The Forbidden Kingdom, he certainly had his doubts.

“I would never make this kind of film,” he says, smiling. “For me, these kinds of films are ridiculous. It doesn’t make sense. But the American audience, I think, is interested. So every time I make an American film, I trust the American writer and the American director.”

The film sees New York young kung fu fan Jason Tripitikas (Michael Angarano) magically thrust into ancient China where he befriends wise kung fu master Lu Yan (Jackie Chan) and a warrior played by Jet Li.

They team up to free the Monkey King, who has been imprisoned by the powerful Jade War Lord.

Jackie, who shot much of the movie on location in China, says: “This is just like a fantasy – a fairytale but I made this movie because I know American culture and American people like it.”

Despite Jackie’s initial reservations, he couldn’t resist the chance to work with another famous Chinese movie fighter – Jet Li – either.

After years of trying to team up on film, Jackie had almost given up on the idea of working with him by the time The Forbidden Kingdom came along.

“I have always hoped to make movies with some people I really admire, like Dustin Hoffman and Robert De Niro, before I retire from this business,” he says.

“Jet Li is someone whom I have wanted to work with for more than 10 years. Every time I see Jet we say, ‘Let’s do it!’ This time it happened because Casey Silver, the producer, was in the middle. Every 10 days he would call and tell me Jet Li was happy with the script, before sending it to me. He was the one flying back and forth making the whole thing happen.”

But far from being a battle of the egos between two movie martial arts legends, Jackie says co-ordinating fight scenes with Jet felt comfortable.

“After the first cut, the director comes up and says ‘Can you guys slow down?’,” Jackie says with a laugh.

“I want to show off quick and he wants to show off quick, but then we slowed down. It was fun. Fighting with him is very comfortable. I’ve fought so many different actors who just don’t know how to fight. It makes you hurt and it doesn’t look good. And I think because I’m good, it makes him comfortable!”

However, Jet Li is, at 45, almost 10 years younger than 54-year-old Jackie. As the energetic and animated star grows older, it inevitably becomes harder to perform the big kung fu stunts he did so effortlessly on film at a younger age.

Hence one of the reasons Jackie is now trying to make the transition from kung fu movie star to serious actor.

“I think for the last six or five years, I’ve changed my style,” he says, earnestly. “Right after The Forbidden Kingdom, I finished a movie called The Shinjuku Incident. It’s maybe 1% action. Heavy drama. The next one will be big action, then maybe a love story.

“I want to change. I want to be a real actor and not just an action star.

“An action star’s film life is very short. Jackie Chan is a myth and I’m in survival right now.

“It’s been more than 30 years, but how much longer can I keep fighting? This is why I have to change, change, change. I’m not like I used to be – I’m tired.”

Having shattered his body over years of high-octane movie stunts, Jackie isn’t worried about putting himself into risky positions for his art, although these days, safety is paramount on movie sets, with producers unwilling to risk stars’ safety.

“Making a Hollywood film, you don’t get a very big injury risk because whatever they do they have to check first to make sure everything is safe,” says Jackie.

In fact, Jackie seems more bothered about the excessive make-up he had to wear to play the old Chinatown pawnshop owner and the long wig as Lu Yan in The Forbidden Kingdom.

“It’s so itchy and the shooting was so hot in the desert,” he complains. “Probably the young people are used to it. But for the old guy – wow! I could have killed the director!

“The masks and make-up took hours every day. Five days on the go I got up at four o’clock in the morning, then was in make-up until 12.30pm. One o’clock after lunch, first shot. Two shots, then wrap. I said, ‘No – shoot more!”’

Although the Hong Kong-born Jackie still keeps his fame very much alive in Western movies, recently providing a voice for the character of Monkey in Dreamworks hit Kung Fu Panda, he is also keen to help build up the Chinese film industry.

He wants Hollywood to make more Chinese films, something, which as the tourist ambassador for the region, he is passionate about.

“I’d like to thank Disney and Dreamworks for making Chinese culture movies like Mulan, Forbidden Kingdom and Kung Fu Panda,” he says. “Superman and Spiderman, we know. Whenever we try to make some very famous Chinese story overseas, nobody knows about it. But because Disney makes Mulan, now the whole world knows Mulan.

“We need a famous American director or studio to help us make Chinese traditional cultural movies and bring the history to the world. Then people will understand China more. The more they understand, the more people will be interested in China, and the more people will come to China to visit us.”

This year, more than ever, China will be in the public eye, as Beijing plays host to the 2008 Olympics.

Already, the event has been the subject of worldwide controversy with protests over China’s occupation of Tibet during Olympic torch relays. But Jackie is dismissive of the protests, maintaining that politics and sport should be kept separate.

“I’m the Olympic ambassador and I always promote the Olympics,” he declares.

“The Olympics and politics cannot mix. Olympics for me is love, peace and being united.

“I don’t know why but every four years at the Olympics, no matter what country it is held in, a lot of people come out to oppose.

“They did for the US, for Russia. But this year, everyone just concentrates on China. It doesn’t happen just with China, it happens everywhere.

“I want to say, ‘Please understand there are some naughty boys who for no reason, just want to show off on the TV’.

“Like I said, I want more tourists coming to China, watching the Olympics, being welcomed, and more Chinese films,” he adds. “Please for the future, write more Chinese things.”

GeneChing

08-26-2008, 01:31 PM

Ever since FK, I've been following Li Bingbing's career. She's quite remarkable (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51397).

Li Bingbing: Ambassador of Korean Culture (http://english.cri.cn/3086/2008/08/20/1261s396730.htm)
2008-08-20 21:44:13

South Korea's Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Yu In-chon presents a plaque to Chinese actress Li Bingbing appointing her South Korea's Cultural Ambassador in China at his office in Seoul on August 20, 2008. [Photo: ent.sina.com.cn]
Kung-fu blockbuster "The Forbidden Kingdom" has given Chinese actress Li Bingbing not only a solid international following, but also a historic honor.

On Wednesday, Li was appointed by South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as the country's Cultural Ambassador in China. She will be named as the Promotional Ambassador for Seoul by the city mayor on Thursday, Sina.com.cn reported.

That would make the 32-year-old actress the first Asian entertainer in the Korean history to receive two official titles at the same time, Sina says, citing Joongang Daily, a major Korean newspaper.

With the titles, Li will shoulder the responsibility of promoting Korean culture in China.

"The Forbidden Kingdom," lauded as the first cooperation between kung-fu kings Jackie Chan and Jet Li, opened in South Korea in late April to packed houses.

Li Bingbing, who makes her international debut by playing a white-hair demon, has inspired many Korean girls to dye their hair white, Sina says.

SimonM

08-26-2008, 02:08 PM

Li Bingbing, who makes her international debut by playing a white-hair demon, has inspired many Korean girls to dye their hair white, Sina says.

LOLZ! :p :p

冠木侍

08-26-2008, 05:08 PM

She's one of those girls that looks beautiful no matter what color her hair is. That was the same for Bridgette Lin (in my humble opinion).

But this is a first of firsts.

**She looked younger than 32...btw.

KungFuPanda

09-08-2008, 09:37 PM

Was talking about the Jackie and Jet fight with a friend, and he commented how much he enjoyed Jackie's drunken style and liked when they switched to Mantis vs Tiger, but he asked if I knew what Jet was using before he switched to Mantis. I thought I saw a little mantis in there before he obviously went Mantis, but I dunno a thing about kung fu so I ask you people :)

And sorry if it's already been discussed, I've skipped the thread to ask this question and get out of here :)

Lucas

09-08-2008, 10:43 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dOvea5_iw8

lol those guys are funny to set that up.

GeneChing

09-09-2008, 10:41 AM

Kung Fu Tai Chi helped Forbidden Kingdom secure some artwork for the “Monkey King and The Eight Immortals” featurette. It's uncredited in the first edition due to an error - in their rush to get it out, all credits were overlooked - but we're promised to have a credit in the second release.

“Dazzling!” – The New York Times
“Jackie Chan and Jet Li make for a great one-two punch!” – Star Magazine

THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM

Street Date: 9/09/08
Order Date: 8/13/08
DVD SRP: $29.95
DVD Special Edition: $34.98 (2-disc set)
Blu-ray SRP: $39.99 (2-disc set)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The first film to bring together two of the greatest martial arts masters – Jackie Chan (Rush Hour) and Jet Li (War) – arrives this September when Lionsgate releases The Forbidden Kingdom 2-Disc Special Edition on DVD and Blu-ray Disc. Directed by Rob Minkoff (The Haunted Mansion), written by John Fusco (Hidalgo) and choreographed by the legendary Woo-Ping Yuen (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), the film delivers excitement, adventure and fantasy for anyone seeking an adrenaline rush. A tale of two archrivals who unite to challenge a warlord in an epic battle of good versus evil, The Forbidden Kingdom was a box office hit and a favorite of the critics. Nationwide, the film was declared “great fun” (New York Magazine), “a delightful, action-packed martial-arts fantasy” (Los Angeles Daily News), “exhilarating” (Seattle Post-Intelligencer) and “the best martial arts epic ever made” (WBAI Radio). The 2-Disc Special Edition DVD and Blu-ray contain a standard definition digital copy of the film as well as thrilling bonus features including multiple featurettes, a blooper reel, deleted scenes, audio commentary and more! The Blu-ray Disc also features MOLOG™, the first BD Live application that allows users to insert and animate shapes, text, audio and other graphics right into the film as well as post “blogs” about the film to share with other registered MOLOG™ users. The standard one-disc DVD of The Forbidden Kingdom will include a Widescreen and Full Screen version of the film.

In modern-day Boston, Jason (Michael Angarano, TV’s “Will & Grace”), a teenage Kung Fu movie enthusiast, purchases a bootleg DVD from his favorite shopkeeper, Old Hop. When a local bully forces Jason to help rob Old Hop, Jason escapes with an old golden staff that magically transports him to ancient China. He is soon rescued from the forces of the Jade Warlord by Lu Yan (Chan), a raggedy wanderer whose wine-guzzling ways conceal his Kung Fu mastery. Yan, along with the Silent Monk (Li), reveals that Jason is the fabled Seeker who must return the staff to the Monkey King (also played by Li), in order to stop the warlord from carrying out his evil plans. Yan and the Silent Monk join forces to teach Jason the ways of the Kung Fu warrior so he can save their world and return to his own.

*2-DISC DVD SPECIAL FEATURES
DISC ONE:
• Audio commentary with director Rob Minkoff and writer John Fusco
• “The Kung Fu Dream Team” featurette
• “Dangerous Beauty” featurette
• “Discovering China” featurette
• “Filming in Chinawood” featurette
• “Monkey King and The Eight Immortals” featurette
• Blooper reel
• Deleted scenes with audio commentary by Rob Minkoff and John Fusco
• Pre-Visualization featurette – takes the viewer from the storyboards through pre-production animation footage to the final finished look for selected scenes throughout the film, accompanied by commentary from Rob Minkoff

DISC TWO
• Digital Copy of the feature film
*Special features subject to change

*BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES
• Audio commentary with director Rob Minkoff and writer John Fusco
• “The Kung Fu Dream Team” featurette
• “:Dangerous Beauty” featurette
• “Discovering China” featurette
• “Filming in Chinawood” featurette
• “Monkey King and The Eight Immortals” featurette
• Blooper Reel
• Deleted scenes with audio commentary by Rob Minkoff and John Fusco
• Pre-Visualization featurette – takes the viewer from the storyboards through pre-production animation footage
to the final finished look for selected scenes throughout the film, accompanied by commentary from Rob
Minkoff
• MOLOG™ – network connected community and interactive movie blog tool set

DISC TWO
• Standard Definition Digital Copy of the feature film
*Special features subject to change

DIRECTOR
Rob Minkoff: The Haunted Mansion, Stuart Little, The Lion King

CAST
Jackie Chan: Rush Hour, Kung Fu Panda, Shanghai Noon, Rush Hour 2 and 3
Jet Li: upcoming The Mummy : Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, War, Unleashed
Collin Chou: Matrix Reloaded, Matrix Revolutions, Fearless, The Duel
Liu Yifei: Love of May, TV’s "Shen diao xia lu"
Li Bing Bing: Silver Hawk, The Knot, Linger, Dragon Heat, Wait ‘Til You’re Older
Michael Angarano: Lords of Dogtown, Sky High, TV’s “24,” TV’s “Will & Grace”

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Year of Production: 2008
Title Copyright: © 2007 J&J Project, LLC. All rights reserved.
Type: Theatrical Release
Rating: PG-13 for sequences of martial arts action and some violence
Genre: Martial Arts/Action Adventure
Closed Captioned: English Closed Captioned
Subtitles: English and Spanish
Format: DVD: Widescreen and Full Screen
Special Edition: 16x9 Widescreen
Blu-ray: 1080P HD 16x9 Widescreen
Feature Running Time: 104 minutes
DVD Audio Status: 5.1 Dolby Digital EX and 2.0 Dolby Digital; Standard: 5.1 and 2.0 Dolby Digital
Blu-ray Audio Status: 7.1 DTS HD Master Audio and 5.1 Dolby Digital EX

uki

09-10-2008, 07:08 PM

a well-rounded family film... one of my favorite parts was when jackie goes to inquire about jet li stealing the staff... and when jet li pîsses in jackies face. priceless...

GeneChing

09-15-2008, 09:45 AM

In retrospect, one of the greatest things about TFK for me personally was befriending John. We continue to correspond.

John Fusco Enters The Forbidden Kingdom (http://www.moviemaker.com/screenwriting/page2/john_fusco_enters_the_forbidden_kingdom_20080828/)
by Kyle Rupprecht | Published September 12, 2008

When John Fusco was working in saw mills and living on the streets of New Orleans, after dropping out of high school at the age of 16, he never would have imagined his future career as a highly successful screenwriter. His latest film, the martial-arts epic The Forbidden Kingdom starring kung fu veterans Jackie Chan and Jet Li, was released on a two-disc special edition DVD and Blu-ray disc on September 9th from Lionsgate. After more than 20 years in the business, Fusco has assembled an impressive list of credits. From the Western re-imagining Young Guns (1988) starring Emilio Estevez and assorted other brat packers, to the Native American reservation murder mystery Thunderheart (1992) starring Val Kilmer, to the rollicking Arabian adventure Hidalgo (2004) starring Viggo Mortensen, Fusco has demonstrated a knack for writing epic, larger-than-life stories with relatable human characters.

MM spoke with Fusco about The Forbidden Kingdom, screenwriting tricks of the trade and how the industry has changed since the beginning of his career.

Kyle Rupprecht (MM): How did you get involved with writing the screenplay for The Forbidden Kingdom?

John Fusco (JF): It was an original screenplay that began as a story I made up for my young son. He was beginning his study of martial arts and I wanted to introduce him to the classical and philosophical roots of kung fu without preaching. To me, it seemed that the best way to get him passionate about the Chinese myth and literature that informs the art was to create an eastern-western adventure fable that I would make up, as I went, night after night.

When I told producer Casey Silver that I was doing this, he encouraged me to turn it into a screenplay.

MM: You have a background in martial arts. How did you draw on this experience to write the script for The Forbidden Kingdom?

JF: I could not have written the script if I didn’t have that background. I even wrote out the fight scenes using practical martial arts applications and Shaolin styles and counter-styles. Of course, the master [choreographer] Woo-Ping Yuen was going to do what he wanted with those scenes, but he tended to anchor those scenes in the fight stuff that I wrote. For instance, Jet and Jackie dueling with Praying Mantis versus Tiger was written into the script.

As far as the martial arts philosophy in the movie, it all comes from my own study. Martial artists who see the movie get it and appreciate it—including some of the highest ranking masters that I know. Some of the film critics called it “fortune cookie philosophy” and assumed it was some screenwriter stretching for Chinese maxims. But all of the philosophy conveyed in the film came directly from Lao Tzu, Cha’n Buddhism or from Jet Li, and it is all relevant to the character’s journey and understanding of martial art.  

 MM: Many of the films you’ve written are epic adventures. What draws you to this classic genre?

JF: I’ve always been drawn to the relationship between history and legend, and that canvas tends to be a large one.

MM: What films inspired you growing up; which ones made you want to become a screenwriter?

JF: I loved Westerns, kung fu cinema and the Universal horror classics like Frankenstein and Dracula. When I was 10, I would write my own “remakes” of the latter and shoot them in Super 8 with a neighborhood cast and crew. A little later I did the same with Bruce Lee movies. They’re hysterical, but I loved Super 8 and I had my own small editing deck down in the basement.
     
Growing out of that period, I fell in love with films like Lonely Are the Brave, The Night of the Hunter, On the Waterfront, Ace in the Hole. I dreamed of writing screenplays for a living since I was 10 years old. But the films that inspired me to pursue it in a practical way were Midnight Cowboy, Little Big Man, Bonnie and Clyde and counter-culture classics like that. I would eventually get the chance to study with Waldo Salt who wrote Midnight Cowboy, and he mentored me through my first screenplay Crossroads.

MM: How has the screenwriting industry changed since Crossroads in 1986?

JF: It all felt so cutting edge back then. It was very rare for a film school student to break into the business and I was one of only a handful. The New York Times did an article about me selling a script out of my Screenwriting 101 class. Now, that’s not so unusual; there are more opportunities out there with new media and indie films and screenwriters doing their own graphic novels to control their destinies. But it still always comes down to the power and integrity of the story. I think there are more opportunities available, but less inspired and original material.

On a workshop level, computer technology has changed the game in a mind-blowing way since I started. I might be the last of the screenwriters who wrote on an electric Royal and became masterful with a White Out brush. Then Waldo Salt showed me his computer. It was a thing the size of an industrial generator that made crunching sounds when it saved onto a floppy. Having sold my first screenplay, I bought one. But to do research I had to go to the library. A few years later, after moving to Vermont, I’d have to fly to the New York Public to do certain research. Now it’s all right there. The resources and the links to personal contacts are incredible. With that access, screenwriting software and the wonder of e-mail, I think writers have a gigantic advantage compared to when I was starting out. It has certainly made my living and writing out of town easier and I’m surprised that more screenwriters don’t do that now.

As far as trends in the kinds of material, that seems to change monthly, so I can’t point out any overarching transformation. Just when I think a character-driven 1930s Western is dead, I submit a spec script and suddenly there’s as much excitement as I remember when I turned in my first thing 20 years ago. It simply comes down to writing from the heart and that will win over trends and technology every time. It will find its way up the river and nothing will stop it.        

 MM: According to IMDb, you dropped out of high school at 16 to travel the American south as a blues musician and factory worker. How did that experience influence you as a screenwriter?

JF: It was the best prep school for film school that I could’ve had. When I got into NYU (by some miracle or mistake in paperwork), my first class was Basic Screenwriting. The assignment for the semester was to complete a 10-page screenplay. I was shocked that these students began groaning about the task. I didn’t have the vocabulary or the French cinema terms down like they did, but I turned in a 120-page screenplay in a month. Most of the students never did complete their 10 pages.

Hoboing, working in saw mills and living on the streets in New Orleans had given me a backpack of material. I had the 120 pages already worked out in my head, almost line-by-line, because I’d been gathering it and shaping it and taking notes on trains. The road also made me hungry and insanely determined to go back for that first dream, which was telling film stories.

 MM: Do you have any advice for aspiring screenwriters wishing to break into the industry?

JF: Try to tap into content that you truly love and stop reading the online trades to see what’s selling. Even if you have to stop going to the movies for a while, break the cycle of influence and try to reach back to what it was that made you want to write in the first place. Pull out of the pack.

If I look back at the stuff I’ve gotten made, it all comes from some place of passion or interest. Even if you think there might not be something there on the surface, keep digging. Some people are surprised that I just wrote a kung fu movie with Jackie Chan and Jet Li. But that one has been brewing for more than 30 years, steeping back there in the pool of the stuff that I lived for as a kid. That’s where the juice is, I think—way back in that childhood magic. Ray Bradbury wrote a little book called Zen in the Art of Writing. He speaks to this process more eloquently than I can. I recommend reading that book even over Aristotle’s Poetics.

More importantly, go blue collar. Work harder than every other aspiring screenwriter you know. If the other guy is writing for three hours before he goes to his day job, get up an hour earlier than him. Give up your weekend and put a sleeping bag beside your desk—go on a marathon writing bender and barricade yourself. Especially from all of those people who want you to give up. Twenty-three years later, I still do that.