Metallic Attraction Kung Fu Cyborg

[doug maverick]

Perhaps, feeling upstaged by Hollywood in kungfu genre in the recent years, Chinese directors are responding with their answers to X-Men and Transformers. One is Future Cop, directed by Wong Jing, while another is Robot, directed by Jeffrey Lau.

First up is Wong Jing's 《未来警察》 Future Cop(s)(tentative), starring Andy Lau, Big S Barbie Hsu, Xu Jiao, He Jun Xiang, Zheng Yuan Chang, Guo Pin Chao, Chen Chien Chou, which begins production on November 10 in Beijing. The film will later move location to Taiwan and Hong Kong. Not being in a hurry, Wong Jing will not be rushing through post-production, and the film might not be out until 2010. Special effects will be handled by the team behind The Dark Knight.



Andy Lau says that with Ching Siu Tung as the action director, he will have many difficult stunts in the movie, and one of his appearances requires wearing some kind of Iron Man suit, complete with helmet.

Barbie Hsu is just too glad to work with Andy Lau. Both she and her sister Little S are big fans of Andy Lau and the envious Little S hopes to visit the set. Barbie Hsu will be also getting some fighting scenes.



In Future Cops, Andy Lau plays a cop from the future, 2185, while Xu Jiao plays his daughter, who's kidnapped and brought back to 2010. Andy Lau, traipsing through time, will have a cross-dimensional romance with present-day cop Barbie Hsu as they team up to find the kidnappers.



Jeff Lau's going to create what is touted as the Chinese kungfu version of Transformers - or rather Terminator - with 《机器侠》 Robot/Robotic Hero (tentative), his newest film that blends slapstick comedy, moving romance and scintillating kungfu with science-fiction. Producer Zhuo Shun Guo says, "The robot will feel very close, very familiar, very human to us, being the embodiments of Eastern wisdom and power."


Jeff Lau, who's been planning the film for 10 years, says, "I have always wanted to shoot an actual science fiction, I've always been thinking this middle-aged old man has not done any things good enough, but if there's a sci-fi world, if I could be there, could I have done it better?"


Set in the future, Robot, about a newly invented AI robot being planted secretly among the human population in a far-off village to assess its functionalities, will feature a number of fights between the good and bad robots, as well as towering skyscrapers scenes. Reportedly, the film will feature highly realistic CGIs, matching the standard of the live action version of Transformers. Budgeted at 100m yuan, Robot, the first film to be produced by the studio newly formed by Jeffrey Lau and LeTV.com, is eying a summer 2009 release.


The cast will only be announced when production begins on November 19 in Ningbo. Producer Zhuo Shun Guo says that as they wanted Robot to be a film accentuating Chinese characteristics and culture, they picked the utopia-like Ningbo's Zou Ma Tang village, built in AD 988, to be a major filming location. Other notable locations include Oriental Pearl Tower and World Financial Center in Shanghai. Shanghai Afternoon Post, Sohu, Beijing Evening News

[Zenshiite]

I'll believe it when I see it.

[Li Kao]

I experienced a little deja vu when reading this -- Wong Jing already made a movie called Future Cops in 1993, also starring Andy Lau as a time-traveler. That movie was the epitome of Wong Jing crazy-goofy kitsch as the characters were all Street Fighter adaptations.


The Jeff Lau one sounds interesting, but hopefully it's not too slap-stick. I loves me some goofy comedy, and there have been some successful sci-fi/comedy projects in the past, but I think it's one of the genres that doesn't lend itself as well to that.

[doug maverick]

I'll believe it when I see it.

what does that mean? you'll believe the movies when you see them?

[Zenshiite]

I'll believe the realistic CGI like Transformers claims when I see it. Yes.

[doug maverick]

i agree, thats obviously a gross exageration.

[Zenshiite]

It'll be fun to see what they mean by that though.

[doug maverick]

another film from wu jing, kung fu comedy robots doesnt sound that attractive to me but we'll see

Jeffrey's Believe It or Not: Wu Jing is Not Human
-- Robot --

Production of 《机器侠》 Robot, directed by Jeff Lau, has quietly begun production in Ningbo, Zhejiang recently. The cast includes Hu Jun, Sun Li, Wu Jing, Alex Fong Lik Sun, Ronald Cheng. This is a film that blends slapstick comedy and romance with advanced technology. Budgeted at around US$10m, the film features explosive battles between robots as well as between humans and robots, replete with special effects.

Jeffrey Lau says that the idea for A Chinese Robot came a bit later than A Chinese Tall Story. He has been formulating the outline of Robot in his brain for ten years, "I've always been affected by love stories. I've always been contemplating how to combine advanced technology with latest filming techniques. It's only after watching Transformers, which Hollywood did very well, did I make up my mind to shoot this film.

"It gave me a push, giving me another idea, our robots can be well-versed in Chinese kungfu. I requested my designers that the robots must not only be unique looking but also possess our unique oriental traits."


"Faye Wong always gives a cool look, but I uncovered her comedic side in Chinese Odyssey 2002. Everyone sees Hu Jun looks as a tough guy, but I see the childlike nature in him, that kind of comical feeling that no one else has explored. So, let me be the first.

"Sun Li plays Hu Jun's sister, she falls for a robot belonging to the nation, but she is not aware of his/its true nature. That kind of love is very moving ,very special. I feel that what makes a film memorable is the expression of one's attitude, approach towards love.



"Wu Jing will play another robot, his wushu skills coupled with advanced technological elements will show us something we've never seen in him before. In other words, I'll overturn all their previous images." Beijing Star Daily, Beijing Youth Daily

[doug maverick]

Do Robot Fall In Love?

-- Robot --
Jeff Lau says that Robot succeeds the slapstick comedy and narrative style he employed in A Chinese Odyssey, but the major difference being various factors change with times. Robot is set against science-fiction backdrop, and robots in the film will not be restricted to just one or two. While the film will carry comical elements, romantic elements, and Jeff Lau elements, it will be very different from his earlier works, giving the audience an exciting novelty.

Jeff Lau says that Hu Jun plays a righteous hero robot, he picked him not just due to his hardy image, but also because he was moved by Hu Jun's crying scenes in Getting Home. Jeffrey Lau says that the robots may also be entangled in affairs of the hearts, "Hu Jun's love for Sun Li is unilateral, while Sun Li falls for a national robot.



"Actually, there are many happy and light-hearted situations in the movie, the romance is very moving, but it doesn't necessarily ends with 'And they live happily together ever after'. Love entails sacrifices, this is what true love is."



Wu Jing is not the main villain in the film, but rather an errant knight-errant robot, one that has committed a mistake, and he will get plenty of chances to flex his kungfu muscles. On being asked about the film, Wu Jing says that Jeffrey Lau is one with very high level wisdom, and he looks forward to having a wonderful collaboration with him and hopes to have more chances to work with him in the future.


The main cast Hun Jun, Sun Li, Wu Jing, Eric Tsang et al. will only be arriving in Ningbo on around December 14, and filming inauguration will be held in around middle of the month.


The story goes something like this: A national research department has just created a male AI robot programmed with various real emotions functions. To acclimatise the robot with humanity, the inventor sends him to Zou Ma Tang, an isolated village in Ningbo to live with the sheriff's family.

However, the robot and the sheriff's sister/daughter (Sun Li) develop feelings for each other over the course of time. To enable himself to be in relationships with human, the robot attempts altering his own routines, but things go wrong, resulting in various unexpected funny moments. The relevant department gets wind of this and sends four assassination robots after him.www.wu-jing.org

[doug maverick]

ok saw the english language trailer to this film. and like i said beofre it doesnt look attractive. in fact this movie looks gawd aweful, its a skip for me.

http://video.sina.com.cn/ent/m/c/2009-04-01/183038326.shtml


the end of the trailer shows some cool cg stuff, but still. gonna wait to see this one. maybe an illegal download. just kidding...

[Zenshiite]

That looks horrible.

Also, that's got to be the worst trailer I've ever seen.

[doug maverick]

im telling you. wow that was so bad. and the trailer my gawd.

[GeneChing]

Oh man, how can you resist something called Metallic Attraction Kung Fu Cyborg?! This is a not-to-be-missed one for me.
;)

[doug maverick]

ill watch it. cause some stuff did intrigue me but **** that was such a bad trailer.

[GeneChing]

Doug, I totally have to update the title here from Robot to Metallic Attraction Kung Fu Cyborg. It's great to have you post the working titles as soon as you hear some buzz, but I like to keep things updated so threads have the actual release title. Plus I just can't resist Metallic Attraction Kung Fu Cyborg.


200 Mln Yuan Box Office Predicted for "Cyborg" (http://english.cri.cn/6666/2009/06/15/1321s493366.htm)
2009-06-15 10:43:37 CRIENGLISH.com Web Editor: Tian Tian
By Liu Wei

The box office receipts for director Jeffrey Lau's superhero movie "Metallic Attraction: Kungfu Cyborg" are expected to reach 200 million yuan, or about 30 million US dollars, according to Wang Yuntian, an official with the production company 'Shanghai Film Group'.

The 10-million-US-dollar budget sci-fi comedy is full of CGI scenes and presents visual effects as good as "Transformer", Wang Yuntian said.

All the big-name cast members attended a press conference for the movie in Shanghai on Sunday. However, their thunder was stolen by a 'KX', a robot modeled on Bruce Lee.

"Compared with foreign superheroes, Mr. KX is more considerate," said Sun Li, who fell in love with the robot in the movie, "he knows what girls want and it's easy to love him."

But the super fighting robot ran into program errors whenever he tried to show affection, causing many comical incidents.

"Infernal Affairs II" actor Hu Jun, who is known for his previous tough-man character roles, tried his hand at comedy for the first time and played the love rival of the robot "KX".

"Metallic Attraction: Kungfu Cyborg" is set for Chinese release on August 13th and there will probably be a second installment next year.

"The movie is open-ended," said Sun Li, "the director has told me the story of the sequel, and I think it's a good one."

[GeneChing]

August 05, 2009
Kung fu Transformers (http://timesonline.typepad.com/blockbuster_buzz/2009/08/you-may-have-thought-that-michael-bay-had-the-monopoly-on-mechanical-mayhem-in-his-blockbuster-transformers-movies-but-t.html)

You may have thought that Michael Bay had the monopoly on mechanical mayhem in his blockbuster Transformers movies; but the Internet has been abuzz this week over the trailer for the brilliantly named Kung Fu Cyborg that shows he’s not the only one who can bring loud explosions and slow motion fight scenes to the people.
Made by Hong Kong film-maker Jeffrey Lau, the film is tagged as a “martial arts sci-fi comedy” and it’s difficult to glean anything else from the trailer other than this will be some kind of love story with an awful lot of robots high-kicking the carburettors out of each other. It looks suitably crazy though and Lau, who was a producer on the highly enjoyable Kung Fu Hustle, has some pedigree with action/comedy so this could be a lot of fun. And isn’t that really what we want from a movie about giant robots?

Whatever the case it’s certainly value for money, costing a mere $14million to make; a fraction of the reported $200million Bay spent on his high-tech alternative to drying paint.
Metallic Attraction: Kungfu Cyborg Full Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfyHzr03oaM) Here's that trailer again, now on YouTube. This trailer has got to have the worst dubbing ever. That makes me want to see this even more.

[GeneChing]

I mean the kung fu Cyborg. The MMA Cyborg (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55005)has already gone. ;)
There's video...click link.


Sci-fi film Kungfu Cyborg hit big screen (http://english.cctv.com/20090817/101227.shtml)
2009-08-17 09:03 BJT

Romantic sci-fi film "Metallic Attraction: Kungfu Cyborg", directed by acclaimed Hong Kong director Jeffrey Lau, had its grand premiere on Wednesday in Beijing. The director escorted cast members, including Eric Tsang, Hu Jun, Sun Li and Wu Jing to the release, promoting their latest effort.

The stunt-filled slapstick comedy is a battle of good and evil between robots, showing their self-redemption in the process.

Actor Eric Tsang said, "Many cinema goers burst into laughter at the beginning of Jeffrey Lau's film, but leave the cinema in tears. When they are back home recalling the scenarios, they laugh again."

The story takes place in a futuristic world, where robots are at war with each other. Hu Jun plays a police officer who becomes a cyborg. Sun Li plays the adopted sister of Hu Jun, who falls in love with a cyborg. Wu Jing plays a robot who has become evil but eventually turns over a new leaf.

Compelling visual effects add to the film's luster. It's all the work of a team of computer experts who once contributed to the movie "Kungfu Hustle". From a variety of sophisticated weaponry tailored for the cyborg, changes to its appearance, and the movie's special effects, theater-goers can expect a lot of surprises.

"Metallic Attraction: Kungfu Cyborg" is slated for release nation wide on August the 20th.

[GeneChing]

...and then the race is on for the first review here. On your marks, gentlemen!


Tuesday August 25, 2009
Breakthrough role (http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2009/8/25/movies/4567949&sec=movies)
By SETO KIT YAN

Hong Kong actor Alex Fong exercises his acting chops playing a cyborg in Kungfu Cyborg.

LIKE many guys, Hong Kong actor Alex Fong Lik Sun likes robots and grew up playing with toy robots. But never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined himself playing a robot one day.

In a telephone interview from Hong Kong, Fong shared his excitement about playing a cyborg in Chinese actioner Kungfu Cyborg.

“Since becoming an actor, I usually get cast as an ordinary young man or in love stories. Yet, in my very first big budget production, I got the opportunity to deal with subject matter that is so fresh and unique.

“Moreover, this is China’s first robot film and I get to play a cyborg in it. I feel very fortunate.”
Cybernetic organism: From left, Alex Fong Lik Sun and Hu Jun star in Kungfu Cyborg.

Fong plays cyborg K-1 (named Deming in its human guise), who is on a top secret mission to track down rogue android K-88 (played by Chinese action star Wu Jing).

The US$10mil (RM35.3mil) martial arts/ sci-fi romantic comedy is helmed by Jeff Lau Chun Wai. Lau is famed for making A Chinese Odyssey, series of cult hits with rubber-faced comedian Stephen Chow Sing Chi as the Monkey King.

“I’m very glad the project is a dream come true for Jeff and many others involved in its making. Hence, it is especially meaningful,” offered the former professional swimmer who represented his homeland in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Touted as China’s answer to Transfomers, Kungfu Cyborg sees an ensemble cast of Hu Jun, Wu Jing, Sun Li and Gan Wei from China as well as Eric Tsang, Ronald Cheng and Law Ka Ying from Hong Kong.

“I did not know about my role until the week before I flew to Ningbo to commence shooting,” said the 29-year-old actor, adding that filming also took him to Hangzhou and Shanghai.

“I asked the director why he didn’t tell me earlier as I could have done more research to prepare for my role. He said it was because he did not want me to come too prepared. He wanted me to arrive fresh so he wouldn’t have to deconstruct any preconceived ideas I might have formulated of the character,” Fong explained.

“Filming the movie was not easy as it was winter and even the director fell ill – something which has never happened to Lau in all his years of movie making,” revealed Fong, who regards Lau as his mentor since he first worked with the filmmaker in The Fantastic Water Babes (2008).

Fong said: “Although I appear to be like a human being most of the time, there’s always the underlying robotic consciousness that shows I’m a cybernetic organism.

“He’s quite a multi-faceted character and I had to conjure up bizarre and even outrageous expressions.” Fong shared that the stylist spend more time on his hair and face than on his wardrobe.

“I wore a half-wig, as the front portion is fake hair. I also had some reflective substance sprayed on my face for that mannequin-like appearance.”

Since his joining show business in 2001, Fong has 10 albums, six TV series and 23 movies to his name.

When asked what else he would like to explore, he quipped, “I look forward to publishing a photobook. It actually takes a lot of hard work. You have to work out and keep fit before you can even think of doing something like that.”

■ Kungfu Cyborg, distributed by RAM Entertainment, opens in local cinemas nationwide on Thursday. Free tickets!

IN conjunction with the wide release of Kungfu Cyborg in Malaysia, RAM Entertainment is giving away free movie passes to StarTwo readers.

Just cut out this coupon and head over to GSC Tropicana Mall City, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, tomorrow evening. Ticket redemption begins at 8pm and each person is entitled to redeem two tickets on a first-come-first-served basis. Screening begins at 9pm.

Screening details:
Movie: Kungfu Cyborg
Date: Wednesday (Aug 26) at 9pm
Venue: GSC Tropicana Mall City


Shanghai:Movie reel
By Chen Nan (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-08-22 14:02
Shanghai:Movie reel
Metallic Attraction: Kungfu Cyborg
(http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cityguide/2009-08/22/content_8603860.htm)
Hong Kong director Jeffery Lau, the producer of Stephen Chow's Kungfu Hustle and co-founder of Jet Tone productions with Wong Kar-wai, brings to the big screen his Chinese version of Michael Bay's blockbuster Transformer movies, Metallic Attraction: Kungfu Cyborg.

The film, which opened in cinemas this week, is set in the year 2046, when robots are invented for the purpose of serving mankind. De Ming (Alex Fong) is the first generation of the AI android created to protect the police force.

Under the supervision of Xu Dachun (Hu Jun), De begins job-training in a remote village, where his true identity is kept secret.

An assignment to capture runaway robot K-88 (Jack Wu) soon leads De and Xu into heavy battle. After K-88 explains why he no longer wants to be a robot, De is torn about his own robotic nature.

The situation is further complicated by Su Mei (Betty Su), De's female colleague who is falling for him, unaware De is also a robot.

A departure from Lau's previous works, the sci-fi romance created over the past decade featuring Chinese robots is meant to offer a new spin on classic Hollywood heroes like Spiderman and Superman. The combination of Westernized robots and Chinese kungfu fighting elements also add compelling visual effects.