Skiptrace

[GeneChing]

Jackie Chan Lining Up English-Language Action Comedy (Exclusive)
Jay Longino has been hired to write the project, which Chan will star in and produce. (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/jackie-chan-movie-english-342658?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thr%2Fnews+%28The+Hollywood+R eporter+-+Top+Stories%29&utm_content=Google+Reader)
4:56 PM PDT 6/27/2012 by Borys Kit

Jackie Chan is making moves to make his next action movie.

Chan’s JC Group International and Beijing-based production and distribution company Talent International Media Group are teaming up to produce the untitled project and have hired Jay Longino to write it.

Based on an original idea of Chan’s, the story is a two-hander action comedy featuring a detective (Chan) who must track down an American gambler that has skipped out on his debt owed to a Macau casino syndicate. The settings include Hong Kong, Macau, Eastern Europe and mainland China.

Chan is attached to star and will also produce, along with Esmond Ren of TIMG and David Gerson of InterTitle Films.

TIMG will co-finance the film as a Chinese co-production. Many of Chan’s recent projects, especially those made in China, have been in Chinese but this latest one will be in English.

Chan's latest movie is Chinese 12 Zodiac, which he directed, wrote, produced and starred in. The action-adventure picture will premiere in Beijing on December 12, 2012.

Chan, TIMG, and InterTitle are repped by WME. Chan is also repped by Bloom Hergott.

Longino is a feature writer who most recently sold the pilot Raising Blind to FX with Vin Diesel and Ben Younger exec producing. He is repped by WME, ROAR and Morris & Yorn.

We'll change the title thread from "Untitled English-Language Jackie Chan Action Comedy" to whatever this film will be called, when we find out...assuming it gets that far.

[Jimbo]

I give JC all the credit in the world. But I've been finding it very difficult to be excited about any new productions from him, since after DM2 ... but definitely after Gorgeous. I don't think it's just because he's older, either. I remember back in the '80s in Taiwan, when a new JC film was a much-anticipated event, usually at Chinese New Year and summer. As in all things, times change and the creative well often runs dry (or dryer).

[GeneChing]

Will Fan be the next China doll to hit America?

Chan and Fan jump for Skiptrace (http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/chan-and-fan-jump-for-skiptrace)
By Patrick Frater
Tue, 07 May 2013, 10:09 AM (HKT)
Production News
http://www.filmbiz.asia/media/BAhbB1sHOgZmSSI5MjAxMy8wNS8wNi8xOS8xNC8xNS84NjgvSm Fja2llX0NoYW5fRmFuX0JpbmdiaW5nLmpwZwY6BkVUWwg6BnA6 CnRodW1iSSINNTAweDEwMDAGOwZU?suffix=.jpg&sha=6b189ab3

Chinese superstar Jackie CHAN 成龍 will re-team with leading actress FAN Bingbing 范冰冰 on Skiptrace, an English-language action comedy to be set up as a US-Chinese co-production.

Chan previously worked with Fan on Shinjuku Incident 新宿事件 (2009) and Shaolin 新少林寺 (2011). It represents another role in an English-language movie for Fan who is also cast in X-Men: Days of Future Past.

In a story reminiscent of earlier Chan films, he stars as a Hong Kong detective who hunts down a mouthy American gambler on the run from creditors, before joining forces to take down Hong Kong's most notorious criminal.

The film will be directed by British director Sam FELL from an original idea by Chan. It is to be co-financed and co-produced by Exclusive Media and Talent International Media Co Ltd 北京唐德國際文化傳媒有限公司.

International sales will be handled by Exclusive Media's in house sales unit, which will introduce the project to buyers at Cannes. Charlie COKER of Cyrte Investments, also an investor, will executive produce.

Police Story 2013, an extension of Chan's signature action franchise, is in post-production. It is directed by DING Sheng 丁晟 and co-financed by Wanda Media Co Ltd 萬達影視傳媒有限公司 and ChinaVision Media Group Ltd 文化中國傳播集團.

Talent International is the film-making subsidiary of Zhejiang Talent Talent & Film Co Ltd 浙江唐德影視股份有限公司, a media group spanning development and talent management, to post production and distribution. It previously collaborated with Chan on the production of CZ12 十二生肖 and Little Big Soldier 大兵小將 (2009).

[GeneChing]

Jackie Chan wants to be serious but will never quit action films (http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/17/entertainment-us-cannes-jackiechan-idUSBRE94G0KH20130517)
http://s1.reutersmedia.net/resources/r/?m=02&d=20130517&t=2&i=732682131&w=460&fh=&fw=&ll=&pl=&r=CBRE94G18D700
Actor Jackie Chan poses on a yatch during a photocall for the film 'Skiptrace' at the 66th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes May 16, 2013. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
By Belinda Goldsmith
CANNES | Fri May 17, 2013 11:58am EDT

(Reuters) - After countless broken bones and smashed teeth, Jackie Chan has given up doing his own stunts and wants more serious roles but the Kung Fu actor says he will never stop being an action star despite earlier plans to quit big action movies.

At the Cannes film festival to promote his upcoming film "Skiptrace", the Hong Kong actor said at 59 he could no longer do his own stunts as it took so long to recover from any injury.

"I am not a superhero," Chan, in a white polo-necked shirt and Chinese-style jacket, told Reuters on Friday in an interview at a beachfront restaurant on the French Riviera.

"I really want to be like an Asian Robert de Niro who can do all kinds of things - comedy, drama, heavy roles," he said, adding that he would love the chance to play a villain.

Chan, who has starred in more than 150 films in a career spanning more than 40 years, last year said he would retire from big action movies after "Chinese Zodiac 2012", released in December.

It was quite an announcement from an actor who made his name flying across the big screen in hand-to-hand combat and car chases in films like "Rush Hour" and "Police Story".

"I am not young any more ... and I don't want to break my ankle or my arm again," he said, adding that he currently needed a shoulder operation.

His next film is an action movie, "New Police Story 2013", the sixth in the franchise, that had its first public screening last month at a film festival in Beijing where Chan now lives, and will hit theatres later this year.

"Skiptrace" is an action comedy in which he joins forces with rising Chinese actress Fan Bingbing, known from "X-Men: Days of Future Past". The film is due to start shooting in September for release next year.

The story follows a Hong Kong detective who forms an unlikely partnership with an American gambler as they try to track down Hong Kong's most notorious criminal and embark on a wild journey across China.

Chan said he had wanted to write "Skiptrace", a road movie through China, for about 20 years but it was only now that the time was right to make the film as China was now more accessible and well equipped for the film industry.

But he admitted it was another action movie.

"Every action star always wants to say they (will stop) but at the end they have to do it again. Like (Sylvester) Stallone. He never stops. Like me, I will never stop," said Chan.

"But an action star's life is so short. I want to let audiences knows that I am an actor who can fight. I am not an action star who can act."

Chan was one of a crowd of Chinese actors and directors at Cannes for the world's largest film festival where the main competition of 20 films includes "Tian Zhu Ding" ("A Touch of Sin") by director Jia Zhangke. The film received mixed reviews.

A new film by Chinese filmmaker Johnnie To called "Blind Detective" will be screened at a midnight showing on May 19. Jackie will never stop being Jackie...unless he dies doing some crazy stunt.

[GeneChing]

Didn't see this one coming...

Seann William Scott Joins Jackie Chan, Fan Bingbing in ‘Skiptrace’
OCTOBER 21, 2013 | 07:07PM PT
Shooting starting on Jan. 13
Dave McNary
Film Reporter
@Variety_DMcNary

http://pmcvariety.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/seann-william-scott.jpg?w=490&h=276&crop=1

In a pre-American Film Market move, Seann William Scott is teaming up with Jackie Chan and Fan Bingbing in action-comedy “Skiptrace.”

Exclusive Media is selling international markets at AFM. Sam Fell will begin shooting on Jan. 13.

Exclusive Media and China-based Talent International are co-producing and co-financing. Chan is producing with David Gerson; Dasym Investment Strategies will exec produce along with Dasym’s Charlie Coker.

Based on Chan’s original idea, the script is written by Jay Longino and co-written by Brian Gatewood and Alessandro Tanaka, and David Posamentier and Geoff Moore.

Chan will portray a Hong Kong detective who has been tracking a crime boss for over a decade, and Bingbing will portray his niece, who gets into trouble with the syndicate. Scott will portray a fast-talking American gambler who helps Chan’s character.

Scott is repped by ICM Partners and the law firm Sloane, Weber, Offer, and Dern.

[GeneChing]

Renny Harlin to Direct Jackie Chan, Seann William Scott in 'Skiptrace' (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/renny-harlin-direct-jackie-chan-705762)
4:10 PM PDT 5/19/2014 by Borys Kit

Fan Bingbing also is starring in the movie.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/blog_post_349_width/2013/02/renny.jpg
Getty Images
Renny Harlin

Renny Harlin is in talks to direct Skiptrace, an action adventure movie starring Jackie Chan and Seann William Scott and being made by China’s Talent International Film Co. and Dasym Entertainment.

Exclusive Media was previously behind the movie but since its disintegration, parent company Investment Strategies B.V. has moved it to subsidiary Dasym.

The newly launched sales company Bloom, run by former Exclusive exec Alex Walton as well as Ken Kao, now is running point on the film at Cannes.

Harlin replaces Sam Fell, who directed the animated film Paranorman and was to make his live-action debut on the English-language action comedy.

The story, based on an idea by Chan, centers on a good cop (Chan) whose niece (Fan Bingbing) gets into trouble with a crime syndicate run by a man the detective has been chasing for a decade. The cop is forced to track down the one person who can help save the niece -- a fast-talking American gambler (Scott) -- and bring him to Hong Kong.

Production is to begin in August.

Talent International and Dasym Entertainment will produce along with Chan, Esmond Ren, Charlie Coker, Damien Saccani and David Gerson.

Harlin is the director behind such action films as Die Hard 2, Long Kiss Goodbye and this year’s Legend of Hercules, which starred Kellan Lutz. He is repped by UTA.
I could see Scott being a good comic foil for Jackie, like Wilson or Tucker was, at least for a Hollywood production.

[GeneChing]

Jackie Chan Will Fight Former Divas Champion Eve Torres Or Fall In Love With Her Or Whatever In A New Movie (http://uproxx.com/prowrestling/2014/09/jackie-chan-will-fight-former-divas-champion-eve-torres-or-fall-in-love-with-her-or-whatever-in-a-new-movie/)
By Danielle Matheson / 09.09.14

http://uproxx.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/eve_torres_pose_raw.jpg?w=650&h=365

Former WWE Diva Eve Torres announced via her Twitter that she’s accepted a role in an upcoming Jackie Chan project:


EVE TWEET
Via twitt

I am SUPER excited to announce that I am off to Beijing, China for a sweet role in an upcoming film! I am totally thrilled because I will be working with one of my childhood idols, Jackie Chan! I will be learning from the best, working hard, and having a blast, so I may have limited internet access in China. I will try to keep you guys posted with pictures, blogs, and updates over the next couple months! – evetorres.com

She’ll star alongside Jackie Chan and Johnny Knoxville in Skiptrace, the story of a Hong Kong detective who teams up with an American gambler to battle a Chinese criminal. The film, set for release in 2016, is helmed by director Renny Harlin, known for his work on films scuh as Die Hard 2, Cliffhanger, and the critically adored Andrew Dice Clay epic The Adventures of Ford Fairlaine.

Eve Torres was probably one of the best things WWE had going for it before she left to marry into some unheard of family and empower women. I don’t get hype, I stay hype for her having nice things outside of wrestling.
WWE Divas would be better if they added swords (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?41007-Sword-hotties).

[Jimbo]

WWE Divas would be better if they added swords (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?41007-Sword-hotties).

I think Eve Torres would be good in a JC movie. I seriously doubt she'll be a love interest for JC, however. Although in real life JC has a wife and mistresses, onscreen he behaves like women have cooties. I can see her fighting JC and tying him up with her BJJ.

My sister-in-law's younger cousin was a TNA Knockout several years ago. During that period, the 'Knockouts' were far better in-ring than the WWE 'Divas', a lot more 'hard-core'.

[GeneChing]

Jackie Chan's cameraman drowns on set of new film 'Skiptrace' (http://shanghaiist.com/2014/12/18/jackie-chan-skiptrace.php)

http://shanghaiist.com/attachments/katienelson/jackie-chan-skiptrace.jpg

A 51-year-old cameraman died on Wednesday while filming for Jackie Chan's new movie Skiptrace. Chan Kwok-hung fell overboard and drowned when a boat carrying crew members capsized near Lantau Island.

The seven other crew members onboard were able to swim 100 feet to shore for safety, according to an SCMP report, which added that Jackie Chan was not believed to have been on the boat at the time. The Hollywood Reporter said that the movie star was on shore when the boat capsized and jumped in the water to help rescue crew members.

Chan Kowk-hung had more than 20 years of experience in the movie industry, and had worked with prominent Hong Kong directors including Stephen Chow, Jingle Ma and Chan Chi-ying.

Tenky Tin Kai-man, chairman of the Movie Production Executives Association, told SCMP that there were plans in the works to tighten safety regulations on set. "We had a discussion of whether we should revamp our safety guidelines earlier this year, but this accident happened before our revamp," he said, adding that the company would help raise funds for Chan Kwok-hung's family.

The action-comedy film Skiptrace, a joint production between the US and China, features Jackie Chan, Fan Bingbing and Johnny Knoxville. Its release date is set for 2015.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3utpzQz6bc
I hate to hear news like this. So tragic.

[GeneChing]

Bummer that it came after the posters, but at least it was done.

Jackie Chan donates a million dollars to Hung's (https://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/news/jackie-chan-donates-million-dollars-hungs-061900799.html)
From Cinema Online Exclusively for Yahoo Newsroom
By Heidi Hsia | From Cinema Online Exclusively for Yahoo Newsroom – 17 hours ago

https://s1.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/CkjGKbGp7kAN_rXxq1_pkg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9aW5zZXQ7aD0zMDA7aWw9cGxhbmU7cT 03NTt3PTQwMA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en_MY/News/YBrandCinemaOnline/7cn_jackiedonatesmillion00.jpg
Jackie Chan donates a million dollars to Hung's

2 Jan – It was revealed that Hong Kong action superstar Jackie Chan had recently donated HKD 1 million (approx. USD 128,940) to the family of the late cinematographer, Chan Kwok Hung.

According to Oriental Daily News, legal representatives of the movie, "Skiptrace" issued a statement on 1 January and revealed the donation, after several posters were spread anonymously in the streets recently, saying that the actor has not raised a penny while others have donated money to the victim's family.

The statement stated that the company is doing everything possible to assist Chan's family through the trying times, and that Jackie has donated HKD 1 million to Mrs. Chan.

It also mentioned that the Hong Kong Society of Cinematographers have confirmed the donation.

Cinematographer Chan Kwok Hung (also known as Hilton Chan) passed away in a tragic incident last December, when the boat that carried him and seven other film crews capsized 100 meter from the shore of Lantau Island.

He was 51.

[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gOtiia_ypA

IMDB lists this as a Xmas eve release but only in China so far...

[GeneChing]

She was just named the 4th highest paid actresses in the world by Forbes (http://www.forbes.com/pictures/emjl45eddhj/4-bingbing-fan/).
#1: J-Law, #2: Scar Jo, #3 Melissa McCarthy...and #4:

The World's Highest-Paid Actresses 2015
5 of 19

http://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/55c90b28e4b0ffa7afe3c7d1/0x600.jpg?fit=scale&background=000000

4. Bingbing Fan

$21 million

The only non-American on the international ranking is Bingbing Fan, who joins the highest-paid thanks to roles in movies such as The White-Haired Witch of Lunar Kingdom and endorsements with Chopard and L'Oreal. She is likely best-known to U.S. cinema-goers for her role in X-Men: Days of Future Past.

Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

[GeneChing]

I thought Jackie was using stunt doubles nowadays.


Wednesday, 11 November 2015 11:41
Jackie Chan ALMOST KILLED after water scene goes wrong (http://www.malaysia-chronicle.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=606470:jackie-chan-almost-killed-after-water-scene-goes-wrong&Itemid=4#axzz3rCaCLt2E)

Jackie Chan and Fan Bingbing are the main leads of action movie 'Skiptrace'.

Filming took place at seven locations in three countries.

61-year-old Jackie, who is used to filming action scenes personally, did not use any stunt doubles during filming.

According to Asian E-News Portal, Jackie revealed that he was almost killed during one of the scenes in China.

"I almost died in Guangxi," quipped the action star.

In the scene, Jackie was drifting in a river around 15 metres deep. The water body was full of uneven stones.

http://images.lollipop.sg/files/article/images/gallery/2015/11/bkn-20151104045151989-1104_00862_001_01p.jpg

During filming, Jackie got caught in the river and kept struggling in the water. He tried to get onto a boat but failed.

Recalled the actor:

http://images.lollipop.sg/files/article/images/gallery/jackie_chan_facts_02.jpg

"I was in a state of panic and very scared."

Fortunately, Jackie managed to get out of danger thereafter.

http://images.lollipop.sg/files/article/images/gallery/jackie_chan_facts_04.jpg

Fan Bingbing, who also had several dangerous scenes in the film, also admitted that the river scene was the most unforgettable. -Lollipop

[GeneChing]

It's Jackie, Johnny and Bingbing versus Donnie and Iron Mike (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?57165-Ip-Man-3&p=1286683#post1286683) this xmas. :cool:


Action comedy Skiptrace to be premiered on Christmas Eve (http://www.ecns.cn/2015/11-09/187860.shtml)
2015-11-09 16:45 chinadaily.com.cn Editor: Wang Fan

http://www.ecns.cn/2015/11-09/U363P886T1D187860F12DT20151109164539.jpg
Poster of Skiptrace. (Photo provided to China Daily)

Skiptrace, an action comedy starring Jackie Chan and Fan Bingbing, will be premiered in China on Christmas Eve.

Renny Harlin, best known for Die Hard 2 (1990), is director of the film produced by China and the United States. The movie is about a Hong Kong police officer's adventures.

The three-month filming of the movie was done in Russia, Mongolia, Macao and the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. The film cost 300 million yuan ($47 million).

The movie will be released in China in the 2-D, 3-D, and China Giant Screen formats.

[GeneChing]

Looks like both Jackie and Donnie backed off of their release dates. Bummer - this was the opening paragraphs in my Chollywood Rising column for our next issue, and it's already at press. :o


China’s December Box Office Blackout Pics: Action, Fantasy & Mike Tyson? – Video (http://deadline.com/2015/12/december-china-blackout-movies-ghouls-mojin-ip-man-3-mike-tyson-donnie-yen-trailer-1201656744/)
by Nancy Tartaglione
December 9, 2015 3:03am

UPDATE: I have just been informed that Ip Man 3 (see below) has had its release pushed back and is no longer coming out in December. There is currently no mainland date.

Point Break got in under the wire last Friday to become the final Hollywood movie of 2015 to release in the Middle Kingdom. Now that the December blackout period is in full swing, no further studio pics will see the inside of a PROC multiplex until January. But there’s still a little Hollywood in the mix — by way of Hong Kong. Action threequel Ip Man 3 travels to the mainland on December 31 and sees Mike Tyson face off with superstar martial artist Donnie Yen. The movies that will drive box office earlier in the month are a packed slate of action, fantasy and laughs.

https://pmcdeadline2.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/donnie-yen-mike-tyson1.jpg?w=301&h=202&crop=1

Domestic Chinese films dominated 2014 with 54.5% of the market. As November closed this year, they were at 59%. That will go up now. Titles we’ll be talking about through the end of the year include Shi Fu/The Master, Mojin – The Lost Legend and Mr Six. See trailers above and below. (Jackie Chan/Johnny Knoxville action buddy comedy, Skiptrace, was originally due for a December release but has been pushed to February.)

Related threads
Shi Fu/The Master (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?68967-The-Master)
Mojin – The Lost Legend (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?69126-Mojin-The-Lost-Legend)
Ip Man 3 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?57165-Ip-Man-3)

[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADP3XkFJhO8

[GeneChing]

Berlin: Jackie Chan-Johnny Knoxville Action Comedy ‘Skiptrace’ Nabbed by Saban (http://variety.com/2016/film/markets-festivals/jackie-chan-johnny-knoxville-fan-bingbing-saban-1201703568/)

https://pmcvariety.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/jackie-chan-gala-2.jpg?w=670&h=377&crop=1
FEBRUARY 11, 2016 | 11:11AM PT
Carole Horst

Saban Films has picked up the U.S. distribution rights to “Skiptrace,” the action comedy starring Jackie Chan, Johnny Knoxville and Fan Bingbing, directed by Renny Harlin.

Saban will release the film in theaters during Q3 this year. Pic was produced by Talent Intl. Films and Dasym Media along with Jackie Chan, Esmond Ren, Charlie Coker, Damien Saccani and David Gerson. The film was co-financed and co-presented by Shanghai New Culture Media Group, Talent Intl. and Dasym Media. Bloom is handling international sales.

Saban Films president Bill Bromiley and Ness Saban negotiated the deal on behalf of Saban Films and WME represented the filmmakers.

Upcoming titles in the Saban Films slate include Tom Tykwer’s “A Hologram for the King,” starring Tom Hanks, where Saban will partner with Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions on the theatrical release; Alex and Ben Brewer’s “The Trust,” starring Nicolas Cage and Elijah Wood; “I Am Wrath,” with John Travolta; “USS Indianapolis,” starring Nicolas Cage; and Bob Nelson’s directorial debut, “The Confirmation,” starring Clive Owen, Maria Bello, Patton Oswalt and Jaeden Lieberher.

Surely some forum member will be able to review this before then. :rolleyes:

[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_U0D2H8008

http://english.cri.cn/mmsource/images/2016/04/20/6bf236a1e7ce4dad882b49262351b3d4.jpg

[GeneChing]

...but maybe that's just for China.


Jackie Chan's Skiptrace to come soon (http://www.ecns.cn/2016/05-25/211943.shtml)
0 2016-05-25 14:55 chinadaily.com.cn Editor: Feng Shuang

http://www.ecns.cn/2016/05-25/U669P886T1D211943F12DT20160525145543.jpg
Jackie Chan (left) and Yuan Biao. (Photo provided to China Daily)

Jackie Chan's latest action comedy, Skiptrace, aims to "showcase the diversity of Chinese culture and customs", as kung fu star revealed in Beijing on Sunday.

Skiptrace, also starring veteran actress Fan Bingbing and American actor Johnny Knoxville, will open to the Chinese theaters on July 22.

Centering on a retired detective (Chan), the tale follows his adventure to track a crime suspect from the snow mountains in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region to the picturesque nature in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

With the idea staying in his mind for around 25 years, Chan says he has always dreamed of making such a film revolving on chasing and tracking.

Chan, whose acting career spans for around half a century, explains his lifelong love of action films.

"I love action, but I dislike violence. So I'm always thinking about how to shoot action films without violent, bloody sequences," he says in a documentary about the making of the movie.

"For me, action comedy is the best way to showcase Chinese martial arts skills and let the audiences ignore the violence," Chan says in the documentary.

The movie, directed by Finnish director Renny Harlin, is jointly produced by the Beijing-based studio Talent International Media and American firm Dasym Media.

[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wJYrddFU4c

[GeneChing]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1iefFsPSaw

[GeneChing]

I only cut&pasted the relevant films mentioned here.


‘Star Trek Beyond’ $30M Debut; ‘Lights Out’ $8.3M; ‘Ice Age’ Franchise Crosses $3B To Best ‘Shrek’; China Loves ‘Skiptrace’ – Int’l Box Office Sunday (http://deadline.com/2016/07/star-trek-beyond-lights-out-skiptrace-international-box-office-1201791877/)
by Anita Busch
July 24, 2016 1:00pm

https://pmcdeadline2.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/star-trek-beyond-21.jpg?w=446&h=299&crop=1
Paramount

PREVIOUSLY 9:15 AM with Write-thru 1:00 PM: In conjunction with its domestic release, Paramount launched Star Trek Beyond in 37 markets, including in the U.K., Germany and Australia — territories where the franchise has traditionally performed extremely well but, surprisingly, lost out to Steven Spielberg’s The BFG in the U.K. Star Trek opened to $30M, 14% below its franchise predecessor. Lights Out, Warner Bros./New Line’s horror film opened to $8.3M after an impressive $21.6M domestic — on a $5M production budget. Skiptrace, Jackie Chan’s action comedy directed by Renny Harlin, opened in China to No. 1 as it kicked Warner Bros.’ The Legend of Tarzan to No. 2. Ice Age: Collision Course made history this weekend as Fox’s franchise pushed over the $3B mark in box office receipts to become the top animated franchise ever, surpassing Shrek.

Jeffrey Katzenberg/DreamWorks’ animated Shrek bowed in 2001 and ran through 2010 theatrically; Fox and Blue Sky’s Ice Age began with its theatrical bow in 2002 and has run until 2016. I guess you could say that Ice Age cracked Shrek‘s nut. Collision Course is still No. 1 in 12 of its markets, having brought in another $30M this weekend. Gotta give kudos to Fox’s international marketing team as they put together a stellar promotional campaign for the film in overseas markets (see below).

Back to Star Trek. Historically, it’s interesting to note that J.J. Abrams’ 2009 Star Trek was the first of the series to gross $100M internationally, but, at the end of the day, the domestic take was greater $257.7M. When its sequel Star Trek Into the Darkness was released in 2013 it had the benefit of the first one establishing a newly booted franchise overseas and international offices embraced the film. With Into Darkness, international box office then overtook domestic as the film flew in with a $238.6M overseas take compared to its $228.7M stateside. The third so far is lagging behind Into Darkness both domestically and internationally. Let’s take a look at all the new openers and the holdovers:

NEW:

https://pmcdeadline2.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/star-trek-beyond.jpg?w=317&h=203
Paramount
STAR TREK BEYOND

With $59.6M domestically, Paramount Pictures’ latest installment of Star Trek pulled in $30M in its 37 markets — or 45% of its international imprint — and grabbed No. 1 in roughly half of them (16) for a global debut of $89.6M. In comparison, Star Trek Into Darkness bowed in 2013 to $70.1M domestically and $31.7M internationally (for $101.8M). (Beyond made 59.6M in this weekend’s domestic debut).

Internationally, the release pattern was different in terms of markets in release for Into Darkness, however. In the U.K., where the performance of the franchise has been consistently solid, it was edged out this weekend by Steven Spielberg’s family film The BFG (see below).

Paramount said that the heatwave in Europe negatively impacted the weekend’s box office results for the film which was 35% above the first Star Trek, Star Trek Beyond is 14% below Into Darkness and only 2% below Pacific Rim.

Into Darkness ended its international run with $238M. Star Trek Beyond is said to carry a production budget over $185M (not including distribution and marketing costs of over $100M globally) so if it plays across the board 14% less than the last installment, Beyond would then make a projected $204.68M internationally. You can see where we’re going here.

The all-important China bow doesn’t come for Beyond until Sept. 2. Into Darkness bowed in China with $25.8M before leaving its run at $57M and change. The film also still has to bow in France and Korea (Aug. 18), Spain (Aug. 19), Brazil (Sept. 1), Mexico (Sept. 2), Turkey, Japan (Oct. 21), and throughout Latin America.

Globally, Imax accounted $11.6 mil (on 571 screens) and the picture’s debut set an Imax franchise overseas record without the benefit of China (as we said, it doesn’t arrive there until Sept. 2) or other international territories. Led by very strong results in the U.K. and Russia, Beyond grossed an estimated weekend of $3.2 mil on 184 screens besting Star Trek Into Darkness‘ $2.8M debut.

Some more good news is that the opening is the highest-ever weekend for the franchise in 17 markets, including Russia Taiwan and Thailand.

Looking at key markets in the rollout, the U.K. opened to No. 2 behind The BFG this weekend with $6.1M at 535 locales, which is 37% below the last installment (Into Darkness) and 15% below Star Trek. In Germany, Russia and Australia, it opened to No. 1. Specifically, in Germany it nabbed $4.5M from 558 runs, which means it scored 31% above Star Trek but 29% below Into the Darkness. In Russia, it took in a strong $3.3M at 1,200 cinemas which catapulted it a big 240% above the first Star Trek and 13% above Into Darkness. And in Australia, it grossed $3M in 261 runs which marked 24% Into Darkness and 15% down from Star Trek‘s opening.

In Taiwan, it took No. 1 and grossed $1M at 79 locales which took it 143% above Star Trek and 63% above Into Darkness. Similarly, its No. 1 debut in Thailand ($912K at 64 cinemas) was 76% above Star Trek and 88% above Into Darkness. The Philippines opened at No. 2 ($766K at 162), only 2% above Into Darkness but 92% above the first Star Trek.

https://pmcdeadline2.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/skiptrace.jpg?w=314&h=210
Talent Intl
SKIPTRACE
Even Tarzan could not hold back the beloved Jackie Chan and Fan Bingbing in China this weekend. His new movie Skiptrace, from director Renny Harlin and which also co-stars Johnny Knoxville, ended up kicking ass and kicking in an estimated $44M in the Middle Kingdom. It sits atop the Chinese box office besting Warner Bros.’ three-day take for The Legend of Tarzan. The total budget for Skiptrace was said to be $60M for its producer Beijing Talent International Media Co., Ltd. Chan stars as a Hong Kong detective who has to team up with an American (Knoxville) to fight a Chinese bad guy. It’s opened in three markets and to date has made $58.5M in its first weekend at bat.

The film enjoys two big draws for Chinese audiences — both Chan and Bingbing are beloved there. Chan is so popular in China that his last film Dragon Blade grossed $121.5M and comparable films such as Police Story and Chinese Zodiac 2012 grossed a whopping $87.3M and $139.6M, respectively, in China. The Chinese-HK production was originally scheduled for a Christmas release last year but was smartly moved to this summer. It will be distributed in the U.S. by Saban, date TBA.

[GeneChing]

‘Legend of Tarzan’ Tops Foreign Box Office With $44.7 Million (http://variety.com/2016/film/box-office/legend-of-tarzan-foreign-box-office-1201821861/)
Brent Lang
Senior Film and Media Reporter
@BrentALang

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The Legend of Tarzan COURTESY OF WARNER BROS

JULY 24, 2016 | 03:00PM PT

“The Legend of Tarzan” swung to the top of foreign box office charts over the weekend, propelled by a solid opening in China. The adventure epic led competitors with $44.7 million from 17,500 screens in 61 markets. The big contributor was the Middle Kingdom, where “The Legend of Tarzan” picked up $27.1 million in its first six days of release.

The attempt to relaunch Edgar Rice Burroughs’ pulp novels about a man raised by apes has floundered domestically, weighed down by its $185 million price tag. The film’s global total now stands at $260.5 million. That’s a respectable gross, but a film of this size needs to do upwards of $400 million to be considered a success, let alone trigger a sequel, which is basically the point of greenlighting a movie with that kind of budget. Warner Bros. is backing the film, which was directed by David Yates, the filmmaker behind most of the Harry Potter movies. It stars Alexander Skarsgård as Tarzan and Margot Robbie as Jane.

In second place, “Skiptrace,” an East-meets-West action comedy, earned $44 million. The Chinese-American co-production stars Jackie Chan and Johnny Knoxville as a detective and gambler who team up after running afoul of a crime syndicate. Renny Harlin (“Cliffhanger”) directs the movie. It opened in China over the weekend and will get a U.S. release this fall.

Fox’s “Ice Age: Collision Course” and Paramount’s “Star Trek Beyond” were tied for third place, each generating $30 million. Both films opened domestically this weekend, with the latest Star Trek topping charts with a $59.6 million debut. The fifth “Ice Age” fared worse, bombing with $21 million. However, the animated sequel has been in release overseas for several weeks. Its global total stands at a solid $199 million. Worldwide, “Star Trek Beyond” has now earned $89.6 million. It will need to continue to draw foreign crowds if Paramount wants to make a profit on the $185 million film.

Korean zombie film “Train to Busan” snagged fourth place with $27.5 million, while Disney’s “Finding Dory” rounded out the top five with $19.5, pushing its global total to $781.7 million. Hmm, Train to Busan sounds interesting and I'm not into zombie films anymore.

[GeneChing]

I think it's because this one of the first Chinese blockbusters where the leads are actually recognizable to English speakers. :rolleyes:


China Box Office: Jackie Chan's 'Skiptrace' Rockets to $60M (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/china-box-office-jackie-chans-914133)
11:04 PM PDT 7/24/2016 by Patrick Brzeski

The action-comedy's opening haul is the biggest debut of Chan's 50-year career.

Jackie Chan’s action comedy Skiptrace shot to $60 million over its four-day opening at the Chinese box office, easily besting Warner Bros.' The Legend of Tarzan.

Skiptrace debuted Thursday to $15.6 million, including previews, and stayed strong throughout the weekend, averaging $15 million each day, according to data from Beijing box office monitor Ent Group.

The four-day opening haul marks the biggest bow of Jackie Chan's career, topping the $54 million Dragon Blade earned during its Thursday-to-Sunday debut last year.

The film was directed by Finnish filmmaker and Hollywood action veteran Renny Harlin, who moved to Beijing two years ago to work in the fast-growing Chinese industry. The opening is also a career high for Harlin, topping Die Hard 2's $34 million first weekend way back in 1990.

The film co-stars Johnnie Knoxville as a fast-talking American gambler. Chan, playing a Hong Kong detective, is forced to team up with Knoxville's character after his neice, played by Fan Bingbing, runs into trouble with a notorious criminal mastermind. The movie was made on a production budget of $30 million.

Harlin has launched his own Chinese production company with financial backing from Jiabo Culture Group. He'll next direct an adaptation of the popular Chinese video game Legend of the Ancient Sword for Jack Ma's fledgling studio Alibaba Pictures Group.

Tarzan opened with $7 million on Tuesday (July 19) and has earned a modest $27.1 million over its six-day debut. Warner Bros. scored a rare July release date in China for the film, as local regulators lifted the usual summer blackout on imported Hollywood titles in an effort to counteract a rare slump at the box office.

In third place, Japanese animation Doraemon: Nobita and the Birth of Japan took $8 million from Friday to Sunday. The 36th film in Shin-Ei Animation's Doraemon franchise, the movie won't match the astonishing $86.9 million that its predecessor, Stand By Me Doraemon, made in China last year.

Local animation Big Fish & Begonia added $1.4 million for fourth place. After 17 days on Chiense screens, the film has earned $79.4 million.

The box office leader of the last two weeks, Hong Kong crime thriller Cold War 2, slipped to fifth place with just 1.1 million for the weekend. Its $96.7 million total after three weekends is the slow summer's biggest gross so far.

South Indian blockbuster Baahubali: The Beginning, a historical epic directed by S. S. Rajamouli, failed to catch fire in the Middle Kingdom, taking just $610,000 in its first three days.

[GeneChing]

Jackie Chan-Starring ‘Skiptrace’ Bows Big In China With $62M+ Debut (http://deadline.com/2016/07/jackie-chan-skiptrace-china-bow-62-million-debut-1201792290/)
by Anita Busch
July 25, 2016 11:18am

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Saban Films

Skiptrace, the Jackie Chan-Johnny Knoxville action comedy directed by Renny Harlin, opened to big numbers in China. Grosses just in show that it pulled in a $62.2M purse and knocked out all the competition, including Warner Bros’ The Legend of Tarzan, which came in a distant second. To give an idea of how popular Skiptrace was, Tarzan‘s six-day gross in the country was only $27.3M. The opening in China also gives Chan his biggest ever opening in the Middle Kingdom for a live-action film.

It didn’t hurt that the $60M production of Skiptrace starred another beloved local star, Fan Bingbing. The film also debuted in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Romania and Bulgaria for a total gross of $64M in seven markets handled by Bloom International.

Stateside, the film is going to have an exclusive window with DirecTV first and then will get a theatrical release and an on-demand bow on September 2 courtesy of Saban Films and Lionsgate, which are handling here. Rated PG-13, Skiptrace is about a Hong Kong detective (Chan) who has to team up with an American fugitive gambler (Knoxville) to fight Chinese bad guys.

The film is a Chinese-HK production, and the characters speak both Chinese and English (yes, even Knoxville). It originally was going to be last year’s Christmas release in China, but then it was changed to this summer. The Chinese press is saying that it could be the only Chinese-language film that could gross 1 billion RMB (which translates to $153M).

Beijing Talent International Media Co. is the Chinese company behind the film. The local press is reporting that Beijing Talent worked out a deal with Alibaba, Shanghai Hehe Films and Tianjin Lianrui Pictures for the production budget and distribution and marketing costs and in return made a minimum box office guarantee of 1 billion RMB. The same deal apparently was cut for the box office hit The Mermaid — which ended up as China’s highest-grossing film ever.

They say theatrical, but with the DirecTV and on-demand rollout, who knows how wide that theatrical might be?

[GeneChing]

China Box Office: Jet Li’s ‘League’ Tops ‘Skiptrace’ to Win Weekend (http://variety.com/2016/film/asia/china-box-office-league-wins-weekend-1201827390/)
Patrick Frater
Asia Bureau Chief

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COURTESY OF CHINA STAR
JULY 31, 2016 | 04:48PM PT

“League of Gods,” a Chinese fantasy action film with lavish special effects and lashings of stars, took the top spot at the Chinese box office over the weekend. But its performance was earthbound, rather than heavenly.

Starring Jet Li, Fan Bingbing, Angelababy and Louis Koo, “League” scored $30.5 million in its opening three day run. That was comfortably enough ahead of Jackie Chan-starring holdover “Skiptrace.”

“League” held top spot on each day, with an $11.6 million opening day. But its score declined thereafter and and its lead over “Skiptrace” narrowed. “League” played on a massive 70,000 screenings per day, compared with roughly 47,000 for “Shiptrace,” giving the Chan adventure a superior per screen average.

“Skiptrace” added $20.5 million. Its cumulative total after 11 days stands at $109 million.

A distant third place was held by “Legend of Tarzan” with $5.52 million for the weekend. After 13 days it stands on $41.3 million.

Chinese animation “Shen Mi Shi Jie Li Xian Ji 3” was the second placed new opener. It managed $5.30 million for the weekend.

Japanese cartoon, “Doraemon Nonita and the Biorth of Japan,” picked up $2.39 million. After 10 days it has picked $14.5 million.

Other weekend places went to “”Girl of the Big House” ($1.65 million,) “Cold War 2” ($1.20 million,) “Big Fish & Begonia” ($!.15 million,) “A Busy Night” ($1.01 million) and “Sweet 16” with $640,000.

shiptrace? I suppose the h and k are close together on the keyboard. :o

[GeneChing]

I'm really looking forward to this. It's a return-to-form for Jackie. He's made some enjoyable buddy-flicks with Hollywood stars. And the Eve Torres fight looks funny. That's all I want from Jackie now - make funny fights (and don't die doing some stupid stunt).


Eve Torres on working with Jackie Chan in “Skiptrace” and moving on from WWE (http://www.channelguidemag.com/tv-news/2016/08/23/wwe-alum-eve-torres-working-jackie-chan-skiptrace/)
August 23, 2016 Scott Fishman

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WWE

Whether it was working for WWE or teaching women empowerment at the Gracie Academy, needless to say Eve Torres is no stranger to physicality.

Her athletic background would come in handy squaring off with Jackie Chan in the movie Skiptrace, in select theaters and On Demand Sept. 2. The film is already a hit in China, opening at number one with a $60 million opening earlier in the summer. Torres shot her scenes in Beijing and Hong Kong. She found working with the iconic figure unreal.

“It was a dream come true for me,” Torres said.

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Saban Films

“I was a huge Jackie Chan fan growing up. I got there on set and was so nervous. I was stressing out about it because I hadn’t learned any fight choreography. I thought I would learn it a day in advance or maybe even a few hours in advance. That’s not how they do it there. The whole time I’m thinking, ‘Okay, someone can now tell me what we are doing.’

“But because with Jackie and the others are so professional and have been doing it for so long, a lot of times they will use the props around them. So it’s easier for them to choreograph it on the spot. They come up with it on the spot, then they teach it to you and then you are shooting. It was a matter of minutes. That was crazy for me, but also you realize these are the best people in the game at this. It was just a great crew to work with. They have the most creative stunt team on the planet.”

In the action comedy, she portrays a Russian badass who can be seen rolling a bowling ball down an alley with co-star Johnny Knoxville’s head as the intended target. Audiences may be surprised to hear Torres sport a Russian accent in the movie.

“You have people who are dialect coaches there, but they are speaking Chinese,” Torres said.

“They are helping Jackie Chan with his English, so they were also trained to help me help me. It was a really a fun role to play. Accents are just fun because it helps you get into character that much more.”

The former champion in WWE found her past in the ring helped her in more ways than one.

“Timing is a big part of stunt work and fighting scenes,” Torres said.

“It’s something you learn in WWE, especially when they are really character-driven fights. It’s not just, ‘I’m going to fight this person.’ It’s thinking about how or why a certain character will fight another character in WWE. I feel I pulled from that and made me feel more comfortable in these scenes. I think it all shows on camera.”

The life of a pro wrestler means being a jack of all trades. This can lead to acquiring a unique skill to be successful within the entertainment industry (cough The Rock). Though for Torres a movie set and a squared circle are unique in their own way.

“There is a big difference between performing in WWE before thousands of people in an arena and acting in a scene with a camera close-up on your face. Having to make those adjustments, through acting classes and the roles I’ve had, I really enjoy the challenge of it. It’s a lot of fun.”

One of the most high profile parts Torres secured was playing opposite Melissa Benoist in an episode of “Supergirl.” She portrayed the villainous Maxima in a relatively short fight scene, but one that got fans excited.

“I think there is a lot of cross-over with wrestling fans and the comic world,” Torres said.

“It’s all coming together, so it’s fun for me and the viewers to see that. The hope is that this will be a recurring role, but we will see what happens. That is the great thing about the super hero world is anything can happen. And you always need a good villain. So hopefully you haven’t seen the last of me on ‘Supergirl.’

Torres’ is finding work in Hollywood at a time when she believes women are becoming more prevalent and believable action stars.

“Angelina Jolie for example is a brilliant actress and a beautiful woman,” Torres explains.

“She plays these parts great, but there is a part of you like, ‘Can she pull this off?’ So there is kind of a disconnect in that sense. I think what’s cool now is they are starting to use more women who actually can pull this off. Ronda Rousey is getting in movies and taking on these lead roles. It’s a great example for me to think that they do want these kinds of women who can really pull this stuff off. You can have these gritty fights that aren’t all flashy and camera tricks, but real fights. I think they are using a lot more of that in film.”

The ascent of women is also prevalent these days in pro wrestling. The term “diva” is no more where female competitors are known as superstars just like their male counterparts. It’s a moment Torres is proud to witness.

“It’s really exciting for me to watch, but at the same time it’s also hard because when I was a part of it, the movement hadn’t really started,” Torres said.

“It was always there. You saw the women trying to fight and fight. Unfortunately, it didn’t get as far as I would have liked when I was there. There was a lot of frustration with that. It was a part of why I decided to move on from WWE. So it is actually a beautiful thing to watch this finally happening because as we’ve seen with Ronda women who can be a draw in a male-dominated, aggressive sport.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkkOCtOrAcA

“Women can be a huge draw. We can be just as talented, even more so than the men as well. They can have great matches and be something that both men and women want to see. They don’t have to be this novelty. So to see this happening and watching the women get recognized while putting on these awesome matches is really exciting as a fan of wrestling and a fan of women’s wrestling.”

Even though the 31-year-old enjoyed her run in WWE don’t expect a return any time soon.

“I sit back and am really happy for the girls in there now,” Torres said.

“I know how much it means to them because I know how much it would have meant to me at the time. But now that ship has sailed and I have a 10-month-old at home. I would have to give up a lot if I went back on the road to have that full-time gig again. So I’m engrained in my new life and new projects. I’m happy.”

She will be watching fellow WWE alum in CM Punk has also seemingly moved on and is preparing for his UFC debut. The popular Chicagoan enters the octagon in a debut fight on Sept. 10 at UFC 203 on pay-per-view.

“For Punk, I just really commend him because it’s one thing to say you want to fight, but another to actually do it,” Torres said.

“It takes so much. I know this because my husband trains top-level professional fighters every week. I see the sacrifices they make and how hard the training is. It’s like nothing else in the world. So to actually go through with it is a really challenging feat in itself.

“Just for that I tip my hat off to anyone who puts their body on the line like that to fight in front of the whole world. So for that, he has all the respect in the world. I’m really excited to see the fight and how that training paid off and how this is going to turn out. I wish him the best. I think we will see how the training translates. I think it’s going to be awesome.”

Torres and her husband Rener Gracie welcomed their first child, Raeven last September. It’s been a unique juggling act for the mom and dedicated businesswomen ever since.

“You have this person who comes in your life and changes everything,” Torres said.

“All your priorities are shaken upside down. That’s really what motherhood is. Here comes this child that is more important that really anything in your life. Making those adjustments to everything else that is important to you is a hard thing to do in the beginning. But you do reach a balance.

“For me, it’s important for me to reach a balance because I can’t be a good mother to my son if I’m miserable or not happy or not being fulfilled. So it’s important for me to feel fulfilled in my career and giving back to the community and the world and our business and to be able to spend as much time with him as I can. I think I have started to find that balance.”

[GeneChing]

Indian gossip rags are notorious for publishing Bollywood rumors like this. I haven't even heard anything about the Skiptrace sequel yet.

But still, it's a good teaser to ttt this thread this week, as Skiptrace opens in the U.S. this Friday.


Indian actress opposite Jackie Chan in Skiptrace 2! (http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-indian-actress-opposite-jackie-chan-in-skiptrace-2-2249869)

http://static.dnaindia.com/sites/default/files/styles/half/public/2016/08/29/496197-jackie-chan-still.jpg?itok=vKdrJVpx
Jackie Chan

alt DNA WEB TEAM | Mon, 29 Aug 2016-11:04am , dna webdesk
Skiptrace 2 heroine to be a desi girl. Sequel of Jackie Chan film to feature Indian actress

Martial arts superstar Jackie Chan's love affair with India continues. After working with Mallika Sherawat in The Myth; Sonu Sood, Amyra Dastur and Disha Patani in Kung Fu Yoga, he is now seeking a desi heroine for the sequel of Skiptrace, which sees him playing a Hong Kong-based detective working with Johnny Knoxville.

Chan's team has been given the brief to scout for ‘fresh faces with striking Indian features’. An insider told a tabloid, “So far, a few actresses have auditioned for the part. Shobhita Dhulipala and

Tillotama Shome are among the top contenders for this part. However, they are still looking at other options, in case someone else fits the bill better. Since Jackie is the producer of the film, he will take the final call on casting after discussions with director Renny Harlin.”

[GeneChing]

Interview: ‘Skiptrace’ Director Renny Harlin on Working With Jackie Chan and Chinese vs. American Filmmaking (http://www.slashfilm.com/skiptrace-renny-harlin-interview/)
Posted on Monday, August 29th, 2016 by Fred Topel

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Many of us grew up watching Renny Harlin’s action movies like Cliffhanger, Die Hard 2, and The Adventures of Ford Fairlane. It would be several more years before Jackie Chan was properly introduced to America with the U.S. release of Rumble in the Bronx. The two represent quite different approaches to action, with Harlin embodying the explosive bombastic American style and Chan his own unique brand of comedic martial arts.

Harlin directed Chan’s latest movie, Skiptrace. Chan plays Hong Kong detective Benny Chan, who is mismatched with an American gambler Connor Watts (Johnny Knoxville). Chan has to get Watts back to Hong Kong, but their journey will take them from Russia, to the mainland, through the desert and the cities, all while being chased by bad guys led by Dasha (Eve Torres). Some of Chan’s trademark set pieces include a fight in a Russian nesting doll factory, and another scene has him singing “Rolling in the Deep.”

We spoke with Harlin by phone out of his Beijing office, because he’s staying put there. I had actually corresponded with Harlin on Twitter last year after the New Beverly Cinema in Los Angeles showed his maligned pirate film Cutthroat Island. 20 years later it finally played to a friendly crowd. We started out talking about the Cutthroat Island screening, and discussed Jackie Chan, American vs. Chinese filmmaking, and more.

While you were in Asia filming Skiptrace, I tweeted you that I’d been to a screening of Cutthroat Island at the New Beverly Cinema here in L.A. It was a pretty full theater and we all loved it.

That’s awesome. I do remember you sending a message regarding it and I remember feeling very happy that it was part of the series of movies that were screened there. I was actually surprised and very glad to hear that the response was good because it’s one of those things that has always remained in my mind as one of those unfortunate situations. I’m not saying that the movie is a masterpiece but it didn’t get distribution at all, so it fell through the cracks and got this really bad reputation. It’s a pity because I thought that coming years before Pirates of the Caribbean, I thought it was a fine pirate movie for those of us who would like to see a pirate movie.

It made me wonder, have you ever gotten a chance to see that movie play with a good audience? Maybe at the premiere?

I have never seen Cutthroat Island with an audience in my life. It’s a sad story.

Hopefully they’ll do it again and you can come.

Yeah, it was definitely a highlight to get your message.

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I’m glad. Obviously you’ve worked with some of the biggest action stars in the world. You did two Stallone movies and Die Hard 2 with Bruce Willis. How does Jackie Chan fit in with those experiences?

That’s a good question. Jackie is in his own class. Having started as a circus performer basically [in the Peking Opera] and a stuntman and an actor and a director and a choreographer, he does it all. He has the energy of 10 guys and the ideas of 50 guys. He’s the kind of a guy who is super involved in the movie, comes to the set first guy in the morning, last guy to leave, participates in everything and is just the hardest worker. He’s not about “Okay, when do I show up and where’s my mark and where’s my trailer?” He’s there and he’s part of the process and he loves it. He loves making movies more than anything in the world. He’s always in a great mood with great energy and ready to try anything. Also I must say, he was super respectful of me as a director. He would have ideas when he showed up in the morning, but he was never pushing them. Also being a producer on the movie, he was never like, “You’ve got to do this” or “You’ve got to do that.” He would just say, “Hey Renny, what do you think of this? I have this idea.” Some of them were genius and I would say, “Great, let’s do it.” Some of them would be impossible to execute in the timeframe and constraints we had. Some of them I felt like, “Okay, that’s a good idea but it doesn’t quite fit our story or our style.” So it was a great collaboration and he was totally listening to me and following my direction. That was never an issue.

The interesting thing that I learned from him that was first a little scary and then really liberating was that in China, you can do anything. In China, nothing is impossible. He could show up in the morning and have all these elaborate ideas of an action sequence. He wanted to do an action sequence where he would break all this stuff and do all these fire gags. I’d be like, “Hey, I love your ideas but we are not prepped for that. We don’t have the breakaway chairs and breakaway walls and props and things.” He would be like, “If you like the idea, don’t worry about it. After lunch we will have it all.” The crew would go to work. We had 400 people in the crew, all Chinese. I was the only American. They’d just go to work. We’d be shooting something else and there’d be 30 guys working on this stuff. After lunch, there’d be perfect replicas of the furniture and props and all the breakaway stuff. The cranes would be up with wires. It’d be all done. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It’s kind of the same when they say they can build a high-rise building in two weeks here. If they put their heart into it, they can make anything happen. That was a huge revelation for me coming from American filmmaking where for something like that, you wo

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That factory fight is a classic Jackie Chan sequence. Tell us about choreographing and filming that scene.

The story took the characters to Russia and that’s where they meet, so we wanted to figure out how do we do a sequence that could really display his crazy antics? We came up with this as we were developing the script, this kind of a Russian factory that makes these dolls which are such a Russian cliche. It was Jackie who came up with the idea of the dolls that are packed inside each other and use them in the fight. It felt like such a ridiculous idea and was actually kind of complicated to shoot. If you’re holding one doll and it breaks, how do you get a hold of the other dolls inside? How do you make them breakaways and how do you make the outer doll break and not the inner doll break? It was actually logistically harder to do than it looks, but we thought it was just absolutely funny because everybody knows these dolls.

It was all built. It was a huge warehouse in Beijing or actually a huge old factory where we built this. None of the conveyor belts or any of that was real. It would be too dangerous and complicated to shoot in a real factory so they were all built just to serve the story and the action. We mapped out the gags together and built it. I worked closely with Jackie’s stunt team and Wu Gang who is his stunt coordinator and became my very close friend. Then Jackie showed up on the day. We were shooting there probably for three or four days and then he looked at the [pre-vis] and we showed him all the gags we had designed. Then he was like, “How about this? How about that?” He started adding his ideas to it. Some of them are little and some of them are actually really big. It all worked within what we had built so there’s a lot of preplanning and a lot of Jackie’s improvisation.
continued next post

[GeneChing]

http://i1.wp.com/bitcast-a-sm.bitgravity.com/slashfilm/wp/wp-content/images/Skiptrace-6-700x300.jpg?resize=700%2C300

It’s true Jackie’s training in Peking Opera includes every kind of performing, including he’s a singer. I have his album. Did you include the “Rolling in the Deep” scene because Jackie’s also a singer?

It was a little bit of a revelation to me also. I had heard about the fact that he sings but the fact that he’s had several albums that are bestsellers. He can draw 25,000 people easily to a stadium concert. So I was kind of looking for a place where I could have him sing. Then when we were in Mongolia, I just loved that place and I loved the people and loved the atmosphere. I thought this would be an awesome kind of east meets west meets Mongolia meets rest of the world kind of scene. I asked around, I asked young people in Mongolia, “Are there western pop songs do you like?” They said, “Of course.” And I said, “What is your favorite?” And they said, “Adele.” I was like, “Oh my God, that’s so awesome.” Then I got this idea to include the Adele song. I asked Jackie and he was like, “Yeah, of course I know the song.” He just had to learn some of the lyrics. The crowd all knew the lyrics. So we created this scene that I thought was awesome and the audience really seems to like it because it’s kind of like western pop culture bringing all these cultures together and seeing that music and art is universal. It can really unite people in a positive way.

Did the horse poop on cue in every take?

[Laughs] That was one of those crazy ridiculous things. That horse was a goofy horse. It wouldn’t do anything that we asked him to do. The Mongolians can handle the horses and do anything with them but for normal people, it’s totally impossible to control them. So that horse never did anything on cue. When Jackie and Johnny were supposed to ride it together, the horse said, “No, thank you. No two people on me.” When it was supposed to be not moving and Johnny is trying to pull it, the horse refuses to move. That was a whole big deal because the horse wouldn’t do anything that we wanted him to do so the pooping was just one of those crazy coincidences. They happened to be doing the scene and the dialogue when it happened. I thought about it a couple of times, should I include it in the movie? I thought I’ll just go for it. Why not?

http://i2.wp.com/bitcast-a-sm.bitgravity.com/slashfilm/wp/wp-content/images/Skiptrace-2-700x300.jpg?resize=700%2C300

I’m glad you did! Was shooting some scenes in Mandarin a challenge for you?

It wasn’t a challenge. All the scenes that we did in Chinese, we also did in English. So all the actors were able to do them in English. Then I just chose when I was editing the movie, I felt like the Chinese actors were stronger in their scenes when they were speaking their native language, so I chose to do those with subtitles. I thought the performances were much stronger and I felt that it was justified that when there’s Chinese people with Chinese people talking, it makes sense that they use their language. Then when they are dealing with American characters, there are American characters in the scene, then they speak English.

Jackie always shows the outtakes at the end of his movies and you’ve never done that before. Now that you showed outtakes for Skiptrace do you think it could be fun for other movies too?

Yeah, I like the idea. I’ve never copied it before but since this was a Jackie movie, it felt like it belongs there. I would probably consider it. I think it makes sense the best when it’s a comedic movie. If it’s a serious movie, then the screw-ups I feel would have a different effect to show them. There are always those, but in a comedy, because you can laugh at it all, I think it works.

Was it nice to be able to film in real locations and not on a green screen?

It was awesome and it was a great introduction for me to China. We traveled to eight different locations, eight different big moves, airplanes, trains and trucks moving 400 people and all the equipment. It was a big deal. We started in Mongolia and then traveled across China, all the way to Macau and Hong Kong, shot around Beijing and did stage work in Beijing. I picked the locations based on what looks the best. There are still plenty of locations for the sequel but I just wanted to pick some of those locations that we could really show the audience how diverse and how beautiful China is.

Are there plans for a sequel or for you to direct more Asian films?

I can’t confirm it yet but there’s definitely been talk about a sequel. In terms of Asian films, definitely. I’m currently living in Beijing and I’m in preproduction on a movie for Ali Baba Pictures. It’s a big fantasy adventure movie called The Legend of the Ancient Sword. It’s based on one of the biggest video games in China. We are in full prep. We are building sets. We are casting actors. We start shooting in a couple of months so that’s going to keep me in China for more than the next year. I have my company now here. I’m developing a lot of things for me to direct and produce. Currently I’m planning to stay here and work here. I really love it here. I think the crews are great. People are great. There’s so many stories that can be told here, movies that haven’t been made here. Besides the sort of traditional fantasy movies and historical movies and comedies, I think there’s all kinds of interesting action films that can be made here. Also thrillers and horror films. I think it can be kind of a new thing here, so I’m excited about working here.

Eve Torres is a great villain in the movie. Since you directed 12 Rounds with John Cena, what is it about WWE personalities that make them stand out on screen?

Well, they are awesome entertainers. They are used to being in front of people and creating drama, comedy, insanity and are bigger than life characters. They are physically incredibly able bodied. I loved working with John and I see John having a great future also, especially in China now that WWE is becoming a big deal in China as well. I think John can be a big star here. Eve is awesome. She’s just such a great package. She’s incredible physically. She’s beautiful. She’s a good actress. So maybe not all of them but a lot of them have the charisma that it takes to be on the big screen.

It’s funny, John Cena has had a lot of success in comedy now from Trainwreck.

I know. I think he was awesome in it. He was so funny, and I know John pretty well. He’s a very funny guy. He has very funny deadpan comedic timing so I think he can do anything.

***

Skiptrace is in select theaters Friday, September 2 or on DirecTV now.

Talk of a sequel confirmed. :rolleyes:

[GeneChing]

...or not. I'm only seeing it playing at one venue in the S.F. Bay Area - the AMC Van Ness in SF. srsly? :mad:

Anyone see this available in other markets?

Jackie gets no respect. Well, maybe from the Academy finally (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?69700-An-Oscar-for-Jackie-Chan), but not with distribution of his movies lately.

[GeneChing]

I'll post a review later today. It'll be the first forum review, unless anyone can beat me to it. ;)


Director Renny Harlin on Why He Left Hollywood for China (http://www.yomyomf.com/director-renny-harlin-on-why-he-left-hollywood-for-china/)
BY YOMYOMF STAFF 09/05/2016

http://i.yomyomf.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/04204610/renny-harlin-feat-uproxx.jpg
(DIRECTV / GETTY IMAGE)

SKIPTRACE, the new Chinese movie starring the oddball pairing of martial arts legend Jackie Chan and *******’ Johnny Knoxville, opens in limited release and on VOD this week. The film’s director, Renny Harlin, was one of Hollywood’s most successful action directors in the late 1980s and 1990s when he gave the world films like DIE HARD 2, CLIFFHANGER, DEEP BLUE SEA and, yes, even THE ADVENTURES OF FORD FAIRLANE.

But now, Harlin has been living and working in Beijing for the past few years where he says he has greater “creative freedom” and talked to Uproxx about his new film and what it’s like making films in China. Here are some highlight from his interview:

THE ORIGINS OF SKIPTRACE
This movie started 15 years ago. Jackie’s idea. Jackie had this dream of making a movie that he called his love letter to China. He wanted to show the Chinese audience and the international audience that China is not exactly what you expect and not the traditional stuff that people think China is. Certainly that it’s versatile and different. That’s how it started and then when I came on board as an outsider from America I said, “Okay with all these places and locations how we can tell the story.” It was never dictated by the producers or the financiers but it was really Jackie and me. Jackie educating me about China and me as an outsider saying what I thought that would be cool for an international audience to see.

ON JACKIE CHAN STILL DOING HIS OWN STUNTS AT AGE 62
It’s a balancing act because he will do anything and he comes up with the craziest ideas. I have to make sure that, because when Jackie was doing his Hong Kong movies a couple of decades ago or 30 years ago, they could do anything. And if you break your leg or arm or something, then you just take a couple of months off, then you come back and keep shooting. It was the Wild, Wild East. Now when we are making a Hollywood-meets-China kind of a movie, you have a budget and you have a schedule and you have to stick to it.

I had to do everything I could to keep him safe. He still got banged up and hurt himself a few times doing the shooting but, when you’re getting older you’re not quite as flexible and able as you were when you were young. I had to run that balance of how we get the audience filled with most of Jackie Chan stuff, but don’t put him in situations where he’s going to get hurt. He’ll do anything, so it was up to me trying to hold him back.

ON THE DRAWBACKS OF MAKING A FILM IN CHINA
Everybody in Hollywood, they want to come to China, they want to get the money that is here and throw around these ideas of co-productions and let’s work together and let’s make Chinese movies that appeal to the Western audiences, and let’s make Hollywood movies that appeal to the Chinese audience. Let’s put American movie stars in Chinese movies and let’s put Chinese actors in Hollywood movies. But it’s easier said than done.

I think that there’s going to be a lot of disappointment where it doesn’t work, because Hollywood doesn’t understand the Chinese culture. Chinese financiers and producers, both of those want to make Chinese movies that would appeal to the Western audience but there’s still a long way to go and lot of lessons to be leaned. I would say I’ve now lived in China for two and half years. I’m really immersing myself in this culture and understanding, trying to understand how it works and how this culture is good benefit for me and working together. But it has to be a natural fit.

You can’t just take a Hollywood script and change the name to Chinese guy and say okay great now we have a great Chinese movie. You have to really understand how you can integrate these elements and make them work in an organic way. That’s the biggest challenge and I think it’s going to take some time for that to work out.

[GeneChing]

Okay, y'all had your chance. Here be my review.

This is so Jackie millennium, as in a throwback to Jackie's Hollywood buddy flicks, but Knoxville is no Owen Wilson, not even a Chris Tucker, so there's no chemistry. Originally Seann William Scott was cast - he might've carried it - or someone like Neil Patrick Harris. All Knoxville did was make testicle jokes. srsly. He's got a fixation. You could easily redeem this film when watching it with your buddies by turning it into a drinking game: take a shot every time there's a testicle joke (shots to the testicles count - each one counts as a shot). The locations are great - exotic China. The singing jokes will be lost on U.S. audiences because non-sinophiles won't recognize the songs. Fan Bingbing & Eric Tsang are good (bit of a spoiler there but anyone who reads opening credits will know why). Most of the trailer reveals are in the first half hour, but still, this is very predictable. Not a single mcguffin was unforeseen. The plot is choppy and absurd, as if director Harlin was trying lots of formulas but couldn't decide which to stick with, such as a late narration from Knoxville when his character is introduced that stops for a while, then picks up again for a later scene, and then is completely abandoned.

Jackie can still move, and still gets hurt in NGs, but he's not doing big stunts or long single shots for this one (what do you want at 62?) Actually Eve Torres delivers the best fights. But still, good to see Jackie fight again.

The NG of the ****ting horse was amusing, just to hear Jackie say '****ting' as he complains about it just like he complains about cell phones ringing in other NG.

This got a very limited theatrical last weekend - only one SF Bay Area theater and we're a major market for Chinese films - so I watched this via iTunes.

[GeneChing]

‘Thithi’ wins Best Film honour at 1st BRICS Film Festival (https://www.socialnews.xyz/2016/09/06/thithi-wins-best-film-honour-at-1st-brics-film-festival/)

POSTED BY: GOPI SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

https://i0.wp.com/www.socialnews.xyz/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/06/610dbac546e0d56fe69e3704cbbcd505-1.jpg?resize=1024%2C651&ssl=1
New Delhi: Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Information & Broadcasting M Venkaiah Naidu at the closing ceremony of the First BRICS Film Festival in New Delhi on Sept 6, 2016. (Photo: IANS)

New Delhi, Sep 6 (IANS) Raam Reddy's Kannada film "Thithi" was conferred the Best Film award by Union MInformation and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu at the closing ceremony of the 1st BRICS Film Festival here on Tuesday.

"Thithi", which earlier won various honours at 68th Locarno International Film Festival, Marrakech International Film Festival, 19th Shanghai International Film Festival and 63rd National Film Awards, is a dramatic comedy about how three generations of sons react to the death of the oldest in their clan, a man named Century Gowda -- a locally renowned, highly cantankerous 101-year-old man.

South African actor Thabo Rametsi won the Best Actor (Male) award for his role in "Kalushi", Russian actress Yulia Peresild was given the Best Actor (Female) honour for her film "The Battle for Sevastopol" and Chinese director Huo Jianqi was announced as the Best Director for helming Indo-Chinese co-production film "Xuan Zang".

Meanwhile, a Special Jury award was given to Phillipe Barcinski for Brazilian film "Between Valleys", and Special Mention was given to "Songs of the Phoenix" from China and "14+" of Russia.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Naidu said: "I would like to congratulate all the recepients of the awards. It's a proud moment for us to have them between us today. Also I would like to thank all the delegates for contributing to this festival and making it a huge success."

He said that cinema "transcends national boundaries" by touching the hearts of millions of people globally.

"It has the best influence on the minds of people. It's the most powerful tool to communicate. It plays a pivotal role in creating public opinions on social issues. Cinema should not only be entertaining, it should also be enlightening," added Naidu, who was joined by Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Directorate of Film Festivals chief Senthil Rajan, among others at the event.

Kickstarted on September 2, the festival, which is a part of the special events planned in run-up to the 8th BRICS Summit being held in India, took place at Siri Fort Auditorium Complex here.

The closing ceremony of the festival featured some power-packed performances by Shiamak Davar Dance Company from India and the Chengdu Performing Arts Theatre from China.

The festival featured 20 films in the competition section which focussed on a variety of issues and themes ranging from discrimination, love, history and relevant social challenges being faced by BRICS countries - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

The jury of the festival included journalist, producer and curator of film shows Francis Vogner do Reis from Brazil, Academic Secretary of the National Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences of Russia Kirill Razlogov, Professor Hou Keming from Beijing Film Academy, China, member of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Xoliswa Sithole from South Africa, and Indian writer, director and actor T.S. Nagabharana.

Post the closing ceremony Chinese star Jackie Chan's film "Skiptrace" was screened.

The next edition of the BRICS Film Festival will take place in Chengdu, China.

Wonder how Skiptrace plays to an Indian audience.

[Jimbo]

Okay, y'all had your chance. Here be my review.

This is so Jackie millennium, as in a throwback to Jackie's Hollywood buddy flicks, but Knoxville is no Owen Wilson, not even a Chris Tucker, so there's no chemistry. Originally Seann William Scott was cast - he might've carried it - or someone like Neil Patrick Harris. All Knoxville did was make testicle jokes. srsly. He's got a fixation. You could easily redeem this film when watching it with your buddies by turning it into a drinking game: take a shot every time there's a testicle joke (shots to the testicles count - each one counts as a shot).

Obviously due to Johnny Knoxville having 'broken his pen!s" (torn his urethra) several years ago.

Although I'm not thrilled by Jackie's recent films, I would have considered watching this, if for no other reason than to see how Eve Torres fights in a JC film. But Knoxville's presence ruins any desire for me to see the movie. How anyone would consider him worthy to even be in the same movie as JC is a mystery to me.

[GeneChing]

Notably, Skiptrace isn't mentioned at all in this Looper vid.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh86eTDEboA


Obviously due to Johnny Knoxville having 'broken his pen!s" (torn his urethra) several years ago.

Although I'm not thrilled by Jackie's recent films, I would have considered watching this, if for no other reason than to see how Eve Torres fights in a JC film. But Knoxville's presence ruins any desire for me to see the movie. How anyone would consider him worthy to even be in the same movie as JC is a mystery to me.

Several people told me about Knoxville's broken ***** after I made the review, but good on you Jimbo for posting it here. The Looper vid explains that, and also why Harlin might have thought Knoxville had more celebrity status in China for this JC film.

[GeneChing]

If Hollywood really wants to pander to China it will...I mean, come on. Skiptrace? :rolleyes:


China's Oscar Selection 'Xuanzang' Wins Big at Inaugural Golden Screen Awards (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/chinas-oscar-selection-xuanzang-wins-big-at-inaugural-golden-screen-awards-944410)
6:43 PM PDT 11/4/2016 by Valerie Zhou

http://cdn4.thr.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/landscape_928x523/2016/11/the_golden_screen_awards.jpg
John Li
Rob Schneider

The ceremony, presented by the U.S.-China Film & TV Industry Expo, honored the period epic in five categories, including best co-production.
The inaugural Golden Screen Awards, which specifically focuses on co-productions between the U.S. and China, took place Thursday at L.A. Live. Held by the U.S.-China Film & TV Industry Expo in partnership with the Motion Picture Association (MPA), China Film Co-Production Corporation and The Hollywood Reporter, Xuanzang was the biggest winner, receiving best co-production film, director, cinematography, actor and production design honors.

The film, which depicts the perilous journey of the legendary Chinese monk who brought Buddhism from India to China, is the latter country's official Academy Award foreign-language submission this year. “This is a great opportunity for us," said director Huo Jianqi, "but I don’t think too much about the result, as long as this film can spread the spirit of Xuanzang.”

Paula Patton, who starred in the U.S.-China co-production film Warcraft, attended the ceremony, which was hosted by Rob Schneider.

“It’s great to be in Hollywood, the entertainment capital of the world. Hollywood is proud to be an equal-opportunity spender of other people’s money,” joked Schneider in his edgy remarks. “First we took money from Germany, then from France. Then we raped Japan pretty good. Now we are delighted to take China. Bend them over, for as much money as we could steal from them.”

Other films receiving awards included Three, Mountain Cry, Skiptrace and Kung Fu Panda 3.

A complete list of winners follows:

Best Co-Production Film

Da Tang Xuan Zang

Best Director

Huo Jianqi (Da Tang Xuan Zang)

Best Screenplay

Yau Nai Hoi / Lau HoLeung / Mark Tinshu (Three)

Best Cinematography

Su Ming (Da Tang Xuan Zang)

Best Actor

Huang Xiaoming (Da Tang Xuan Zang)

Best Actress

Lang Yueting (Mountain Cry)

Best Supporting Actor

Eric Tsang (Skiptrace)

Best Supporting Actress

Fan Bingbing (Skiptrace)

Best Production Design

Wu Ming (Da Tang Xuan Zang)

Best Animation

Kung Fu Panda 3

[GeneChing]

Director Renny Harlin on Staging His Second Act in China (Q&A) (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/director-renny-harlin-staging-his-second-act-china-q-a-946043)
1:57 AM PST 12/1/2016 by Patrick Brzeski

http://cdn5.thr.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/landscape_928x523/2016/11/thr_renny_9937_06_1232.jpg
Joe Pugliese
Renny Harlin

After 25 years in Hollywood, the veteran filmmaker now makes his home in China, where he recently directed Jackie Chan's latest hit and has started shooting a fantasy tentpole for Alibaba.

Renny Harlin, director of such 1990s hits as Die Hard 2 and Cliffhanger, is walking his dog Rascal through Beijing's downtown Sanlitun district. After 25 years in Hollywood, Harlin, 57 and originally from Finland, now calls this colorful Chinese neighborhood home.

Harlin came to the Middle Kingdom in 2014 to direct the Jackie Chan action-comedy Skiptrace, co-starring Fan Bingbing and Johnny Knoxville. Upon its release this summer, the film earned $134 million, giving Harlin his first big box office hit in over a decade.

Instead of returning to Los Angles, as he originally intended, Harlin got an apartment, adopted Rascal for some companionship and stayed on in Beijing to explore further opportunities in China's booming domestic film industry. In October, he began shooting his second Chinese feature, Legend of the Ancient Sword, an Alibaba Pictures adaption of a wildly popular Chinese video game. Last summer, he launched a Beijing-based arm of his production banner Midnight Pictures to develop a slate of Chinese projects and international co-productions.

The Hollywood Reporter joined Renny and Rascal on one of their usual morning walks around Beijing's Workers' Stadium to discuss what it takes to break into the Chinese film business, local etiquette tips for his Los Angeles-based peers and whether more veteran Hollywood figures will be making the exodus east.

How did you decide to stay in China?

I totally thought I was going to do what I usually do: work on a film for six months overseas and then go back to LA. But things went great and I enjoyed being here, so I thought, why not? This market is growing, and sometime soon — whether it's next year or in five years, it doesn't really matter — China is going to be the biggest movie market in the world. So why not be where things are growing and people are really excited about making movies, rather than in Hollywood, where it's consolidating and only getting harder. Am I crazy? It was a really easy and fun decision.

Do you expect to see more people like you moving to Beijing to take advantage of the opportunities here?

In a way, I'm sort of surprised more people haven't come over already. At the same time, I realize that it's not as easy as one might think. It really takes commitment, because it’s an entirely different world and culture. The last thing to do is to come here with a really arrogant Hollywood attitude — like, we know everything, give us your money and we'll show you how it's done. You have to be humble and you have to bend and blend in and sacrifice your LA lifestyle.

Were the lifestyle adjustments hard for you in any way?

I don't have any special attachment to Los Angeles. I had been there for about 25 years. The big difference is that I come from Europe, so Hollywood was a dreamland for me, but once I settled in there, some of that glory faded away and then it was just a place. There are some great things — good weather and beautiful places like Malibu — but there's also traffic and polluted air and hundreds of square acres of really ugly architecture. To me, Beijing and China was exciting and different. The culture, history, architecture, food and everything else all felt like an exciting, welcome change.

People who are doing really well in Hollywood would say, why would I leave? I'm doing well and I have a great life. And those people who aren't doing quite so well need to prove that they've done some impressive work and that they have something to offer, otherwise China isn't interested.

continued next post

[GeneChing]

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/sites/default/files/custom/Abid/Patrick/thr_renny_9937_06_1327.jpg
Renny Harlin in Beijing's upscale Sanlitun neighborhood, where he now lives.

So, I kind of fell into the right niche, because I’ve proven myself with some successful films over the course of my career. I was at a point where I wasn’t getting the big gigs, but I still have lots of experience, skills and film industry knowledge. So, I could bring everything back to the table and do the biggest movies China is capable of making.

So, first you have to find a person who actually wants to come here, and then that person also has to have the skills China needs — it's a trickier fit than it first seems.

Part of what also made this workable for me, I think, is that I don't have kids.

China's box office grew by 48 percent in 2015, but this year it might actually contract slightly. What do you think caused the slowdown?

I think it's like any new market — first it's an explosion, where everyone is just saying, wow, we're going to the movies! And then it pulls back like a rubber band, and people say, wait a minute, if we're paying these premium 3D ticket prices, let's make sure we're going to the best movies, not every random thing.

The bottom line is: most of the Chinese audience is much smarter than people think — they're very savvy and you can't just fool them into seeing any Hollywood film. The market is rooted in a younger, quite cosmopolitan and social media-driven audience. But there is also growth of cinemas in China's smaller third and fourth tier cities, where most people are relatively new to moviegoing and totally unfamiliar with American culture. So for them to get a sequel to Star Trek, it doesn't really work. They're just like, what is this? How do I get into this story?

So it's a very strange mix — and it's evolving very quickly.

What cultural tips do you give to Hollywood friends when they come over to China?

Socializing is really important. It's important to spend time with people where you don't just talk about work. Americans are used to being so highly motivated and productive in all situations. If you have lunch with an LA industry person, after a couple of words about the weather, it's straight to the deal. Chinese people will think that's very bad manners and opportunistic — like, I see, you just want a deal or money from me; you're not even interested in building a real relationship.

Hollywood people are such salesmen. I've seen this with a lot with friends who come here. The confident, hard-sell approach — pitching projects and trying to make everything sound awesome, and awesomely lucrative — it will have the exact opposite effect in China. People take several steps back from that.

Also, it's no secret that in Chinese culture people don't like to say no. Maybe you're trying to make something happen, and you're getting a sort of vague answer, so you keep pushing. Later, when nothing materializes, you'll probably find out that they just didn't feel comfortable saying no to you, even though they totally disagreed with your proposal. You have to build relationships where you can read cues and really understand each other, and that takes time. The communication is not as simple and direct as we are used to. Of course, there are similar confusions on their side. You have to be prepared to invest time and really get to know your partners.

How about on set?

The most important thing is about respect. Whether you're dealmaking or dealing with a crew or actors, you want to show respect and not seem like you see yourself as superior. Anytime you appear to show that you know better and you need to put someone in their place, it will not go over well. Even as the director you should never yell at the crew or put someone down, because it's the whole thing about losing face with someone. You can lose the good faith of your Chinese crew with behavior like that.

Other differences?

For Legend of the Ancient Sword, the project I'm currently working on with Alibaba, we're going full speed ahead and we'll be shooting seven days a week until Chinese New Year in February. This is the Chinese system — no day off, and no overtime pay — because they pay crew a monthly salary and they work as much as they can. It's grueling, but that's how it's done. If you're in their system, you have to accept the challenge and always be gracious.

I've heard these stories about big U.S.-China co-productions that have had really high-class catering by Beijing standards, but still the Hollywood crew will be like, "we're not going to eat this crap." Whereas the Chinese crew are, like, "we've never had such luxurious food on any production!" That kind of thing can really erode the sense of collaboration and teamwork.

What's hardest about moviemaking within the Chinese industry right now?

Finding experienced screenwriters and casting — these two by far.

The handful of Chinese screenwriters who have written screenplays that became big local blockbusters are in huge demand. They are totally booked and very expensive. Most production roles are much cheaper in China, of course. But if you're a top writer, you're making Hollywood money — maybe more. There's such huge demand for good stories and there aren't nearly enough experienced writers — especially bilingual ones with an international view. Translating a Western screenplay just doesn't work, for many reasons.

Casting is the second huge challenge. There are just a handful of Chinese stars who automatically mean something for the box office, and they are always booked — usually with several movies, reality TV shows, commercials and other promotional commitments that earn them enormous money. Getting access to top talent and getting them onboard with a project is a very long process. If someone tells me they have a production in motion and they're ready to start shooting soon, I always ask if they are cast. Because it takes six months to one year to assemble a strong cast — minimum.

And where did you get Rascal?

I had a dog in LA that I had to leave behind when I decided to stay here. I really missed having a dog, so I started researching. I tend to go for rescue dogs because, you know, someone has to help them. I found this place called the International Center for Veterinary Services (ICVS), and it's this phenomenal organization that an American lady started 15 years ago. I went there and saw a bunch of dogs and it was just love at first sight with him. He had been rescued from the meat market with some other dogs. He had had some horrific experiences, so I had to house train him and teach him everything from the beginning. He's a good boy now. I take him with me everywhere.

Has anyone here seen Skiptrace aside from me?

Anyone?

[GeneChing]

Hollywood director Renny Harlin on his China career, directing Jackie Chan, and new film Bodies at Rest (https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3023729/hollywood-director-renny-harlin-his-china-career-directing)
Harlin moved to China five years ago to direct Jackie Chan in the hit 2016 release Skiptrace and has since made the country his home
He has tasted both success and failure since the move. Here he tells the Post all about his experience so far
Edmund Lee
Published: 9:00pm, 21 Aug, 2019

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Film director Renny Harlin photographed in Wan Chai, Hong Kong, during an interview on his latest action thriller, Bodies at Rest, and his experience of making films in China. Photo: Edmond So

Renowned internationally for directing such popular action thrillers as Die Hard 2 (1990) and Cliffhanger (1993), Renny Harlin is now better known in the Chinese-speaking world as that rare Hollywood filmmaker who uprooted from Los Angeles and moved to China on a full-time basis.
It is five years since he arrived to direct Jackie Chan in the hit 2016 release Skiptrace. Since then, the Finnish veteran has founded his own company, based in Hong Kong and Beijing, to develop a range of feature films and TV shows for the China market. He has also had tasted failure: his second film after moving, last year’s Legend of the Ancient Sword, was a flop.
His third film since he relocated, Bodies at Rest, is a Hong Kong-China co-production. Set in a morgue on Christmas Eve, the story revolves around the attempts of a forensic expert (played by Nick Cheung Ka-fai) and his assistant (Yang Zi) to fend off a trio of masked criminals (headed by Richie Jen Hsien-chi), who have broken into the premise to look for a particular body.
The filmmaker recently sat down with the Post to reflect on his China experience.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5xp01ibqsw

Your new film, Bodies at Rest, is set on Christmas Eve. Does this setting remind you of Die Hard 2?

Yeah, I think it’s funny to go for Christmas! At least in the Western world, Christmas is a peaceful time when families come together and everything is perfect. So the setting of a dramatic, explosive story during that time has always felt like a good idea to me.
When we talked about when the movie [should] take place, we talked about the fact that we wanted the villains to wear masks in the first part of the movie. What if they wear Christmas-themed masks? And then we kind of built the story around Christmas. I even tried to use some of the same music that I used in Die Hard 2, but eventually we didn’t go with the song that I wanted to use.

Can you tell us a bit about the origin of this screenplay?

One executive from Wanda [Pictures] was going through Hollywood agencies looking for material. He read hundreds of screenplays, read this one and really liked it. He bought the rights for Wanda – it was a totally American movie at that point.

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(From left) Yang Zi, Richie Jen and Nick Cheung in a still from Bodies at Rest.

Then the script was translated into Chinese. Then, Wanda hired a Chinese screenwriter to take the translation and make it a living, breathing Chinese story. When they decided to let me get involved with this movie, they translated that script back to English – so now it’s the fourth generation of the film script.
I read that translation. You know how in Mandarin, words and sentences can be interpreted in so many different ways? There were literally things I couldn’t understand. At that point, I asked to read the original American script. Now that I knew the movie they wanted to make, [I told them], “I will write the script from the original American script.”

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Harlin (third from left) and the main cast of Bodies at Rest at the Beijing premiere.

What was the process like to make that original script culturally relevant to a Chinese audience?

My company has a team of young film students who have graduated from UCLA [University of California, Los Angeles] and NYU [New York University] – they’re Chinese and have come back. They are my advisers. With their cultural knowledge and understanding of humour, behaviour and all the details, we then created this screenplay that became the movie.
We wrote the screenplay simultaneously in English and Mandarin, which was then translated into Cantonese. It was a long process. This script represents a very typical example of the challenges for filmmakers like me. It’s hard for some Hollywood producers to come to make a co-production movie in China. It’s hard for them to comprehend how vast the cultural differences are.
It’s not just about the language, or eating or not eating certain kinds of food. It’s about human interaction, family, relationships and certain reservations that [Chinese] people have that Western people might not. For me, it’s a daily learning experience.

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Bruce Willis in a still from Die Hard 2 (1990), directed by Renny Harlin. Photo: Twentieth Century Fox

Now that you’re completely based in China, how does it feel?

I feel like I’m in a very privileged position that I can live in China, and live this life and encounter these things every day – compared to somebody who flies in and does one project, and tries to digest everything that unfolds around them.
It was just being in the right place at the right time. I came here to do Skiptrace, and the journey started from there. I started researching locations and travelling around China, slowly learning things about people, history, culture and food. The more time I spent here, the more I loved it.
Of course, I still thought that it was just [going to be] one of the couple of dozen movies I made outside Hollywood. But things went so well [and] I really enjoyed working with a Chinese crew. I have so much respect for them; they’re such hard workers and collaborators. There’s also this sense of improvisation which was refreshing [when] compared to Hollywood.
The first movie went so well, the local people here asked me to stay and make more movies. The film industry was just starting to explode in China and they felt, with my Hollywood experience, maybe I could bring some ingredients into the filmmaking scene here. continued next post

[GeneChing]

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Jackie Chan and Johnny Knoxville in a still from Skiptrace (2016).

What do you remember from the experience of working with Jackie Chan on Skiptrace?

It was an amazing experience. It was [also] like jumping into very cold water. Because working with him – his films are very improvised. They literally come up with ideas in the morning and shoot them in the afternoon. I’m used to a very organised, Hollywood way of planning everything.
For our action scenes, I would show Jackie storyboards and descriptions on how I was planning to do things. He would be excited and interested, but also immediately start suggesting, “That’s good, but we can also do this.” The same thing continued on the film set [throughout].

People love movies [in China] and they build new movie theatres every day – while in America, they changed them into bookstores
Renny Harlin
Some scenes, of course, involve more dialogue and story; they went exactly how I planned. But in some action scenes – he was extremely respectful and supportive of me, but he would offer things like, “What do you think if we do this or we add this?”
For him, it’s always like, “Don’t have just two jokes. The third joke is going to be the one that’s really going to make the audience love the scene.” And, “Don’t have just two beats in the action; have the third beat, fourth beat.” So, the most valuable lesson I’ve learned since I started in Hollywood is to be open to improvisation; don’t be afraid to improvise.

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Richie Jen in a still from Bodies at Rest.

What’s the current state of Hollywood in your opinion?

I feel that, for a long time, the number of studio movies being made in Hollywood has gone down every year. It’s either the Marvel-type superhero movies or the Blumhouse-type of low-budget horror films. There are a very small number of movies in between. It’s not at all like it was when I went there in the ’80s and ’90s. It’s all Netflix and Amazon now, and I like making theatrical movies.
I was in a unique position in that I was an outsider in Hollywood to begin with. So I found it very easy to say, “OK, this is the next chapter of my life. I’m going to go to China and see how things go and develop.” It’s been snowballing. The more I get to know people, the more I work here, the more I like it and learn about it.
So why not China? People love movies here and they build new movie theatres every day – while in America, they changed them into bookstores [laughs]. Maybe not bookstores, but some kind of stores. It’s sad to see old movie theatres that have been turned into something else.


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Harlin says he now tries to work with fully Chinese crews, rather than search for people who are bilingual. Photo: Edmond So

What has your time in China taught you as a filmmaker?

You learn about the importance of finding the right material. I think many filmmakers are like me: we love making movies so much that we don’t necessarily make the right decisions, because we’re so passionate to get behind the cameras. I’ve developed patience in that sense.
I’ve also learned more about being very particular about who I cast in roles. You realise you’re just as good as your casting crew.
Also, putting the crew together: at first, I was very particular that my DOP [director of photography] and costume designer had to be bilingual. And then I realised that the talent is much more important than the language. The language [issue] we can always resolve, but the talent is the key. So now I go with a fully Chinese crew where nobody speaks English; I can always get people to translate. Finding the right people to help you paint the pictures is the most important thing.

I don't know about Bodies At Rest (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71068-Bodies-At-Rest).

Skiptrace (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?65866-Skiptrace) sucked.