Wu Assassins [Archive] - Kung Fu Magazine Forums

GeneChing

06-29-2018, 02:12 PM

This changes everything. :cool:

Netflix Orders Martial Arts Drama Series ‘Wu Assassins’ Starring Iko Uwais From Tony Krantz, John Wirth & Nomadic Pics (https://deadline.com/2018/06/wu-assassins-netflix-martial-arts-crime-drama-series-iko-uwais-stars-1202419729/)
by Nellie Andreeva • tip
June 29, 2018 12:00pm

https://pmcdeadline2.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/iko-ukwais.jpg?w=446&h=299&crop=1
REX/Shutterstock

Netflix has given a 10-episode order to Wu Assassins, martial arts sci-fi crime drama series starring Iko Uwais (The Raid, Star Wars: The Force Awakens). It hails from Tony Krantz of Flame Ventures (24), John Wirth (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles; Falling Skies) and Nomadic Pictures (Fargo, Hell on Wheels).

Byron Mann (The Expanse) co-stars in the series, slated for an August 8 production start. Stephen Fung will direct the first two episodes, with Krantz expected to helm another. In addition to playing the lead, Uwais also will serve as producer, lead martial arts and fight choreographer and stunt coordinator.

Written by Wirth, who also serves as showrunner, Wu Assassins, set in San Francisco’s Chinatown, is a martial arts crime series with supernatural elements. It stars Uwais as Kai Jin, who becomes the latest and last Wu Assassin, chosen to round up the powers of an ancient triad and restore balance once again. Mann plays Uncle Six.

Wirth executive produces with Krantz and Nomadic Pictures’ Oakes and Frislev.

Uwais is known for his roles in The Raid, The Raid 2 on which he also served as fight choreographer, and most recently Star Wars: The Force Awakens. He’s in post-production on Mile 22, on which he stars and serves as co-fight choreographer. He is repped by Gersh, Ricky Siahaan and Management 360.

Wirth previously worked with Nomadic Pictures on Hell On Wheels where he served as an executive producer.

Krantz also has Suburbs Famous (working title), a dramedy co-written and starring Nia Vardalos, in development at Bravo. He is repped by CAA, Echo Lake Entertainment, and attorney Bianca Levin.

GeneChing

07-23-2018, 07:38 AM

Louis Tan (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=1423)! We connected last year during my Into the Badlands (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?67844-Into-The-Badlands) set visit.

‘Wu Assassins’: Katheryn Winnick, Lewis Tan, Tommy Flanagan & Tzi Ma Join Netflix Martial Arts Drama (https://deadline.com/2018/07/wu-assassins-katheryn-winnick-lewis-tan-tommy-flanagan-tzi-ma-netflix-martial-arts-drama-1202430151/)
by Denise Petski
July 20, 2018 9:30am

https://pmcdeadline2.files.wordpress.com/2018/07/katheryn-winnick-lewis-tan-tommy-flanagan-tzi-ma.jpg?w=446&h=299&crop=1
Photos courtesy of Netflix

Vikings star Katheryn Winnick, Lewis Tan (Into the Badlands), Sons of Anarchy alum Tommy Flanagan, and Tzi Ma (Meditation Park) are set as series regulars opposite Iko Uwais and Byron Mann in Netflix’s Wu Assassins, from Tony Krantz of Flame Ventures (24), John Wirth (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles; Falling Skies) and Nomadic Pictures (Fargo, Hell on Wheels).

Written by Wirth, who also serves as showrunner, Wu Assassins, set in San Francisco’s Chinatown, is a martial arts crime series with supernatural elements. It stars Uwais as Kai Jin, who becomes the latest and last Wu Assassin, chosen to round up the powers of an ancient triad and restore balance once again. Mann plays Uncle Six.

Winnick will play Christine “C.G.” Gavin, an undercover cop caught in the middle of a gang war that’s breaking out in Chinatown. Tan will portray Lu Xin Lee, a suave, fierce intelligent leader who owns and operates his own custom garage a la West Coast Customs and runs a car theft ring for the Triad.

Flanagan is Alec McCullough, an international crime boss with a mysterious interest in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Ma will portray Mr. Young, a kindly Chinatown grocer and a mentor to Kai.

Wirth executive produces with Krantz and Nomadic Pictures’ Oakes and Frislev. Stephen Fung will direct the first two episodes, with Krantz expected to helm another. In addition to playing the lead, Uwais also will serve as producer, lead martial arts and fight choreographer and stunt coordinator.

Winnick stars as Lagertha in History Channel’s Vikings, which is currently in its fifth season. On the film side, Winnick recently wrapped production on action-thriller Polar, alongside Mads Mikkelson, and Vanessa Hudgens, which will be released on Netflix. She’s repped by CAA, Alchemy Entertainment and attorney Jeffrey Bernstein.

Tan can be seen as Gaius Cha in season 3 of AMC’s Into the Badlands and as Shatterstar in Deadpool 2. He previously guest-starred in Marvel’s Iron Fist for Netflix and can also be seen in crime thriller Den of Thieves with Gerard Butler. Tan is repped by Luber Roklin Entertainment and ICM Partners.

Flanagan starred for seven seasons as Filip ‘Chips’ Telford opposite Charlie Hunnam in FX’s Sons of Anarchy. Known for his breakout performance in Mel Gibson’s Braveheart, Flanagan currently can be seen in feature The Ballad of Lefty Brown and he recently appeared in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and thriller Killers Anonymous. Flanagan is repped by Gersh and Untitled Entertainment.

Ma most recently played the male lead in feature Meditation Park, for which he was nominated for Best Actor at the 2018 Canadian Screen Awards. He also played General Shang in Denis Villeneuve’s Arrival. On TV, he has recurred in ABC’s Once Upon a Time, Amazon’s The Man in the High Castle, AMC’s Hell on Wheels and HBO’s Veep, among others. Ma is repped by Echelon Talent Management and BRS/Gage.

GeneChing

10-18-2018, 03:04 PM

I don't really know either of these actors. I did see Revenge of the Green Dragons (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?68143-Revenge-Of-The-Green-Dragons&p=1309757#post1309757), but I don't recall Au.

I take it they're filming in Canada, not SF.

‘Wu Assassins’: Lawrence Kao And Celia Au Join Netflix Martial Arts Series (https://deadline.com/2018/10/wu-assassins-lawrence-kao-celia-au-netflix-martial-arts-series-1202484849/?fbclid=IwAR3dtnDFn0AOTQ50IGJKUhlQNjyY7AB4fyEpqPuJ VGb7Pe5s6Az2c2YjakI)
by Dino-Ray Ramos
October 17, 2018 1:29pm

https://pmcdeadline2.files.wordpress.com/2018/10/kao-au.jpg?w=446&h=299&crop=1
Erich Chen, MVan Photography

EXCLUSIVE: Netflix’s forthcoming martial arts drama Wu Assassins has added Lawrence Kao (The Walking Dead) and Celia Au (Lodge 49) as series regulars.

Wu Assassins blends martial arts, drama, and supernatural elements for a story that centers on Kai Jin (The Raid star Iko Uwais), a man who becomes the latest and last Wu Assassin chosen to round up the powers of an ancient triad and restore balance once again.

Kao is set to play Tommy Wah, a drug addict in search of redemption as he is passed over by his parents in favor of his younger sister who runs the family business. Au will step into the role of Ying Ying, a quirky, young woman who is wise beyond her years and assists Kai Jin in his mission.

The pair will join previously announced cast members Katheryn Winnick (Vikings), Lewis Tan (Into the Badlands), Sons of Anarchy alum Tommy Flanagan, Tzi Ma (Meditation Park), and Byron Mann (The Expanse).

Wu Assassins comes from Tony Krantz of Flame Ventures (24), John Wirth (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles; Falling Skies) and Nomadic Pictures (Fargo, Hell on Wheels). Wirth is the writer, executive producer and showrunner while the show’s star Uwais also serves as producer, lead martial arts, fight choreographer, and stunt coordinator.

In addition to The Walking Dead, Kao credits include The Originals and Sleepy Hollow. He is also dancer who competed as a member of Kaba Modern in the first season of MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew and is currently part of the dance crew Kinjaz, which competed on NBC’s World of Dance. He is repped by Ellis Talent Group and Chris Roe Management.

Hong Kong-born American actress Au starred in Andrew Lau’s Revenge of the Green Dragons which was executive produced by Martin Scorsese. She also appeared in the Jemaine Clement comedy People, Places, Things and currently has a recurring role in AMC’s Lodge 49. She is repped by Brio Entertainment and Nicolosi and Co.

GeneChing

12-18-2018, 07:39 PM

WU ASSASSINS
Summer joins Netflix Sci-Fi drama Wu Assassins (https://www.summer-glau.com/news/summer_joins_netflix_s_wu_assassins/2018-11-05-1280)

https://www.summer-glau.com/_nw/12/65530014.jpg

Summer’s new project has been revealed today. She will reunite with producer John Wirth, with whom she worked with in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and The Cape. In a short tweet, Wirth welcomed Summer on board of his new show Wu Assassins. The show is a martial arts drama set in San Francisco’s Chinatown starring Iko Uwais (The Raid, Star Wars: The Force Awakens) and Byron Mann (The Expanse) and centers around a wannabe chef who teams up with a homicide detective to unravel an ancient mystery and take down supernatural assassins.

The series has received a 10-episode order from the streaming giant Netflix, but no release date has been set yet. Early 2019, we would expect. It's being written and executive produced by John Wirth, who is also acting as showrunner on the series. Chad Oakes, Mike Frislev and Tony Krantz will also serve as executive producers.

Here's Wu Assassins official description on Netflix.

The last in a line of Chosen Ones, a wannabe chef teams up with a homicide detective to unravel an ancient mystery and take down supernatural assassins. The show also stars Katheryn Winnick (Vikings), Lewis Tan (Into the Badlands), Tommy Flanagan (Sons of Anarchy), Tzi Ma (Meditation Park), Lawrence Kao (The Walking Dead), Celia Au (Revenge of the Green Dragons).

There’s no information about Summer’s role yet but We have more information about Summer's role. Still waiting to hear a release date for this.

GeneChing

01-17-2019, 09:18 AM

‘Wu Assassins’: Li Jun Li Cast In Netflix Martial Arts Series (https://deadline.com/2019/01/wu-assassins-li-jun-li-cast-netflix-martial-arts-series-1202535542/)
by Denise Petski
January 15, 2019 1:43pm

https://pmcdeadline2.files.wordpress.com/2019/01/li-jun-li-2.jpg?w=446&h=299&crop=1
Courtesy of Nicolosi & Co. Talent Agency

The Exorcist alumna Li Jun Li is set as a series regular on Netflix’s upcoming martial arts series Wu Assassins.

Wu Assassins blends martial arts, drama, and supernatural elements for a story that centers on Kai Jin (Iko Uwais), a man who becomes the latest and last Wu Assassin chosen to round up the powers of an ancient triad and restore balance once again.

Li will play Jenny Wah, who on the surface, is a confident young businesswoman with an MBA. Scratch the surface, the noisy wheels of ambition crank a darker nature, and the need to overcompensate.

Li will join previously announced cast members Katheryn Winnick (Vikings), Lewis Tan (Into the Badlands), Sons of Anarchy alum Tommy Flanagan, Tzi Ma (Meditation Park), Byron Mann (The Expanse), Lawrence Kao (The Walking Dead) and Celia Au (Lodge 49).

Wu Assassins comes from Tony Krantz of Flame Ventures (24), John Wirth (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles; Falling Skies) and Nomadic Pictures (Fargo, Hell on Wheels). Wirth is the writer, executive producer and showrunner while the show’s star Uwais also serves as producer, lead martial arts, fight choreographer, and stunt coordinator.

Li was most recently seen on the second season of The Exorcist in the series regular role of Rose. She previously recurred on Blindspot, Chicago P.D., Quantico and The Following. She also was a series regular on Fox’s Minority Report. Li is repped by Nicolosi & Co., Inc. and Authentic Talent & Literary Management.

So what if Netflix raised its prices? Gotta stay subscribed (https://www.martialartsmart.com/19341.html).

GeneChing

07-09-2019, 07:55 AM

‘Wu Assassins’ Season 1: Netflix Release Date, Cast, Plot & First Look (https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/wu-assassins-season-1-netflix-release-date-cast-plot-first-look/)
by Kasey Moore @kasey__moore on July 8, 2019, 12:00 pm EST

https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/wu-assassins-season-1-netflix.jpg

Wu Assassins is a brand new action series coming to Netflix in August 2019 Here’s your first look at the series, what you can expect and when you can begin watching on Netflix.

Just a month out from its release, details are a little sketchy but we’ve managed to put together an everything you need to know based on what we do know.

Here are the key details you need to know about Wu Assassin’s

The series was picked up in June 2018

Wu Assassins is classed as a martial arts action series

The filming for the series took place between August 2018 and November 2018 in Vancouver

Despite being filmed in Vancouver, the series takes place in San Fransisco’s Chinatown

Season 1 of Wu Assassin’s is set to consist of 10 episodes

Nomadic Pictures is one of the production companies behind the show producing Van Helsing for Syfy, The Order for Netflix and Fargo for FX

What’s Wu Assassins about?

The series will follow Kai Jin, an aspiring chef who works in Chinatown in San Francisco. Jin finds out he’s part of a great dynasty of warriors and learns he’s a Wu Assassin. He gets recruited into the order and it’s his task to round up the powers of an ancient triad.

The key draw for this series, however, is going to be its fight sequences which will feature the iconic fighting style of Iko Uwais. He’s best known for his work in The Raid and has bought over his team to work on Wu Assassins.

Who’s starring in Wu Assassins on Netflix?
The series has attracted some big names in the TV space.

The main draw (as we mentioned above) will be Iko Uwais, an Indonesian actor who has appeared in massive titles such as The Raid, Mile 22, Triple Threat and The Force Awakens. Notably, too, he’s involved in the series as a choreographer and a producer.

Katheryn Winnick is a Candian actress who has appeared in many TV series most notably Bones and Vikings. More recently, she featured in the Netflix Original movie Polar.

Among the other main cast members include Lewis Tan, Tommy Flanagan, Tzi Ma, Lawrence Kao, and Li Jun Li.

https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/wu-assassins-season-1-fan-art-poster.jpg
Wu Assassin’s fan art poster from Reddit

Speaking recently to the IMDb Show, it was confirmed that not only would Katheryn Winnick be starring in the show, she’ll also be taking the directors chair too. She gave a few insights as to what we can expect including the fact she’s “huge fan of Iko” referring to his performance in The Raid. Winnick referred to her “amazing experience” directing and added that “it’s a show that’s mostly an Asian-American cast.”

JuJu Chan in an interview said the show was “full-on action” adding her role was “kick-ass bodyguard assassin role”. She also first revealed the August 2019 release date.

We’ve also seen some glimpses of the fight choreography you can expect throughout the series too. You can expect epic fight scenes throughout which is ultimately one of the key components of this show.

When will Season 1 of Wu Assassin’s be on Netflix?

Thanks to a post from Tommy Flanagan who has a featuring role in the show, he confirmed that we’ll be getting season 1 of Wu Assassins on Netflix on August 8th, 2019.

tommyflanaganofficial (https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzj-psFFjYe/?utm_source=ig_embed)
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The journey begins! @iko.uwais @katherynwinnick @byronmann1 @iamlawrencekao #WuAssassins #WuFamily @netflix 8.8.19 @Netflix Send your WuAssasins fan art. Winner gets tap dancing lessons from @lewistanofficial @lijunli @jujuchanhk @wirthwhiletv @jenniferkaminskico amazing stunt team @dan_rizzuto @kimanikimani costume @fks_designs ♥️

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Los Angeles, California

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thesamtan
Incredibly proud and excited for the Netflix Series #wuassassins w/ my bro @lewistanofficial !! ��
2d

In the meantime, in the US, you’re able to watch a relatively similar show in the form of AMC’s Into the Badlands. That series is set further back in history but features a similar premise and its final season is expected to arrive on Netflix next year.

Note: This article will be updated with additional information as and when it’s released by Netflix or the production studio.

I'm not sure that chop logo at the top is an official logo. Don't ask me how I know...yet. ;)

GeneChing

07-16-2019, 09:18 AM

If Iko's stunt team is truly in charge, this will be awesome.

Netflix's 'Wu Assassins' is the perfect show for all supernatural martial arts-drama fans (https://meaww.com/netflixs-wu-assasins-perfect-show-for-all-supernatural-crime-drama-fans)
Described as a 'martial arts drama' set in modern-day San Francisco’s Chinatown, 'Wu Assassins' narrates the story of a young chef who discovers some pretty cool secrets that promise to take him on a journey to greatness and violence.
By Mangala Dilip
Updated On : 08:23 PST, Jul 14, 2019

https://cheesecake.articleassets.meaww.com/114420/uploads/3cfb7b70-a46f-11e9-8c66-d72218ab13f3_800_420.jpeg

Netflix’s 'Wu Assassins' has been on our radar for a while now. Chinese mythology, martial arts, and supernatural crime? Where do we sign up? Helmed by showrunner John Wirth, who is also the brains behind 'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles' and 'Hell on Wheels', the Netflix series promises to be way different from anything we have seen on Netflix.

Described as a "martial arts drama" set in modern-day San Francisco’s Chinatown, 'Wu Assassins' narrates the story of a young chef who discovers some pretty cool secrets that promise to take him on a journey to greatness and unfortunately, violence. The action-packed series will see him learning that he is a "Wu Assassin" who was chosen to tread a great and violent journey that will culminate in him rounding up the powers of an ancient triad

Benson sisters Julie and Shawna, who are writers on the Netflix show, revealed that Iko Uwais, the Indonesian actor who plays the protagonist Kai Jin, brought in his stunt team, and choreographed all the fight sequences.

"You have no idea. We would watch and be like maybe we just shouldn’t write anything and just let you do your [flipy flip things]," they told SYFY Wire during an interview.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-E1-3ojr2I

Barring the “two white faces” on the show, the cast is filled with Asian or Asian-American actors, they reveal, adding how it was one of the most diverse shows they have ever been a part of. One of the said white faces is that of Scottish actor Tommy Flanagan, who is possibly best known for his role as Filip "Chibs" Telford on FX’s ‘Sons of Anarchy.’

Flanagan’s Alec McCollough is described as "an international crime boss with a mysterious interest in San Francisco’s Chinatown." The actor, during his 2019 Toronto ComiCon Q&A panel also accidentally let it slip that we first meet his character in the highlands of Scotland and that he is 500 years old.

With an incredible cast, spectacular stunts and intriguing plot, 'Wu Assassins' is proving to be one of the most anticipated Netflix projects, and we can’t wait for an official premiere date to be assigned. However, we have been tipped off that we can expect an August release.

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GeneChing

07-23-2019, 11:07 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tXQMq967PY

GeneChing

07-29-2019, 09:19 AM

Netflix's Kung-Fu Series Wu Assassins Features a Same-Gender Romance (https://www.pride.com/tv/2019/7/25/netflixs-kung-fu-series-wu-assassins-features-same-gender-romance)

https://www.pride.com/sites/www.pride.com/files/2019/07/25/wu-assasins.jpg
Sci-fi fight scenes and gay love? Sign us up!

BY TAYLOR HENDERSON @CORNBREADSAYS
JULY 25 2019 3:16 PM EDT

Kung Fu meets sci-fi meets Asian street food meets lesbian love in Netflix's newest show Wu Assassins!

https://media.giphy.com/media/gEXs6B9CzcZUJPZQQl/giphy.gif

The series "follows Kai Jin (Iko Uwais), a young Chinatown chef in present-day San Francisco as he becomes entangled with the Chinese Triad’s pursuit of deadly ancient powers known as the "Wu Xing." After an encounter with a mystical spirit, Kai reluctantly becomes the Wu Assassin (Mark Dacascos), using his enhanced martial arts skills to recover supernatural powers from five modern-day criminals threatening to use them to destroy the world."

One of those five criminals just so happens to be Kai Jin's own father...

Not only is that description insanely badass, but at 1:15 in the trailer, two of the leading ladies lean in for a steamy kiss! Looks like Christine (Katheryn Winnick) is getting a same-gender romance!

You know we'll be watching!

Wu Assassins premieres August 8 on Netflix. Watch the trailer below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tXQMq967PY

I already want the Kungfoodie T-shirt Iko is wearing.

GeneChing

08-05-2019, 08:11 AM

Netflix sent me screeners. Y'all are going to want save your weekend to binge this. It's got the best fight choreography that I've seen on TV. Iko and the rest of the cast totally deliver. Mark my words - if you like good fight choreo (and we know you do because you're here) - you're gonna love this show too.

I can't wait to watch the rest of it.

Martial arts star JuJu Chan on role in Netflix’s all-Asian Wu Assassins (https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3021106/martial-arts-star-juju-chan-role-netflixs-all-asian-wu)
Chan plays the femme-fatale bodyguard of a triad boss, a role she considers unique given most ‘top enforcer’ characters in films are men
The actress, who has previously acted alongside Donnie Yen and Max Zhang, always does her own stunts and even helps choreograph set pieces
Ben Sin
Published: 5:00am, 4 Aug, 2019

https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1200x800/public/d8/images/methode/2019/08/04/cdab34dc-b3f9-11e9-8f9c-a6398a9f90a9_image_hires_055400.JPG?itok=IPiT1QFp&v=1564869253
Martial arts actress JuJu Chan, who plays a female bodyguard in upcoming Netflix series Wu Assassins, at Eliment Fitlax in Causeway Bay. Photo: Jonathan Wong

There’s a bit of an Asian-American movement happening in Hollywood right now.
The breakout success of Crazy Rich Asians has led to more Asian-American representation on US screens big and small, including the critically acclaimed family dramedy The Farewell; the much-buzzed-about Always Be My Maybe; and beginning next week on Netflix, Wu Assassins, a contemporary crime drama that combines martial arts and supernatural elements.
The show stars an all-Asian cast headlined by Indonesian actor Iko Uwais of The Raid fame, and includes Hong Kong-born JuJu Chan Yuk-wan, whose role was specifically crafted for her.
“I initially met the crew to talk about [another] role,” recalls Chan, 30, who split her childhood between Hong Kong and the US. “But after realising my martial arts background and ability to do my own stunts, they wrote an entirely new role for me.”

https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/08/04/d9babcde-b3f9-11e9-8f9c-a6398a9f90a9_972x_055400.JPG
Chan grew up watching Hong Kong kung fu movies with her father. Photo: Jonathan Wong

That role is Zan, the femme fatale bodyguard of the show’s main antagonist, a triad boss played by another Hong Kong-American actor, Byron Mann.
“Usually, the top enforcer of the triad boss in movies have traditionally been men,” Chan says. “So I found the role of this tough woman protecting the big boss as very unique.”
It is hardly a stretch for Chan to portray a tough woman. Before she starred alongside Donnie Yen Ji-dan in the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon sequel Sword of Destiny (2016), and fought Max Zhang Jin in this year’s Hong Kong actioner Invincible Dragon , she represented Hong Kong in the 2013 Taekwondo World Championship in Bulgaria, and also competed professionally as a Thai boxer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tXQMq967PY

Chan grew up watching Hong Kong kung fu movies with her father. She would get so into the movies that she would re-enact the moves at home. Seeing her passion, her parents sent her to learn martial arts at the age of 10. Today, she is proficient in karate, judo, wing chun and hung kuen.
Following an education in San Francisco and New York, Chan returned to Hong Kong to pursue an entertainment career in 2009.
Though she has always kept herself employed – in addition to the acting gigs and the competitive fighting, Chan also modelled, appeared on reality television shows, sang, and released a book – it really wasn’t until landing the part of Silver Dart Shi in Sword of Destiny that her career properly took off.

https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/08/04/981a7f12-b3f9-11e9-8f9c-a6398a9f90a9_972x_055400.JPG
Chan as bodyguard Zan in Wu Assassins. Photo: Netflix

In a post-Crazy Rich Asians Hollywood that’s more open to Asian-led projects and casting more Asian parts, Chan’s career has picked up too. She says she has had more auditions and job offers this year than ever before.
Almost as soon as she finished filming all 10 episodes of Wu Assassins in Vancouver, she jetted off to Cyprus to shoot Jiu Jitsu, another martial arts movie with Nicholas Cage and Thai actor Tony Jaa. Like Wu Assassins, Jiu Jitsu takes a traditional martial arts genre and adds sci-fi elements, this one involving a group of jiu-jitsu masters who must defend earth from aliens.

https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/08/04/401e2188-b3f9-11e9-8f9c-a6398a9f90a9_972x_055400.JPG
Chan in Wu Assassins. Photo: Netflix
Chan has long multitasked on action movie shoots – not only does she do all her own stunts, she often helps choreograph set pieces – but she did even more than usual during the production of Jiu Jitsu.
“On off days I went to take pre-wedding photos, because Cyprus is so beautiful,” she says.

… I want to build my reputation as the action girl, the one who can act and fight on screen and do all her own stunts
JuJu Chan
Chan is scheduled to marry her partner – also a martial artist based in Hong Kong – this October, with plans to start a family next year.
She says she is hoping to time the pregnancy to not overlap with projects too much, which may include the second season of Wu Assassins if season one proves popular.
“I think the modern-day women should be able to do both – have a family and a career,” she says. “Besides, I can still act and do action up to the first three months of pregnancy anyway.”

https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/08/04/c95055a2-b3f9-11e9-8f9c-a6398a9f90a9_972x_055400.JPG
Chan is proficient in karate, judo, wing chun and hung kuen. Photo: Jonathan Wong

But she concedes she may have to do something she has avoided doing her whole career: use a stunt double.
“If there are action scenes to be shot [later in my pregnancy] then I guess I will have to use a double,” she says with a sigh. “I hope not though, because I want to build my reputation as the action girl, the one who can act and fight on screen and do all her own stunts.”

Wu Assassins will start streaming on Netflix on August 8

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Kicking down the door

GeneChing

08-05-2019, 12:16 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYRdN_19DtE

This Kung Fu Music (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?36569-Kung-Fu-Music) is the theme song for Wu Assassins (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70838-Wu-Assassins).

I suspect there will be a music video soon. ;)

GeneChing

08-07-2019, 08:59 AM

I've met Stephen Fung through Into the Badlands (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?67844-Into-The-Badlands) a few times.

We'll have more coverage on this very soon, both online (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/) and in print (https://www.martialartsmart.com/19341.html). Stay tuned. :cool:

‘Wu Assassins’ Director Stephen Fung Talks Netflix's First Martial Arts Original Series (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/wu-assassins-director-stephen-fung-talks-netflixs-first-martial-arts-series-1229081)
AUGUST 07, 2019 2:00AM by Karen Chu

https://cdn1.thr.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/1296x730/2019/08/screenshot_2019-08-07_at_4.47.24_pm.jpg
The action-fantasy show, which streams globally on Aug. 8, is headlined by 'The Raid's Iko Uwais and 'Vikings' star Katheryn Winnick.

Veteran Hong Kong action director Stephen Fung promises that Wu Assassins, Netflix’s first martial arts focused original series, will immerse the audience in the “down-and-dirty” action style of silat, an Indonesian and Malay fight discipline made famous by cult action franchise The Raid.

The prominence of silat marks a departure for Fung, who directed the first two episodes of Wu Assassins and executive produced the series, which streams globally on Aug. 8. He made his name with Hong Kong wuxia and tai chi style fight films such as House of Fury (2004) and the two-parter Tai Chi 0 and Tai Chi Hero (2012), and he was the executive producer, director and fight director of AMC’s Into the Badlands, which starred Daniel Wu.

Headlined by Raid star Iko Uwais, Wu Assassins is set in present-day San Francisco and is rather nebulously described as a superhero origin and coming-of-age story with hints of fantasy and sci-fi. The story revolves around an aspiring chef, played by Uwais, and the discovery of his destiny as the sole surviving heir of the Wu Assassins bloodline.

Canadian actress Katheryn Winnick (Vikings) co-stars with Uwais, who has been busy of late with roles in Mile 22, Stuber and a cameo in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Fung says the martial arts prowess of the two leads allowed him to take a new approach. “Iko is a famous action star in Southeast Asia and Katheryn is a black belt in Taekwondo, and their action styles are very different from the kind we’re used to in Hong Kong action cinema. It gave me a fresh perspective and pushed me to think out of the box,” Fung told The Hollywood Reporter.

https://cdn1.thr.com/sites/default/files/2019/08/stephenfung_2_1.jpg
Stephen Fung on the set of Wu Assassins. | Courtesy of Stephen Fung

Fung tried to capture the essence of the martial arts discipline Uwais practices, which gave rise to a visual style distinct from the type usually seen depicting Chinese martial arts. “For Chinese martial arts cinema, aesthetics come first. When there is a fight onscreen, we don’t pull real punches. It depends more on whether the choreography is visually pleasing, how the body language is expressed, with the help of wires, so it is more like a dance than be actually practical,” he said.

“But with Iko’s martial arts discipline of silat, the fighting is more practical and there are a lot of joint locks. So filming Iko I could emphasize less on the aesthetics and use a more down-and-dirty handheld style, get a grainy feel and immerse the audience right in the middle of the action.”

The “Wu” in the series title has echoes of the Shaw Brothers classic movies, but Fung says instead refers to the theory employed in diverse fields of Chinese thoughts including cosmology, Chinese medicine, military strategy and martial arts. “I was quite intrigued by the title at the beginning, and wondered whether ‘Wu’ was a surname, or was derived from Wuxia [martial heroes] or Wu-Tang [a martial arts sect]. But after reading the script I realized ‘Wu’ referred to ‘Wu Xing’, the Five Elements theory,” he elaborated.

As the first Netflix martial arts original series, the streamer is focusing on building the mythology behind Wu Assassins. Fung joined the series with a track record in martial arts cinema, as well as previous experience in working for an American network, AMC, for Into the Badlands. “Both Netflix and AMC gave us a high degree of creative freedom, as they were tapping into an unknown territory, which is the martial arts genre. Since they are unfamiliar with tackling this genre, they trusted our abilities more. If they are making a series in the genre they are experienced in, they didn’t have to hire us and could just work with an entirely local creative team. So I think this made our job easier — because they were convinced of our expertise from the get-go. Both have been very hands-off.”

While Hollywood is pushing the martial arts genre, with Wu Assassins and even a superhero martial artist with Shang-Chi in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in Hong Kong and China the genre has been in decline in recent years, with the sole exception of the Ip Man franchise. Fung was not optimistic about the chance of a revival in the immediate future. “I don’t think the prospects of Hong Kong martial arts cinema are very promising, and that is mainly due to the lack of up-and-coming action stars. Even when I was prepping Tai Chi 0 and Tai Chi Hero, we tried to find new action actors, but at the end of the day, it depends on whether the audience accept the newcomers."

He added: "After Donnie Yen, the frontrunner is Max Zhang, but he can’t star in each and every action film. Like the rise of Tony Jaa driving the action cinema in Thailand, the emergence of a new action star is key to a revival in Hong Kong action films. And for that, we have to wait.”

Looking forward, Fung, a lifelong fan of Iron Man since the character was just 2-D and found only in comics, would love the chance to bring his brand of action direction to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. "I would fall over backwards to do it given such a chance,” Fung said, and he revealed he did have talks with Marvel for the second season of TV show Iron Fist, but was unable to work on it because of a scheduling conflict. “Not only the MCU, I’d love to be able to be involved in the Star Wars films. They were such a big part of my childhood.”

GeneChing

08-08-2019, 08:10 AM

Best New Bad Ass Binge. READ The Rise of JuJu Chan and WU ASSASSINS (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=1503) by Kurtis Fujita

http://www.kungfumagazine.com/admin/site_images/KungfuMagazine/upload/4051_201934MarcDacascos-IkoUwais-JujuChan.jpg

Djuan

08-10-2019, 05:27 PM

saw some earlier today, some decent gung fu goin on. stereotypes in effect , and nice bay area action goin on ;)

GeneChing

08-12-2019, 10:17 AM

Carl Samson·August 2, 2019·18 min read
‘Wu Assassins’ Star Lewis Tan is Assassinating Asian Male Stereotypes (https://nextshark.com/lewis-tan-wu-assassins/)

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Netflix continues to champion Asian representation with “Wu Assassins,” a new supernatural martial arts series that follows a warrior’s search for the powers of an ancient triad to restore balance in San Francisco’s Chinatown.

The show, which drops next week, stars Indonesian actor Iko Uwais (“The Night Comes for Us”), along with Hong Kong American star Byron Mann (“Blood and Water”) and British American actor Lewis Tan (“Into the Badlands”).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tXQMq967PY

In an interview with NextShark, Tan, who plays Lu Xin Lee, revealed interesting details on his casting and character, whom he described as someone with “major identity issues.”

“I had just finished 11 months filming ‘Into the Badlands’ when I landed in Los Angeles and my agents sent me the breakdown for Lu Xin Lee, the character I play. At this time I didn’t know who was involved, just that he was an Asian American gangster set in modern times.”

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Image via Instagram / @lewistanofficial

“I was really interested to explore new dynamics after being on such a genre-specific show and doing specialized Hong Kong-style action,” Tan said. “The possibilities of this wild character and the violent gritty action style was alluring.”

“I sent in a tape I filmed in my kitchen eating noodles and had a long conversation with our showrunner John Wirth. After hearing his vision and passion, I had to be a part of it.”

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Image via Instagram / @lewistanofficial

Tan put in the hours to prepare for his exciting new character, which many would find relatable.

“Like every role, there is always preparation involved. Getting to understand the character, why he does what he does, his motivations, fears, desires and loves, then discovering how I can physically and emotionally embody it. I try new things, fail, try again until it connects and then finds its flow.”

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Image via Instagram / @lewistanofficial

“Lu Xin has major identity issues, deals with a lot of past trauma and covers it up with a flashy lifestyle, cocky attitude and making very risky choices,” Tan said. “This is a common theme in life.”

“Why do we need the fancy car, the designer jewelry? We feel the need for validation from strangers. We want to be loved, understood, valued. The more we stop and ask ourselves why the more we can get to the raw naked truth. Everything revolves around love or fear. Whichever motivates your thoughts, you will manifest.”

https://nextshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/TAN_8-e1564673589301.jpg
Image via Instagram / @lewistanofficial

Tan, whose jaw-dropping physique has proven popular on TV, said that he is happy to break aged stereotypes about Asian men.

“There is a stereotype created long ago that Asian men are not attractive or masculine. Even recently, Steve Harvey made those comments on his show, in this modern time.”

“I am happy to help break those lies and open up a new and more accurate way of thinking. I train a lot, not for vanity purposes but because I love martial arts.

“It is an integral part of my life, it helps balance my energy. I love being fluid and powerful, responsive and fast.”

https://nextshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/TAN_3-e1564672469689.jpg
Image via Instagram / @lewistanofficial

continued next post

GeneChing

08-12-2019, 10:17 AM

The 32-year-old star maintains a meticulous balance of a healthy diet and training — which includes a combination of various styles — to stay in shape.

“I mix up my training with different styles: Muay Thai, boxing, weapons, kung fu, and sparring. I add in weight training, calisthenics, yoga, meditation, and full-body recovery.”

The show, which drops next week, stars Indonesian stuntman Iko Uwais ("The Night Comes for Us"), along with Hong Kong American star Byron Mann ("Blood and Water") and British American actor Lewis Tan ("Into the Badlands").
Image via Instagram / @lewistanofficial
“I eat as clean as possible and as balanced as possible,” he said. “I try to know where my food and water is from, removing processed food and sugars from my diet almost completely, and again, I enjoy the way I feel so it isn’t much of a sacrifice.”

“If I am on vacation or traveling and I see an amazing dessert or a fat-heavy food, I will eat it. It is important to be happy, let yourself live, but don’t overindulge. It is the same with all good things in life. Balance, but as far as being attractive goes, it is all in knowing yourself, embracing who you are and being kind — nothing more attractive than that.”

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Image via Instagram / @lewistanofficial

Tan likened the cast of the show to a “big family,” whose members know how to have a good time.

“Everyday was a riot. I mean that the entire cast got along like a big family. We would play tricks and pranks on each other, show up on set when we weren’t filming just to support each other, train together, eat together and celebrate together. This is a first, for this many Asian actors to be together in a modern original Netflix series.”

He especially grew close to Uwais, who allegedly enjoys singing and dancing in their makeup trailer.

“We knew and felt like it was bigger than us. We came together to do great work, not just for our series, but to open doors for generations to come. I have too many funny stories — remind me to post the video of Iko Uwais doing karaoke and dancing in the makeup trailer. I will be risking my life, so if something happens to me you know where to look.”

https://nextshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/TAN_6-e1564672934557.jpg
Image via Instagram / @lewistanofficial

Jokes aside, Tan pointed out that he wants to leave a legacy in the industry, especially at a time when Asian actors are finding more representation.

“I am excited to be acting at times like this. I want to be remembered for good work and not just for working. I choose carefully and end up turning down a lot of offers. Legacy is my main intention.”

However, he pointed out that his ethnicity neither defines him nor his work.

“Film is a powerful medium, arguably the most globally influential art form if you look at past history. It has changed lives, laws, and cultures. I don’t take it lightly. Being Asian is something I was born with, but it doesn’t define me or my work. As an artist, we all want the work to come first — how I am identified should be of less importance. That is the goal here: show people we are much similar then it may seem; the power of unity and understanding.”

https://nextshark.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/TAN_9-e1564673456270.jpg
Images via Instagram / @lewistanofficial

Still, Tan acknowledges misrepresentation in film, which could affect viewers — particularly young ones — for life.

“When you watch films, you see a reflection of what society is thinking or saying. You begin to believe those ideas and narratives to be universally true, even if they are not. That is why it is dangerous.

“If a young Asian kid sees 100 films where the young Asian kid is a nerd, how do you think he is going to feel? He is going to feel like people perceive him as a nerd. He begins to believe those things, and eventually, that mindset will manifest into reality with him accepting it.

“People at school watch the same films, so they have a similar perspective when they see this kid. It is a cycle.”

Nonetheless, Tan is proud of the work he has accomplished so far.

“When I see the response to my work, it makes me proud to represent a different perspective. When I meet fans or kids at Comic-Con or wherever, it makes me proud to have suffered so much loss, failure, and rejection. I see their faces and it is all worth it.”

“Wu Assassins” streams August 8 on Netflix.

Featured Images via Instagram / @lewistanofficial

I met Lewis on Into the Badlands (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?67844-Into-The-Badlands). We've kept up a correspondance and I interviewed him for Deadpool 2 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/index.php?p=article&article=1423). I as thinking of reaching out to him on this again, but then JuJu Chan reached out to us.

stereotypes in effect , and nice bay area action goin on ;)

Hang with it, Djuan. Those stereotypes are blown sideways. It's actually one of the most pro-Asian shows I've seen in a while, almost gratuitiously so. And it's really set in SF Chinatown, unlike Always Be My Maybe.

More to come... ;)

Djuan

08-12-2019, 10:41 AM

indeed, I trust your word.

Djuan

08-12-2019, 11:41 AM

the stereotypes arent really bad ones either, to be clear. just generalization. I actually like the depiction of the "other side of the bay" as well, kinda had some romeo must die vibes , and does more justice than other shows that tried it like SOA.

and about Always Be My Maybe lol that one was ok also, irony is we got into the stereotypes in that movie here the other day.
told my fam I think the point of that one was satirical on purpose in its steortypes, from the sub cultures of the bay and the sub characters which were supposed to be "grounded and well rounded" which is how we are out here, most of us :) ......and like the hippe/harlot girlfriend who stuck with Keanu for "world peace and carbon footprint akashic mixtapes" lol that was classic, terrible, funny and spot on of the Bay to LA, I remember festi hoppers like that back in the day smh man oh man.

stereotypes (negative or positive) will be built within any film or show like that because were dealing with point of views. like to make a film based on one group of people or location, or tribe, we have to view it through the lens of how the directors and writers, and actors even, interpret the group or location, and hope its 'grounded and well rounded'.

We all like films and shows with universal principles. and thats an entirely different discussion/ potential thread.

I think thats why martial arts films always had home in my (our) heart tho, no matter from what 'side' or 'art' because the principles of a martial artist are MOST Universal. I could watch the corny ones even lol, or the over hyped ones if they were done right in principle. I liked "Best of the Best" for example, a favorite movie as child, yet I cant stand competition TKD (no offense to anyone who practices TKD, dont come for me lol), I still love that movie to this day. '
And though I love Shaolin, some of the old films I cant stomach because they were all poor stereotypes and no principle or substance. While some Shaolin movies or scenes even, stand strong to this day, like Enter the Dragon, 36 Chambers, Shaolin vs Lama, Holy Robe of Shaolin, and Shaolin Temple /Martial Arts of Shaolin .....all before the 90's.

(pardon my rant :p)

Amituofo

GeneChing

08-14-2019, 07:04 AM

The FALL 2019 Table of Contents (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=1501) is available online.

http://www.kungfumagazine.com/admin/site_images/KungfuMagazine/upload/3686_KFM2019-Fall-Cover.jpg

THREADS
Fall 2019 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71322-Fall-2019)
Wu Assassins (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70838-Wu-Assassins)

GeneChing

08-19-2019, 08:53 AM

I knew of most of the cast prior to the show but Kao was new to me. I really liked his performance and he nails a quality of this show that I've been trying to convey in this interview. Not everyone has been sensitive to it - particularly not several of my non-Chinese friends - even some of my Chinese friends spent too much time focusing on the Kung Fu to see it either.

Wu Assassins star Lawrence Kao explains why new Netflix drama is not just about martial arts (https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a28730042/wu-assassins-netflix-season-1-lawrence-kao-tommy-wah/)
"Things like this don't come to Asian Americans that often."
BY JESS LEE
18/08/2019

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/wu-assassins-lawrence-kao-iko-uwais-1566102749.jpg
DANIEL POWER/NETFLIX

Wu Assassins is more than just a martial arts show.

The excellent action and choreography are no doubt some of the highlights of the Netflix drama, which launched last week. With a majority Asian American cast, the show also tells stories and emotional arcs rarely seen in this way on TV.

Lawrence Kao plays Tommy Wah, a longtime friend of lead character Kai Jin (Iko Uwais) and a heroin addict.

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/lawrence-kao-1566102549.jpg
VIVIEN KILLILEAGETTY IMAGES

"Things like this don't come to Asian Americans that often," he said in an interview with Digital Spy. "Being able to be a part of a show like this that revolutionises how people think of Asian Americans is just – I'm speechless.

"People like it a lot. They're very huge fans of the martial arts, and I feel like the people who make it through the season see that the show explores underlying themes throughout that talk about Chinese culture, as well as dive into familial relationships and themes about identity. I think people are enjoying those things besides all the action and martial arts."

Tommy is a complicated character. An addict and a member of the Triad, he regularly disappoints his friends despite often having good intentions.

"It was fun to juxtapose the idea of what people think Asian Americans are, so to even be able to play a heroin addict and to play the different levels of what this kind of character goes through, especially as an Asian American, makes it fascinating for me to explore," he said.

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DANIEL POWER/NETFLIX

"In the beginning, I feel like people will look at Tommy and go, 'Man, this kid is so annoying. He keeps messing up'. And people keep thinking negatively about him because he just continues to disappoint.

"But as the season goes on, you realise, 'Man, this guy, he's just human'. There are vulnerabilities to him and he's trying. And people who make it through the season realise that and can empathise with him.

"I [hope] this character, especially as an Asian American, will help other people who aren't Asian American empathise and see a person like this in a different light."

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DANIEL POWER/NETFLIX

Tommy, alongside Kai, is part of a close-knit friendship group which includes his sister Jenny (Li Jun Li) and Lu Xin (Lewis Tan).

It's uncommon to see an Asian American friendship group on screen, and Kao explained that they bonded away from the cameras as well.

"I've never been part of a cast with a friendship group that consists mostly of Asian Americans," he said. "It definitely resonated.

"Even being off set, it was just interesting to hang out with each other, and to have to take off our shoes when we go into each other's homes, and to have hot pot with each other, and to just be able to culturally hang out with one another without questioning any of it.

"I've never really had that opportunity or that kind of experience. So being able to be like that off-set helped us establish a stronger connection when the cameras were rolling."

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NETFLIX

Netflix has made a number of high-profile cancellations lately, including Santa Clarita Diet, The OA, Tuca & Bertie, and Designated Survivor. Will we see a second season for Wu Assassins?

"It's really hard to say," Kao said. "It's difficult because it's all about the numbers in the first couple of weeks.

"We're all out here trying to promote the show and tell people to watch it – and especially to watch it all the way through, because that's how they count their numbers.

"I really have no idea. The season does wrap up nicely, but I want to see more. I want to see what these characters go through, and I'm just as invested as other people are when they watch the show. I'm hopeful. Fingers crossed."

All ten episodes of Wu Assassins season 1 are available to watch on Netflix right now.

Djuan

08-19-2019, 06:16 PM

all I have to say is I took your advice and stuck with the show, and you were right about it, great work. very well rounded and universal artwork.

Djuan

08-19-2019, 06:17 PM

GeneChing

08-20-2019, 09:43 AM

I think I get what you are saying about him, and what he adds. I will share my perspective later, when I cant be blamed for spoilers lol
& I'm EAGERLY waiting on season 2. ;)

I just didn't know Kao. The rest of the cast I knew. I've been following Iko since Merantau (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?53100-Merantau-New-Indonesian-Pencak-Silat-film) (10 years!). I'm a huge fan of his work. I've met Lewis Tan - had dinner with him and interviewed him both for Into the Badlands (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/index.php?p=article&article=1480) and Deadpool 2 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/index.php?p=article&article=1423). The rest of the cast I knew from their previous work for the most part. But I didn't know Kao. I do now.

I'm hoping for Season 2 too. I felt Season 1 started off strong, then sort of fizzled towards the very end. It gasses out a little - often a problem with martial arts shows because it's very hard to sustain good fights for every episode. The teaser for the potential of Season 2 felt a little stretched. Nevertheless, I support it like I support all martial arts shows. None of them are 'perfect' but if we don't support them, no more will get made.

On that note, here's Celia's take on Season 2. And unlike Djuan, there are spoilers.

Wu Assassins star Celia Au reacts to cliffhanger ending and reveals season 2 hopes (https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a28687836/wu-assassins-netflix-celia-au-ending-season-2-ying-ying/)
"I was so excited for that to happen!"
BY JESS LEE
17/08/2019

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NETFLIX

Note: This article contains spoilers for Wu Assassins.

Wu Assassins launched on Netflix last week, and already attention is on whether or not there will be a second season.

One person keeping her fingers crossed for a renewal is star Celia Au, who plays mythical spirit Ying Ying – the mentor of lead character Kai Jin (Iko Uwais). Ying Ying tasks the reluctant hero with saving the world, after he is granted the power of the Wu Assassins.

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/celia-au-2-1565713063.jpg
PHOTOGRAPHY: NICK ONKEN | HAIR: COREY TUTTLE | MAKE-UP: ROMANA MAKEUP NEW YORK | STYLING: CAROLYN SON

Across the ten episodes, Kai attempts to carry out the mission by collecting the five elemental Wu Xing, but midway through the season, Ying Ying decides to abandon Kai when he chooses to save his father Uncle Six (Byron Mann) instead of killing him when extracting the Fire Wu from inside of him.

The season-long mission culminates in an action-packed finale which sees Alec McCullough (Tommy Flanagan) – the Wood Wu, a former Wu Assassin, and the season's Big Bad all in one – successfully opening a portal to a mythical plane called the Dao.

With help from his friends, Kai stops McCullough and kills him in order to prevent the Dao from being corrupted.

Six weeks later, at Jenny Wah's (Li Jun Li) restaurant, Kai is shocked to see Ying Ying again – and in the world of the living – as she delivers an ominous warning that the world still needs the Wu Assassin.

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NETFLIX

"I was so excited for that to happen!" Au said in an interview with Digital Spy, when asked about Ying Ying being in the human world.

Ying Ying pretty much only shared scenes with Kai and McCullough in the first season, but the twist opens up the possibility of her interacting with other characters.

"We actually have an ongoing joke," Au added. "Lewis [Tan] who plays Lu Xin, Li [Jun Li] who plays Jenny, and Lawrence [Kao] who plays Tommy, they're like, 'For the second season, we're going to take Ying Ying shopping. She needs new clothes!'

"How funny would it be if there's this scene where we just take Ying Ying shopping and give her a makeover? She gets a haircut, has different make-up, wears new and modern clothes, and tries to fit in this world."

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/celia-au-1-1565713176.jpg
PHOTOGRAPHY: NICK ONKEN | HAIR: COREY TUTTLE | MAKE-UP: ROMANA MAKEUP NEW YORK | STYLING: CAROLYN SON

More seriously, Au thinks that there is plenty to explore with Ying Ying, should there be a second season.

Little is known about the character beyond the fact that she was the very first Wu Assassin and has mentored the following 999 Wu Assassins.

"I like the fact that when you meet her and even at the very end, she's all mysterious," she said. "I definitely want to see more about what happened with the other 997 Wu Assassins.

"In my mind, throughout the years of her failing her mission and seeing her Wu Assassins dying, she becomes less emotional and harder and harder on her Wu Assassins – because she can see the consequences and she's seen it all, and she doesn't want for it to repeat itself even though it has 999 times."

Wu Assassins - Kai Jin (Iko Uwais) (https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/wu-assassins-iko-uwais-1565712972.jpg)
NETFLIX

Au praised her co-stars, calling Uwais and Flanagan "complete sweethearts" and saying that she gets on well with the cast away from the set as well. The camaraderie shines through in the series, with the stars sharing an easy chemistry in front of the camera.

"We're basically one big happy family," Au said, adding that they would regularly spend time and have dinner as a group. "It's rare when you have a whole cast that gets along really well, and everyone is always together and hanging out."

As for the show's chances of a second season, the star is optimistic.

"Right now, I have to say we're all feeling pretty good about it, but we rely on fans to keep spreading the word," she said, explaining that the higher the numbers, the more likely Netflix will renew the drama. "We're like, 'Everyone, watch the show so we can tell more stories in season 2 and continue to follow our characters!'"

All ten episodes of Wu Assassins season 1 are available to watch on Netflix right now.

GeneChing

08-22-2019, 11:05 AM

HK American Actress JuJu Chan Gets Hollywood’s Attention (https://www.jaynestars.com/news/hk-american-actress-juju-chan-gets-hollywoods-attention/?fbclid=IwAR1WYUm5AEQCZm9SMObvHYBvgz0svR56E4R9dceN HVHMsBH2A4k6apOzDx4)
By addy on August 20, 2019 in NEWS, TV Dramas

https://www.jaynestars.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/juju-chan.jpg

The road to success has been long and tiresome, but as it turns out, the wait was worth it.

Hong Kong-born American actress JuJu Chan (陳鈺芸), a recurring star in the Netflix series Wu Assassins, is gaining international attention for her role as the female bodyguard Zan. In IMDb’s Most Popular Celebs list, a weekly list as determined by IMDb users, JuJu Chan rose 905 places to 84th place in the 100 list, ranking higher than even Captain Marvel star Brie Larson this week.

JuJu Chan is also the highest Asian celebrity on the weekly list. The other Asian celebrity on the list is her Wu Assassins costar Iko Uwais.

https://www.jaynestars.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/juju-chan-2-211x317.jpg

IMDb users have been using the platform to praise JuJu’s performance on the show, specifically the 30 year old’s action prowess. JuJu did all of her scenes without a stunt double.

According to producer John Wirth, the character of Zan was originally written to be a male. However, he was so impressed with JuJu’s audition that he changed the role to suit her.

Doing action scenes for television are difficult, as there is usually limited time to train. JuJu said, “We are usually given about two hours to train and practice an action scene. The action choreography team and I would then demo the scene for the director.”

Wu Assassins’ action choreography Dan Rizzuto praised JoJo for being a professional in the business, saying that actor usually do not participate in the demo reels. “It’s my first time seeing this in 20 years,” he said. “JuJu is very dedicated to her craft.”

JuJu was born in Hong Kong but grew up in San Francisco, California. She attended the University of San Francisco as well as the Tisch School of the Arts. Prior to entering Hollywood, she participated in the 2010 Miss Hong Kong Pageant.

Wu Assassins stars Indonesian action star Iko Uwais as Kai Jin, who learns that he is the last of the supernatural Wu Assassins, and is destined to kill the five Wu Warlords. The series is set in Chinatown, San Francisco, and also stars Byron Mann (文峰) and Li Jun Li.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mpb029OS7kU

Source: On.cc

This article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.

Still no word on Season 2, but it's tracking well so far.

Djuan

08-22-2019, 07:51 PM

yea big up JuJu, she did a great job. wont say anymore lol ....Im eagerly awaiting though

GeneChing

10-22-2019, 08:00 AM

READ Meet the Martial Star of Netflix’s Wu Assassins, Iko Uwais (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=1514) By Gene Ching

http://www.kungfumagazine.com/admin/site_images/KungfuMagazine/upload/3686_KFM2019-Fall-Cover.jpg

THREADS
Fall 2019 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71322-Fall-2019)
Wu Assassins (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70838-Wu-Assassins)
Silat (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?2737-Silat)

GeneChing

11-07-2019, 09:00 AM

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EIyBotXUUAEhy80?format=jpg&name=900x900

THREADS
FALL 2019 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71322-Fall-2019)
Wu Assassins (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70838-Wu-Assassins)

GeneChing

11-13-2019, 08:48 AM

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EJQ5ll_VUAAn4-r?format=jpg&name=900x900

THREADS
FALL 2019 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71322-Fall-2019)
Wu Assassins (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70838-Wu-Assassins)

GeneChing

11-14-2019, 09:33 AM

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EJWMbZYUYAAAOBr?format=jpg&name=900x900

THREADS
Fall 2019 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71322-Fall-2019)
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?64710-Star-Wars-The-Force-Awakens)
Wu Assassins (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70838-Wu-Assassins)

GeneChing

11-18-2019, 09:06 AM

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EJqstp9UEAAogQ4?format=jpg&name=900x900

THREADS
FALL 2019 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71322-Fall-2019)
Wu Assassins (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70838-Wu-Assassins)

GeneChing

11-21-2019, 09:17 AM

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EJ6MeyBU0AIoPGD?format=jpg&name=900x900

THREADS
FALL 2019 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71322-Fall-2019)
Wu Assassins (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70838-Wu-Assassins)

On to WINTER 2020 (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71573-Winter-2020).

GeneChing

11-26-2019, 09:26 AM

Why Bruce Lee fan and Wu Assassins star JuJu Chan is Hollywood’s next high-kicking martial arts action hero (https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/leisure/article/3038792/why-bruce-lee-fan-and-wu-assassins-star-juju-chan)
Hong Kong-born actress JuJu Chan, who stars in Netflix series Wu Assassins and just wrapped shooting Jiu Jitsu with Nicolas Cage, talks to STYLE about her favourite fight scene and getting in fighting shape
Bridgette Hall
Published: 6:05pm, 21 Nov, 2019

https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1200x800/public/d8/images/methode/2019/11/25/a0bec46a-0c42-11ea-afcd-7b308be3ba45_image_hires_131808.jpg?itok=5-gmRgFu&v=1574659104
Action movie star JuJu Chan has been described as the ‘female Bruce Lee’.

“It’s an honour to be called anything Bruce Lee,” the Hong Kong-born, American actress says with a shy smile.
It’s not the first time JuJu Chan has been asked what it’s like being called the “female Bruce Lee”. The comparison however is difficult to overlook in the up-and-coming actress, who can perform multiple martial arts styles.
“Bruce Lee is so iconic, he is the one and only. So for me, being called the female Bruce Lee, I guess it's a motivation for me to do better,” says the 30-year-old.

https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/11/25/77232470-0c01-11ea-afcd-7b308be3ba45_972x_131808.JPG
JuJu Chan plays a female bodyguard in the Netflix series Wu Assassins.

Chan got her passion for martial arts from watching old action films with her dad that she would then try to replicate the moves she saw on screen around the house. After breaking one too many things and her parents wanting her to not get hurt they sent her for her first judo lesson. So that she would have the proper foundation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Etpoi40s9E

After that, mastering one martial arts style turned into several including karate, Chinese kung fu, hung gar, wing chun – and she even taught herself to use the nunchaku. She also picked up taekwondo and Thai boxing and would soon represent Hong Kong on the world stage.

https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/11/25/9c06e7e0-0c01-11ea-afcd-7b308be3ba45_972x_131808.jpg
JuJu Chan in a still from the Netflix series Wu Assassins

“I love challenges,” says Chan. And although she initially had dreams of being an Olympic athlete, she went on to study an undergraduate degree in computer science and mathematics and, after realising office work wasn’t for her, she completed a master's degree from the prestigious NYU Tisch School of the Arts.
With both the acting chops and the ability to perform her own stunts, Chan is poised to be a formidable female action star of the future. In Netflix’s first martial arts drama, Wu Assassins , Chan plays Zan, the triad's lieutenant and main character Uncle Six's right-hand woman. Premiered in August, the show’s first two episodes were directed by Hong Kong director Stephen Fung and the first season has received positive reviews.

https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/d8/images/methode/2019/11/25/b1f91ac2-0c02-11ea-afcd-7b308be3ba45_972x_131808.jpg
JuJu Chan with Nicolas Cage on the set of Jiu Jitsu

“I love making a character my own,” says Chan. For Zan she cut her hair short and dyed it blonde, giving her a fresh take on being a female assassin.
Apart from Wu Assassins, this year Chan has taken roles in Dutch-produced indie film Hollow Point and Hong Kong crime thriller The Invincible Dragon, directed by Fruit Chan. The newlywed also just wrapped shooting martial arts comic book adaptation Jiu Jitsu with Nicolas Cage in Cypress.
Watch our full interview with the star, when Chan discusses her favourite fight scene, her dream ensemble to work with and how she gets in fighting shape for a role.
Produced by Louise Lau

THREADS
Jiu Jitsu (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?71245-Jiu-Jitsu)
Wu Assassins (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70838-Wu-Assassins)

GeneChing

10-19-2020, 08:50 AM

Wu Assassins star says season 2 will be two movies on Netflix (https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a33929730/wu-assassins-season-2-netflix-movies/)
"They're changing the format."

BY JESS LEE
05/09/2020

Wu Assassins premiered more than one year ago (in August 2019), but there has been no official word on whether Netflix has renewed or cancelled the series.

During an interview with Digital Spy, Tzi Ma – who played Kai's neighbour Mr Young in the first season – said that there are plans for more Wu Assassins, although it will look a little different.

"They're changing the format," he shared. "I think they're going to do two kind of movies of the week instead of a series."

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/wu-assassins-tzi-ma-1567312312.jpg
DANIEL POWER / NETFLIX
Tzi, currently in Vancouver for The CW's Kung Fu reboot series, added that he won't be returning for these movies before explaining that the idea is that each of the two movies will take place in a different location.

"I can't be a part of it because I'm committed to another series," he said. "But I think that's what they're going to do. They're going to do two movies of the week where Iko [Uwais]'s character moves from Thailand and South Africa. But COVID hit.

"I think they were going to shoot in Thailand for one movie, and then shoot in South Africa for the other."

Digital Spy has reached out to Netflix for comment.

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/images/mulan-tzi-ma-zhou-1598968285.jpg

Right now, Tzi can be seen in the live-action Mulan remake as Mulan's father Zhou. The film launched on Disney+ yesterday (September 4).

"I'm relieved that finally the world is going to get an opportunity to see it. It's really, really an amazing piece of work," he said.

"The film is a celebration. A celebration of culture, a celebration of family, a celebration of women's contributions to our world."

Wu Assassins season 1 is available on Netflix.

Mulan is available exclusively to Disney+ subscribers in selected countries. Premier Access to the movie is priced at £19.99 in the UK and $29.99 in the US.

threads
Wu-Assassins (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?70838-Wu-Assassins)
Mulan (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?68640-Mulan-(2020))

GeneChing

02-26-2021, 10:25 AM

FEBRUARY 26, 2021 7:30am PT by Rick Porter

'Wu Assassins' Follow-Up Movie Set at Netflix (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/wu-assassins-follow-up-movie-netflix)
https://static.hollywoodreporter.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/TCDWUAS_ZX003-copy-1614294379-928x523.jpg
Everett

'Fistful of Vengeance' will feature Iko Uwais and fellow returning cast members Lewis Tan, Lawrence Kao and JuJu Chan Szeto.

Netflix is reuniting the Wu Assassins.

The streamer has greenlit an original movie titled Fistful of Vengeance that will follow Kai Jin (Iko Uwais) and several other original cast members in a new, standalone story. A date for the film hasn't been set.

Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that beyond Fistful of Vengeance, further continuations of the Wu Assassins story — either more movies or a second season of the series — are still on the table at Netflix.

In addition to Uwais, Lewis Tan, Lawrence Kao and JuJu Chan Szeto will reprise their roles from the series. They'll be joined in the cast by Pearl Thusi (Quantico), Francesca Corney, Jason Tobin (Warrior) and Rhatha Phongam (Only God Forgives).

Fistful of Vengeance will find the Wu Assassins reuniting in Bangkok to avenge the death of one of their own. They soon discover, however, that their new adversary is an ancient threat with otherworldly powers.

Roel Reiné, who helmed two episodes of Wu Assassins, is set to direct Fistful of Vengeance. Series veterans Cameron Litvack, Jessica Chou and Yalun Tu are writing the script. Creators Tony Krantz and John Wirth are producing along with Michael Frislev, Chad Oakes and Uwais.

The movie is set to film in Thailand, with production services by Living Pictures.
This will work better as a movie. As a TV show, it started strong but then sort of gassed out. That often seems to be the fate of TV shows. It's much tougher to sustain good fight choreo for a whole season. In a movie, you get maybe a half dozen fights if you're lucky. In a TV show, you get that many in 3 eps so if the run is longer, it's so much more wear and tear on your stunt team.