Jet Li, Andy Lau eye ‘New Shaolin Temple’
by Mark Pollard | August 5, 2009

Producers for a martial arts film being developed in association with the real Shaolin Temple are currently in talks with wushu star Jet Li and actor/singer Andy Lau to star in NEW SHAOLIN TEMPLE. Li is reportedly being considered for a role as a senior monk.

It has also been revealed that a script by Alan Yuen (ROB-B-HOOD) sets the film’s events during the time of China’s Republican period. The plot loosely deals with efforts by Shaolin monks to aid the populace during a turbulent era.

Co-producers Henan Television and Emperor Motion Pictures intend to begin shooting by the end of the year.

For the past few years, Shaolin Temple has been developing film and television series based on the history of Shaolin. In 2006, the 1500-year-old Temple joined forces with Shenzhen Satellite TV to produce a talent show to discover fresh kung fu stars. Watched by an estimated 300 million people, the Global Chinese Kung Fu Star TV Competition brought together 36 competitors selected from 100,000 applicants from around the world.

If Jet Li takes this role, it would return him to the genre he had sworn off after his starring role in Ronny Yu’s kung fu actioner FEARLESS. Li’s presence in NEW SHAOLIN TEMPLE would also return him to his roots. The former wushu champion began his film career in 1982 by portraying a young fighting monk in the hugely successful mainland Chinese film SHAOLIN TEMPLE.
But then, there are two refutations (albeit the second is derivative) from Li himself.

Jet Li: Never heard about 'Shaolin' remake

Chinese action superstar Jet Li has denied reports that he is to star in a remake of the 1982 smash-hit film "The Shaolin Temple", which launched his celebrated career.

Jet Li was promoting his self-developed exercise "Wuji" in Beijing on Wednesday. When reporters asked him to confirm his involvement in the project, the actor said, "I never heard about this film."

Several media reports had suggested Jet Li was in talks to play a supporting role in the remake.

The 46-year-old actor made his screen debut as a teenager, playing the leading character, monk Jue Yuan in "The Shaolin Temple". The film, named after the martial-arts hotbed in central China's Henan Province, not only made Jet Li an idol for many, but also brought an influx of kung-fu hopefuls to the temple.

Previous reports say a remake of the film is being planned with a budget of 200 million yuan (US$29.3 million) and the Shaolin Temple would allow the film to be shot on location.

(CRI August 6, 2009)
Jet Li denies 'Shaolin Temple' remake
August 6, 9:36 AMLA Asian American Movie ExaminerEd Moy

Chinese action star Jet Li won't be starring in a remake of "The Shaolin Temple," which helped launch his acting career.

A report from China Radio International stated that Li was promoting his self-developed exercise "Wuji" in Beijing on Wednesday when reporters at the event asked him to confirm his involvement in the project.

But the actor is quoted as telling reporters, "I never heard about this film."

Several Chinese media reports had suggested Li was in talks to play a supporting role in the remake.

The 46-year-old Li made his screen debut as a teenager playing the leading character, a monk named Jue Yuan, in "The Shaolin Temple" film which was named after the legendary martial-arts center in China's Henan Province.

The remake is rumored to begin later this year on a budget of 200 million yuan (US $29.3 million) with the Shaolin Temple allowing the film to be shot on location.

KungFuCinema.com spread the rumor yesterday that Chinese singer/actor Andy Lau was also in talks to the star in the remake which is entitled "New Shaolin Temple" from a script by Alan Yuen, who wrote Jackie Chan's "Rob-B-Hood."

The original film made Li a popular martial arts star in China while inspiring many youngsters to begin training at the Shaolin Temple.

Li went on to star in several "Once Upon a Time in China" films, in which he portrayed the legendary martial arts hero Wong Fei-Hung. He also co-starred with Jackie Chan in last year's "The Forbidden Kingdom" and appeared with Brendan Fraser in "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor."

In his next film "The Expendables", Li will co-star with Sylvester Stallone and Jason Statham as part of a team of mercenaries who travel to South America on a mission to overthrow a dictator. The film will be released in April 23, 2010.

For more about Jet Li visit his official website at: http://www.jetli.com