Hong Kong star hoping for a monster hit with return to kung fu genre
By Xu Fan | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2018-12-21 16:33
Crew and cast of Kung Fu Monster. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
Hong Kong superstar, Louis Koo Tin-lok, shot to fame from starring as a martial arts master in the 1995 TV show The Condor Heroes. His new film, Kung Fu Monster marks a return to the genre and a similar role for the first time in 23 years.
With Hong Kong director, Andrew Lau Wai-Keung, best known for the Infernal Affairs films, at the helm, Kung Fu Monster landed in theaters on Dec 21.
Set during the reign of Emperor Wanli in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the fantasy martial arts comedy centers around a monkey-shaped monster, which escapes from the royal palace but happens to encounter a group of bandits.
Kung Fu Monster debuts on Dec 21. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
"I haven't shot period dramas for a long time. Actually, I like historical stories which allow you to get into a quite different world and give you more freedom when acting," says Koo, in a promotional release from the distributors.
He also reveals that he had agreed to take the lead role without even reading the script.
"It gripped me just from the title. I haven't shot a monster movie for a long time, and I thought it would be fun to play," he explains.
Louis Koo Tin-lok leads Kung Fu Monster. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
The monster, whose design is inspired by three species of endangered monkeys, can transform its size, growing to giant proportions.
When shooting the sequences featuring the monster in its normal size, Koo says he actually performed with a martial arts choreographer who wore blue suit, specifically designed to be replaced by the digitally-made creature during postproduction.
The film also stars Chen Xuedong, Bea Hayden, Bao Bei'er, Wang Taili and Zhou Dongyu.
The film also stars actress Zhou Dongyu and actor Chen Xuedong. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]