Flying Swords of Dragon Gate

[GeneChing]

Tsui Hark & Jet? I'm in.

Jet Li Nets $12 Million for New Action Role
2010-06-30 13:41:05 CRIENGLISH.com Web Editor: Xie Tingting
After his first non-action role in the tear-jerker "Ocean Heaven", Jet Li returns to the martial-arts world with a $12-million contract.

After his first non-action role in the tear-jerker "Ocean Heaven", actor Jet Li returns to the martial-arts world with a US$12-million contract to star in Tsui Hark's "New Dragon Gate Inn", Information Times reports.

Polybona, the film's production company, is willing to pay the sky-high salary to encourage Li and Tsui's first collaborative project in 18 years, the report said.

Tsui's 1990s film series "Once Upon a Time in China" helped produce one of Li's best-known roles - Wong Fei-Hung. But rumors surfaced in 1992 that the two did not get along with each other while working on the third installment.

"New Dragon Gate Inn", which will be shot in 3-D, will be Tsui's attempt to remake the 1992 classic film "Dragon Inn" for which he was a producer.

The film follows Ming Dynasty General Chow Wai-On who fights the power-hungry eunuch Tsao Siu-Yan at a deserted inn called Dragon Gate.

Li will play Chow Wai-On. Zhou Xun has been cast as the inn's seductive owner Jade. The actor for Tsao Siu-Yan remains unknown.

Filming is scheduled to begin in September.

[GeneChing]

Tsui Hark postpones shooting new action film
English.news.cn 2010-07-07 20:08:13

BEIJING, July 7 (Xinhuanet) -- Director Tsui Hark's 2010 action film "New Dragon Gate Inn", which has changed its name into "Long Men Fei Jia" recently, was reported to have postponed its filming time until October, Mtime.com reports.

The film is a remark of 1992 classic film "Dragon Inn", which Tsui was the producer on. It has received much attention since the idea was released. The delay has triggered many guesses from filmmakers and media; therefore, the president of the production company Polybona, Yu Dongming, explained that it was for the 3-D technology.

Yu said that 3-D format films are popular in the film market, yet there are no standard production rules. In order to create a high standard 3-D film, the cast decided to prolong the 3-D testing session before filming.

Kung fu star Jet Li has been confirmed as taking part in the film's shooting, which is the 2nd collaboration between the actor and director Tsui since their 1990s film series "Once Upon a Time in China". Chinese actress Zhou Xun, actor Chen Kun and Taiwan actress Guey Lun-mei are also set to star in the film.

The original "New Dragon Gate Inn" was made in 1992 and featured Tony Leung, Maggie Cheung, Brigitte Lin and Donnie Yen. The film follows Ming Dynasty General Chow Wai-On who fights the power-hungry eunuch Tsao Siu-Yan at a deserted inn called Dragon Gate.

I've always thought the Dragon Inn tale was odd. It descends from Outlaws of the Marsh. Remember our Outlaws special (2002 July/August)?

[Jimbo]

Will it couldn't be any worse than the 1992 Dragon Inn. I thought that was one of the worst movies I've ever seen.

[doug maverick]

new article from sina

Toying with 3D, Tsui Hark Delays Dragon Dyke, Soaring Shell

-- Dragon Gate, Flying Shell --
To build a full-fledged 3D team and studio, Tsui Hark spent two years learning from foreign crew, trying to overcome whatever challenges 3D filming may pose. So, the Tsui Hark and the 3D crew, comprising top talents from US, Singapore, Korea and China, are doing trial shoot for 3 months before commencing actual filming of 《龙门飞甲》 Dragon Gate, Flying Shell/Armour (tentative).

There are many technical issues and pitfalls relating to 3D, and without shooting the film, these problems wouldn't be revealed, such that the audience might feel their heads are swimming. This relates to the cast positioning, the camera's operation and lens setup, the depth of field as well as editing. Without shooting on location, it would not be possible to discover the problems and find the solutions.




While it's called trial shoot, the workload, the manpower and resources needed, are no less than actual filming, requiring 10 sets of cameras, this is to drill the 3D crew, in the hope of handling whatever special situations that may arise when doing a wuxia film in 3D. Tsui Hark believes that we should not just hire a professional team, but also learn to master 3D technology ourselves, as this will be a great boon to Chinese film industry.

Tsui Hark is naming the film Dragon Gate, Flying Shell as it is not a remake of New Dragon Inn. Rather, it features an entirely different story revolving around the few selfsame essential characters from New Dragon Inn.




It remains to be seen if Jet Li, who is reportedly getting US$12m, Zhou Xun, Chen Kun and Guey Lun Mei are indeed joining Dragon Gate, Flying Shell. The film's publicist Shi Ling says that while the cast have been determined, they will only be announced just before production begins in October due to contractual terms; Jet Li says in a recent interview that he presently has 10 film offers, but he would only pick those that won't disrupt his One Foundation operations. However, he is not telling what they are, nor which he has accepted. Sina

so it seems that this film is not aremake...time for a retitling gene..i know how youdolove doing them so much, lol

[GeneChing]

Tsui Hark tests 3-D filmmaking
CRI, July 28, 2010

Tsui Hark's upcoming 3-D film "New Dragon Gate Inn" is likely to have a spin-off.
Actress Charlie Young works with director Tsui Hark for a test film for Tsui's 3-D feature 'New Dragon Gate Inn'.

The Hong Kong director has embarked on a 3-month filming process, testing the 3-D equipment and techniques he will later use for making "New Dragon Gate Inn", the Beijing News reports.

Tsui is hoping to release the test film as a standalone feature, the report says.

Actress Charlie Young has been invited to star in the test film which is about the lives of urban women.

Young told the newspaper, "Filming in 3-D is quite interesting. Every time I finish a scene, the first thing I want to do is stride behind the camera and check out the effect with 3-D glasses."

Tsui's 3-D crew received training from Chuck Comisky, visual-effects supervisor of James Cameron's "Avatar".

"New Dragon Gate Inn" is a remake of the 1992 classic film "Dragon Inn", which follows Ming Dynasty General Chow Wai-On who fights the power-hungry eunuch Tsao Siu-Yan at a deserted inn called Dragon Gate. Tsui produced that film.

The cast is yet to be announced for the remake.

Filming will officially begin in October.

A 3D flick about the lives of urban women just doesn't grab me like a 3D kung fu flick.

[doug maverick]

see this is why i like tsui, i mean the mo ther f ucker goes in. he does **** the right way....just read an article about how he hired the 3d supervisor from avatar and how he is taking three months to perfect it. before he even shoots...he is really trying to make chinas first shot in 3d movie....my man tsui. article below:

Toying with 3D, Tsui Hark Delays Dragon Dyke, Soaring Shell

-- Dragon Gate, Flying Shell --
To build a full-fledged 3D team and studio, Tsui Hark spent two years learning from foreign crew, trying to overcome whatever challenges 3D filming may pose. So, Tsui Hark and the 3D crew, comprising top talents from US, that includes Avatar's visual effects supervisor Chuck Comisky, Singapore, Korea and China, are doing trial shoot for 3 months before commencing actual filming of 《龙门飞甲》 Dragon Gate, Flying Shell/Armour (tentative).

There are many technical issues and pitfalls relating to 3D, and without shooting the film, these problems wouldn't be revealed, such that the audience might feel their heads are swimming. This relates to the cast positioning, the camera's operation and lens setup, the depth of field as well as editing. Without shooting on location, it would not be possible to discover the problems and find the solutions.




While it's called trial shoot, the workload, the manpower and resources needed, are no less than actual filming, requiring 10 sets of cameras, this is to drill the 3D crew, in the hope of handling whatever special situations that may arise when doing a wuxia film in 3D. Tsui Hark believes that we should not just hire a professional team, but also learn to master 3D technology ourselves, as this will be a great boon to Chinese film industry.

Tsui Hark is naming the film Dragon Gate, Flying Shell as it is not a remake of New Dragon Inn. Rather, it features an entirely different story revolving around the few selfsame essential characters from New Dragon Inn.




It remains to be seen if Jet Li, who is reportedly getting US$12m, Zhou Xun, Chen Kun and Guey Lun Mei are indeed joining Dragon Gate, Flying Shell. The film's publicist Shi Ling says that while the cast have been determined, they will only be announced just before production begins in October due to contractual terms; Jet Li says in a recent interview that he presently has 10 film offers, but he would only pick those that won't disrupt his One Foundation operations. However, he is not telling what they are, nor which he has accepted. Sina

[Hebrew Hammer]

You said power hungry eunich!! LOL

[GeneChing]

In 3D. 3D kung fu coming at ya!

Jet Li, Tsui Hark reunite
Film marks duo's first project together in 18 years
By Jonathan Landreth

October 10, 2010, 12:13 AM ET

BUSAN, South Korea -- Jet Li will star in director Tsui Hark’s “The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate,” the $35 million, 3D remake of a martial arts classic that began shooting outside Beijing on Sunday, an executive from Bona International Film Group said at the Pusan International Film Festival.

“This is a great story that we’ve not made official ‘til now: Jet Li and Tsui Hark are together again,” Jeffrey Chan, Beijing-based Bona’s COO, told The Hollywood Reporter on the sidelines of the largest film business gathering in the region.

Li and Tsui, a veteran Hong Kong director and producer, helped make each other famous on early 1990s films such as “Once Upon a Time in China.”

Li recently starred with Sylvester Stallone in “The Expendables,” and Tsui is the director of China’s current box office leader, "Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame."

Their reunion after 18 years is inspired by the 1967 classic “Dragon Gate Inn,” by Hong Kong- and Taiwan based director King Hu. That film took martial arts movies to new heights and is said to have inspired films such as Zhang Yimou’s “House of Flying Daggers” and Ang Lee’s “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” the most successful Chinese-language film export of all time.

In 1992, Tsui produced an earlier remake of “Dragon Gate Inn,” starring Tony Leung, Brigitte Lin, Maggie Cheung and Donnie Yen in a 2D production.

In Tsui’s latest remake, set to finish in time for a Christmas 2011 release, Li plays a Ming Dynasty general battling a power-hungry eunuch played by Chen Kun. Their contest comes to a head at an inn run by actress Zhou Xun. In 2008, both Chen and Zhou starred in director Gordon Chan’s popular “Painted Skin.” The film also stars Taiwan actress Gui Lunmei, who played opposite Li in the 2010 film “Ocean’s Heaven,” the opener for this year's Shanghai International Film festival.

Bona is the lead investor in the remake, also backed by the state-run China Film Group, the Oriental Media Group (led by Li Ruigang of the Shanghai Media Group), Showtime of Hunan Province, and Nasdaq-listed Shanda, one of China’s biggest online games operators.

Shooting began on Sunday in the desert about two hours from Beijing, a place where Jet Li starred in director Rob Cohen’s Hollywood blockbuster “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.”

[GeneChing]

Interesting to hear Detective Dee is doing so well in PRC.

Re-enter the dragon
* Source: Global Times
* [22:18 October 13 2010]


Director Hark Tsui (third from left) and lead actors of The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate.

By Mao Renjie

Having collaborated in creating a number of classic Hong Kong wuxia films like the Once Upon a Time in China trilogy, action star Jet Li and Hong Kong director/producer Hark Tsui have teamed-up for a new 3D wuxia film The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate (working title) after an 18-year hiatus. The $35-million film started shooting Sunday in suburban Beijing and is scheduled for a Christmas 2011 release.

According to Tsui, who is directing and producing the film, the reunion project is loosely inspired by King Hu's 1967 classic Dragon Gate Inn, which at the time took Hong Kong wuxia films to a new height.

Tsui produced a remake of the classic in 1992, New Dragon Gate Inn, starring Tony Leung, Brigitte Lin, Maggie Cheung and Donnie Yen and it was a huge success.

Tsui emphasized that The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate is not another remake, but a new story and new set of characters.

"The only similarities between the new film and the two Dragon Gate Inn films are the Ming Dynasty and Dragon Gate Inn background and the focus on a lingering love story against a fated life-and-death fight," he told the Global Times on set.

Li revealed that he was originally cast for the 1992 New Dragon Gate Inn but missed the opportunity due to his tight schedule. This time he wasted no time in accepting Tsui's offer.

"Tsui brought me to Hong Kong to shoot films, providing me with a new platform and a new phase in my life. After so many years in the business, I feel like I have never left the world of wuxia."

Li added that another reason the project appealed to him was the use of 3D technology. "This is my first 3D film experience and it is the first wuxia film to be completely shot in 3D. I am keen to see what 3D technology can bring to wuxia films and wuxia fans."

According to local media reports, Li is being paid $12 million for his role in the film, although production company Bona International Film Group declined to confirm the news.

Tsui's latest film Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame is also a wuxia film and is currently championing the Chinese mainland's box office, racking up 230 million yuan ($34.48 million) since its release at the end of last month.

Shooting two wuxia films in a row, Tsui admitted that the film genre is his favorite.

"Wuxia films bring enjoyment and appeal to audiences visually, aurally and mentally. As for directors, making a wuxia film requires imagination, a precise worldview as well as romanticism. It is challenging, while satisfying. That is why almost every Chinese director has a wuxia dream deep down and wants to make one when they have the chance."

Shooting another Dragon Gate Inn story after 18 years, Tsui told the Global Times that he has three requirements for the new project: A more complicated and exciting script, never-before-seen action choreography and international-level 3D technology.

He revealed that he had intended to shoot Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame in 3D but back then the technology was not yet that mature and he himself was not ready for it. After shooting finished last year, Tsui said that he immediately began preparing for the current project and has recruited 3D experts from the US, South Korea, Singapore and Spain to join young local 3D technicians in creating his new work.

"This is a revolution in the local film industry. I am grateful that investors are willing to increase their contributions to help with shooting challenges."

According to Tsui, his next two films will also both be shot in 3D, however, he said that 3D technology does not necessarily stand for the future of the industry.

"I am always interested in experimenting with new technologies, but that is not everything to film."

He added that he will make sure that even without 3D technology, The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate will still be an outstanding film worth watching.

Besides Jet Li, the film also stars several popular young faces, including Zhou Xun, Chen Kun and Taiwanese actress Kwai Lun Mei. The work is Zhou and Kwai's second cooperation with Tsui after their roles in modern romantic comedy All About Women in 2008 and both actresses, who are better known for their performances in artistic films, will take on physically-demanding action scenes for the first time.

[GeneChing]

This news bit isn't new for us, but it's interesting where it got reported.

Producer: Li cast in 3-D kung fu epic
Associated Press, 10.14.10, 06:54 AM EDT

HONG KONG -- Jet Li has been cast in Hong Kong director Tsui Hark's new 3-D kung fu epic, "Flying Swords of Dragon Gate."

Tsui's wife, producer Nansun Shi, told The Associated Press in an e-mail that Li will star alongside China's Zhou Xun and Chen Kun and Taiwan's Kwai Lun-mei and Mavis Fan in the $35 million production scheduled for release in December 2011.

She said the story is inspired by Tsui's 1992 martial arts film "Dragon Inn," which revolves around the face-off between imperial agents and a warrior couple in a desert inn.

China's Sina.com news website reported earlier the Hong Kong filmmaker started shooting on Sunday.

The project marks Tsui's reunion with Li after the "Once Upon a Time in China" kung fu franchise in the 1990s. Li then moved onto a career in Hollywood. His most recent credits include "The Expendables" and the Chinese-language drama "Ocean Heaven."

[SPJ]

over the years, there were so many movies made about long men ke zhan

dragon gate inn

---

human meat bao zi

---

so many different groups of people showed up in the inn

--

inn owner was always pretty and greedy

but later on, every character showed xia and yi

that was why the novel and the movie was always popular

the story line crystalized xia and yi on top of all the fighting

non stopped thrills and suspensions

people will pay to watch it over and over again.

---

[GeneChing]

It actually all traces back to the wuxia classic Outlaws of the Marsh. We did a special issue on that - see our 2002 July/August issue, especially the article I wrote titled All Men Are Brothers: The Martial Arts Masterpiece Outlaws of the Marsh. That discusses Dragon Inn and Human Meat Baozi (aka Untold Story). Anthony Wong earned a best actor for that film. I've always thought he was great, but that film was an over-the-top performance. It was good to see him again recently in Chen Zhen.

I still think that the Dragon Inn portion of Outlaws is one of the weirdest story arcs ever.

[GeneChing]

Li Yuchun, Mavis Fan join in Tsui Hark's 3-D film
October 27, 2010

Mainland singer Li Yuchun, or Chris Li, and Taiwan singer Mavis Fan have confirmed they are starring in Tsui Hark's first 3-D film, "The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate" ("Long Men Fei Jia").

Chris Li will play a kung-fu master, as in her first film, "Bodyguards and Assassins" ("Shi Yue Wei Cheng"). That big-screen debut not only helped Li win nominations at the 29th Hong Kong Film Awards and the 30th Hundred Flowers Awards, but also helped her get the role in Tsui's movie.

Li plays a young girl who was born into a bandit family. Li says she sees herself in the character, "Like most of the '80s generation today, we want to decide our own lives, but we don't know what we want exactly."

Mavis Fan seldom appears on the big screen. She was nicknamed "Little Witch" when she started her singing career in the 1990s, as at that time, most of her songs were sweet melodies catering to children and young teens. In recent years, Fan turned to rock songs. Her character in the movie is described as a witch, because she always does evil things.

Besides Chris Li and Mavis Fan, Tsui Hark also gathered a star-studded cast, including Jet Li, Zhou Xun and Chen Kun.

Apparently she won a popular talent show called Super Girl a few years ago and had her sexuality brought into question due to her tomboy image.

[SPJ]

jet li is kind of short figure.

chen kun is handsome and tall, but a bit skinny on the face.

li yu chun is with boylike face espacially with short hair cut. it is upto her and the directior, she can play either boy or girl characters.


zhou xun is very pretty, but with low pitched boy like voice, so not a singer at all.

zhang liang ying is the singer from super voice girl show. she has many talents, singing teresa deng/teng, mariah carrie,---

but zhang did not caste for any movie role what a shame

---

anyhoo, they are all household names with loyal audience

so the movie will attrack many younger people.

---

[GeneChing]

Not changing the title of this one just yet, not after what happened with Wasabi Warriors....

First Look: ‘Flying Swords of Dragon Inn,’ the 3D Film From Tsui Hark and Jet Li
Posted on Tuesday, January 11th, 2011 by Russ Fischer


Long-time producer and director Tsui Hark did well last year with his film Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame, then he jumped right into production on a new film. That’s the 3D wuxia epic Flying Swords of Dragon Inn, with Jet Li starring. We’ve got the first pics from the film, as well as some good statements from the director and star, after the break.

If the idea of martial arts, swordplay and wirework sounds appealing, this might be the movie. Tsui Hark says of doing this sort of film in 3D,

There are three major criteria pertaining to wushu choreography, the exquisiteness and difficulty level of the moves, the set up as a whole, and how to use film to show the characteristics and principles behind wushu. 3D brings about a whole new visual experience, and would ultimately result in actions designed originally for 2D filming losing impact, so, we can’t simply import these three points based on traditional ways of filming, but have to come up with actions that are most suitable for 3D showcase.

Jet Li also says,

After this film, I suppose my martial arts ability would be improved, for now, I could even get into precise positioning mid-air. Tsui Hark is fond of editing a whole set of action on the spot on the set, and watching the wuxia action through 3D glasses, the feelings of strength and speed are greatly magnified and enhanced, as if everything is taking place just 1m before myself, so I would feel more nervous, and tense too.

As for the nature of the film, I can’t be certain whether this is a sequel to or a remake of the Tsui Hark-produced Dragon Inn from 1992, which was in turn a remake of the ’60s film Dragon Gate Inn. Regardless, knowing that lineage should give you a good idea of what to expect.


There’s a side story, here, too. While doing 3D test shots for Flying Swords of Dragon Inn, Tsui Hark ended up doing another 3D film as a quickie, called Catching Monkey. That film has Charlie Young, Yu Nan and Daniel Chan and is a contemporary thriller. A totally different beast than this new wuxia film, so that’s two pictures to look forward to.