Dragon Blade

[GeneChing]

For CNY 2015 from Jackie

Jackie Chan’s ‘Dragon Blade’ Cuts Deal With New Fund
APRIL 17, 2014 | 12:01AM PT
Budget record busting epic targets 2015 release
Patrick Frater
Asia Bureau Chief



BEIJING — Hong Kong’s Daniel Lee will direct Jackie Chan in “Dragon Blade,” a period action epic that will be released next Chinese New Year.

The film’s budget is claimed to be a record for a Chinese-financed movie.

The film is backed by Sparkle Roll Cultural Media, Huayi Brothers Media Corporation, Shanghai Film Group and new film investment group Beijing Cultural Assets Chinese Film & Television Fund.

Chan will play the commander of the Protection Squad of the Western Regions during the Han Dynasty. The film shoots in Dunhuang and the Gobi Desert, which form the dramatic natural backdrop.

“Dragon Blade” will be released in 3D IMAX in China, and in international markets, on Feb. 19, 2015, the first day of next year’s Chinese New Year holiday period.

The fund is founded by some of the biggest players in the Chinese entertainment sector, including China Film Foundation, Cultural Assets Supervision and Administration Office of the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, CITIC Asset Management Corporation, Sparkle Roll Group, and Beijing All Media and Culture Group.

And the kicker?

Mel Gibson Rumored to be Jackie Chan’s co-star in Dragon Blade
Apr 21, 2014 09:44 PM EDT | Arthur Dominic Villasanta


Mel Gibson
The most expensive "Made in China" movie yet stars Jackie Chan, as expected, but Mel Gibson too?

That's what the rumor mill's saying about Dragon Blade, the big bucks historical drama backed by some of China's leading entertainment companies.

The story of Dragon Blade is basically the great Han Empire meets the great Roman Empire.

The Dragon Blade storyline sees a Roman military commander, presumably Gibson, who finds himself lost in China. He encounters Jackie, who plays Huo An, the commander of a Han Dynasty military unit protecting China's western border. The story revolves around their adventures.

The epic will be directed by Hong Kong's Daniel Lee. Much of the filming will take place in the Dunhuang and the Gobi Desert. Jackie has been said to have been preparing for this role for seven years.

The choice of Gibson, if true, is bound to be controversial considering the Australian's alleged racist tendencies. He's been quoted as ranting against "*******s" and using the "N-word" to describe African Americans.

Media rumors about Gibson being the Roman were sparked by Jackie's veiled description of his co-star.

"All I can say is that he's a foreigner--an A-list Hollywood star, a big name," Jackie said at the Beijing International Film Festival. But he could also be referring to Russell Crowe or Brad Pitt.

Whoever Jackie's real co-star is, there is no doubting Dragon Blade is big. The epic is being bankrolled by some of the biggest boys in China's entertainment sector. These backers include CITIC Asset Management Corporation, Sparkle Roll Cultural Media and Huayi Brothers Media Corporation.

Other sponsors are China Film Foundation, the Shanghai Film Group, Beijing All Media and Culture Group, Cultural Assets Supervision and Administration Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality and the Beijing Cultural Assets Chinese Film and Television Fund.

Dragon Blade will have its global debut on Feb. 15, 2015, the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year. The movie will be released on 3D IMAX in China.

The movie is inspired by documented evidence of Roman descendants and Roman ruins in Liqian village in northwest Gansu province. The ruins probably date back to the Han Dynasty.

[GeneChing]

This flick has Siwon!

Super Junior Siwon Casted In Jackie Chan's New Movie, 'Dragon Blade'
By Staff Writer | June 10, 2014 04:08 AM EDT



Super Junior member Siwon has been casted in Jackie Chan's new movie.

On June 10, it was revealed by Siwon's agency that he was confirmed as part of the cast for Jackie Chan's new movie, "Dragon Blade."
Siwon will be working alongside Jackie Chan and other famous actors including John Cusack.
This movie is about the war between the Huns and the Hans and will release next year.
Siwon will be busy back and forth between Korea and China in order to film this movie as well as his role in a new Chinese drama as well.

Who is Siwon again? And do you think kpopstarz.com realizes that's not John Cusack in the pic?

[GeneChing]

JC is going for it with this one.

I like Brody. I just saw him in Grand Budapest Hotel and found him hilarious.

Jackie Chan’s 'Dragon Blade' is China’s Most Expensive Movie Ever
Ying Zhin | Jun 25, 2014 08:07 AM EDT


Jackie Chan will captivate the hearts of his fans anew in his new blockbuster film "Dragon Blade," China's latest period action epic, claimed to be one of the most expensive Chinese financed films ever produced.

Chan revealed that Hollywood actor Adrien Brody, best known for his performance in the 2002 film "The Pianist," has joined the cast of Dragon Blade, at a media conference held during the recent Shanghai International Film Festival.

Chan plays the role of commander of the Protection Squad of the Western Regions during the Han Dynasty. Brody plays Tiberius, an ambitious Roman general who is willing to kill to succeed.

Directed by Hong Kong filmmaker Daniel Lee, "Dragon Blade" also stars Hollywood actor John Cusack, who plays the Roman general Lucius in the movie.

"Dragon Blade" is based on the mysterious history behind the City of Liqian in the northern province of Gansu, and its connection with Roman legionaries.

Theories claim that inhabitants of Liqian may be Roman descendants, and the setting of "Dragon Blade" is inspired by this discovery.

Set in 48 BC, the film is shot in Dunhuang and the Gobi Desert, which serve as a dramatic natural backdrop as the plot revolves around Huo An (Chan), a Chinese commander tasked to protect China's Western borders during the Han dynasty.

"Dragon Blade" also stars K-pop boy band Super Junior's Choi Si-won, Chinese actresses Lin Peng and Wang Ruoxin.

The film has a starting budget of US$65 million, reportedly the most expensive Chinese-financed film ever made.

The fund is reportedly funded by some of the biggest players in the Chinese entertainment sector which include the China Film Foundation; Cultural Assets Supervision and Administration Office of the People's Government of Beijing Municipality; CITIC Asset Management Corporation; Sparkle Roll Group; and Beijing All Media and Culture Group.

Chan's latest movie is also backed by Sparkle Roll Cultural Media; Huayi Brothers Media Corporation; Shanghai Film Group and new film investment group Beijing Cultural Assets Chinese Film & Television Fund.

"Dragon Blade" is set to be released in 3D IMAX in China, and in international markets on Feb. 19, 2015, the date of next year's Chinese New Year.

Wait....is Mel out?

[PalmStriker]

Not yet, may still sign as a Roman General. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Blade_%28film%29

[PalmStriker]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_...nBladefilm.jpg

[GeneChing]

Haven't all of JC's flicks been turning points? Except for the sequels, of course.

There are some pix, but they are cut&paste blocked, so you must follow the link if you want to see them.

Jackie Chan: New film ‘Dragon Blade’ will be turning point in career
POSTED: 24 Jul 2014 19:05

Actor Jackie Chan believes his upcoming film Dragon Blade will be a turning point in his career and revealed that it will contain highly complex action choreography.

PHOTOS
Action star Jackie Chan poses for photos during a media visit to the shooting location for his upcoming film Dragon Blade. He revealed that white cloth he wears served to protect him from the sandstorms that occur there.
Adrien Brody (right) and Jackie Chan (with white hat) get chummy on location.
K-pop singer Choi Si-won said Jackie Chan (pictured) was a caring man who would help out with chores on the set whenever he could.
Adrien Brody (left), Jackie Chan (centre) and John Cusack (right) in a series of publicity photos for "Dragon Blade".

BEIJING: Actor Jackie Chan described his upcoming action film Dragon Blade as being a turning point in his film career, when he met reporters during a media visit on Monday (July 21) to the film's shooting location in the arid Aksai region, on the border of China and India.

“We have been working on this project for seven years, and the director, Daniel Lee, has polished the script to perfection. This is the movie that I really want to make. All the dialogue, plot and concept are truly brilliant,” Chan told reporters.

He added that the action choreography for Dragon Blade, which is scheduled for release in the first half of next year, is even more complicated than it had been for his previous film, the action-packed CZ12.

“It’s a much more difficult fighting style since it’s designed for hundreds of people on screen at the same time. Moreover, neither Cusack nor Brody is an action actor, but they do learn very quickly,” said Chan.

“The action choreography in my movies is composed of solid fighting. I don’t do wire-work because we’ve seen too much of it in other movies. I love showing real martial arts on the screen.”

CHOI SI-WON: JACKIE CHAN LOOKS AFTER ME

Set in 48BC, Dragon Blade revolves around Huo An (Chan), a Chinese commander who is tasked with protecting China’s Western borders during the Han dynasty.

Huo is accused of treason and winds up as a slave labourer, but he still manages to rally the Chinese forces to repel a small invading Roman army led by Lucius (John Cusack).

However, an even great challenge looms for Huo - he must find a way to stop the ambitious Tiberius (Adrien Brody), who marches towards the Chinese border gate with a vast army.

Dragon Blade, which is being filmed on a budget of US$65 million (S$81.4 million), also stars K-pop group Super Junior’s Choi Si-won.

The Korean heartthrob revealed that Chan is not only an action superstar, but also a very caring person who would visit the set even if he does not have scenes to shoot, in order to prepare tea, repair damaged tents and do other chores.

“I really enjoy working with him. He has been looking after me in every aspect. Now I’ve come to understand why they all call him ‘Big Brother’,” said Choi.

- CNA/ha