Hong Kong Expo names most bankable stars

The recent Hong Kong Filmart (March 20-23) attracted over 400 exhibitors and close to 4,000 buyers from around the world. International exhibitors and buyers converged on the Special Administrative Region of China seeking out Asian film product and film "deals".
Oracle Added Value, independent survey consultants interviewed 340 international exhibitors and trade visitors and found Hong Kong’s action movies were still the biggest money-earners, followed by comedy, horror and drama.
They found the most “salable” stars (in alphabetical order) were:
Male: Jackie Chan, Stephen Chow, Chow Yun-fat. Andy Lau and Tony Leung
Female: Cecilia Cheung, Maggie Cheung, Carina Lau, Angelica Lee Sin Je and Michelle Yeoh
Directors: Jackie Chan, Stephen Chow, Andrew Lau Wai Keung, Johnnie To and John Woo
(M & C Movies)

CYF will not attend the Hong Kong Film Awards

The Hong Kong FIlm Awards will take place in less than a month. Chair Manfred Wong (Man Jun) revealed that director Hou Hsiao-Hsien, actors Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Maggie Cheung Man Yuk and Andy Lau Tak Wa have promised to attended. The event was also in contact with Chen Kaige and Ang Lee. Since this year will be the silver anniversary of the Hong Kong Film Award, the event is trying to contact all past winners. Chow Yun Fat will be busy with his film in Beijing and is considering a recording for the event. Man Jun eve described this year's guest performers as star studded. (Hong Kong Film Top 10)

Jay Chou at 2nd "Armor" press conference

The second press conference was held for Jay Chou this morning at Beijing Film Studios. Other attendants include director Zhang Yimou, cinematographer Zhao Xiaoding, costume designer Yee Chung-Man and sound recordist Tao Jing. Monkey Peaches

Article: March 21, 2006 Source: http://tw.news.yahoo.com/060321/39/2ykpb.html

Jay Chow was at a press conference with Zhang Yimou in Beijing and his fans were so enthusiastic that he seemed to be more well received than Zhang Yimou.On working with Chow Yun Fat and Gong Li, he said, "I already could hardly speak but when I meet them, whatever I said was even more unclear. So I memorize more my script. Especially to my queen mother (the empress Gong Li). To have such a beautiful queen mother, and wears so little, my eyes can't look too much downward. When I film with her, my eyes have to look sideways."In the movie, Jay is the son of Chow the Emperor and Gong Li the Empress. What was embarrassing was that a reporter asked Jay if he would try his hand at directing a movie. Jay stopped him and said, "Don't mention the word director next to this great director here today."Zhang Yimou said that Jay appeared to have latent talent in directing and perhaps one day would surpass him.

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Another article from China Daily

Jay Chou to write and perform music for "Armor"

Report: Jay Chou to compose, perform song for new Zhang Yimou movie 2006/3/16 HONG KONG (AP)
Taiwanese pop sensation Jay Chou will compose and perform a song that will be played at the end of Chinese director Zhang Yimou's new movie, which translates as "Wearing Golden Armor Across the City."
The Oriental Morning Post quoted the movie's producer, Zhang Weiping, as confirming Chou's assignment in a report reprinted Thursday on the Chinese news Web site Sina.com. Chou also has a role in the movie, set in ancient China and starring Gong Li and Chow Yun-fat. Producer Zhang said director Zhang Yimou is taking Chou's role reportedly as a general seriously.
The 27-year-old pop star is starting to cultivate his movie career after a successful debut last year in "Initial D," a film about Japanese street car racers. "Zhang Yimou has hired a speech coach, an action coach, a makeup teacher and so on for him, hoping that he can immerse in character as soon as possible," the Oriental Morning Post quoted producer Zhang as saying.
Calls to Chou's record label went unanswered Thursday and producer Zhang's contact information wasn't immediately available.

Johnnie To to work with CYF for remake of Hard Boiled?

(Picture Sing Pao Daily)
Kaiju Shakedown: "A sharp-eyed reader forwarded me the link to a story in Apple Daily, Hong Kong's premiere tabloid-style newspaper (think the New York Post in Chinese) that claims Johnnie To will be directing Chow Yun-fat in the Hollywood remake of John Woo's HARD BOILED.
Apparently, the remake rights have been purchased by a US company who signed Chow on to repeat his performance. They then tried to get John Woo on board to direct, but Woo declined saying that he didn't want to remake his own movie. Chow then recommended that they contact Johnnie To who agreed to direct.
Although this is still at the "rumor" stage, apparently both To and Chow confirmed the story to Apple Daily with To saying that the story would be different from the original but that it would still be called HARD-BOILED. An American actor will play the Tony Leung Chiu-wai role. Production will begin in May 2007."

Monkey Peaches: "Hong Kong's Apple Daily yesterday reported that director Johnny To would work with Chow Yun-Fat in a Hollywood remake of John Woo classic Hard Boiled. However, according to today's edition of The Hong Kong Sun, Johnny To said this was simply not true. He said ever since he made Fulltime Killer, many foreign producers had talked to him with various projects and an Hard Boiled remake had been one of them. Johnny To said he would like to work with Chow Yun-Fat but they had yet found the right one."
NOTE: Johnnie To has directed CYF in at least 3 of his Hong Kong movies. One of these was All About Ah Long a movie that in 1989 he received a Hong Kong film award for best actor.

Paparazzi in full force for Beijing filming of "Armor"

Since Chow Yun-Fat has arrived in Beijing to film "Armor" the press has been in a frenzy to get candid shots of he, the others in the cast, and the sets in the studio. Monkey Peaches reported:
"Shooting of Zhang Yimou's The City of Golden Armor continues at the biggest soundstage of Beijing Film Studios. Several photographers hid inside a nearby apartment building to take pictures of anyone showing up and occasionally they sneaked into the soundstage to take quick shots."
On one of the videos the photographers took a picture of the table and chair where CYF sat as he was eating at a restaurant. Of course, he was no place in sight, and he had left, but he did leave a autographed menu for a souvenir.

CYF confirms he will film the Hollywood movie Bitter Sea

Star was tempted by 'moving' story
Hong Kong's Hollywood star Chow Yun-fat will begin filming a Chinese civil war drama, Bitter Sea, in Shanghai in June.
Chow said he accepted the role because he was moved by the plot, based on the true story of a British journalist who saved a group of orphans in Shanghai in the 1930s during the Chinese civil war and the Japanese invasion, the Apple Daily reported. "I agreed to take part in it even though I won't be in the lead role, because the story is very moving," Chow was quoted as saying. The movie describes how Chow helps the journalist, played by Brendan Fraser, rescue the orphans, the newspaper said. It will be directed by Tomorrow Never Dies director Roger Spottiswoode. Chow said he will start filming the drama in June, after taking a month's break from his current project, the newspaper said.

The Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon star is now in Beijing shooting a period movie set in ancient China, directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Gong Li, it said.

News Scotsman.Com NOTE: Michelle Yeoh has been connected to this film, but has not yet been confirmed as part of the cast.

The City of Golden Armor press conference

CYF was his usual amusing self at the event and somehow makes the audience wonder if he really means what he is saying, or is he only playing with his answers.

Article: March 11, 2006Source: http://www.takungpao.com/news/06/03/12/UL-537178.htmhttp://www.takungpao.com/news/06/03/12/UL-537105.htm

At the press conference of The Gold of Armor, Zhang Yimou said that working with Gong Li again was not difficult. He said that she performs even better than before. Gong Li said that the first scene is very important and she was able to create a special bond with Chow Yun Fat already. That she liked very much. On Ang Lee winning the best director award, Zhang Yimou said, "Ang Lee is a long time friend. I'm happy for him." But he said, "The Oscars is an award for the Americans. It's no big deal. But still it is very honored award. I have always hoped that tour country's films could win such awards so as to augment the position of the Chinese culture and international influence."This was the first time Chow and Zhang Yimou cooperated again. Zhang Yimou praised Chow Yun Fat non stop, "Every scene of his is beyond my expectation!" Asked about how he felt about Zhang Yimou, Chow used his wife as a shield and said, "I as an actor couldn't choose much. These are all decided by my wife. My wife let me make the movie, then I'll make it. It's not that I like Zhang Yimou or That I like Gong Li that I make this movie. " Asked about the differences among Ang Lee, John Woo and Zhang Yimou, Chow said as though seriously, "The former two I am not very familiar with, but now with him (Zhang Yimou) I'm most familiar with. Every day it's like going to the market to buy vegetables, that type of familiarity. The director tells me to do something and I do something. I am just a tool for the director."Asked about the most difficult and the happiest scenes made so far, Chow said lightly, "I enjoy every minute on the set. If an actor does not gain enjoyment on the set, but feel pressured, then why bother to make movies?" Asked about his internal panic tendencies, Chow joked, "Is my wife here? Don't tell my wife. This one don't print. " The audience laughed. Apart from being very thoughtful of Gong Li who was late, taking her coat and scarf from her, and a warm hug, as to his feelings about Gong Li, Chow sighed a few and said, "Aie! It's hard to say the feelings. Aie! She is too beautiful!" Then he watched her on the side and Gong Li even felt embarrassed at his stare. Zhang Wei Ping, the producer said confidently, "Hero brought the audience back into the cinema and The City of Armor would allow the audience to step out of the cinema and feel that after so many years, this is a satisfactory film from China."

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Another article as appeared in Hong Kong Film Top 10

Weinstein brothers to develop "Crouching" sequels

Weinstein Co. Develops "Crouching" Sequels
Posted: Friday March 10th, 2006 5:52am
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Author: Garth Franklin

The Weinstein Co. has acquired worldwide rights to "Crane-Iron Pentalogy," a series of five martial arts novels written by Wang Du Lu says The Hollywood Reporter.They include "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," the fourth novel in the group but the first of them planned for on-stage theatrical productions. The others include "Crane Frightens KunLun," "Precious Sword, Golden Hairpin," "Sword Spirit, Pearl Light" and "Iron Knight, Silver Vase".Harvey Weinstein also envisions "a series of great films, much like the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy" from the books, which follow three generations of a fighting family during the Qing dynasty". They will in effects serve as prequels and sequels to "Crouching Tiger," which will not itself be remade for the screen. (As appeared on Dark Horizons) More...

NOTE: It was reported previously that there was a deadline on how long Ang Lee would have the rights to do Precious Sword, Golden Hairpin, and evidently that time has expired.

Taking a break from filming Chow Yun-Fat plants trees

Wielding a shovel to plant a tree with wife Jasmine looking on, CYF plants and talks to the crowd. - Video

Article: March 9, 2006 Source: http://hk.news.yahoo.com/060309/12/1lwq2.html

http://hk.news.yahoo.com/060309/10/1lwtg.html

Chow Yun Fat was at a Timberland Promotion called "The First Step to Success" yesterday at the Great Wall, Beijing. Mrs Chow was next to him and Chow, who is always humorous said to the press, "Today I have asked the wife outside the palace for time off to attend this activity. " He used Mandarin to talk about his role of an emperor in the movie and when he came to the word emperor, he mixed up "huang" with "wang" and the female host had to correct him. Chow said, "Thank you for teaching me." Talking about this activity of planting trees, he said it was very meaningful.Yesterday Chow and top Timberland officials were in a planting ceremony and they named a tree with Chow Yun Fat's name. Chow put in effort to plant the trees. He felt that beautifying the environment is very meaningful. Following his movie Autumn's Rememberance and The Gold of Armor, he said that at the end of the year he would be in Beijing making a movie with a China based director. He said that in the Gold of Armor, he often had NG because his Mandarin pronunciation was not accurate. He now practices it with his teacher daily and watch a TV drama 《老爸老媽兄弟姊妹》。He is very happy with the cooperation with Zhang Yimou and to be able to perform with Gong Li, he felt very honored. He really appreciates the acting skill of Gong Li. Asked about the difference between Ang Lee and Zhang Yimou, he said that Ang Lee is the silent type and is very focused on the expression. Zhang Yimou likes to communicate with his actors and gives them a lot of room to express themselves. When he was making Anna and The King as a king, he felt that the weather was too hot and there was too little costume change. This time, the weather was cold and the costumes are heavy. But in both movies, the commonality is that the relationship between the emperor and the empress is tragic in the end.Jay Chou would be joining this movie soon as the son of Chow and at the moment, they haven't got to the scene where they are together. Chow joked that Jay Chou might still be in Taiwan rapping away. Asked about his impression of Jay Chou, he joked and said, "If I have such a son, it's superb. He's tall. But his eyes are too small. He doesn't appear to be born from the union of me and Empress Gong Li."During the conference, someone in the audience asked how Chow could maintain such attractiveness (male flavor in Chinese). He laughed and said if he doesn't take a bath for a week, he would be full of male flavor. Most funny is that someone couldn't understand who the wife outside the palace is, and he smiled and said, "She is Mrs Chow Yun Fat. She looks after all that I eat and my business (washroom business)."

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New sets being built of the Forbidden City

Video from ent.sina.com.cn, story and pictures on Monkey Peaches of sets at Hengdian studios for The City of Golden Armor. This short video was taken at Hengdian World Studios, where full-scale replicas of all major buildings of Beijing's Forbidden City are faithfully built. Workers are building additional structures designed specifically for the movie, including a wall and a round-shape structure. The terrace and the round-shape structure will be covered with gold color chrysanthemum flowers for shooting a fight scene.

Ang Lee wins the "Oscar" as best director

Ang Lee was the first Chinese director to win an Academy Award. After Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon won for best foreign film in 2001, but Lee did not win for best director, this was a turnaround as this year his movie Brokeback Mountain didn't win (although it won numerous other awards), but he did. "Many people are interested in what Ang Lee's next project will be. Ang Lee said that among many new movie plans, there is one Chinese story, and he may work again with his CTHD crew team including Peter Pau, Tim Yip and Wang Hui-Ling. Ang Lee said it isn't the prequel to CTHD. He's planning to buy the film rights of a famous novel." (Quote as shown on Michelle Yeoh Web Theatre) Chow Yun-Fat was quoted as saying he was very happy for him, and said someday he would win for the best picture. He was going to call him to give his congratulations. (Picture from Crienglish)

More candid photos of Chow Yun-Fat around the studio in Beijing

CYF exiting the van that has been transporting he, his wife Jasmine, and other people accompanying him since he arrived in Beijing.

Thank you Lamma-zine

A big "thank you" to Lamma.com.hk blog Lamma-zine for featuring Chow Yun-Fat of Hong Kong Fan Site on February 28th. Lamma Island the birthplace of CYF remembers their native son, and is interested in what he is doing. The island is a short boat ride or helicopter trip from the city of Hong Kong, and from the news reported on this blog it is one active place. Once a rural community it is now a resort for travelers from many parts of the world. Some visiting the island have decided to reside there, and have added a more diverse flavor to the community. Visit the site to discover Lamma Island!

The Replacement Killers DVD to be released

Full Details for The Replacement Killers: Extended Cut

Movie The Replacement Killers Posted By: Jason / Source

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment will be releasing a new extended cut of the 1998 action thriller "The Replacement Killers", which stars Oscar winner Mira Sorvino (1995 Best Supporting Actress, Mighty Aphrodite) , Chow Yun Fat (John Woo's Hard-Boiled) and Jurgen Prochnow onto DVD. The film will boast an additional 9 minutes of footage not seen in theaters, a brand new digitally remastered 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen format, as well as both English Dolby Digital 5.1 and French Dolby Digital Surround sound audio tracks. Subtitles are also provided. Extras include two featurettes. The disc will be available to own when it hits store shelves April 25, 2006.DVD Details: 9 Additional Minutes (96 Mins.Total), Digitally Remastered for Better Quality Picture and Sound 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen. Audio: English DD5.1 Surround, French Dolby Surround, Subtitles: English, French, Featurette: Chow Yun-Fat Goes Hollywood Featurette: Edited HBO Special: "Where the Action Is"

Note: The only truly deleted scene that was included in the additional footage was titiled: John's Father.

CYF's hair in The City of Golden Armor

This picture was with an article (in Chinese) saying CYF was giving Gong Li a bear-hug. A later article said they rehearsed an intimate scene out in the cold. Since some publications cropped the picture to eliminate the people standing around watching, and it made them appear as if they were alone gazing at each other, perhaps an explanation was needed.

A new video shows a few brief shots of Chow Yun-Fat in costume. Although the article that accompanied the video did not say anything about Oliver Stone visiting the set, another article told about it. There were some shots of him with Zhang Yimou and CYF. Since they worked together on The Corruptor (he was executive producer) it was not the first time they had met. Stone was at the 4th Bangkok International Film Festival which ended Monday where he, and director Terry Gilliam conducted master classes in directing. The 2nd video listed on Monkey Peaches was mostly of Zhang and Stone. CYF did stand up on the set and turn around to greet Stone, but the quality of the video is so poor it's difficult to see him. (Picture from Baidu)

Making the Pirates of the Caribbean sequels

These are excerpts from screenwriter Terry Rossi's blog about making the "Pirates" sequels:

Gore and the Producers have moved heaven and earth with the schedule so Chow Yun-Fat can play the role of the Captain Sao Feng in P3. It's an intense combination of juggling Chow's schedule, set construction deadlines, ship construction, crew arriving at location, actor availability, and finding the money in the budget, etc. The studio folk seem curiously nonchalant about getting Yun-Fat on board, but in this case, the producers are doing an excellent job of looking out for the studio's financial interest. And Chow is only, like, walking film history, and it's a huge win when he commits to the film. So now a writing deadline. Chow Yun-Fat needs to have his scenes delivered as early as possible -- his process is to memorize his lines phonetically as well as have them translated. This means we have to have the Singapore sequence (12 pages!) finished -- and locked down, meaning we don't have the luxury of making a final pass the day before, or even last second changes at rehearsal or on set. Chow Yun-Fat is so incredibly charming! Upon meeting him, he bows, and in broken English says ... "I am the luckiest man," then smiles and points to the heavens, shouting: "I'm the last person invited to the party!" I learn that his first name is Yun-Fat (you can tell by the hyphen, which usually indicates a first name, and Chinese names commonly list the surname first). Chow Yun-Fat, following a tradition in his home film industry, always takes the time to thank each and every member of the crew at the end of the day's shooting. Part of his particular thank-you style is often an embrace and big kiss, and some of the more manly men of the crew have been taken to ducking out of range after that last shot ... Name-dropping time ... one of the Those Great Moments Being a Screenwriter ... I'm on the Black Pearl, and I look down ... and there performing our scene is: Johnny Depp. And Orlando Bloom. And Kiera Knightly. And Chow Yun Fat. And Geoffrey Rush. Any one of those actors could open a film, and there are five of them, all together on deck. And with them in the scene is Naomi Harris, who in my opinion is as good as anyone there. The same applies for Lee Arenberg, and Mackenzie Crook, and Kevin McNally. Wow, this is the first time, in any of the films, where all those actors are all together at one time. Dazzling.

Much more about making of the movie on Rossi's blog.