Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2: Sword of Destiny

[doug maverick]

the deal is done...and like i said donnie is still on board..signed sealed and soon to be delivered.

http://www.deadline.com/2014/04/chin...den-dragon-ii/

[GeneChing]

I'll swap the title to Green Destiny later, as it gets closer.

20 April 2014 Last updated at 12:09 ET
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon prequel to be filmed


Michelle Yeoh The original is the most successful Chinese-language film of all time

Filming on a prequel to Oscar-winning martial arts film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon will start in July

Titled The Green Destiny, the movie will see Michelle Yeoh reprise her role as female warrior Yu Shu Lien.

Pre-production is believed to have begun. Filming is due to start in Auckland, New Zealand, with two further weeks of shooting in China.

Yuen Woo-ping, who co-ordinated the action scenes in the original, will step behind the camera for the prequel.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon remains the most successful Chinese-language film of all time, making $213.5m (£127m) on its release in 2000.

It won the best foreign-language Oscar the following year, with three more awards in the technical categories.
Ang Lee accepts his Oscar in 2001 Ang Lee won the first of three Oscars for the original

Part of the reason for the film's success was that it operated on many different levels. It was a love story, a martial arts fantasy with a feminist twist and an historical epic set against a backdrop of spectacular locations in China.

Director Ang Lee also employed sophisticated technology that enabled the characters to perform gravity-defying stunts, drawing in fans of the previous year's box office hit, The Matrix.

But plans for a prequel were delayed by a row over the film rights to Wang Du Lu's novels, on which the film was based.

Columbia Pictures claimed it had struck a deal with the late writer's son in 2005. He denied this, and said he had signed an agreement with The Weinstein Company, another US studio.

With the case resolved, The Weinstein Company is pushing ahead with the prequel, choosing New Zealand as a location thanks to a generous production incentive that offers filmmakers a 20% rebate on money spent in the country.

The Green Destiny draws on the fifth book in Wang's series, Silver Vase, Iron Night.

"This introduces a new generation of star-crossed lovers, and a new series of antagonists in a battle of good and evil," screenwriter John Fusco told movie website Deadline last year.

Although Fusco is known for US blockbusters such as Young Guns I and II, he also penned The Forbidden Kingdom for Jet Li and Jackie Chan in 2008.

The film, which drew on the writer's own martial arts training, broke opening day box office records in China.

[GeneChing]

Interesting pick. Here's our thread on The-Rebel

Charlie Nguyen Joins CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON 2 As Action Director
Trung Rwo, Writer



Right after the wrap of his new comedy Let Hoi Decide, Vietnamese media are reporting that The Rebel director Charlie Nguyen flew to New Zealand to work as the action director for the sequel of Oscar-winning martial art film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Former action director Yuen Woo-ping - originally doing double duty as both director and action choreographer - was initially reported to continue his work as choreographer with Nguyen just joining as additional pre-production support. But now it appears that Yuen has stepped away from the fight choreography role with Nguyen taking over on that front completely.

Michelle Yeoh will return to her roles, together with Donnie Yen and Nicholas Tse in the leads. There's no official news about other cast, so it appears Zhang Ziyi, Chow Yun-Fat and Chang Chen may not come back.

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon II: The Green Destiny is scheduled to release in 2015.

[GeneChing]

Too bad. Donnie can play good villains.

Donnie Yen is not the villain in "The Green Destiny"
By Heidi Hsia | From Cinema Online Exclusively for Yahoo Newsroom – Mon, Aug 4, 2014 5:01 PM SGT



4 Aug – The producers of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II – The Green Destiny" recently clarified rumours saying that Donnie Yen will be playing a villain in the movie.
As reported on Tencent, the Hong Kong media previously reported that Donnie, who recently went to New Zealand to begin filming for the movie, will play an antagonist instead of the lead in the movie.
However, both the production crew and Donnie himself dismissed the reports as false, saying that the actor will indeed play a hero in the movie and will maintain his positive image.
As one of the biggest martial arts stars of his era, the production said that Donnie was offered to play the lead role by Weinstein Company's very own Harvey Weinstein and that the company had never considered anybody else.

[GeneChing]

I've been anticipating Shum to go into martial arts films. He's very physically adept....and Asian. Just seems natural. He's been dabbling in some action/martial arts web flicks.

‘Glee’ Star Joins Donnie Yen, Michelle Yeoh In “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2’
By Staff Writer | Aug 10, 2014 11:34 AM EDT


Glee Harry Shum Jr
(Photo : Facebook)

The sequel to Oscars Best Foreign Film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" has new cast to join "Ip Man" star Donnie Yen and "True Legends" actress Michelle Yeoh. A cast from "Glee" to also star in the sequel is no other than Harry Shum Jr., who is known as Mike Chang in the musical TV series.

Shum Jr. will play as Tie-Fang, one of the four martial arts warriors who will protect the Green Destiny sword from the villains. The story of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2: The Green Destiny" revolves around Silent Wolf (Yen), Yu Shu-Lien (Yeoh), Tie-Fang, and Snow Vase. So, who is Snow Vase? Currently, the production has not yet announced or revealed who will play the role and even if for the character of villain Hades Dai.

The story is set 20 years after on where the viewers left in the first movie starring Chow Yan-Fat and Zhang Ziyi with Yeoh as well. Last week, the production has already started the shooting, getting ready for the tentative release date in 2015.

Going back to Shum Jr., the actor showed his dance moves in "Step Up 2: The Streets" in 2008 and "Step Up 3D" in 2010 as Cable. It means it is not the first time that the actor starred in highly physical movie; however, it is martial arts this time not dancing.

Thinking of the awards and recognitions that the first sequel received in 2000, the viewers, perhaps, already wondering if the "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2" will surpass the success and achievement of the 4-time Academy Award winner "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon".

The film will be helmed by Woo-ping Yeun, who choreographed the first sequel of the movie. John Fusco, who wrote screenplays for Hidalgo and Young Guns, penned the martial arts movie sequel.

While Sham Jr. is busy with the movie, Glee viewers wonder if he will be back to appear in the sixth and final season of the musical TV series. Perhaps, they are thinking, too, if he will show his iconic pop-n-lock moves in the "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2".

[doug maverick]

this is being called a game changer... as reported by deadline.com
http://deadline.com/2014/09/crouchin...htmare-843291/

Netflix Sets ‘Crouching Tiger 2′ As 1st Feature; Hollywood’s Nightmare?
mfleming
by Mike Fleming Jr
September 29, 2014 6:01pm

Email Story • Print
5 Comments
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon
FILM
BREAKING NEWS
MOVIES
NEWS
CROUCHING TIGER
HARVEY WEINSTEIN
HIDDEN DRAGON: THE GREEN LEGEND
BREAKING: While Hollywood studios and exhibitors endlessly spar over shortening the window between theatrical and home viewing on feature films, you just knew that someone was going to take a bona fide movie, bypass theaters and go right to home viewing. Not surprisingly, it’s Netflix, already a disruptive force with series including House Of Cards and Orange Is The New Black. The pay service has just contracted with The Weinstein Company’s Harvey Weinstein to release its first major feature film, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend. Sort of a sequel to the Ang Lee-directed 2000 martial arts epic that won the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, the film will premiere exclusively on Netflix, and it will simultaneously have a berth in IMAX theaters. The release is August 28, 2015.

RelatedNetflix Topic Of Talk At HRTS Lunch
crouchYuen Wo-Ping is directing a script by John Fusco, and Michelle Yeoh and Donnie Yen star. Lee is not involved in this, and the connective tissue is the source material based on the Crane-Iron Pentalogy by Wang Du Lu. Crouching Tiger was the fourth book in the series, and this film is based on the fifth installment, Silver Vase, Iron Knight. Both are from Wu Sia, the centuries-old genre of Chinese fiction that this series is part of. There is plenty of high-wire sword fighting along with the themes of lost love, young love and redemption. Yeoh reprises her role as Yu Shu-Lien, and Donnie Yen plays Silent Wolf. The film is shooting in New Zealand. Yuen is a legendary filmmaker and fight choreographer, and the production team is composed of all seasoned feature players. Peter Berg and Sarah Aubrey are producing with Weinstein and The Imitation Game helmer Morten Tyldum is exec producing with Ralph Winter, Anthony Wong and Bey Logan.

fuscoThis isn’t the only feature film that Netflix is working on, but it likely will be the first one released. Fusco, Harvey Weinstein and Netflix also are in business on the mammoth event series Marco Polo, and the TWC catalog of films, including those directed by Quentin Tarantino, are available on demand to Netflix subscribers. TWC already has branched into other distribution models with its multi-platform releasing arm RADiUS, but this more closely mirrors the Golden Age of cable television that is partly fueled by the ability for viewers to watch what they want, when they want it. That has not been possible with feature films until now. TWC and Sony (SPC released the 4-Oscar-winning original) had battled several years ago over the rights to the Crouching Tiger books left behind by the author, who died in 1977. Reports quoted his son, Hong Wang, saying his family made very little money from the original film, and that is why they made another deal. TWC then made the movie, going in with a budget north of $20 million.

Actually you have to count 0-1 as a year...
Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos, who has thumbed his nose at exhibitors in the past, understandably considers this a coup to get a branded title with global appeal.

“Fans will have unprecedented choice in how they enjoy and amazing and memorable film that combines intense action and incredible beauty,” he said in a statement. “We are honored to be working with Harvey Weinstein and a world-class team of creators to bring this epic story to people all over the world and to partner with IMAX, a brand that represents the highest quality of immersive entertainment, in the distribution of this film.”

Harvey WeinsteinWeinstein was a bit more reserved in his statement: “The moviegoing experience is evolving quickly and profoundly, and Netflix is unquestionably at the forefront of that movement. We are tremendously excited to be continuing our great relationship with Netflix and bringing to fans all over the world the latest chapter in this amazing and intriguing story.”

Ted SarandosBeing along for the ride helps IMAX broaden its horizons, per senior executive Greg Foster. “IMAX has a terrific opportunity, via this partnership with Netflix, to release Crouching Tiger–a high quality action packed film that is right in our wheelhouse, at the end of the summer blockbuster season,” he said. “We are particularly hopeful it will play in our highly successful China market. In territories where we simultaneously release with Netflix, we are excited to offer consumers the option of deciding how, when and where they want to view the film, and exhibitors the opportunity to participate in this alternative form of content in a new and innovative way.”

Will the status quo theater chains see it that way?

[GeneChing]

...this looks like full out war.

At least CTHD2 will garner lots of attention.

Regal, Cinemark Slam Imax, Weinstein Co. for 'Crouching Tiger 2' Netflix Deal
7:27 AM PST 09/30/2014 by Pamela McClintock


Courtesy of Netflix

"We will not participate in an experiment where you can see the same product on screens varying from three stories tall to 3-inches wide on a smart phone"

Regal, the country's largest theater chain, has wasted no time in slamming a historic deal to release The Weinstein Co.'s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon sequel simultaneously on Netflix and in select Imax theaters around the world, circumventing the normal theatrical release.

Regal operates 86 Imax locations and will not carry the Netflix title in any of those theaters. And shortly after the Regal announcement, Cinemark, the country's third largest circuit, and Carmike likewise said they wouldn't participate.

"Cinemark does not play day-and-date movie releases on any of our screens including the Imax screens that we operate," a spokesman said. Cinemark operates 14 Imax theaters.

Among the big three, that leaves AMC Entertainment, which has been more willing than other chains to play specialty movies that are getting a simultaneous VOD release. AMC, which has the biggest Imax presence, has yet to weigh in on the Netflix deal, but insiders say the exhibitor could end up carrying it in some Imax locations.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend will make its debut Aug. 28, 2015. When announcing the deal Monday night, Netflix and Imax said it will be the first of several major films to be given a day-and-date release.

"At Regal Cinemas, presenting movies on a grand scale is our promise to movie fans as we work to continually enhance the moviegoing experience. We recognize that there is a tremendous slate of films scheduled for release in 2015 and we couldn’t be more excited by the prospects," Regal spokesman Russ Nunley said in a statement.

"While a home video release may be simultaneously performing in certain IMAX locations, at Regal we will not participate in an experiment where you can see the same product on screens varying from three stories tall to 3” wide on a smart phone. We believe the choice for truly enjoying a magnificent movie is clear," he continued.

On Wall Street, at least one analyst was bullish on the deal. Eric Wold of B. Riley & Co. noted in report that most day-and-date VOD experiments have been attempted with "unsuccessful, lower-budget films." However, considering the success of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, "the sequel actually brings a solid franchise property into this equation."

Wold predicted that many would boycott playing the film in Netflix territories, but noted that the sequel's Imax prospects are strong in China, where there is no Netflix. "We believe this news only helps to further validate the importance of the Imax format to the industry as a major player in the evolving industry’s future," he added.

Netflix's chief content officer, Ted Sarandos, has long wanted to release movies day-and-date on Netflix and in theaters, something most exhibitors are unlikely to ever allow, since they believe in preserving the theatrical window.

“Fans will have unprecedented choice in how they enjoy an amazing and memorable film that combines intense action and incredible beauty,” Sarandos said in announcing the deal. “We are honored to be working with Harvey Weinstein and a world-class team of creators to bring this epic story to people all over the world and to partner with Imax, a brand that represents the highest quality of immersive entertainment, in the distribution of this film.”

Added TWC co-chairman Harvey Weinstein: “The moviegoing experience is evolving quickly and profoundly, and Netflix is unquestionably at the forefront of that movement,” in a statement. “We are tremendously excited to be continuing our great relationship with Netflix and bringing to fans all over the world the latest chapter in this amazing and intriguing story.”

Sept. 30, 8:15 a.m. Updated with Cinemark statement.