The Iceman Cometh

[GeneChing]

I called China's 3D wave back in my Chollywood Rising column a year ago in our Jan/Feb 2011 issue. My subtitle for that installment was From Venice to 3D.

Donnie Yen's ICEMAN COMETH heads China 3D slate
by James Marsh, November 22, 2011 4:15 AM

China 3D Group, the company behind Hong Kong's most successful film of 2011, 3D SEX AND ZEN: EXTREME ECSTASY, has revealed to Twitch their slate of films for the coming twelve months, and they've got some pretty entertaining looking projects in the pipeline.

First up is NATURAL BORN CRAZY LOVERS, a romantic comedy starring Cheung Chi Lam (KIDNAP, THE 1ST SEVENTH NIGHT) and Annie Liu (EXODUS). The film is to be directed by Patrick Kong, who has enjoyed a string of modest hits in the last couple of years, including MARRIAGE TO A LIAR and LOVE IS THE ONLY ANSWER and is set to start filming on 15 February 2012.

The second film to go into production is easily the most exciting of the three: a 3D remake of the Yuen Biao/Yuen Wah action flick THE ICEMAN COMETH, with Donnie Yen in the lead role. In this new version, Donnie plays the captain of the Imperial Guard during the Ming Dynasty. When he is wrongly accused of murder and colluding with the enemy, his fellow guardsmen go after him, only for their monumental battle to see all three buried under an avalanche for 300 years. Discovered by a wealthy philanthropist, the frozen soldiers are transported back to Hong Kong for study, only to thaw out and escape. Donnie finds shelter with a drunk and emotionally jaded bar promoter on Halloween night, and over time she helps him integrate into 21st Century society. Meanwhile, the other guardsmen have ideas of their own - one is still determined to track down Donnie and bring him to justice, while the other decides to make a name for himself in modern-day Hong Kong.


While the other parts have yet to be cast, the most intriguing element of this production is that Donnie Yen will also direct, in a unique partnership with Raymond Yip Wai Man (BRUCE LEE MY BROTHER, THE WARLORDS) and 3D SEX AND ZEN's Christopher Sun. While it is unclear at the moment exactly how duties will be divided up between the three directors it appears that Donnie will be in charge of more than simply choreographing the film's martial arts. Stephen Shiu Sr. was one of the producers of the original 1989 film and will serve as Chief Producer on the remake, alongside Peggy Lee Gam Man (BEAST STALKER, DETECTIVE DEE). ICEMAN COMETH 3D will begin production on 20 February 2012.

China 3D Group's third project is ripped right from Hong Kong's headlines, albeit one of the more bizarre stories to grace the city this year. BAUHINIA HEROINE 3D is inspired by the story of a mysterious - and probably slightly crazy - woman who descended on some of the city's poorest neighbourhoods, dispensing cash, food and other essential sundries to the residents. What captured the public's eye, however, was that this good natured civilian chose to perform her feats of charity while dressed up like a superhero. While keeping her identity a secret, the "Hong Kong Bauhinia" has revealed that she was inspired by movies such as KICK-ASS to act on the gross injustices she sees in the city, choosing to dress up like a character from the 1960s film BLACK ROSE while dishing out cash.

The film version is set to star Hong Kong's favourite beauty, Chrissie Chau as the titular heroine, and something tells me she'll be doing more than handing out food to grateful pensioners in this 3D action film, directed by regular Johnnie To collaborator Law Wing Cheong (PUNISHED). I wouldn't be at all surprised if we see Chrissie embarking in ome ass kicking and crime fighting while wearing a suitably revealing costume. We will probably have to wait a year or so until we find out, however, as shooting isn't scheduled to begin until June 2012, looking at a 2013 release.

[GeneChing]

EXCLUSIVE: Donnie Yen wants Fan Bing Bing for 3D ICEMAN COMETH
by James Marsh, November 24, 2011 12:18 AM

Twitch has learned that Mainland actress Fan Bing Bing is in final negotiations to take the female lead opposite Donnie Yen in China 3D Agency's upcoming remake 3D ICEMAN COMETH. The project, to be shot in 3D and co-directed by Donnie Yen, Raymond Yip and Christopher Sun, is due to start filming in February next year and apparently it was Donnie himself who went after his BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS co-star to play the Hong Kong girl who helps his Ming Dynasty Imperial Guard adjust to life in the 21st Century.

Fan is not only one of China's most beautiful actresses but she has shown a wonderfully diverse range in films like He Ping's underrated WHEAT, to breakout festival hit BUDDHA MOUNTAIN, on which she also served as a producer. While part of me does lament the fact that a mainland actress is being cast in the role rather than one of Hong Kong's own female thesps, there is no denying Fan will be an incredible asset to the production.

We have also learned that Cheung Chi Lam, already cast as the romantic lead in Patrick Kong's NATURAL BORN CRAZY KILLERS, has joined the production as the second of the three frozen warriors, and that the film's producers are looking for "a mainland actor" to fill the third role.

I'm trying to remember the original. I have to see that again.

[GeneChing]

Donnie Yen's new movie begins filming
By Syahida Kamarudin | From Cinema Online Exclusively for Yahoo! Newsroom – Mon, Dec 24, 2012 11:49

24 Dec – "Ip Man" actor Donnie Yen has finally begin filming for his latest action movie, "The Iceman Cometh 3D" in Hong Kong.

Popular Asians reported that after the initial rumours that the movie will not be realised at all, producer Wong Kin Sun and director Law Wing Cheong were able to get the production going.

It was also revealed that the HKD 200 million-budgeted movie utilizes the same filming technology as Hollywood's "The Hobbit" and "The Amazing Spider-man", with the 3D cameras dubbed as the most expensive piece of equipment ever used in movies.

Scheduled for a mid or late 2013 release, "The Iceman Cometh 3D" is a remake of Yuen Biao's movie "The Iceman Cometh" (1989). Donnie plays an imperial guard from the Ming Dynasty who is caught in an avalanche and buried for centuries with his rival (played by Wang Baoqiang) until he was discovered several decades later. While their bodies are being shipped to Hong Kong for further analysis, they are accidentally revived, and their rivalry continues.

The movie also stars Simon Yam, Eva Huang, Mark Wu, Ava Yu, Shi Yongli, and Jacqueline Chong.

Looks promising. China is so 3D crazy.

[GeneChing]

"The Iceman Cometh 3D" slow to film
From Cinema Online Exclusively for Yahoo! NewsroomBy Syahida Kamarudin | From Cinema Online Exclusively for Yahoo! Newsroom – 10 hours ago

"The Iceman Cometh 3D" slow to film

4 Mar – It has been nearly four months since Donnie Yen's action flick "The Iceman Cometh 3D" began filming, but it seems that not much has been done.

As reported on Popular Asians website, Donnie's co-star, Eva Huang compared Donnie to Wong Kar Wai, exclaiming, "We haven't filmed much. I don't even know when we're going to be done. I feel like I'm doing a Wong Kar Wai film!"

The actress stated, "A significant amount of scenes have to be filmed in Beijing but the crew is not even near to completing the Hong Kong scenes. And some previous scenes that were filmed in the Tsing Ma Bridge and Central also had to be re-shot."

The actress stated that with the film's current shooting pace, the film may end up exceeding its initial HKD100 million production budget.

Justifying the delay, the "Ip Man" actor, who also serves as the film's action choreographer revealed to the media, "The crew had just completed a seven-minute fight scene that took ten days to film. The director and I have high demands and that is why the scene took so long to film."

"The Iceman Cometh 3D" is a loose remake of the 1989 film of the same name, which starred Yuen Biao, Maggie Cheung and Yuen Wah.

In the 2013 version, Donnie plays a Ming Dynasty general who accidentally travelled to the future while on the run from a royal guard, (played by Wang Baoqiang). Both Donnie and Baoqiang's character end up in present-day Hong Kong, where Donnie meets Eva Huang's character.

The comedy action film is directed by Law Wing Cheong and produced by Wong Kin Sun.

The WKW film comment is funny in context of the GM.

[doug maverick]

considering they are filmming in 3d, im not surprised. filming in 3D triples the time of the production and you're talking about fight scenes? forget it.. its going to be at least 6-7months. took cameron years to shoot avatar. this is why most american productions opt for post pro conversion.

[GeneChing]

Festival de Cannes - From 15th to 26th May 2013

"Iceman" joins Cannes Film Festival
From Cinema Online Exclusively for Yahoo! Newsroom By Syahida Kamarudin – 8 hours ago

25 Apr – "The Iceman Cometh 3D" has yet to conclude filming but it was recently revealed that there are plans for the movie to be showcased at the Cannes Film Festival in May.

According to Jayne Stars website, "The Iceman Cometh 3D" will hold its press conference for the movie at the Cannes Film Festival along with the release of their first film trailer.

Sources stated that there will also be a beach reception where guests are invited to party together with Donnie Yen and Eva Huang. Vaudeville performances will be one of the few entertainments held at the reception, making it a grand Chinese affair.

The venue of the launch party will also be transformed into a wine cellar with many Caucasians dressed in the same armour Donnie wore in the film.

It was reported that the total budgeted cost for the Cannes promotion comes up to HKD500,000.

The amount is not a surprise for the movie production as it has already exceeded its earlier budget due to high production costs that was used for massive destructive scenes as well as delayed filming. However, 30 percent of its HKD200 million cost have already been recouped when it received good distribution sales at the recent Hong Kong industry trade show, FILMART.

[GeneChing]

Follow the link for the gallery.

Photo Gallery for Donnie Yen's ICEMAN COMETH 3D
Hugo Ozman


Donnie Yen is currently shooting his new film Iceman Cometh 3D, which is a remake of Yuen Biao and Yuen Wah's 1989 action flick. The story spans from China's Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) to modern day Hong Kong. It is being shot in 3D and easily one of Donnie's most ambitious projects to date.

The production has not been easy; however, as difficulties such as the failure to get government approval to film some scenes on Tsing Ma Bridge and challenges associated with shooting in 3D have led to a prolonged shoot and escalating production costs, with some reports saying the budget of the film has already doubled from what was initially planned.

It appears that the part that is based in Hong Kong has finally been completed, and the production team has now moved to China's Baekdu Mountain (aka Changbai Mountain) to film the Ming Dynasty part, which will include some large scale action scenes in the snow fields.

Movie stills and production photographs are being released during various stages of the film's production, and they have been compiled into one large photo gallery here for your viewing pleasure.

[GeneChing]

Follow the link for more pix.

Donnie Yen films new movie on top of 1,800m tall mountain

During the production of a movie in which Donnie Yen stars in, The Iceman Cometh in 3D, access to the location in which it was shot in, Changbai Mountain, was shut off to outsiders.

According to an article in 88 News, Changbai Mountain is a tourist attraction in mainland China.

Donnie Yen had said that the mountain was very hard to be get to, and he spends about two hours just to get up and down the mountain.

500 extras and 50 horses took part in the production on top of the 1600m tall mountain at an icy -18°C.