Jackie Chan plans to shoot movie in Cambodia in 2012

Jackie Chan (Getty)

Jackie Chan plans turbo-charged slate

Eight films and two TV dramas in the works

May 13, 2010
By Gregg Kilday and David Morgan
Hollywood Reporters

CANNES -- With projects ranging from a martial arts film that reflects the spirit of his 1978 hit "Drunken Master" to movies designed to showcase rising talent like actress Lin Peng, Jackie Chan is embarking on an ambitious slate of films and TV shows that will play out over the next few years.

Chan will not be visiting the Croisette this year: He's assisting earthquake relief efforts in China and next month will be busy with promotional chores for "The Karate Kid," which Sony Pictures launches in the U.S. on June 11.

But his reps are busy here showing distributors the lineup of projects to be produced by Chan's JC Group China and his Jackie & JJ Prods.

The slate encompasses eight features and two TV dramas. Chan himself will star in four of the films and produce another four projects built around new filmmakers and stars.

First up for Chan himself is the martial arts film "Drunken Master 1945." Though neither a remake nor sequel to Chan's 1978 hit "Drunken Master," the new film is intended to capture the martial arts spirit that the earlier film also celebrated.

Mak Sui Fai, the co-writer and co-director of 2002's "Infernal Affairs," will helm the project, budgeted at $15 million, which is aiming to start shooting in February.

At the same time, Chan will be shepherding several other projects as producer.

Beginning in August, Steve Woo will direct "The Break-Up Artist," a Chinese Mandarin-language romantic comedy about a young woman who runs an agency that helps couples break up. The $2 million project will star Lin, who walked the red carpet on opening night, and who plays the female lead in Chan's latest film "Little Big Soldier." The Chinese actress was first introduced to a worldwide audience when Zhang Yimou invited her to participate in the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Woo also directed the similarly titled 2009 English-language film, "The Break-Up Artist," starring Amanda Crew. But he doesn't consider the new version a remake, since he's adding new elements and lining up famous guest appearances for the film.

The other projects in which Chan plans to star are:

-- "Cambodia Landmine," an action/comedy/drama, to be directed by "Little Big Soldier's" Ding Sheng. The $25 million production is scheduled to shoot in Cambodia in February 2012.

-- "Tiger Mountain," a Mandarin-language action drama, to be directed by Tsui Siu Ming. Budgeted at $50 million and set to begin production in October 2012, the film will boast 3D special effects.

-- "Manhattan," a $55 million action suspenser in both Mandarin and English, which Chan will both star in and direct is slated for January 2013. It is filming in both China and the U.S.

"Jackie also wants to promote new directors," said Ramy Choi, director of acquisitions and distribution for Jackie Chan Theater International.

In addition to "Break-Up," Chan will produce a second film from Woo, the romance "Letter With No Return," set for an October shoot on a $2 million budget, and the suspense pic, "Magic Master," starring Ge You, for which a director is still being sought in anticipation of a February start.

Additionally, Chan's exhibition chain is expanding its footprint in China. Jackie Chan Theater already has opened 17 theaters and is looking to roll out as many as 65.

Film Star Jackie Chan on Arts, Culture, Peace

By Im, Sothearith, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
23 November 2009

When film star and martial artist Jackie Chan visited Cambodia earlier this month, he brought a simple message: arts and culture are pathways to peace.

Chan spoke to 600 students and others at the University of Cambodia, focusing on a message of world peace, reminding participants that the world is a village, and that its residents should love one another despite race, complexion and social status.

“He encouraged the younger generation to build a culture of peace,” said Kao Kim Hourn, founder of the University of Cambodia, which conferred an honorary doctoral degree in humanities to Chan.

Chan, a celebrity who had his start in Chinese films after a childhood with little education, has become a role model for the young, sponsoring educational institutes and serving as a goodwill ambassador for Unicef and UNAIDS.

Speaking as part of the Asean “Bridges” program, Chan told students that the Earth is a tiny disc when viewed from the moon, a reminder of how small the place is.

“When he was young, he asked himself, as a human being who lives on Planet Earth, before he passed away, what could he leave for the younger generation,” said Eung Kim Muyly, a freshmen of international relations at the University of Cambodia. “We can take those words under consideration, and we will feel that we also want to do something proper for our Planet Earth and leave something valuable for our planet, as he is doing now.”

Asked about the ongoing row between Cambodian and Thailand, Chan told participants it was a matter to be settled among political leaders.

“If we know well the definition of peace, our people wouldn’t have had demonstrations to cause confrontations among both countries,” said Ky Vannaroath, a sophomore of computer science at the university. “If a person loves peace, if 100 people love peace, if everyone loves peace, then there’s no conflict. After I listened to him, I felt I must study hard. He talked about being broke when he was a student, but I have an opportunity and I therefore must study hard for my future as well as for the future of my country."

Jackie Chan wishes to make film in Cambodia

November 13 2009
Xinhua

Jackie Chan, better known by Cambodians as Chhin Long and a famous Hong Kong and Hollywood film star, wishes to make a film showing Cambodia's natural and cultural heritages, official news agency AKP reported on Thursday.

The intention was raised here on Wednesday by Chan during a meeting with Sok An, Cambodian deputy prime minister and minister of Councial of Ministers, Eth Nith, official of the Council of Ministers, was quoted as saying.

On the occasion, Sok An expressed his support to Jackie Chan's wish and told him of the richness of the country's natural and cultural heritages.

This is Jackie Chan's third visit to Cambodia and he will come back here again in the next six months for his film, the official said.

Chan arrived here on Tuesday at the invitation of the International Peace Foundation as a speaker for the "Bridges - Dialogues towards a Culture of Peace" program, organized by the International Peace Foundation and the University of Cambodia.

Moreover, he was also invited to join a concert of the Southeast Asian Television channel along with many other Cambodian singers.

Letter from Phnom Penh

November 11, 2009
By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation

Phnom Penh's roads are crowded with cars as usual. But these days vehicles have to give way frequently to heavily-guarded motorcades as two famous figures are in town at the same time

One is the world-class martial arts actor from Hong Kong, Jackie Chan, and the other is the fugitive politician from an undisclosed location, but very close, Thaksin Shinawatra.

The two have contrasting backgrounds and intentions but both claim they will speak only good things to Cambodians.

Chan will deliver the keynote address in the Peace Foundation's "Bridges" series on Wednesday. His talk on "Arts and culture as a pathway towards peace" is scheduled to be held at the University of Cambodia.

The next day, former prime minister of Thailand Thaksin will lecture to a forum of some 300 economists from the public sector, hosted by Cambodia's Ministry of Economy and Finance. Thaksin will discuss a "Strategy to Fight the Financial and Economic Crisis" on Thursday.

People in Cambodia expect different things from the two different guest speakers who would appear at different forums for different purposes.

Chan will talk on peace, which Cambodia is about to reach now, while Thaksin will show them how to develop a good economy, which this country is still far from reaching.

Thaksin's arrival in the capital is the talk of the town here. People love to discuss the topic if they know the foreign guest is a Thai.

Immigration officials who usually are not so friendly to journalists gave a quick clearance to Thai reporters who told them that they came to cover Thaksin's story. All media were allowed to witness Thaksin's landing and took pictures when he got off the plane at Pochentong airport. His plane was allowed to park at a military base at the airport.

Heng Ly, a taxi driver, said he liked both Thaksin and Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen, who he believes could make the Cambodian economy get better.

Thaksin could help Cambodia to become rich like he did for Thailand years ago, he said with high hopes.

Nobody here wants to discuss Thaksin's corruption as they say it's a Thai problem. Cambodians are also familiar with the case but don't want to talk about it now.

Thaksin's presence in Cambodia has raised tensions in Thailand but nothing like that would likely be seen in Phnom Penh as residents here are still friendly with Thais.

A local media colleague said this time is absolutely different from 2003 when a rumour sparked anti-Thai sentiment and an arson attack was launched on the new Thai embassy.

This time Prime Minister Hun Sen has stepped forward and kept the conflict with Thailand only at the government level, he said.

Cambodians know those who stirred up the conflict over Preah Vihear Temple are in the current Thai government and Hun Sen told his citizens that he would deal with those people by himself.

Economic retaliation by Thailand wouldn't be really painful, said Heng Sring, a motorcycle shop owner. "Yes, we import a lot of motorbikes from Thailand but now we have a lot of choices from other countries too," he said.

"We don't expect Thailand to seal the border to block goods but if your government really tries that, we won't get hurt anyway," he said.

Life in Phnom Penh goes on as usual. Ordinary people do not care much about the dickering between the two governments. Hun Sen can deal with it, they say.

Movie star Jackie Chan to give lecture in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong movie star Jackie Chan arrived here on Tuesday to pay a visit and give a lecture in a Cambodian university.

Chan will stay here for three days. While he is in Cambodia, Chan will give a lecture to students at the University of Cambodia on the experiences and humanity work that he has achieved and engaged with.

He will be awarded with an honorable doctoral degree in humanity, Kao Kim Hourn, secretary of state for the Foreign Ministry and president of the University of Cambodia, said earlier.

Meanwhile, Chan will also receive an education award from the University of Cambodia for his humanity's work and activities, Kao added.

According to the plan, Chan will also pay a courtesy call on Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni and meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Jackie Chan made his first visit to Cambodia in 2004 under the sponsors of the United Nations Children's Fund and the United Nations AIDS Program.

Chan is a keen philanthropist and UNICEF/UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador who has worked tirelessly to champion charitable works and causes.

It is the part of the events of the "Bridges - Dialogues Towards a Culture of Peace" program of the International Peace Foundation scheduled from Nov. 4, 2009 to April 27, 2010. Ten Nobel Prize winners, film stars, movie producers and other world figures will visit here and give speeches.

It is the first event of its kind to be held in Cambodia. Speakers will get the chance to meet students and engage in other activities during their stays in Cambodia.

Hong Kong movie star [Jackie Chan] to visit Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- A famous Hong Kong movie star, Jackie Chan, will visit Cambodia and give a lecture in the university here later this year, the official news agency AKP reported on Friday.

If the schedule will not be changed, Chan will arrive in Cambodia on November 10 and will stay here for three days, according to AKP.

While he is in Cambodia, Chan will give lecture to students at the University of Cambodia the experiences and humanity work that he has achieved and engaged with, and after that he will be awarded with an honorable doctoral degree in humanity, Kao Kim Hourn, president of the University of Cambodia, said earlier.

Meanwhile, Chan will also receive an education award from the University of Cambodia for his humanity's work and activities, Kao added.

According to the plan, Chan will also pay courtesy calls on Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni, and meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Jackie Chan made his first visit to Cambodia in 2004 under the sponsors of the United Nations Children's Fund and the United Nations AIDS Program.

Chan is a keen philanthropist and UNICEF/UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador who has worked tirelessly to champion charitable works and causes.