Friday, May 14, 2010

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.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Welcome back Jackie. I'm a big fan of yours. Keep up the good work!!!

Anonymous said...

Do not lose your temper, Jacquie Chan said that since long time, he did nothing, it could be just a SPECULATION to raise up lands price in Cambodia.

Anonymous said...

White men is making a lot of boy child porn in Cambodia recently. Why not Jackie Chan??

Anonymous said...

The world might ends in 2012. He's waiting to see if the ends or not, then make the movie.

Anonymous said...

Well, since Chinese able to invest in Khmer from almost nothing and gaining so much, off cause they love to come to khmer to see what else they can grab. They can see that khmers are vulnerable people and off cause they are taking advantage of our downfall. Don't be fooled by the Chinese, they are doing for the best interest of their nation. Chinese are excellent in businesses and manipulation. But for Jacky Chan, well he wants to expand in firm and restaurant businesses since he is famous, so he might as well keep going bigger and better, no more or less.

Anonymous said...

Too many Khmers marriage their cousin, why Khmers are a little bit crazy.
Mixed Khmers is good for Khmers.
Having French-Khmers, American-Khmers, Chinese-Khmers, Australian-Khmers, is the better way to save Khmers from genetic problem.
Khmer women, have children with strangers, it's good for our race.

Anonymous said...

Jacquie Chan has no reason to make his films in Cambodia, that must be a speculation of lands price.