[2012.03.13] KWAN JAE-YONG DEFENDS FAN BINGBING

courtesy of singtao.com

courtesy of takungpao.com

According to Mainland reports, the film YANG GUIFEI has replaced the resigning Kwak Jae-Yong with Tian Zhuangzhuang as his name was on the production notice as the director.  Yesterday Ms Zhang from the promotional department of one of the film investors said, "The media information isn't too accurate.  Overall we will officially make the official director this week."  According to Korean media reports, the resigned director Kwak Jae-Yong said that he left because he could not tolerate the script being changed.  One of YANG GUIFEI's original cast members On Ju-Wan also confirmed that the production has removed her character.

Reportedly Fan Bingbing's request for additional screen time and John Lone's tardiness drove away Kwak Jae-Yong.  One of the investors issued a statement that the real reason that both sides "parted ways" was a different of production style.  "Director Kwak Jae-Yong did not shoot according to the film style and tone as stated in the contract.  In pursuit of personal expression, he on numerous occasions turned down the release company and cinematography, lighting, art and action directors' reasonable requests and suggestions and deviated from Chinese audience's traditional value and the intuitive understanding of the Tang Dynasty."  In addition, the statement also denied that Fan Bingbing demanded additional screen time and the Fan Bingbing workship's investment participation rumor.

At the same time Kwak Jae-Yong also said to the Korean media that his resignation from YANG GUIFEI was not due to any conflict with Fan Bingbing.  "The cast cooperated with the director very well and followed the commands."  He said, the reason was he could not tolerate the script being changed countless times.  "Because investors were from China and Japan, both sides kept changing the script and changed it beyond recognition.  With this script now, I can no longer make the movie."