[2014.03.06] DONNIE YEN TAKES AIM AT THE OSCARS WITH CROUCHING TIGER SEQUEL

Donnie Yen's family bids Yuen Woo Ping farewell

courtesy of on.cc

The "Strongest in the Universe" Donnie Yen Chi Tan with his Lunar New Year film THE MONKEY KING (SAI YAU GEI ji DAI LAU TIN GUNG) officially became a 1 billion Mainland box office lead actor, naturally he became a film industry hot property. A Hollywood film even made him an astronomical offer, but Chi Tan already turned it down as he decided to make CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON 2 (NGOR FU CHONG LUNG II TEET KEH NGAN JUNG). Leaving money on the table, Chi Tan wanted to work with action director and mentor Lord Eight Yuen Wo Ping. In addition Hollywood film company boss Harvey Weinstein and producer David Thwaites' sincerity finally moved Chi Tan.

Chi Tan felt that Harvey already began to persuade him to make CROUCHING II ten years ago, making the trip from the U.S. many times to negotiate with him and tailor the character for him. Earlier when the film was rumored to recast, Harvey immediately made a statement to clarify. Chi Tan was finally moved, even the film about the Kowloon Walled City that he originally wanted to make now has to make room for CROUCHING II.

In addition, Harvey earlier purchased THE GRANDMASTER (YUT DOI JUNG SI)'s U.S. release rights and deserved credit for the film's Best Costume Design and Best Cinematography Oscar nominations. His CROUCHING II will follow CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON's Oscar success, thus the world has been looking forward to the Chi Tan starred sequel that will shoot in New Zealand this summer.

Everything is in place for CROUCHING II except the production start. Earlier Chi Tan and his wife Cissy Wang dined with Lord Eight at a top hotel's Chinese restaurant. Around 6:40PM Chi Tan and his family arrived at the hotel. Obviously Chi Tan's relationship with Lord Eight was more than just professional.

Dinner lasted two hours. Around 9:20PM Chi Tan stepped out of the hotel with Lord Eight. While waiting for his vehicle, Chi Tan had his arm around Lord Eight's shoulder and chatted. He also hailed a taxi for him. Lord Eight smiled in response. After Lord Eight got into the car, Chi Tan, Cissy and her mother waved goodbye. Despite the chill, Chi Tan still insisted on watching Lord Eight's taxi leave the hotel before he was willing to return to the hotel.

CROUCHING II's cast has already been confirmed to be Chi Tan and Michelle Yeoh (Yeung Chi King), as well as a pair of famous young actor and actress. The actress will play Yu Shulien's adopted daughter. The film company was interested in Tang Wei for the role.