New feature based on the martial arts icon.
It has been announced that principal photography has commenced on ‘Rise of the Legend,’ a new spin on the life of legendary kung fu master Wong Fei-hung.
The film chronicles the origins of the kung fu master and his emergence as a figure of righteousness and justice during the last years of the corrupt Qing Dynasty.
Chow Hin Yeung (‘Nightfall,’ ‘Murderer’) is directing from a screenplay by Christine To (‘Nightfall,’ ‘True Legend,’ ‘Fearless’) with martial arts star Sammo Hung, Chinese teen idol Jing Boran and martial arts champion-turned-actor Zhang Jin (‘The Grandmaster’) co-starring. It has yet to be revealed who will portray Wong Fei Hung.
Edko Films, Irresistible Delta and BDI Films Inc. will team on the project with Bill Kong, Liu Erdong, and Ivy Ho producing. Corey Yuen (‘X-Men’) is on board to serve as action director.
“For Chinese-language movie, only kung fu movie works internationally. But a real kung fu movie is a rare occasion these days, which Is why I want to pay tribute to this genre,” said Kong in a statement.
Yeung added, “It’s been almost 20 years since the last Wong Fei-hung movie was made. I aim to portray the legendary character from a different angle – a young man with dream. His dream is the only thing that holds him together. His youth gives him the power of persistence and endurance, and shapes him to become a legend.”