Yuen Wo Ping will direct “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon II – The Green Destiny,” the sequel to Ang Lee‘s Oscar-winning film. Wo Ping is a renowned martial arts director and chroreographer, having directed more than two dozen Chinese-language films and advised or choreographed more than a dozen American actions movies including "The Matrix" trilogy, the "Kill Bill" films and the first "Crouching Tiger."
Michelle Yeoh (left), who starred in the first movie, will reprise her role as Yu Shu Lien and Chinese martial artist and actor Donnie Yen will star as Silent Wolf.
Production will begin in March 2014 with a screenplay John Fusco adapated from the same source text as the original film. Sony released that first movie, which grossed $213.5 million worldwide. Its $128 million domestic sum was the most any foreign language film had ever grossed in the United States.
The film also won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Picture.
“I loved Ang Lee's film,” TWC co-chair Harvey Weinstein said in a statement. “I thought it was a master class in directing, but I know we are in fantastic hands with Yuen Wo Ping directing the second installment. He is a first-class director and choreographer, and I am thrilled to be teaming up with him once more."
Also read: Cannes: What the Critics Think of Sofia Coppola's 'Bling Ring'
Weinstein will be producing with David Thwaites while Anthony Wong executive produces. Yucaipa Films is co-financing the project. Weinstein, Yen and Wo Ping will discuss the project at a Saturday press conference in Cannes.
Uma Thurman to Play Anti-Gay Activist Anita Bryant
Uma Thurman will star as prominent anti-gay activist Anita Bryant in a biopic about the popular singer turned divisive critic. Documentary filmmakers Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman will direct the film from a screenplay by Chad Hodge. “Sex and the City” creator Darren Star is producing the film along with Howard Rosenman, Jeffrey Schwarz and Dennis Erdman.
Thurman will play the singer who welcomes a gay screenwriter into her home after her criticism of homosexuality upended her career. The actress last appeared briefly in “Movie 43” and just concluded production on Lars Von Trier‘s “Nymphomanic.”
UTA, which represents Thurman and Star, is shopping the domestic distribution rights with WME. WME also represents the directors, a filmmaking duo since 1987. They have won two Oscars and three Peabody Awards between them. They just directed “Lovelace,” the biopic about adult film star Linda Lovelace that will open in theaters August 9.
Image Entertainment Buys Winnie Mandela Biopic Starring Jennifer Hudson
Image Entertainment has acquired domestic distribution rights to “Winnie Mandela,” a biopic about the eponymous wife of Nelson Mandela and her husband, the company announced on Thursday.
Jennifer Hudson stars as the titular heroine, an activist in her own right who was imprisoned as she fought Apartheid. Terrence Howard plays Nelson Mandela, the former South African president and global icon.
“Both Jennifer Hudson (as Winnie) and Terrence Howard (as Nelson Mandela) deliver exceptional, solid performances,” Image Entertainment’s acquisitions chief Bill Bromiley said in a statement. “We are honored to distribute the film and give audiences the opportunity to see Winnie Mandela’s powerful story.”
Image Entertainment will release the movie, written and direted by Darrel J. Roodt, this fall. Andre Pieterse and Michael Mosca produced the biopic, based on Preez Bezdrob’s biography “Winnie Mandela: A Life."
Bromiley and his counterparts at Image made the deal with CAA.
Lakeshore Entertainment, Sierra Affinity Sell 'The Vatican Tapes' Across the Globe
Lakeshore Entertainment and Sierra Affinity have sold distribution to “The Vatican Tapes” in several major territories across the globe, including Canada, Australia, Germany, Turkey and Latin America, the companies announced on Thursday.
“Crank” screenwriter Mark Neveldine wrote and will direct the film, which begins principal photography in July. The film chronicles 27-year-old Angela Holmes, who begins to unravel after an infection. Priests believe she is possessed, but the true source of her bizarre behavior is far more sinister.
Lionsgate will release the movie in the U.S. in the fall of 2014 while Lakeshore and Sierra Afffinity will continue to sell international rights at Cannes.