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| Red Cliff | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | John Woo |
| Produced by | Terence Chang (producer) Lion Rock Entertainment |
| Written by | Lan Xiaolong Wang Hui-ling Wang Qian Zou Jingzhi Based on Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong |
| Starring | Chang Chen Hu Jun Takeshi Kaneshiro Tony Leung Chiu Wai Lin Chi-ling You Yong Zhang Fengyi Zhao Wei Nakamura Shidō |
| Cinematography | Lü Yue |
| Distributed by | Summit Entertainment (International) |
| Release date(s) | 2008 |
| Country |  China |
| Language | Mandarin Chinese |
| Budget | US$80 million[1] |
| All Movie Guide profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Red Cliff (Chinese: 赤壁), alternatively known as The Battle of Red Cliff, is a Chinese epic film directed by John Woo and starring Chang Chen, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Lin Chi-ling, Zhang Fengyi and Zhao Wei. The film is expected to be released in 2008. With an estimated budget of US$80 million, The Battle of Red Cliff is the most expensive Asian-financed film to date.[2]
According to Han Sanping, veteran producer and the CEO of China Film Group, one of the chief investors in the film, The Battle of Red Cliff currently has too much material to include in a single feature. It will therefore be divided into two episodes, with the first to be released before the 2008 Summer Olympics, and the second only at the end of 2008.[3] Producer Terence Chang confirmed this, saying that the Chinese government views the film as a showcase of Chinese history and wants it released before the Olympic Games.[4]
Plot
The film is based on events during the Three Kingdoms period in Ancient China, specifically the Battle of Red Cliffs. Director John Woo said in an interview with CCTV-6 that the film will use primarily the historical record Chronicle of the Three Kingdoms as a blueprint, rather than the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. As such, traditionally vilified characters such as Cao Cao and Zhou Yu will be given a more historically accurate treatment in the film.[5]
Cast
- Tony Leung Chiu Wai as Zhou Yu, the chief strategist of the Kingdom of Wu
- Takeshi Kaneshiro as Zhuge Liang, the chief strategist and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Shu
- Lin Chi-ling as Xiao Qiao, the wife of Zhou Yu
- Zhang Fengyi as Cao Cao, the last Chancellor of Eastern Han Dynasty and the pioneer of the Kingdom of Wei
- Chang Chen as Sun Quan, first emperor of the Kingdom of Wu
- You Yong as Liu Bei, first emperor of the Kingdom of Shu
- Hu Jun as Zhao Yun, a top general of the Kingdom of Shu
- Zhao Wei as Sun Shangxiang, the younger sister of Sun Quan who married Liu Bei
- Hou Yong as Lu Su, Zhou Yu's main advisor and eventual successor
- Nakamura Shido as Gan Ning, A General of the Kingdom of Wu[6][7][8]
- Jiang Tong as Ling Tong, a General of the Kingdom of Wu[7]
- Qingxiang Wang as Kong Rong, an Advisor or Cao Cao and former minor Warlord
- Jia Song as Li Ji[7], fictional concubine of Cao Cao
- Chun Sun as TBD[7]
- Koyuki as TBD.[6][7]
Replaced cast
- Tony Leung Chiu Wai was originally selected for the role of Zhuge Liang. However, he rejected the role, citing the lack of time (after filming Lust, Caution) to learn his lines, which are in Mandarin.[9] Producer Terence Chang said financial backing is not affected by the change.[1]
- Ken Watanabe was originally selected for the role of Cao Cao.[10] According to a report, some Chinese fans voiced objections over the choice as they felt that it was inappropriate for a Japanese actor to play the role of a Chinese historical figure. The report claimed that the protests influenced the decision of director John Woo, who eventually chose Zhang Fengyi for the role.[11]
- Chow Yun-Fat was originally selected for the role of Zhou Yu, and had even earlier been considered for the role of Liu Bei. However, he pulled out on 13 April, 2007, just as shooting began. Chow explained that he received a revised script a week earlier and was not given sufficient time to prepare, but producer Terence Chang disputed this, saying that he could not work with Chow because the film's Hollywood insurer opposed 73 clauses in Chow's contract.[4] Chow was replaced by Tony Leung Chiu Wai, who had previously turned down the role of Zhuge Liang.[12][13]
Production
Production is helmed by Lion Rock Entertainment, with investments from China Film Group, Taewon Entertainment and Visualizer Entertainment.[14][15] Distributors are fast to clinch the deal before shooting even began. Current confirmed distributors include Chengtian Entertainment (Mainland China), Avex Entertainment (Japan), Showbox Entertainment (South Korea), and the Los Angeles-based Summit Entertainment (international).[15]
Shooting of The Battle of Red Cliff was slated to begin 29 March, 2007,[3] but was later postponed to mid-April.[16] Shooting will be held at a film studio in Beijing, as well as in Hebei province, where naval warfares will be staged at two working reservoirs.[17] The art director Timmy Yip told the Associated Press that the film's production design posed a big challenge because of its enormous scale, but said that he had resolved most of his problems, which included funding and location issues.[1] According to producer Terence Chang, shooting is to follow the "Hollywood model", with the cast given breaks over the weekends. Shooting is also expected to be wrapped up in September.[18]
According to a report, all cast members had received instruction to report 6 April, 2007 at a training ground in the suburbs of Beijing for pre-shoot preparations. Chow Yun-Fat and Takeshi Kaneshiro, who have had experiences in period films, are busy going over the script; while Hu Jun, Zhang Fengyi, You Yong and Chang Chen are undergoing training in Chinese martial arts and equestrianism.[18] According to other reports, Lin Chi-ling, who will play Younger Qiao in the movie, has already been undergoing training in Beijing in preparation for her role.[19]
Japanese actor and actress Nakamura Shido and Koyuki have joined the cast, Nakamura playing the Wu general Gan Ning and Koyuki's role has not yet been determined.[6][7]
See also
- Battle of Red Cliffs, the historical battle the film is based on
- Three Kingdoms, the period in the history of China in which the battle took place
- Chronicle of the Three Kingdoms, a historical record of the events during the Three Kingdoms period, on which the film is based
- Romance of the Three Kingdoms, one of the Four Great Classical Novels, a romanticized interpretation of the historical events during the Three Kingdoms period
Notes
- ^ a b c
- ^ Dawtrey, A., Guider, E. "Berlin star power eclipses click pics", Variety, 2007-02-17. Retrieved on 2007-04-06.
- ^ a b
- ^ a b
- ^ Zhang, X. "John Woo to reinterpret Cao Cao and Zhou Yu", Jingbao, 2007-02-08. Retrieved on 2007-04-04.
- ^ a b c Unknown."Koyuki and Nakamura Joins John Woo's Movie 'Red Cliff'", Asian Popcorn, [2007-7-18. Retrieved 2007-07-18.
- ^ a b c d e f IMDB."IMDB cast list", IMDB, [2007-9-24. Retrieved 2007-09-24.
- ^ (Japanese)Avex Entertainment 2007-08-01.
- ^ Unknown. "Tony Leung leaps off Red Cliff", The Guardian, 2007-03-22. Retrieved 2007-04-04.
- ^ Unknown. "Zhao Wei to Join All-star Cast for "Battle of the Red Cliff"", China Radio International, 2007-02-09. Retrieved on 2007-04-04.
- ^ (Chinese) Tang, A. "Choice of Kaneshiro as Zhuge Liang criticized", Chinese Business View, 2007-03-09. Retrieved on 2007-04-04.
- ^ Frater, P. & Coonan, C. "Leung rejoins 'Red Cliff'", Variety, 2007-04-19. Retrieved on 2007-04-20.
- ^ McCurry, J. "Chinese epic loses the plot as actors quit £40m project", The Guardian, 2007-04-20. Retrieved on 2007-04-20.
- ^ Frater, P. "Woo wages 'Battle'", Variety, 2006-12-11. Retrieved 2007-04-06.
- ^ a b
- ^ (Chinese) Zhang, Z. "Red Cliff to begin shooting mid-April", Xinmin Evening News, 2007-04-04. Retrieved on 2007-04-04.
- ^ (Chinese) Zheng, Z. "Shooting locations of Red Cliff revealed", Sina Entertainment, 2007-04-04. Retrieved on 2007-04-04.
- ^ a b
- ^ (Chinese) Unknown. "Cast undergoing pre-shoot training for Red Cliff", Shenyang Daily News, 2007-04-03. Retrieved on 2007-04-04.
External links
| Films directed by John Woo |
|---|
| Fist to Fist (1973) • The Young Dragons (1974) • The Dragon Tamers (1974) • Princess Chang Ping (1975) • Hand of Death (1975) • Money Crazy (1977) • Last Hurrah for Chivalry (1978) • Hello, Late Homecomers (1978) • Follow the Star (1978) • From Riches to Rags (1980) • To Hell with the Devil (1981) • Laughing Times (1981) • Plain Jane to the Rescue (1982) • The Time You Need a Friend (1984) • Run Tiger Run (1985) • Heroes Shed No Tears (1986) • A Better Tomorrow (1986) • A Better Tomorrow II (1987) • The Killer (1989) • Tragic Heroes (1989) • Bullet in the Head (1990) • Once a Thief (1991) • Hard Boiled (1992) • Hard Target (1993) • Broken Arrow (1996) • Once a Thief (1996) • Face/Off (1997) • Blackjack (1998) • Mission: Impossible II (2000) • Windtalkers (2002) • Paycheck (2003) • All the Invisible Children (2005) • Red Cliff (2008) |
| Cinema of China | |
|---|---|
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