The Weinstein Company announced that they will begin production on CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON II – THE GREEN DESTINY in March 2014, just about 15 years after the original Ang Lee film. The big difference this time will be that Lee is not returning to direct. According to Deadline, fight choreographer Yuen Wo Ping will direct. Ping has choreographed everything from THE MATRIX to KILL BILL as well as Keanu Reeves upcoming MAN OF TAI CHI. He also has directed the original DRUNKEN MASTER with Jackie Chan.
Also returning for the sequel will be Michelle Yeoh who will star alongside IP MAN and HERO actor Donnie Yen. No word on whether Zhang ZiYi will reprise her role. Harvey Weinstein issued this statement:
“I loved Ang Lee’s film. 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 of CROUCHING TIGER. Master Yuen worked with me on IRON MONKEY, KILL BILL and now GRANDMASTER. He is a first-class director and choreographer, and I am thrilled to be teaming up with him once more. With John Fusco’s incredible script and the dream team of Donnie Yen and Michelle Yeoh we are in great shape.”
CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON II will be based on the final novel in the Crane Iron Pentalogy titled IRON KNIGHT, SILVER VASE. Ang Lee‘s film borrowed elements from the entire series and there has never been an English translation of the books. It is hard to tell exactly what the plot will be at this point, but if any fans of the series have info, please add your comments in the talk backs below.
I loved CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON and may be one of the few who thought it should have won Best Picture in 2000 instead of GLADIATOR. There have been tons of imitators since it was released, but an official sequel sounds like it would be awesome.
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