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Jay Chou to do "Slam Dunk" movie with martial arts, estimated to be out by 08 Olympics
by kelvin@multistars - 28th June 2006Yesterday reporters found out from a movie group that they and Taiwanese producer Wu Dun are collaborating on a movie "Slam Dunk" which will begin filming next year. The first male lead has already been tentatively set as Jay Chou, who is the most wanted actor in the Chinese movie industry right now; both sides have already signed a Letter of Collaboration Intent. Taiwanese director Zhu Yan Ping ("One Stone Two Birds" directed by him came out in Mainland China) is the screenwriter and director of this movie. According to Zhu Yan Ping, this movie will not simply be a copy of the Japanese manga "Slam Dunk", but it will combine martial arts and sports and also the hip hop element of music, it is a story of a group of youngsters on the basketball court. They have already hired Cheng Xiao Dong to be the action choreographer for the movie. It will begin filming next year in March and be out by the 2008 Olympics.
According to reports, "Slam Dunk" will gather lots of special effects, kung fu and basketball, even though the movie is based on the manga "Slam Dunk" but the story has been completely rewritten and they have added in martial arts elements. The role Jay plays is an orphan who was sent to a martial arts school when he was young, under the assistance of the four masters in the school he shows off his talent, he jumps very high and shoots very accurately and so he was discovered by the world. According to reports the budget for this movie is as high as US$10 million.
According to Taiwanese producer Wu Dun, after he saw "Initial D" last year, he immediately contacted the "box office guarantee" Jay Chou, but they didn't come to any arrangements. Afterwards Jay went to Mainland China to film Zhany Yi Mou's new movie "City Full Of Golden Armour", Wu Dun contacted Jay through many different routes. He said the two talked about the situation of filming in Hong Kong and Mainland China and he even showed Jay his ideas, he thinks they should do something for Taiwanese movies and so he finally got Jay's initial approval. Wu Dun was very happy to be able to get Jay, he said with some resentment: "Taiwanese actors are too realistic, beforehand I wanted to talk about filming a movie with an actor I had worked with before, who would have thought Jimmy Lin rejected me straight away with the excuse that he was too busy, he didn't even have any time for me at all! Vivian Hsu didn't even call back." He ridiculed himself saying: "Perhaps my area has become small, everyone is too busy, now in contrast to Jay Chou, I'm really relieved!" Talking about Jay Chou, Wu Dun said: "He is a youngster with dreams, he also wants to do something for Taiwanese movies. It's just as well this movie matches his most loved basketball, and also the role has a bit of Bruce Lee flavour!" As for Jay's fee, Wu Dun revealed the two sides have already signed a secrecy clause; it is definite that it will be higher than "Initial D", but he cannot reveal it.
The producer Wu Dun expressed that at present he has already invited Richard Ng (starred in Shaolin Soccer), Eric Tsang and more to join as Jay's martial arts teachers. He expressed that because they have gotten Jay to act in the movie, this movie's pre-production will have to be actively carried out. But recently they have discovered that the environment in Taiwan for filming is not too good, so they are not ruling out that parts of it will be filmed in Mainland China. Jay's company Alfa Music expressed that both sides have made contact, Jay has already seen the script, he is interested in being in it, plus he wants to support Taiwanese movies, so both sides have signed a "Letter of Intent". Alfa Music general manager Mr Yeung expressed that because the official date to begin filming is next year, there is still a lot of details to be settled so they have not signed an official contract but only a "Letter of Intent". According to reports, apart from the male character played by Jay, the other roles have not been determined. Some look to Mainland China actress Vicki Zhao, but there isn't any accepted argument at the moment to confirm that.