Mermaid Island (3D US-China co-production) cast finally surfaces

According to Shi Yanfei, the mermaids in Mermaid Island are more like siren who lure humans with their beauty and then eat them.

According to Shi Yanfei, the mermaids in Mermaid Island are more like siren who lure humans with their beauty in order to eat them.

After three years of special effects pre-production and $10million in investments, the large Huayi Brothers fantasy film Mermaid Island/Empires of the Deep has finally begun releasing cast members.

Bond girl Olga Kurylenko (Quantum of Solace) plays the Empress of Mermaid Island, while new actress Shi Yanfei plays the Princess.

“I’m a very unique mermaid princess. She’s different from other merkinds because she’s compassionate, while others are cruel. In the ultimate battle, I betrayed the entire Mermaid Kingdom,” Shi Yanfei said.

Actress Yang Mi (Return of the Condor Heroes, Chinese Paladin 3) plays the leader of Lionfish Island and is considered the most beautiful creature of the most beautiful underseas clan. Meanwhile, Hu Jun (Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils; Bodyguards and Assassins) will play the Eastern Dragon King.

The official synopsis is as follows:

“In ancient Greece, a miracle child is born with mysterious powers that grow as the boy becomes a man. Tormented by his strength, Atlas (Steve Polites) must summon his courage to enter the mystical Mer Kingdom deep under the ocean to save his father. Through the course of his perilous journey into new and strange worlds of mermaids, pirates and monsters, Atlas learns the truth about his birth, his power and his destiny – and if an ancient prophesy will come true and force him forever into the depths of darkness. A tale of love, fantasy and adventure, “EMPIRES OF THE DEEP” is filled with heart-pounding action and is filmed in stunning Digital 3D.”

(more…)

Mermaid Kingdom begins filming; China dives into fantasy films?

Drawings for Mermaid Kingdom on imdb

The long rumored “Mermaid Kingdom” (official : Empires of the Deep) is said to have recently begun filming. The Huayi (?) co-production will feature Monica Belluci, Liu Ye, Hu Jun and Yu Na and tells the tale of a young man stumbling upon a kingdom under the sea. According to sohu, special effects creation for it begun three years ago.

This isn’t the only large-scale fantasy film to be made in 2010. Shengshi‘s adaptation of online novel “Xing Chen Bian/星辰变/Change of Fate” and an adaptation of Guo Jingming’s novel “Ice Fantasy “ are both major upcoming films that will require tons of special effects. The first is set in a videogame like world that involves fighting against hordes of magical animals, having a best friend bird that can eat up lightning, and going to a heavenlike place in an alternate universe. “Ice Fantasy” stars the prince of the Ice Kingdom. His wife is a mermaid, and members of his entourage include a Guzheng player who creates illusions by playing music.
(more…)

Nic Tse Goes Bald For His New Film

u3124p28t3d2501753f326dt20090504004356

Nicholas Tse, who just released his purported “last” album, has begun filming for his new movie, Bodyguards and Assassins,  set in Hong Kong during the Qing Dynasty. Despite playing a rather bottom of the rung character, who is billed as “the rickshaw driver”, he is the lead of this star-filled, big-budgeted tale about many who protected Dr. Sun Yat-sen during a trip the famed leader took to Hong Kong in October of 1905 (the film title in Chinese is Besieged in October).

(more…)

Metallic Attraction: Kungfu Cyborg finishes filming

1000 million yuan Sci-fi movie Kungfu Cyberg finished filming yesterday with director Jeff Lau and leads Hu Jun, Sun Li, Ronald Cheng Wu Jing, Alex Fong, etc.

Despite having filmed numerous comedies like “A Chinese Odyseey,” Jeff Lau says he still hasn’t lost the comedic touch. He says “Kungfu Cyborg isn’t an imitation, so first, it’s not like “Transformers.” Second, it’s not like any type of superman. It’s a cyborg with uniquely Eastern traits.  Kungfu Cyborg is a trial with lots of special effects. If we don’t make more advances in special effects, we’ll be even further behind Hollywood.”

“Kungfu Cyborg” will air in the summer.

source: Sina