Andy Lau Returns in “Running on Karma 2”
Starring Andy Lau (劉德華), Running on Karma <大隻佬> was a hit when it was released in 2003. Fans urged the film’s producers, Johnnie To (杜琪峯) and Wai Ka Fai (韋家輝) to come up with a sequel. Finally, 12 years later, Wai Ka Fai is inspired to produce a sequel, this time in 3D format. He will be collaborating with Johnnie To again, as well as Huayi Brothers. With an estimated $26 million USD budget, the movie is expected to be released sometime next year.
While Andy is slated to return for a starring role in the sequel, the producers will give Cecilia Cheung (張栢芝) a miss and instead replace her with Johnnie’s favored star, Mainland Chinese actress Gao Yuanyuan (高圆圆). Johnnie had allegedly already disliked Cecilia for her unprofessional habits exhibited when filming the original Running on Karma – such as a lack of punctuality and frequently calling in sick. However, as Cecilia was then a favorite of Tiffany Chan (陳嵐), wife of entertainment mogul and founder of China Star Entertainment Group, Charles Heung (向華強), Johnnie had no choice but to deal with Cecilia.
Now that Cecilia has fallen out with Tiffany Chan as a result of her recalcitrant unprofessional behavior displayed while filming Clash of the Titans: 3D <封神榜3D>, Johnnie is no longer under pressure to cast Cecilia and is thus unlikely to include her in the sequel.
Apart from Yuanyuan, another new face joining the sequel is Charles Heung’s son Jacky Heung (向佐). Jacky will allegedly play Andy’s disciple, and will be showing off some martial arts moves.
In response to reporters’ queries, a spokesperson for China Star confirmed that a sequel to Running on Karma is in the works but plans are yet to be finalized.
Source: ihktv.com
This article is written by Jingles for JayneStars.com.
As much as I like Andy Lau, I thought that the first story was enough and I am not interested in this sequel at all. Why can’t Johnnie To make a new movie instead?
@elizabeth He has at least five projects, two of which he’s directing and currently filming, two that he produces, and one that is in development.
@doOK Thanks for the info. I was actually saying why doesn’t Johnnie To do a completely new story with Andy Lau and his resources rather than milk on a story that didn’t need a seque). Seriously, though I am an Andy fan, I thought Eddie Cheung outshone everyone with his crazy cop role. I’m just not sure how much more can be developed with Andy’s character now that he had been enlightened with how karma works.