Tsui Hark’s (徐克) upcoming period action film, Detective Dee: The Prequel <狄仁傑前傳> recently commenced filming in Hengdian World Studios. A prequel to the director’s last hit film, Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame <狄仁傑之通天帝國>, Detective Dee: The Prequel stars Taiwanese actor, Mark Chao (趙又廷), as the titular character, a young Tang Dynasty detective who eventually becomes a chancellor for Wu Zetian, China’s only female emperor.
All-Star Cast Revealed
Hong Kong model and actress, Angelababy, and mainland Chinese actor, William Feng (冯绍峰), will also star in major roles. Insiders at the shooting revealed that William Feng, who showed up at the blessing ceremony with red hair, will be the film’s main villain. Angelababy’s role in the film is unknown, but fans speculate that she will either portray a palace maid, or a young, neglected concubine of the emperor who befriends Detective Dee.
Also reported to star in Detective Dee: The Prequel is Carina Lau (劉嘉玲), who will return as Wu Zetian, the role she played in Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame.
Xuan Yuan Sword 3 <轩辕剑之天之痕> star, Lin Gengxin (林更新) and Korean actor Kim Bum (金范) will also make appearances.
Last night, reporters caught Mark Chao and Angelababy filming together near a small lake in the “Along the River During the Qingming Festival” film studio, a filming location within Hengdian World Studios that is designated for drama productions with a Tang or Song Dynasty setting. Similar to Andy Lau’s (劉德華) image in Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame, Mark Chao donned a short mustache and was dressed in constable robes.
Tsui Hark kept the filming of Detective Dee: The Prequel in tight wraps. A low profile blessing ceremony was held earlier this month, which was only discovered after Hengdian’s official Weibo account posted pictures of the ceremony.
Source: QQ.com
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Tsui Hark assembled a very good looking young cast for “Detective Dee: The Prequel.” The cast is idol-quality, a far departure from Tsui Hark’s past films.
Hi Jayne,
I’m actually waiting for a sequel rather than a prequel… can’t wait to see Andy in action again and the show did end with him being sick and sort of giving the audience that there will be a sequel.
The prequel cast does not interest me n its a bit too eye candy n idol for me! haha
Jojo,
Perhaps there may be a sequel to “Detective Dee.” Andy does seem to be more selective in choosing his projects than before. Especially now that he is a father, perhaps he will slow down workload.
I do sense that over the last two years, film producers are eager to cultivate some younger talent since film icons from the 80s and 90s are inevitably getting older.
“Detective Dee: The Prequel” promotes a nice roster of younger actors. Mark Zhao has a lot of promise in film…a strong masculine appeal.
It was also announced that the 3D remake of “Shaolin Temple” is intent on finding a new martial arts star, hopefully the next Jet Li.
So we are at a special time now, where the search for new superstar talents are growing more pressing.
The trend to add Korean actors to Chinese films continue.
>Angelababy
Haha, maybe she will get contract firebug poison and she will melt in the sun, and her fake nose and chin drips off her face like candle-wax.
I don’t know how to feel about this prequel. The first movie had really great actors like Tony Leung, Andy Lau, Carina Lau, but with t a prequel Tsui Hark has to use younger and more photogenic stars.
I’m looking forward to this movie. Primarily because of Lin Gengxin (林更新) ^_^
Hehe, me too!
No Tony? Not happy! =(
I will watch this movie because it is a Tsui Hark film but I have my reservations due to the younger casts! Hopefully, they will excced my expectations!
Can’t wait for this new project from the old master.
This casting reminds me a lot of what he did twenty years ago with “The Lovers” when he chose then idol Nicky Wu and newbie Charlie Yeung as leads. The result was marvelous.
I don’t know why Angelababy always tag along with Mark Chao. This must be the third film in two years that the pair are in.