Bey Logan leaves TWC, will produce ‘Blood Bond’

Bey Logan has stepped down from his position as Vice President of Asian Acquisitions & Co-Productions at The Weinstein Company’s Hong Kong office as part of the company’s recent efforts to reduce costs. As he leaves, Logan is stepping up to produce BLOOD BOND through his production company.

For the past three years, Logan has had a very visible “face” at The Weinstein Company by providing audio commentary for all of their DVD releases on TWC’s Dragon Dynasty label. He also appeared in exclusive bonus material on several releases. His tenure at TWC was preceded by production and scriptwriting work in Hong Kong, as well as contributing audio commentary to the Hong Kong Legends DVD label in the U.K.

Logan may no longer be a TWC VP but he’s still maintaining a working relationship with them. He has signed a new deal which covers his own productions and allows him to remain as an acquisitions consultant for the company and their Asian Film Fund.

The first production under this new arrangement will be BLOOD BOND, an actioner starring Michael Biehn as a Special Forces operative on a dangerous trek with the female bodyguard of a wounded spiritual teacher.

The film co-stars American stage actress Phoenix Chou, model and Taekwondo artist Zhang Lan-xin and veteran Hong Kong actor Simon Yam.

Logan has put out a casting call, looking for additional English-speaking Chinese actors. Details can be found on his blog at Alive Not Dead.

Another film in the works from Logan is HARLEM GOES EAST, a Blaxploitation movie set in China. He has also hinted at the possibility of producing remakes as his deal with TWC covers remakes where “rights could be made available” for low-cost production in Asia.

In addition to producing, Logan is also rumored to be working on a new book. One of Kung Fu Cinema’s own forum members has quoted Logan as stating in a written email, “The new book is my favourite 36 Hong Kong kung fu movies, and my opinions on them and memories associated with the films. This one will be more personal, I can say that.”

Logan previously authored “Hong Kong Action Cinema,” an excellent introduction to Hong Kong martial arts and action films from 1970 through the mid-1990s.

Logan’s departure as VP comes amid downsizing by TWC that will see the closing of the company’s Hong Kong office that Logan headed and the shedding of an addition 35 staff members. This is the second round of layoffs for the company this year and will see its staff reduced to roughly 70 to 80 people.

Update: Bey Logan has confirmed to Kung Fu Cinema that TWC’s Dragon Dynasty label will carry on despite his departure from the company.

“The brand will continue, and TWC will continue to acquire Asian titles,” said Logan. “I will consult them as best I can, and provide as much assistance as I can in my new role.”

Logan mentioned that his new book, which he is still working on, will be titled “My Life in 36 Chambers (or Everything I Needed To Know I Learned From Watching Kung Fu Movies).”