Production is expected to begin soon on 14 BLADES, a Ming-era martial arts movie from director Daniel Lee starring Donnie Yen and Vicki Zhao. This will be the first pairing of Yen with the director of BLACK MASK, DRAGON SQUAD and THREE KINGDOMS: RESURRECTION OF THE DRAGON.
During the Ming Dynasty, the Emperor of China possessed one weapon greater than all others, the Imperial Guards, an elite force of assassins recruited from street orphans. Trained in clandestine combat from childhood, the Imperial Guards were masters of the 14 Blades, eight being for torture, five for killing, and the last blade reserved for suicide when a mission failed. Above the law, with a license to kill, the Imperial Guards devoted their lives and lethal prowess to the service of the Emperor alone.
When the Imperial Court is taken over by evil eunuch Jia, the best of the Imperial Guards, Green Dragon (Yen) and Xuanwu, are assigned to steal a list identifying those still loyal to the Emperor. However unbeknownst to Green Dragon, the Imperial Guards have fallen under the control of Jia, and during the mission Green Dragon is betrayed by Xuanwu and barely escapes with his life. Now as the most wanted man in the land Green Dragon must seek out and rally the loyalists to rise against Jia and restore the Emperor to power. In his way are the deadliest assassins in the land, his former brethren, the Imperial Guards.
Normally, I would be excited about any new Donnie Yen movie but some readers are probably aware that I have no love for Daniel Lee as an action filmmaker. He has not shot anything worthwhile with the possible exception of BLASK MASK, a fun but highly flawed superhero film. Lee’s films are high on visual style but low on substance and quality where it counts. Thankfully, we still have two IP MAN sequels to look forward to.
Source: Twitch Film via Wu-Jing.org
Related Topics:14 Blades (2010) • Daniel Lee • Donnie Yen • upcoming • Vicki Zhao








49 Action Movie Previews – March, 2010
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Production set for ‘Warring States’
Blast from the Past: ‘Wong Fei-hung’s Lion Dance vs the Golden Dragon’ (1956)
‘Ip Man 2′ shooting diary revealed as Yen calls quits
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Trailer for ‘Zatoichi the Last’
Second trailer for ‘Prince of Persia’
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Martial Youth: Child Action Stars Part 1 – Hollywood High
Six official images from ‘Ip Man 2′
REVIEW: ‘The Storm Warriors’ (2009)
Second trailer for ‘The Karate Kid’