Jet Li, Andy Lau eye ‘New Shaolin Temple’

Producers for a martial arts film being developed in association with the real Shaolin Temple are currently in talks with wushu star Jet Li and actor/singer Andy Lau to star in NEW SHAOLIN TEMPLE. Li is reportedly being considered for a role as a senior monk.

It has also been revealed that a script by Alan Yuen (ROB-B-HOOD) sets the film’s events during the time of China’s Republican period. The plot loosely deals with efforts by Shaolin monks to aid the populace during a turbulent era.

Co-producers Henan Television and Emperor Motion Pictures intend to begin shooting by the end of the year.

For the past few years, Shaolin Temple has been developing film and television series based on the history of Shaolin. In 2006, the 1500-year-old Temple joined forces with Shenzhen Satellite TV to produce a talent show to discover fresh kung fu stars. Watched by an estimated 300 million people, the Global Chinese Kung Fu Star TV Competition brought together 36 competitors selected from 100,000 applicants from around the world.

If Jet Li takes this role, it would return him to the genre he had sworn off after his starring role in Ronny Yu’s kung fu actioner FEARLESS. Li’s presence in NEW SHAOLIN TEMPLE would also return him to his roots. The former wushu champion began his film career in 1982 by portraying a young fighting monk in the hugely successful mainland Chinese film SHAOLIN TEMPLE.

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Sources: Chinese Business View via Wu-Jing.org

Tags: Andy Lau, Jet Li, New Shaolin Temple (2010), shaolin temple, upcoming