Asian pop superstar Jay Chou will be making his Hollywood debut as “Kato” in Seth Rogen’s superhero actioner THE GREEN HORNET come December 2010 but this month he’s making a big splash on Taiwanese television with the premiere of the big-budget, sci-fi romantic action series PANDAMEN 《熊貓人》.
Directed by and co-starring Chou, PANDAMEN is an unusual take on Taiwan’s popular idol drama phenomenon which typically puts young, singing pop stars into a romantic drama series. This one incorporates sci-fi and superhero themes, martial arts and extensive digital effects.
The series takes place in a fictional city in 2030 where an evil crime syndicate boss named Tiger is plotting to use a mind control device to rule over the populace. The only ones who can stop Tiger and his gang of violent thugs are the city’s two superheroes, Panda Superman, the son of an anthropologist, and Panda Heroic, the son of a zoo custodian.
Starring is Zhan Yuhao and Devon Song, two members of Taiwanese pop band Nan Quan Mama, who were hand-picked by Chou. Also featured is singer Jessie Chiang and mainland Chinese actresses Tang Yang and Wang Jing. Popular Hong Kong stars Eric Tsang and Shawn Yue make cameo appearances along with Chou who only appears briefly as a police officer.
The series premiered earlier this month on CTS, one of Taiwan’s four major TV networks. Despite a large TW$115 million budget ($3.6 million) and its star power, PANDAMEN has suffered poor ratings. According to Channel News Asia, common complaints were directed at the show’s “childish, convoluted plot that was hard to follow” and cast dialogue that was dominated by lines delivered in mainland Chinese-accented Mandarin.
The series first aired in Guangzhou, China where it also reportedly suffered low ratings, in fact the lowest in Guangzhou Television history after it’s dismal third day which garnered no more than roughly 5000 viewers.
The first 15 episodes of PANDAMEN have already been released on DVD with English subtitles by Hong Kong-based distributor Kam & Ronson.
Chou recently starred in the action adventure movie THE TREASURE HUNTER, one of Taiwan’s biggest feature film releases of 2009. It was largely panned by critics throughout Asia and trailed in fourth place on opening weekend in its home territory behind SHERLOCK HOLMES, AVATAR and BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS.
Chou is currently appearing in a supporting role in Yuen Woo-ping’s kung fu actioner TRUE LEGEND which opened last week in Asia.
Source: Channel News Asia
Related Topics:Jay Chou • Pandamen [TV] (2010) • Videos
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