Actually, I had thought this movie was long dead. But when researching the Stephen Chow WAY OF THE DRAGON article, I came across this little morsel of news involving Tony Leung, Mr. Wong and the guy who was Bruce Lee’s teacher.
Apparently, filming has been delayed due to a skiing accident involving actor Tony Leung (LUST CAUTION, IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE). He’s going to need several months to completely heal. Playing the role of Ip Man, he’s going to need to be healthy for the shoot.
Or, some might say it was delayed because of the personal controversy surrounding actress Zhang Ziyi (HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS, MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA), and the need to accommodate her volatile schedule.
Then there was the bad weather in Guangdong.
Or there is that other Ip Man movie that just came out a couple of years ago. What was it called again? That’s right, IP MAN. And it starred Donnie Yen.
Or maybe it’s all of the above.
Needless to say Wong is having Gilliam-sized bad luck in getting this film made. Thankfully nobody has died or fallen seriously ill (knock on wood).
Personally, I hope this gets done. I love Wong Kar-Wai’s movies and they are getting to be too far in between lately.
Also cast for GRAND MASTER in addition to Leung and Zhang are Chang Chen (CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON), Song Hye-Kyo and Brigitte Lin (DRAGON INN, THE EAST IS RED) in her first film role since her retirement from movies after Wong’s CHUNGKING EXPRESS.
