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Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Netflix Announces CROUCHING TIGER Sequel as First Original Movie


Hollywood, like most things, you are nothing.

Netflix announced that it has signed a deal with The Weinstein Company to release Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend, the sequel to the 2000 film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon directed by Ang LeeThe film will premiere exclusively on Netflix and in selected global IMAX theaters on August 28, 2015 and could be a significant game-changer for movie theater distribution.

Based on the Crane Iron Pentalogy by wuxia novelist Wang Dulu, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is set in the Qing Dynasty during the 43rd year (1779) of the reign of the Qianlong Emperor and features Chow Yun-fat as an accomplished Wudang swordsman Li Mu Bai whose master was murdered by Jade Fox (Cheng Pei-pei), a woman who sought to learn Wudang skills.  Mu Bai's friend Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh) is a female warrior and the two have developed feelings for each other, but have never acknowledged or acted on them.  Intending to give up his warrior life, Mu Bai asks Shu Lien to transport his sword, also referred to as the Green Destiny, to the city of Beijing, as a gift for their friend Sir Te (Sihung Lung).  At Sir Te's estate, Shu Lien meets Jen (Zhang Ziyi), the daughter of a visiting Manchu aristocrat who is destined for an arranged marriage but is far more than she seems.

The film won Best Foreign Language Film at the 73rd Academy Awards, the 58th Golden Globe Awards and the 54th British Academy Film Awards.  In addition, the film won Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Original Score at the Academy Awards, with nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Original Song, Best Costume Design, and Best Film Editing.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend will be directed by Yuen Wo-Ping and feature the return of Michelle Yeoh as Yu Shu Lien, Donnie Yen as Meng Sizhao/Silent Wolf and Harry Shum, Jr. as Tiefang. 

Oh, look.  There's an official press release...

NETFLIX ANNOUNCES FIRST ORIGINAL MOVIE

CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON: THE GREEN LEGEND TO PREMIERE SIMULTANEOUSLY ON NETFLIX AND IN SELECT GLOBAL IMAX® THEATERS

Michelle Yeoh and Donnie Yen star under the direction of Yuen Wo-Ping in the Sequel to the Academy Award®-winning 2000 film

Beverly Hills, Ca. and New York, September 29, 2014–Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend, the stunning next chapter in the saga started by the critically and popularly acclaimed Ang Lee martial arts epic, will premiere exclusively on Netflix and in selected global IMAX® theaters on August 28, 2015.

Produced by The Weinstein Company, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend echoes the themes of the original movie, but tells its own story — one of lost love, young love, a legendary sword and one last opportunity at redemption, set against breathtaking action in an epic martial arts battle between good and evil that will decide the fate of the Martial World.

Directed by the renowned martial arts choreographer (The Matrix Trilogy and Kill Bill 1&2) and director (Tai Chi Master) Yuen Wo-Ping, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend stars Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Lady) reprising her role as Yu Shu-Lien and Donnie Yen (Ip Man 1&2, Monkey King 3D) as Silent Wolf.

The film is to be the first of several major films backed by Netflix to premiere on the same day on the world’s leading Internet TV network and in select IMAX theaters globally, giving consumers and exhibitors around the world unparalleled flexibility in how, when and where they
enjoy a major motion picture.

“Fans will have unprecedented choice in how they enjoy an amazing and memorable film that combines intense action and incredible beauty,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. “We are honored to be working with Harvey Weinstein and a world-class team of creators to bring this epic story to people all over the world and to partner with IMAX, a brand that represents the highest quality of immersive entertainment, in the distribution of this film.”

“The moviegoing experience is evolving quickly and profoundly, and Netflix is unquestionably at the forefront of that movement,” said TWC Co-Chairman Harvey Weinstein. “We are tremendously excited to be continuing our great relationship with Netflix and bringing to fans all over the world the latest chapter in this amazing and intriguing story.”

“IMAX has a terrific opportunity, via this partnership with Netflix, to release Crouching Tiger – a high-quality, action-packed film that is right in our wheelhouse — at the end of the summer blockbuster season,” said Greg Foster, Senior Executive Vice President, IMAX Corp. and CEO of IMAX Entertainment. “We are particularly hopeful it will play in our highly successful China market. In territories where we simultaneously release with Netflix, we are excited to offer consumers the option of deciding how, when and where they want to view the film, and exhibitors the opportunity to participate in this alternative form of content in a new and innovative way.”

Based on the acclaimed novel, Iron Knight, Silver Vase, by Wang Dulu (book 5 in the Crane-Iron Pentalogy) and written by John Fusco (Marco Polo) the new film is produced by Harvey Weinstein (Academy Award winner – The King’s Speech, The Artist) and Peter Berg (Emmy Award winner – Friday Night Lights; Lone Survivor, Hancock) and Sarah Aubrey (Friday Night Lights; Lone Survivor, Hancock) and executive produced by Morten Tyldum (Headhunters, The Imitation Game), Ralph Winter (X-Men franchise), Anthony Wong, and Bey Logan (The Medallion).

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend also stars Harry Shum Jr (Glee, Revenge of the Green Dragons), Jason Scott Lee (Seventh Son, Hawaii Five-O), Roger Yuan (Bulletproof Monk), Eugenia Yuan (Revenge of the Green Dragons) and newcomer Natasha Liu Bordizzo.

Principal photography is now underway in New Zealand. The film’s director of photography is Tom Sigel (Drive, X-Men: Days of Future Past) and design is led by the Academy Award®-winning Lord of the Rings team of costume designer Ngila Dickson, production designer Grant Major and visual effects supervisor Mark Stetson.

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