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Crouching Tiger II
Release Dates:
(subject to change)
Feb. 19, China
Feb. 19, Hong Kong
Feb. 26, USA
Feb. 26, Netflix Worldwide

Synopsis
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II News
The Original Film
Ang Lee's Abandoned Prequel
Weinstein's Sequel
Casting Notes

Synopsis:
The sequel tells the story of a group of noble and legendary knights and soldiers who fight for peace and justice by protecting a 400-year old blade named The Green Destiny in Qing Dynasty China.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II News:
© MichelleYeoh.info
Film images © Weinstein Company / Netflix / China Film Group

(08/06/16) HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHELLE!!

(05/25/16) Michelle and Donnie Yen will attend the Paris inauguration ceremony of the 6th Chinese Film Festival in France on June 30th. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny is an official selection of the festival.

(03/10/16)


(03/06/16) Video: Behind the Scene: Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny   (02:23)

(03/02/16) Some film design sketches:


(02/26/16) Find 3D IMAX Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny:   IMAX,  Moviefone
Or watch on Netflix.

Links:
Deadline: 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword Of Destiny' Tops $32M In China As Netflix Begins International Rollout
ET: For Michelle Yeoh, 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' and Its Sequel Are Labors of Love



(02/24/16)
Netflix video: Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny - Trailer 3   (01:32)
Video: Exclusive Interview: Michelle Yeoh Talks Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword Of Destiny   (10:17)
Stuff: Michelle Yeoh discusses her NZ-shot Crouching Tiger sequel experience

(02/23/16)
- Articles:
USA Today: Michelle Yeoh flies back to 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'
Hollywood Reporter: 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' Sequel to Play in 15 or Fewer Imax Theaters in U.S.
Comicbook: Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon 2 Opens To $21M in China

- Videos:
Official video: Listen with your mind. Hear the music of Crouching Tiger...   (01:12)
USA Today: Michelle Yeoh: Trust important in staging "Crouching Tiger" stunts   (01:16)
USA Today: Michelle Yeoh to Donny Yen: 'No touching'   (00:22)

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny opens in the U.S. this weekend. According to "USA Today", there are surprises for Crouching Tiger fans: Netflix viewers can chose an English version, while the IMAX version is in Mandarin Chinese (just like the original).

(02/22/16) Michelle appeared on the KTLA (Los Angeles) Morning News on Monday:
Video: Michelle Yeoh on 'Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny'   (03:52)

The U.S. premiere of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny took place at the AMC Universal Citywalk 19, Los Angeles, February 22nd.


(02/19/16) Producer Harvey Weinstein talking about Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II -
Deadline: 'Crouching Tiger' Sequel: An American Filmmaker's Quest To Make The First Eastern Western

(02/18/16)
Entertainment Weekly: See the sword-swinging new trailer for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Sword of Destiny
Watch on YouTube   (02:15)

(02/15/16)


(02/03/16) The world premiere ceremony of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny was held on February 1st in Beijing, China. The red carpet event was attended by Hong Kong director Yuen Woo Ping, actors and actresses Michelle Yeoh, Donnie Yen, Harry Shum Jr., Natasha Liu Bordizzo, producer Harvey Weinstein, and Netflix VP Pauline Fischer, among others.

The film is set to open in theaters in Hong Kong and China on the 18th of this month and it will hit both selected U.S. IMAX theaters and Netflix worldwide (including Taiwan) on the 26th.


(02/02/16) Video: Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon II Chinese Theme Song   (04:21)
Performed by Coco Lee and Taiwanese singer Jam Hsiao, Music by Shigeru Umebayashi, Piano by Lang Lang.

(01/27/16) Video: New Chinese trailer: Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon II   (01:44)

(01/26/16)


(01/20/16) The film will be released in Hong Kong on February 18th, in 2D and IMAX 3D format. Mandarin dubbed with English and Chinese subtitles. Running time 92 minutes.


(01/19/16) A new set of images has been released by the Chinese distributor, including the main villains.


(01/16/16) The film's tie-in novel, by British Writer Justin Hill, is coming out this month. 320 pages.

The Wrap: 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' Sequel Writer on Book-to-Movie-to-Book Challenges
Entertainment Weekly: An excerpt from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny
Available on Amazon US


(01/09/16)
- Video: 3rd CTHD2 Chinese trailer   (01:39)

- New Chinese character posters and images:


(01/05/16) The Chinese theatrical release has been rescheduled to February 19th, a week ahead of the IMAX/Netflix release in the U.S.. The release in China will only be 3D / 3D IMAX. No 2D version.

New film stills:


(01/03/16) Video: 2nd CTHD2 Chinese trailer   (00:30)

This trailer features Michelle's real voice, while the first Chinese trailer did not.

(01/01/16)
- Shigeru Umebayashi will score for the film. The Japanese composer has scored for many Hong Kong/Chinese films, including Wong Kar-wai's In the Mood for Love, 2046, The Grandmaster, Zhang Yimou's House of Flying Daggers, Ronny Yu's Fearless, and Yuen Woo-ping's True Legend.

- Videos:
Chinese trailer   (01:09)
Making Of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon II   (03:17 in English and Mandarin)

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny was filmed in English. It will be dubbed in Mandarin for the theatrical release in China. Since most of the main actors (Michelle included) are more fluent in English than in Mandarin Chinese, the dubbing is not expected to feature everyone's real voice.

- CTHD2 Chinese posters:


(12/23/15) Michelle Yeoh as Yu Shu Lien in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny.


(12/15/15) AP: Michelle Yeoh reprises her role in 'Crouching Tiger' sequel

Michelle, director Yuen Wo-ping, and Australian actress Natasha Liu Bordizzo attended a CTHD2 press conference in Beijing on December 15th.


(12/07/15) Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny will be released in the U.S. on selected IMAX theaters and on Netflix on February 26, 2016.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny Trailer   (01:33)

(12/04/15) First teaser of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny!   WATCH (00:15)

(11/27/15) Coco Lee, the Hong Kong-born American singer who performed the theme song (both English and Chinese versions) in the original Crouching Tiger film, will sing the theme song for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny.

(11/02/15)


(10/18/15) Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny - final title of the film.

The film's tie-in novel is re-scheduled to come out on January 26, 2016, by Weinstein Publishing.

(10/17/15)
- The film is finishing up the ADR with some of the main actors around their working schedules in various locations.

Some early screenings were held in NYC last week.

- Epoch Times: Censors Shape Sequel to 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'

(10/12/15) A leaked document from China's State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT) shows that when the co-production of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II was approved two years ago, SAPPRFT requested certain changes to the submitted script. They asked the production team to remove the usage of the name of "The White Lotus" and reduced the mentioning of the expression "Fan Qing Fu Ming" (literally: "Oppose Qing and restore Ming").

The White Lotus was a religious group that originated in the Yuan Dynasty (13-14th century). In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) - when the stories of CTHD I and II took place - which was one of the periods in the history when China was ruled by minority groups, the White Lotus led / inspired many anti-Qing rebellion movements in the nation. "Fan Qing Fu Ming" was one of the slogans used in the rebellions, while "Ming" was the dynasty prior the Qing.

It seems the film then changed it to the name "West Lotus."

Someone asked this question on the internet: "Why do they need to restrict the name 'The White Lotus'?"

Here are some answers from Chinese netizens:

      "I think they are actually afraid of 'Fan Qing Fu Ming'."

      "When other nations move forward, our culture censorship is moving backward!"

      "This government claimed themselves to be 'Great, Gorious and Correct', yet they are extremely weak inside."

      "'The slogan 'Fan Qing Fu Ming' can scare them to death. The party has such low self-esteem!"

      "SAPPRFT is an extension of Wenziyu!"
        ("Wenziyu" literally means: "imprisonment due to writings" and the Dynasty of Qing was notorious for it)

In Chinese history, there are three infamous periods when the government systematically persecuted intellectuals: the Emperor Qin's era (Qin Dynasty, 221BC-206BC), the Qing Dynasty, and the Communist era (1949-present).

(09/18/15) The shoot in Beijing is the final leg of the production. The main part of the production was filmed in New Zealand last year.

Some photos from Beijing:


(09/14/15) New film stills:


On September 14, a press conference was held in Huairou District, Beijing where the CTHD2 team is currently doing some pick up shots / reshots. Director Yuen Woo-ping, producer Harvey Weinstein, representitives from Netflix and China's Pegasus Media, and cast members Jason Scott Lee, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, and Juju Chan attended the event. Michelle, who was busy filming on location, spoke to the media through video.

The release date for CTHD2 in Mainland China has been set for February 8th, 2016 (which will be the Chinese New Year Day), a week ahead of the U.S. Netflix / IMAX release.


(08/06/15) HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHELLE!!

(07/07/15) The release date for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend has been re-scheduled to the first quarter of 2016. The film will be released globally to Netflix subscribers and selected IMAX theaters, and will also be released theatrically in China.

Hong Kong media reported that some pickup shots for the film are scheduled to take place in China in August.

(06/07/15) The VFX of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II was completed at the end of last Month. We can expect the first trailer soon.

(03/23/15) Netflix will launch in New Zealand and Australia on March 24. According to "Hollywood Reporter", Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II, as Netflix' first feature film, "will launch day and date with their U.S. and European releases."

(03/06/15) Book cover:


The novelization of the film script is expected to be published in Australia and New Zealand in the second quarter by Little Brown (UK), and in the second half of the year in U.S. and some other territories by Weinstein Books.

(02/13/15) Novel of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend", written by British Writer Justin Hill for Weinstein Books, is coming out in U.K. on March 5 and in U.S. in July.

Description 1

The fabled Green Legend sword, the invincible blade of China, is under threat. For many years it has been hidden by the House of Te. But with the death of Duke Te, master of the Iron Way and beacon of the fight against injustice, the sword is no longer safe. And the future of the Martial world is in peril.

Shulien, legendary female warrior, has been in solitude for as long as the sword has been safe. But now she must break her long meditation, her mourning for her lost love, Mubai, and travel to Beijing. Dark forces, headed by the mighty Hades Dai, are mustering ...

Like a magnet, the Green Legend pulls a cast of extraordinary characters into a kaleidoscope of bravery and battle - and to an epic and nail-biting conclusion.

The Green Legend, inspired by Wang Du Lu's Iron Crane series, is a passionate adventure of mystery, magic and the search for redemption.

Description 2

When master warrior Shulien learns of the death of her family's patron, she abandons retirement and returns to the capital to protect Green Legend, a sword renowned for its historic triumphs. But much has happened in the years she has been in seclusion, and she finds herself beset on all sides with hidden enemies, and the tragic past which she had hoped to forget returns to haunts her.

In her hour need arrives a beautiful young warrior, Snow Vase, who is seeking a master. But the new apprentice is not all that she seems. When she falls in love with the bandit Wei-fang, a secret is revealed that makes all of them question who is friend and who is foe. In an age of thwarted love, can these two youths find happiness?

Description 3

Another life-altering quest, another struggle between honor and lust for power, another generation of warriors forging alliances and enmities. The adventure, romance, and artistry of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon continues in this novelized companion to the first ever Netflix debut film, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend based on the novel by Wang Dulu.

Seventeen years after the legendary fighter Mubai dies protecting the world-conquering sword The Green Destiny, four great warriors are called together to guard the formidable weapon once more. The forces surrounding the sword irrevocably altered the life of Shulien, Mubai's lover, but seventeen years later she is still honor-bound to defend the blade from the power-hungry warlord Hades Dai. The young fighters Wei-fang and Snow Vase, switched at birth, also have heritages and inheritances that inextricably link them to both each other and the fate of the sword. And Silent Wolf, Shulien's former fiancé, returns from presumed death to thwart Hades Dai - and rekindle an emotionally isolated Shulien's feelings.

Jam-packed with all the hallmarks of an epic adventure - sacrifice, battles, betrayal, vengeance, redemption, and destiny - this saga also explores the deeper meaning of true heroism and virtue. As Wei-fang and Snow Vase search for identity and forge their places in the world of warriors and heroes, Shu-lien and Silent Wolf struggle to reconcile both the traditions and heartbreak of the past with a fragile hope for the future.

Links:
Weinstein Books
Amazon UK (Paperback, March 5)
Amazon US (Paperback, July 14)
Amazon UK (Kindle Edition, August 27)
YouTube Video: Justin Hill on Writing 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon - Green Legend' (03:07)

(02/02/15) - Some set photos from New Zealand filming last year.


Roger Yuan plays Iron Crow who is the right hand man of Hades Dai, the main villain in CTHD2. Iron Crow is also the master of young Tie-Fang.

Vietnamese media have reported that Vietnamese actress Veronica Ngo (Ngo Thanh Van) will play a swordwoman/assassin named Mantis, a villain role in the film. Ngo joined New Zealand filming last fall and she will be in China for some pickup shots in April, according to the reports.

(12/29/14) In a recent interview with Hong Kong media, JuJu Chan, Hong Kong-born American actress, Taekwondo athlete, and a winner of the Miss Chinatown USA 2009 pageant, talked about her experience in The Green Legend. Chan will play a martial arts master who helps fight evil beings. She will appear almost entirely in action scenes.

Chan, who shares several scenes with Michelle and Donnie Yen, said she has learned a lot from the pair. "The most impressive part was that many times, they only needed one take in their shooting of the action scenes. Even though sometimes the action director changed sequences on spot, they needed little practice." She commented that Donnie Yen was a perfectionist and that he paid attention to every small detail when filming, even if it was a very simple action. She said Michelle was very approachable, just as she had heard from others. "She was like a big sister. She gave me many pointers on acting. I followed her suggestions and they made my acting look more natural," said Chan. "She even visited the set when she was not shooting. When some new actors were nervous she calmed them down. All crew members were so happy to see her on set. She brings positive energy."

Chan said she will join the last part of the filming in Beijing at the beginning of next year.

(12/19/14)
- An early preview screening of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2 was held on December 16th in New York City. Since it is still a work in progress, invited audience was not supposed to publish their reviews. In the (only) one review I saw online, author was "disappointed by the lack of originality." "The story, characters, and martial arts scenes are mostly the same and the flaws of the first film are not improved upon here." The author also did not like the different accents from the actors (English).

Considering the high standard Ang Lee set for the original, I actually view this review as quite positive.

- Excerpts from an interview with scriptwriter John Fusco with "Collider":

Q: Is that more of a companion film, or is it an actual sequel?

FUSCO: I view it as a sequel because it's actually based on the literary sequel to book 4 of the Wang Dulu pentalogy, which is the source material for Crouching Tiger. In fact, when Harvey first contacted me, I told him that the only way that I would do this would be if we could be true to that source material and base the sequel on book 5, which was called Iron Knight, Silver Vase. In that literary sequel, a new generation of sword heroes and star-crossed lovers is introduced, and Harvey was all for that. He agreed and felt that was the only way to do it, to be true to the DNA of the project, but also to bring Michelle Yeoh back and to bring in Master Woo-ping, who really created the Crouching Tiger fight vernacular. He's a man that's considered a pioneer of the genre that inspired Ang Lee, and he came in to direct. That's what it is. We're not out there trying to top anything, in a Hollywood fashion. We're telling a sequel, based on the literary sequel to the book.

(12/14/14) Hong Kong veteran actress Cheng Pei-pei and her character from the original Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon film, Jade Fox, will be appearing in the sequel. In recent interviews Cheng revealed that she will join the CTHD2 filming in China in the beginning of next year.

How can Jade Fox return when she was already killed by Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat) in the original? According to earlier reports, Cheng will make a cameo appearance in the film. Her oldest daughter Eugenia Yuan plays a blind enchantress and Cheng will only appear in Yuan's fantasy/vision. Apparently the blind enchantress is Jade Fox's daughter.

(12/05/14) Den of Geek: John Fusco Talks Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Sequel

Quotes:
      "... I said [to Weinstein] 'if we can keep this DNA pure and get Michelle [Yeoh] back and as long as we're respectful, this story goes on,'" Fusco told Den of Geek at the Marco Polo press day. "[Silver Vase, Iron Knight] introduces a new generation of sword heroes and star-crossed lovers. It's how do we tee that up in a respectful way."

      "The other component was going to Master Wo-Ping, who created the martial arts vernacular of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," Fusco said. "His early films inspired Ang Lee to do Crouching Tiger. He's the father of this genre in a lot of ways."

(11/12/14) After the principal photography was completed, a CTHD2 team continued to film landscape and pick up shots in various locations in New Zealand. Some additional pick up shots are scheduled in China around next January.

Photos: some aerial shooting in Queenstown, New Zealand at the end of October   (photo credit: Charlie Nguyen)


(10/18/14) Principal photography of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend has been completed in New Zealand. Michelle wrapped her part two weeks earlier and Donnie Yen wrapped his last week.

(10/14/14) Set photos and video: a night shoot. This is the final week of shooting in New Zealand.


(10/11/14) More photos from Oct. 3 - a wrap for Michelle in New Zealand:   ("QQ" photos)


(10/07/14) Although Michelle has wrapped up her part, filming of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II is still continuing in New Zealand. They are currently hiring more extras for some filming next week.

(10/07/14) John Fusco, the scriptwriter of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II, talks about the film:

Seven Days: Morrisville Author John Fusco Writes Crouching Tiger Sequel

Excerpts:
      For Fusco, the 15-year gap between the first and second films is not only unproblematic but appropriate. In an email to Seven Days, he explains, "When [the film's producer] Harvey [Weinstein] asked me if I would consider writing the sequel, I said only if it could be based upon the actual literary sequel, which is Book 5 in Wang Dulu's Crane-Iron Pentalogy. One of my reasons for proposing that is because the book is set approximately 15 years after Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. So, in that sense, I find the time passage kind of perfect."

      Fusco writes, "Staying true to the DNA of the source material was my priority and focus. Of course, bringing back Michelle and Master Yuen Woo-Ping has mattered greatly. It should be noted that Master Yuen is one of the pioneers of the genre and it was his early films that partly inspired Ang Lee to make the original. Master Yuen created the heightened, poetic Crouching Tiger fight style, so we're really going back to the source on several levels."

(10/04/14) Congratulations to Michelle for wrapping up CTHD2 filming in New Zealnd!


(10/02/14) Washington Post: Theaters, under threat, slam Netflix, Weinstein plan for 'Crouching Tiger'

(09/29/14) First film stills from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II!


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.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II will premiere simultaneously in selected IMAX theaters and on Netflix on August 28, 2015. The film has been retitled to "The Green Legend".

Principal photography in New Zealand is expected to wrap up in about two weeks.

In addition to Michelle and Donnie Yen, it is officially announced that CTHD2 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.

The film 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.

Hollywood Reporter: Crouching Tiger Sequel to Hit Netflix and Imax Simultaneously in Groundbreaking Deal
New York Times: With 'Crouching Tiger' Sequel, Netflix Takes Aim at Hollywood
Press release: Netflix Announces First Original Movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend

(09/26/14) - Photos from New Zealand: birthday celebration for director Yuen Woo-Ping.


- Vietnamese media reported that Vietnamese dancer, singer, actress Veronica Ngo (Ngo Thanh Van) has a starring role in CTHD2.

(09/22/14) - Filming of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II: The Green Destiny has been continuing in Auckland and some surrounding locations including Port Waikato, Pukekawa and Muriwai. Weather in Auckland has not always been great for outdoor shooting as they have had quite a few rainy days.

- Zoic Studios, an U.S. VFX company, is hiring digital artists to work on the post-production of CTHD2 at its Vancouver, Canada location. Mark Stetson of Zoic Studios works as a visual effects supervisor on CTHD2. Stetson's previous award winning work includes The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Superman Returns, and The Fifth Element.

(09/02/14) Cast information: Roger Yuan, U.S. born and now Ireland based stuntman, fight choreographer, and actor (Shanghai Noon, Bulletproof Monk), has been cast in CTHD2.

(08/23/14) - CTHD2 has been filming in New Zealand for about 4 weeks. They will be looking for newborn Chinese babies who will be born around mid September. The babies, one boy and one girl, will be needed for a flashback scene which is planned to be shot early October.

Apparently the baby scene is based on the 5th book of the "Crane - Iron Pentalogy", "Iron Knight, Silver Vase" (the original Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon film was based on the 4th book), where Yu Jiao Long (Jen Yu) gave birth to a boy and at the same day, her son was switched by an officer's wife with a baby girl whom Yu Jiao Long adopted later.

- Chinese martial artist and action actress Zhou Xiaofei (The Grandmaster, The Karate Kid) is working on the film. Zhou has been in New Zealand since June.

(08/13/14) - More names on the CTHD2 production: U.S. based South Korea-born actor and stunt performer Woon Young Park, Australian actor Chris Pang, and New Zealand actor Yoson An. Chinese media also reported Willie Ying, New Zealand educated China-born director, action director, actor and stuntman, joined the team too.

- Filming has been taking place at the sets built in the Auckland Film Studios as well as some locations outside Auckland.


(08/11/14) - Some photos from the CTHD2 shooting. The first one was shared by co-producer Bey Logan: "And its Hey Ho Silver Lining from Michelle's horse and me in NZ."


- Newton Thomas Sigel (Drive, The Usual Suspects, X-Men) will be the director of photography.

- "Variety" reported that American film editor and director Jeff Betancourt will be the editor for CTHD2.

(08/06/14) HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHELLE!!


Left photo: Co-producer Bey Logan shared this photo from Auckland for Michelle's birthday. (L to R) Bey Logan, Michelle, Jason Scott Lee

(07/31/14) There was a fire last night at the Auckland Film Studios and one of the five film studios was severely damaged. Fortunately no one was hurt. The damaged building was used as a workshop and training area, "well away from the studios and offices where over 300 staff are already at work today," said the Studio. Earlier reports suggesting the building was being used for filming CTHD2 were not correct, said the Auckland Council. The damage is not expected to disrupt filming operations.

Reports:   Stuff,   Radio New Zealand,   TVNZ,   3 News  

(07/30/14) Hollywood Reporter reported that Harry Shum Jr. will play Tie-Fang.

STORY: 20 years after the events depicted in CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON, four heroes of the Martial World, Silent Wolf, Yu Shu-lien, Tie-Fang and Snow Vase, must use all their courage and skills to keep the legendary sword Green Destiny from the hands of the villainous Hades Dai.

(07/28/14) Principal photography of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II: The Green Destiny started today in Auckland, New Zealand.

More cast members: American actor and martial artist Jason Scott Lee (Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story), Costa Rica-born American dancer, actor, and singer Harry Shum Jr. (Glee: The 3D Concert Movie), and Sydney based 19 year old Italian-Chinese Natasha Liu-Bordizzo. Bey Logan is one of the co-producers.


(07/21/14) Principal photography will commence on July 28, 2014.

Michelle has been in Auckland for more than a week. Donnie Yen joined the team too. Reportedly Canadian stuntman and actor Darryl Quon will have an acting role in the film. Production is expected to last until November.

(07/11/14) Some of the actors/actresses and stunt people have already started training in Auckland. Sources say those who have joined the team include JuJu Chan, Hong Kong action actress and Taekwondo athlete, and Eugenia Yuan, the oldest daughter of Hong Kong actress Cheng Pei-pei (who played Jade Fox in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). New Zealand media reported that American film director and actor Peter Berg has been working on the film set in New Zealand.

(06/21/14) - Composer Tan Dun, winner of the 2001 Best Music Score Oscar for CTHD, revealed that he received the CTHD2 script, sent from New York. "I read it in one breath. It's brilliant!" said Tan in his microblog, "... I see music."

- Three of the four main heroic characters in CTHD2 have been casted: Yu Shu Lien (Michelle), Meng Si Zhao/Silent Wolf (Donnie Yen), and Tie-Fang (Nicholas Tse). The last one, a swordswoman named Snow Vase, is currently under casting. The production team is looking for an actress who is Asian / Eurasian in an age range of 18 to 27. Reportedly more than 200 Asian actresses around the world have auditioned for the role during the past few months. Yet they still have not found a good fit. [updated on 06/30: Nicholas Tse dropped out due to time conflict, according to Tse's agent]

- According to Sun Jianjun, president of China's Pegasus Media, special effects, makeup and costumes professionals from the The Lord of the Rings films will be invited to work on the production. Sun told Chinese media that the film script has been going through 10 versions in the past six or seven years. The film will be marketed internationally, led by the U.S. partner.

(06/05/14) Casting for the CTHD sequel has been underway intensively for the past few months, ranging from supporting roles to leads.

Although "Hollywood Reporter" and "Variety" reported in April that the film is going to be a prequel, it is in fact a sequel. The main story will take place after the death of Sir Te, to whom Li Mu Bai gave the Green Destiny sword in the original film. The character of Bo, the guardian of Sir Te's Mansion from the original, will return in the supporting role.

Hong Kong actor and singer Nicholas Tse, who had primary and secondary education in Canada and speaks fluent English, will play the role of Tie-Fang, Jen Yu and Lo's son from the 5th book of Wang Dulu's Crane-Iron Pentalogy. Apparently the main characters in the sequel will be drawn from a mixture of the 2nd, 3rd and 5th novels, and the name of the main villain will be from the 5th.

Up to 1000 extras are needed for New Zealand filming. They are still looking for more people especially those who have some martial arts skills.

(05/27/14)
- Vietnamese media reported that Vietnamese American producer, director, and martial arts action director Charlie Nguyen is taking over the action director role for CTHD2. Originally Yuen Woo-ping was said to be both director and action director. [updated 05/28] Contrary to initial reports, Charlie Nguyen is not replacing Yuen Woo-ping for the action director. Nguyen, who is now in New Zealand with Yuen for the film preparation, will serve as a co-producer and 2nd unit director.

- Several Auckland talent agencies are casting for CHTD2. They are now calling for all Asian ethnicities, including Chinese, Malaysian, Thai, Eurasian, ..., in all ages for the background extra roles. Hundreds of extras will be needed.

- Meanwhile, China's Pegasus & Taihe Ubiquitous Culture Media is looking for provincial and county level sponsorship/investment for part of the filming in Mainland China. The shooting locations in China have not been completely fixed.

(05/14/14) Casting call in Auckland:
calling all martial artists (all variations)/stunt people/skilled fighters/horse riders/gymnasts
    Age Range: 18-60 yrs
    Ethnicities: Chinese looking
    Roles: speaking & non-speaking - lead, supporting & extras
    Availability: June-October

(04/23/14) Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon II: Green Destiny is scheduled to begin production in July in New Zealand. Much of the principal photography will take place at Auckland Film Studios in Henderson, West Auckland, New Zealand, with two further weeks of shooting at locations in China. The film will be co-produced by The Weinstein Company (TWC) with newly established Auckland-based Iron Knight Productions.

Last year, there were reports that the sequel's storyline would be based on book 5 of the Crane-Iron Pentalogy in combination with source material from books 2 and 3. After a year and several versions of script rewriting, the film will actually be a prequel to the original CTHD, according to the reports. It will be shot in English. [update: it is indeed a sequel, not prequel. see updates on 06/05/14]

Variety: 'Crouching Tiger' Sequel to Shoot in New Zealand, China
New Zealand Herald: Crouching Tiger sequel to be filmed in NZ
Hollywood Reporter: 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' Prequel to Film in New Zealand

Producers had given serious consideration to filming at the new Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia studios, but the studios are occupied until the end of the year by another TWC-produced project.

(04/02/14) - "Deadline" reported that Donnie Yen has signed with CAA, and his new reps just closed his deal to star in CTHD2.

- Hong Kong director/action choreographer Yuen Woo-Ping said in a recent interview that no other actors have been fixed besides Michelle and Donnie Yen. The production is scheduled to begin in June or July.

(01/16/14) After a rumor was reported in a Hong Kong newspaper about the male lead of the film possibly changing from Donnie Yen to Hong Kong actor Andy Lau, David Thwaites and Harvey Weinstein issued a statement. Apparently the previous report from Hong Kong media about actor change was false.

Los Angeles, CA (January 16, 2014) - David Thwaites, producer of the CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON sequel and Harvey Weinstein, Co-Chairman of The Weinstein Company issued the following statement:

"The article that appeared in Apple Daily regarding our Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon sequel is unequivocally false. From the moment Crouching Tiger became a reality at The Weinstein Company we designed the project around Donnie Yen and Michelle Yeoh. No other offers were ever made to anyone else and we're thrilled to have such icons in our film. We look forward to the start of production in 2014."

(11/29/13) Hong Kong director/action choreographer Yuen Woo-Ping said in recent interviews that CTHD sequel is current undergoing its 3rd script revision. They have a Chinese scriptwriter on board now. The shooting of the film has been postponed from spring to June of next year. According to Yuen, there are two main story lines: one relates to the characters portrayed by Michelle and Donnie Yen. Another is about a younger couple. Although it was originally written with Jen Yu (Yu Jiao Long)'s son and adopted daughter in mind, they may be changed to different identities in the new version.

(11/27/13) Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II: The Green Destiny has received co-production approval from China's State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television (SAPPRFT). Below is an English translation of the submitted sketch of the storyline, although the script is still under revision.

Hades Dai (Dai Yan Wang), an expelled disciple from Wudang clan, attacked Sir Te's residence in a night in order to seize "The Green Destiny" (sword). Yu Shu Lien returned to the world of Jiang Hu (martial world) to protect the sword, together with her old friend Meng Si Zhao. Lo Xiao Hu (Lo) helped evil without knowing the truth. Jen Yu's adopted daughter helped Lo to meet his son and revealed the truth. With tangled fights, the group captured Hades Dai and successfully protected the ancient sword.

(09/10/13) During the launch of the Malaysia Short Film Script Competition 2013 last week, Michelle confirmed her return to the Crouching Tiger sequel and said that production will start next year and some of the studio shots may take place in Malaysia.

(08/26/13) Director/action choreographer Yuen Woo-Ping told the Chinese media that the Crouching Tiger sequel is going to be highly challenging. "The first movie was so good. We have to make this one a little bit differently form the first one. We will have a different shooting method. It's difficult." He said the script has not been finalized yet.

Last week "Entertainment Weekly" reported that Chinese actress Zhang Ziyi was in talks to return as her character Jen Yu in flashback sequences in CHTD2. Chinese media quoted Zhang's agent who said she didn't know anything about it.

(05/21/13) Producer David Thwaites, Harvey Weinstein, actor Donnie Yen, director and martial arts choreography legend Yuen Woo-Ping, and exec producer Anthony Wong attended a TWC panel on the Crouching Tiger sequel during the Cannes Film Festival last Sunday. A pre-recorded video message of Michelle was also displayed. (Deadline Report)

During the panel discussion, director Yuen Woo-Ping revealed that they plan to shoot two versions, one in English and one in Mandarin Chinese. The script is currently undergoing modifications. Production is planned to take place in Mainland China and Malaysia.

Harvey Weinstein explained that the title of the sequel, "The Green Destiny", refers to the name of the sword in the original Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon film.

Donnie Yen said he is very excited to work with Yuen Woo-Ping and Michelle again. "We are all old friends," said Yen. Yen co-starred with Michelle in Wing Chun (1994) and Butterfly & Sword (1993).

Yuen Woo-Ping previously worked with Michelle on Wing Chun and Tai-Chi Master (1993) as director and action choreographer, and then on Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) as action choreographer. The most recent film that Michelle worked with Yuen on was True Legend (2010) in which Yuen Woo-Ping was both director and action choreographer of the film. But Michelle only guest starred for 5 minutes and had no fight scenes.

(1) CTHD2 panel at Cannes (L to R): David Thwaites, Harvey Weinstein, Donnie Yen, Yuen Woo-Ping. pictures of Michelle and Donnie Yen displayed on the backdrop
(2) Michelle Yeoh as Yun Shu Lien in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000)
(3) Michelle, as Yim Wing Chun, with Donnie Yen in Yuen Woo-Ping's Wing Chun (1994)

(05/16/13) It's offocial - Michelle is going to return as Yu Shu Lien in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2 - The Green Destiny. Production is expected to begin in March 2014 in Asia. Hong Kong director/action choreographer Yuen Woo-Ping, who was the action choreographer for the original film, will direct and Hong Kong action actor Donnie Yen will co-star. (Both Yuen and Yen have collaborated with Michelle on multiple films.) The screenplay is written by John Fusco and the film will be produced by Harvey Weinstein and David Thwaites, co-produced by Johnny Levin with Executive Producer Anthony Wong Wing-Fai. Yucaipa Films is co-financing the project with The Weinstein Company (TWC).

The news announcement was released by The Weinstein Company today during the Cannes Film Festival. "The announcement follows months of contract negotiations between TWC and Yeoh, and a search for a director to take on the role previously occupied by Ang Lee," reported Film Business Asia. "The producers have also been in prolonged negotiations to set up the picture in Malaysia. In addition to being Yeoh's home turf, Malaysia would allow the film to be one of the first to use the new Pinewood Iskandar Malaysia Studios."

Film Business Asia: Yen, Yeoh commit to Crouching Tiger prequel
Hollywood Reporter: 'Crouching Tiger 2': Michelle Yeoh Returns for Weinstein Co. Sequel
Deadline: Weinstein Co Beginning Production on 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' Sequel
The Wall Street Journal: 'Crouching Tiger' Unveiled Sequel
Empire: Michelle Yeoh To Star In Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon II

(03/11/13) Hong Kong media reported that Hong Kong veteran martial arts actor Donnie Yen has been invited to play the male lead in the much talked Crouching Tiger sequel. He will play Yu Shu-Lien (Michelle)'s fiance who did not die as previously thought. The production company is trying to persuade Ang Lee to be a producer for the film. Two versions - one English and one Mandarin Chinese - are being prepared.

(02/18/13) Michelle told the U.K. "Metro" that much-anticipated sequel to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is in the "early stages". The newspaper quoted Michelle: "It's early stages. It still depends on the script and who the director is, and it's never easy to make another movie after such an incredible classic but Crouching Tiger is a gem in my heart and always will be. So we will see."

(01/29/13) Michelle has confirmed that she is in talks to reprise her Yu Shu Lien role in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon sequel.

(01/24/13) Exclusive from "Deadline":
Weinstein Co Readying 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' Sequel For May Start

No cast members have been revealed. It is said that the story is based on "Iron Knight, Silver Vase," the fifth book in Wang Dulu's "Crane - Iron Pentalogy" ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" was from the fourth). According to the report, the story will center on Yu Shu Lien, Michelle's character in Crouching Tiger. I expect that there will need to be a lot of re-writing, as Yu Shu Lien is one of the central characters in the second and third books but hardly mentioned in the fifth book which is mainly focused on Jen Yu (Zhang Ziyi) and Lo (Chang Chen)'s son. "Deadline" quoted scriptwriter John Fusco (The Forbidden Kingdom): "This introduces a new generation of star-crossed lovers, and a new series of antagonists in a battle of good and evil. It has a Knights Errant quality. There is an alternate universe in the books, a martial forest that exists alongside the real world, full of wandering sword fighters, medicine men, defrocked priests, poets, sorcerers and Shaolin renegades. It's so vast and rich, and I found characters from the second and third books in the series to create a most interesting stew while being as true to the source material as I could be."

The Weinstein Company was in talks with veteran Hong Kong director Ronny Yu (Fearless, The Bride with White Hair) to direct the sequel, which will be produced by Harvey Weinstein.

For some background reading, on the "Crane - Iron Pentalogy" as well as some of the past talks on sequel/prequel, please visit Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Novels & Prequel/Sequel page on this site.

The Original Film:
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (CTHD, 2000) was directed by U.S.-based Taiwanese director Ang Lee. The stunning martial arts epic drama was nominated for 10 Oscars and won 4 of them, including that for Best Foreign Language Film. It is the all-time top-grossing foreign language film in the U.S..

CTHD was a Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mainland China, and U.S.A. co-production. Shot in various locations across China, the original language of the film was Mandarin Chinese. It was distributed in North America by Sony Pictures Classics (with English subtitles), and it was submitted to the Academy Awards as a film from Taiwan in the foreign language film category.

Ang Lee's Abandoned Prequel:
CTHD was based on the 4th book form the Crane-Iron Pentalogy by Chinese novelist Wang Du Lu (Wang Dulu, 1909 - 1977). After the huge success of the film, Hsu Li-Kong, the Taiwanese producer who produced several of Ang Lee's films including CTHD and all Lee's earlier Chinese language films, worked with Ang Lee on a script for a prequel which would involve Michelle Yeoh and Chow Yun-Fat's characters from the 2nd and 3rd books of the pentalogy. Over the years, multiple versions of the script were written by Taiwanese scriptwriter Wang Hui-Ling (who was one of the main scriptwriters for CTHD). Hsu and Lee did some location scouting for the prequel shooting and at several points they almost set production date(s). However, Ang Lee did not find a good time or the passion to really carry out the project.

After CTHD, Hsu and Lee extended the film adaptation rights with Wang Du Lu's widow and daughter in an oral agreement. The Weinstein brothers sought the adaptation rights from another heir of the author, and in early 2006, there came news that Weinstein had obtained the worldwide rights to the "Crane - Iron Pentalogy".

(For an outline of the Crane-Iron Pentalogy novels and more details on the development of the prequel/sequel including the novel rights issue, please visit CTHD Novels & Prequel/Sequel section)

Weinstein's Sequel:
14 years after the release of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, a sequel is finally on the way.

In early 2013, The Weinstein Company (TWC) announced its intention of making a sequel. The film will draw its source material from the same series of books. The film's title, "The Green Destiny", refers to the name of the 400-year-old mythic sword which featured in the 2000 film.

The upcoming CTHD sequel will bring back Michelle Yeoh and her female warrior character from the original film, Yu Shu Lien. Hong Kong director/action choreographer Yuen Woo-Ping, who was the action choreographer for the original film, will direct the sequel. Principal shooting is scheduled to commence in July in New Zealand. Produced by Harvey Weinstein and David Thwaites, the film will be shot in English.

Besides film(s) based on the Crane-Iron Pentalogy, Weinstein Co. also has plans for TV series, stage plays, and book translations.

Casting Notes:
The original CTHD film stars Michelle Yeoh (as Yu Shu Lien), Chow Yun-Fat (as Li Mu Bai), Zhang Ziyi (as Jen Yu), and Chang Chen (as Lo). Michelle was the first to come on board. After her first Hollywood film Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), director Ang Lee approached Michelle and asked her if she would like to star in his new martial arts drama. Lee described the film as "'Sense And Sensibility' with martial arts" and told Michelle that she would be his anchor in the film.

At the time, not many people had confidence in Ang Lee's martial arts film as the filmmaker was known as an art house director. However Michelle agreed to star in CTHD without seeing a script. Michelle said she had admired all of Ang Lee's works and never had any doubt that he could pull this off. After Michelle - who already was a well established action star in Asia - signed on, Lee was able to secure the initial funding for the project.

Michelle was the first actor who signed on the project and in fact, the only one who agreed to star among the actors Ang Lee initially wanted for the four main roles. In addition to the Malaysia-born and then Hong Kong-based Michelle, Lee initially invited Jet Li (Mainland China), Hsu Chi (Taiwan), and Takeshi Kaneshiro (who's Taiwan-born and half Japanese) to star in the film. The roles originally envisioned to be filled by the latter three eventually went to Chow Yun-Fat (Hong Kong), Zhang Ziyi (Mainland China), and Chang Chen (Taiwan).

In May 2013, The Weinstein Company announced that Michelle will reprise her Yu Shu Lien role in the CTHD sequel. The male lead will be the Guangzhou-born, Hong Kong-based, Asian American veteran martial arts actor, Donnie Yen.


* Special thanks to YTSL and Dean for the help with text editing

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