SHAOLIN starring Andy Lau, Nicholas Tse, Fan Bing Bing, Wu Jing, with special appearance by Jackie Chan, would be one of the most anticipated action blockbuster this year end. Directed by Benny Chan, with action choreography by Corey Yuen, the movie which is jointly produced by Emperor Motion Pictures, China Film Group Corporation, Hua Yi Brothers Media Corporation, Beijing Silver Dream Film & TV Art Co. Ltd. and Shaolin Temple Culture Communication (Dengfeng) Corp. Ltd. costs RMB 200 million, and is being filmed at China's Zhe Jiang Province since last December.
The film set, which is a replica of the actual Shaolin Temple of Songshan, was visited by members of the media for the very first time. The extravagant set was ensemble by more than a hundred workers in three months time. The set is indeed very realistic and oversees some hillside mountains in Yongkang. The film set costs more than RMB 10 million, and is about 30% bigger than the actual Shaolin Temple of Songshan.
The filming of SHAOLIN started about 2 months ago and went along very smoothly. The key cast including Andy Lau, Jackie Chan, Nicholas Tse and Fan Bing Bing have been filming at the set since, with Andy Lau having just shaved his head bald for the role of a Shaolin monk. Andy Lau expressed that he was prepared to shave his head bald for the role as it adds realism. Meanwhile, Jackie Chan stars as a chef monk in the movie, and other supporting cast includes Wu Jing, Yu Shaoqun, Xiong Xin Xin, Shi Yen Neng, Bai Bing and Yu Hai.
Besides the replica Shaolin Temple, some of the key scenes were also shot at the Lu Mansion. The Lu Mansion which is located at Dongyang City, Zhe Jiang Province, is more than 500 years old and one of China's key cultural relics. The mansion is used as General Hou Jie's (played by Andy Lau) mansion in the movie.
SHAOLIN is set during China's war era where the ruthless General Hou Jie (Andy Lau) was betrayed by his deputy (Nicholas Tse). In the event, Hou Jie was separated with his wife (Fan Bing Bing) and his daughter was killed. He was badly injured and lost all hopes, but was saved by the monks of Shaolin Temple. At Shaolin, Hou Jie learns a new meaning to life and the Buddhist teachings from a chef monk (Jackie Chan). He also befriends with three young monks, Jingneng (Wu Jing), Jinghai (Yu Shaoqun) and Jingkong (Shi Yen Neng). Upon his own awakening, Hou Jie decides to be a monk, and aspires to protect the people and Shaolin Temple from enemies.
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| Shaolin's cast including Andy Lau, Jackie Chan, Wu Jing, Yu Shaoqun, Shi Yen Neng, Bai Bing & Yu Hai, with director Benny Chan, action director Corey Yuen & little monks of Shaolin Temple. |
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| The extravagant set of the Shaolin Temple replica. |
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| Key cast Andy Lau & Jackie Chan on the set. |
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| The cute and adorable little monks of Shaolin Temple. |
