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SINGAPORE: Award-winning Hong Kong director Peter Chan was in Singapore on Monday to promote his upcoming blockbuster Bodyguards and Assassins.
Costing more than US$23 million (S$32 million) to produce, Assassins and Bodyguards is a story based on a group of bodyguards protecting Sun Yat Sen from assassins in 1905 Hong Kong.
Produced by Chan and directed by Teddy Chan, Assassins and Bodyguards will feature more than 10 well-known stars across China and Hong Kong, making it one of the most eagerly anticipated Asian movies at the end of the year.
The stellar cast includes Donnie Yen, Wang Xueqi, Tony Leung Ka-Fai, Nicholas Tse, Hu Jun, Leon Lai, Eric Tseng, Li Yuchun, Simon Yam, Fan Bingbing, Zhou Yun, Wang Po Cher, as well as a guest appearance from Michelle Reis.
While in Singapore for the first round of publicity, Chan said the reason for selecting a star-studded cast was mainly due to commercial viability.
"I could have replaced Leon Lai and Maggie Cheung in Comrades with Chinese actors since the characters were supposed to be from China," explained Chan, using his award-winning Comrades, Almost a Love story as an example to illustrate the importance of featuring well-known celebrities.
When the press asked Chan whose performance among the fourteen big names left a deep impression on him, the 45-year-old director listed two names: Donnie Yen and Nicholas Tse.
"The first one is Donnie Yen. In the past, I used to see him heavily involved in fighting scenes," he said. "This time round, he has more emotional scenes as compared to the past and there were a few crying scenes where he was in his element."
He then added that Yen is also a perfectionist: "(Yen) requested to include an action scene which eventually cost the team to exceed the filming duration for ten days.
"However, the effects turned out brilliantly and have never been seen before in an Asian film. Yen just went on with his role and did not ask for anything in return."
Chan shifted his attention to Nicholas Tse next.
The 29-year-old actor plays an 18-year-old naive character, a drastic transformation from the usual cool and suave roles Tse usually undertakes.
"10 years ago, he had to act as a 30-year-old when he was 18," said the producer. "Now, it's the opposite. I was very surprised and pleased when he managed to bring out the innocence and naivety of his character. In the past, he just had to act cool. This is a refreshing change."
Tse's professionalism also etched a deep impression on Chan.
"There was a scene where (Tse) was beaten up by Hu Jun for protecting Sun Yat-San and he requested for a real fighting scene," he said. "In the end, I got his close friend (a martial arts instructor) to punch him. The friend kept punching his face for more than 10 times till his face was swollen and I decided that was enough."
While having a star-studded cast does have its perks, it is a big headache for the producers when the egos start kicking in. Did Chan encounter any particular problems?
"I faced more problems in Warlords (which feature Jet Li, Jackie Chan and Takeshi Kaneshiro). It doesn't take 14 big names to create a problem, two is already more than enough to handle," Chan laughed.
What about the rumoured disagreement between Donnie Yen and Leon Lai?
"There are absolutely no problems. Don't believe the reports! The ones who are having problems are not reported instead," said Chan, who has indirectly opened up another can of worms.
When pressed by the media to reveal which big names were giving him problems, the bespectacled director replied with laughter: "I would not tell you, of course."
Body and Assassins is scheduled to be release on December 18 in Singapore.
- CNA/yb
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