Lead actors Ge You, Chow Yun-Fat and Jiang Wen in the new movie "Let the Bullets Fly" [Photo: CFP]
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Feng Xiaogang, whose 2008 romantic comedy "If You Are the One" (非诚勿扰) was the most profitable domestic film of that year, is planning on making a sequel that is slated for release around December 25.
Feng told Sina.com.cn about the sequel which he plans to start filming on July 25 and wrap up on October 5.
"It won't miss the New Year season," Feng was quoted as saying. "It won't let you down."
"If You Are the One 2" stars Ge You and Shu Qi from the previous film as well as new addition Yao Chen.
Also up for a December release is Zhang Yimou's drama "The Love of the Hawthorn Tree", a poignant love story set at the end of the "cultural revolution" (1966-1976). No casting information has been revealed, but filming is likely to wrap up in August.
Last year, Zhang adapted the Coen Brothers' film "Blood Simple" into a black comedy called "A Simple Noodle Story". Zhang's first film since his Oscar-nominated "Curse of the Golden Flower" attracted intense media coverage, but failed to impress many critics.
Feng and Zhang's films will go face-to-face with three other long-awaited projects, including Chen Kaige's "Orphan of Zhao" (趙氏孤兒), Jiang Wen's "Let the Bullets Fly" (让子弹飞) and Wong Kar-Wai's "The Grand Master".
"Orphan of Zhao", an adaptation of a classic Chinese tale of revenge, will be released on December 18. It stars Ge You, Huang Xiaoming and Fan Bingbing.
Poster of "Orphan of Zhao" aka "Sacrifice"
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Jiang Wen's gangster movie "Let the Bullets Fly" boasts a cast of stars led by Chow Yun-Fat, Ge You and director Jiang himself. It has been reported to be a Chinese look-alike of "Ocean's Eleven".
Wong Kar-Wai's "The Grand Master" is a biopic of Bruce Lee's mentor, Ip Man, who will be portrayed by Tony Leung. Zhang Ziyi also stars in the film.
The Chinese New Year season is arguably the most profitable season for the movie industry. Statistics provided by Sina.com.cn indicate that last year nearly 600 million yuan (US$87.9 million) was earned by mainland box offices in the 20 days around Christmas. That was one-tenth of the year's total box-office revenue. --- CRIEnglish.com
