With the support of the Mainland's Huayi Brothers, Stephen Fung Tak Lun and Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho) formed the Diversion Pictures. Fung directed and Ng produced as they broke through the traditional action film structure to coordinate with the computer, video games and comic book elements that they grew up with to creat the film TAI CHI. Because the story was too long, the film was turned into TAI CHI 0 and TAI CHI HERO and released separately.
Abandoning the traditional kung fu action film and big star cast, they instead invited Beijing Olympics wushu performance Changquan gold medalist Yuan Xiaochao to be the lead. They explained, "After the success of IP MAN, everyone flocked to make the same type of kung fu action film but had little success. We might as well daringly try something new. TAI CHI's Toronto and Venice Film Festival reviews were great, calling it a very special crazy film; this was KUNG FU PANDA's live action version, the big production scale could rival (Stephen) Chow Sing Chi's KUNG FU HUSTLE."
They felt the need to put new comer Yuan Xiaochao in the lead because martial art actors were often just Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit), Donnie Yen Chi Tan. Ng Yin Cho studied martial art since he was little, why did he not personally perform? He said, "I am old, I have to support new comers. Many handsome young guys don't know kung fu, when they fight they don't look good and look fake. So we recruited from Chinese who knew kung fu." Fung Tak Lun added, "Also because the production cost couldn't be balanced. In the past 50% of the film production cost went to the actors. The remaining 50% was not enough for the production. TAI CHI gave up big stars and could use 90% of the funding on the production, which made the scenes much grander. Many Hollywood films with big enough subjects don't use strong stars like SPIDER-MAN. In addition with Chinese film now, stars no longer guarantee box office success. We might as well take a gamble."
Yuan Xiaochao reminded them of Lee Nin Kit's naivety and the ability to draw in viewers in SHAOLIN TEMPLE. Although he has never been in movies, his performance was satisfactory and surprising. "Maybe because Yuan Xiaochao studied martial art since he was little, he knew how to persist and had no stage fright. Other Post 80s give up very easily and only know to dream about stardom."
Ng Yin Cho described his relationship with Fung Tak Lun as "Old Man and Old Lady". Because they create together, he understands Fung Tak Lun's needs and tries to please him as much as possible. They never argue. "A producer has to handle a lot of minor problems. The job is very busy and very tough but well worth the effort." Although now movies only target the Mainland market, Ng Yin Cho says that Hong Kong is home and hopes that the film is popular at the box office.
Source: Mingpao, Singtao
Translated by: hktopten
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