Directing Zhang Ziyi and Fighting Wang Leehom: My Lucky Star (2013)
Around May of last year, I started to work on an upcoming film: My Lucky Star (非常幸运), starring Zhang Ziyi and Wang Leehom. Ziyi reprises the role of Sophie from her 2009 hit film Sophie’s Revenge (非常完美). A friend, who I am grateful to, brought me to the project. I was involved on this project for nearly 5 months. Shooting took place in Beijing, Singapore, Macau, and Hong Kong. Because of this opportunity, I was able to act, fight, choreograph, direct, meet great friends, learn about production, and travel to places along the China sea!
Because this film is still in post-production, you’ll want to subscribe and stay tuned for updates.
**Update: Trailer Released
All I can say right now is that I have great respect for Wang Leehom as an artist and as a person. And I think I watched Pumping Iron one too many times before we took this picture. However, I am not exaggerating when I say he is truly humble, inspiring, and talented. Despite his success he seems to have remained very chill, sincere, and grounded – which is what makes him all the more deserving of his success. Zhang Ziyi was also cool to work with. She is very bright and is an amazing actress. I learned a great deal of acting from her.
There was also another person I got to work with, that made my year — That person was Wu Gang aka Master Wu.
Master Wu is part of the Jackie Chan stunt team. Not only is he a member, but he essentially is Jackie Chan’s right hand man. He was the action coordinator on such movies as “The Karate Kid (2010)”, 1911 (辛亥革命), Rush Hour 3, and Jackie Chan’s latest movie “Chinese Zodiac (十二生肖)”. He selected me to work in a fight scene with his team (which had members of the JC stunt team as well as former Sammo Hung Team stunt members). In this scene I got to fight against Wang Leehom. Guess who won? =P
After filming that day, I made a little tweet roughly saying “Thank you Master Wu for this opportunity. Since I was a child I grew up watching Jackie Chan action movies and always wanted to work with the JC Stunt Team. Today you made this dream a reality. I will never forget this day!” And after I wrote that, I almost cried. Haha… yeah, it was that big of a deal.
The director of this film, Dennie Gordon, is another amazing soul. She directed Joe Dirt and What a Girl Wants. She is actually the first American female director to direct a Chinese language feature film in China. Amazing! You just made history Dennie Gordon! When she is not directing in China and making history, she directs a lot of network television and has directed episodes of: The Office, 30 Rock, White Collar, The Practice, Ally McBeal, Burn Notice, and many more.
In the picture above, it was the last day of shooting for the entire movie. There was a small action sequence with Zhang Ziyi and I was called upon to action direct it. It was an amazing opportunity. This entire project was filled with amazing once in a lifetime experiences. This definitely ended the last day with a bang for me.
Here we are with the producers, cast, and crew on the last day of principle photography. Thanks B!
Keep an eye out for this movie and remember to check back for updates! Thanks!
Movie successfully released! Enjoy the trailer!