Since we last spoke about the Chinese ghost pic Painted Skin there have been some changes. Wilson Yip was replaced by Gordan Chan behind the camera. Then there was the usual opening ceremony and this first report came out about casting...
Press conference marking the commencement of Painted Skin production was held on Dec 4 in Beijing, with the six major cast members Donnie Yen, Vicky Zhao, Chen Kun, Sun Li, Qi Yi Wu and Zhou Xun in attendance. However, director Gordan Chan was absent. Chen Kun will play scholar Chong Wen, while Donnie Yen plays his priest brother Chong Wu, Zhou Xun plays the ghost vixen Shui Mei Ling. While the roles of the other three were not revealed at the press conference, other reports suggest that Sun Li would be playing Shui Mei Ling's ruthless sister, Vicky Zhao the sickly but virtuous wife of Chong Wen and Qi Yuwu some villainous character.
Then not long after that Donnie Yen's enthusiasm got the best of him and he talked more about the actor's roles to the press...
Following the press conference whereby the cast members beat about the bust and kept everyone guessing about their roles, Donnie Yen reveals later that he's playing the ghost-buster, Chen Kun his bookish brother and Vicky Zhao Chen Kun's wife, Zhou Xun a hideous spirit that dons the skin of a beauty to prey on unsuspecting young men, while Sun Li's playing a new character who's also a ghost-catcher. Donnie Yen also adds that the new Painted Skin / Skin Lover is like a period version of SDU in which everyone excels in martial arts and Donnie Yen is the commander of the SDU. Painted Skin is being filmed in Yinchuan, with a skirmish between Donnie Yen and Zhou Xun on the Silk Road being shot on the first day. Production is expected to wrap up in January...
I would have corrected the typo but 'beating about the bust' sounds so much better than 'beating about the bush', wouldn't you agree? Yep. It's all clear as mud.
is this a remake of the King Hu Painted Skin with Joey Wong? Or based on the same source material?
I have the DVD of that but haven't watched it yet. For shame.
It started as a remake, but recent news stemming from the press conference lean towards an inspired by/update of the film using available film technology.