Twitch has learned that Mainland actress Fan Bing Bing is in final negotiations to take the female lead opposite Donnie Yen in China 3D Agency's upcoming remake 3D ICEMAN COMETH. The project, to be shot in 3D and co-directed by Donnie Yen, Raymond Yip and Christopher Sun, is due to start filming in February next year and apparently it was Donnie himself who went after his BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS co-star to play the Hong Kong girl who helps his Ming Dynasty Imperial Guard adjust to life in the 21st Century.
Fan is not only one of China's most beautiful actresses but she has shown a wonderfully diverse range in films like He Ping's underrated WHEAT, to breakout festival hit BUDDHA MOUNTAIN, on which she also served as a producer. While part of me does lament the fact that a mainland actress is being cast in the role rather than one of Hong Kong's own female thesps, there is no denying Fan will be an incredible asset to the production.
We have also learned that Cheung Chi Lam, already cast as the romantic lead in Patrick Kong's NATURAL BORN CRAZY KILLERS, has joined the production as the second of the three frozen warriors, and that the film's producers are looking for "a mainland actor" to fill the third role.
Julian Cheung Chi Lam ? Not what I'd call a formidable opponent for Donnie Yen... They should cast Hu Jun as the other guard, he's a Mainland actor and he's excellent and charismatic.
Nice picture you dug up! Took me a moment or two to recognize Fan Bing Bing though...
Can't go wrong with Fan Bing Bing as the lead actress. But they should choose actual martial artists in the guard roles. A comment in the the earlier post suggested Collin Chou and Andy On (or perhaps Vincent Zhao). Now that would make more sense.