As pan-Asian blockbusters are becoming a regular fixture of every holiday season, the highly anticipated Dragon Tiger Gate is scheduled to roll out across the region from July 28.

 

The US$10 million action film is Mandarin Films' first co-production with Beijing Polybona. In addition to Hong Kong and China, it will open in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand as well as travel to Europe after being sold to Benelux, France and Scandinavia.

 

Produced by veteran Nansun Shi, the picture is based on The Gate of Dragon and Tiger, the Hong Kong classic mega about heroism created by Wong Yuk-long 35 years ago.

 

"Hollywood has produced many successful comic adaptations, but very few Chinese comics have been made into films," explains Mandarin chairman Raymond Wong of the adaptation.

 

Dragon Tiger Gate marks the second collaboration between director Wilson Yip and actor-action director Donnie Yen, both last seen in action thriller SPL. Nicholas Tse, Shawn Yue and Chinese actress Dong Jie also star.

 

Wong adds that a sequel is in development which is due to start production next year for a 2008 delivery. Next up for Yip and Yen is a follow-up to SPL which is scheduled to begin filming in May. Mandarin will produce the film in collaboration with Beijing Polybona.

 

Also on Mandarin's slate are a sequel to Tsui Hark's Seven Swords and a couple of comedies. Wong, one of the founders of the now defunct Cinema City, is well-known for his titular role in the Happy Ghost comedy series in the 1980s.

 

(hkfilmart March 31, 2006)