Announced by Deadline yesterday, Thursday, January 24, 2013, The Weinstein Company has been quietly developing a sequel to Ang Lee's Oscar-winning film, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Drago” and now, they are only a few months away from beginning production.
Unfortunately, Ang Lee will not be involved in the sequel and Ronny Yu (“Fearless,” “Formula 51,” and “Bride of Chucky”) will be taking the reins for the sequel. The project has also attracted writer John Fusco, who previously wrote “Hidalgo” and “The Forbidden Kingdom.” Additionally, action/fight choreographer Woo-ping Yuen, who not only choreographed the action sequences in the original film, but also worked on other legendary action films, including: both “Kill Bill” films, all three “Matrix” films, and “The Banquet.”
The story is said to be based on the same Crane-Iron Pentalogy by Wang Du Lu that inspired “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” though this time they will be skipping around a little bit. The sequel will incorporate elements from the “Silver Vase, Iron Knight,” which is the fifth and final book in the popular series. Fusco told Deadline, “This was an opportunity to explore a lifelong passion I’ve had for Wu Sia, and if there wasn’t continuing source material, I would never have gotten involved.”
Although the story will once again revolve around Yu Shu Lien, the character played by Michelle Yeoh in the original movie, it is unknown whether or not Yeoh or any of the other original actors will return for the sequel. Deadline notes that “some likely will,” but that isn’t a very strong endorsement and the film will undoubtedly suffer from a subpar cast.
The Weinstein Company hasn’t announced a release date yet, but should production is expected to begin in May, which means that the film will most likely be released sometime in 2014.
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