It's about time! After years of tackling period roles, it's good to see martial-art superstar Donnie Yen is back in the modern action role since FLASH POINT (2007). According to Channel NewsAsia, Donnie Yen will appear alongside actress Cecilia Cheung in a Hong Kong adaptation of 2005 action blockbuster MR. & MRS. SMITH, which will be re-titled as ASSASSIN COUPLE. MR. & MRS. SMITH, is of course, the blockbuster hit which starred Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as two assassin couples who are forced to compete each other before they eventually team up to overthrow their agencies.
Despite the remake, ASSASSIN COUPLE will feature a completely different storyline from the original movie, even though there are some similarities attached. According to The New Asia Entertainment Group (AEG), Yen and Cheung will play a couple skilled in martial arts and gunplay who attempt to deal with the love-hate relationship they share at home, even as they go about their lives as professional killers.
While Yen and Cheung had previously stated they would like to take a break from acting to spend time with their families, the AEG managed to convince them otherwise after offering them a lucrative amount of paycheck. Yen will take a whopping 30 million yuan for accepting the role, while Cheung gets 15 million yuan.
Their combined fees alone have nevertheless took up almost half of the movie's 100 million yuan budget.
Filming for ASSASSIN COUPLE is expected to start rolling in March next year.
While the title is kind of mundane, I'm eager to know the "completely different storyline" approach for this Hong Kong version. Although I wouldn't be surprised if this one going for the romantic comedy route, it also very appreciated if ASSASSIN ROUTE contains more grits to suit this as an ultimate Donnie Yen's action vehicle.
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Posted By Blogger to NEW CINE BUZZ at 7/31/2011 06:50:00 AM