Dragon Blade

           

          "This year, Jackie Chan is fiercer and sharper than ever in Dragon Blade, which tells the story of an alliance between a Roman General and a Chinese warrior against a man hungry for power.      With a record-breaking production budget of US$65 Million, this is Chan's biggest and most action-packed film yet.   Joining him are Hollywood heavyweights John Cusack and Adrien Brody, and A-list actors in Asia, such as Korean pop idol Choi Si-Won (Super Junior boy band), award-winning actress Karena Lam (July Rhapsody), and Vanness Wu of the Taiwanese phenomenal boy band F4 (Meteor Garden). 

          Jackie Chan plays as Huo An, Commander of the Silk Road Protection Squad, tasked to protect China's borders from invaders.  As a child, he was found abandoned on the battlefield, and was raised by a general named Huo Qubing, played by respected Chinese actor, William Feng (White Vengeance).    Wrongfully accused of treason, his punishment is to lead his soldiers in repairing the city walls of a trading post called Wild Geese Gate within a month or face execution.  Chan describes his role as a man who detests wars, but ironically, he must win wars to gain peace. 

              

 John Cusack plays Lucius, Commander General of the Roman Empire.  He flees his land along with his troops and a young boy whom he is protecting from a ruthless ruler.  When they end up lost in China's borders, Lucius and Huo An engage in a duel, which surprisingly results in them being allies.  Cusack, who has a black belt in kickboxing, trained extensively in martial arts and sword-fighting.  He would spend his break time practicing his combat skills with Jackie Chan who taught him blade-throwing tricks, such as turning before a throw to create a cooler effect. 

 

          

Academy Award winner Adrien Brody (The Pianist), plays the evil ruler, Tiberius, who is on the hunt for Lucius.  Tiberius is the older brother of Publius, the boy Lucius is protecting.  Tiberius has blinded Publius after killing their father, the wealthiest man in Rome, to secure his inheritance.  Now, he will not stop until he puts an end to everyone who goes against him.  Brody has always been vocal about being a Jackie Chan fan.  Now, he is delighted that Dragon Blade made it possible for them to be friends in real life.  Brody calls Chan "Big Hero", while Chan proudly declares how Brody is "well-liked on the set" as he is known to be very independent and does not demand an entourage.

 

          For his role as the right-hand man of Huo An, Korean heartthrob Choi Si-Won sheds his clean-cut look and sports a rugged, bearded look.  He also put extra effort in practicing his Chinese, and this was commended by Director Lee.  

 

          Karena Lam and Vanness Wu's roles as archeologists in the present time pave the way for the story as they follow a clue to search for the ancient civilization.  This is Lam's comeback film since she gave birth four years ago.  Meanwhile, this is Wu's fourth collaboration with Director Lee, with whom he has this master-protege relationship. 

 

          Everyone gives a powerful performance in this film, and 10-year old Jozef Waite, who plays Publius, is no different.  His professionalism is remarkable as he insisted on continuing to shoot even after suffering a broken leg.  Jackie Chan said he looks forward to working with him again.

 

          Chinese actresses Lin Peng and Mika Wang also give compelling performances as the women who love Huo An and support his fight for peace.  Lin Peng, as the warrior Cold Moon, uses two weapons, the whip and the bow, and has incurred the most serious injuries in the shoot.  But she just brushed them off, saying, "Accidents happen, it can't be helped."  Mika Wang, who plays Huo An's wife, is impressive in expressing her character's deep emotions, and gives credit to Jackie Chan for "helping (her) create many possibilities to fully interpret (her) role.”

 

          Providing comic relief to the movie are The Chopsticks Brothers Xiao Yang and Wang Taili who gained international recognition with their viral song "Little Apple", winner of the International Song Award at the American Music Awards.  In Dragon Blade, Yang plays Captain in the Wild Geese Gate, while Taili plays a military doctor, and both their characters are conceited although incompetent in their jobs.  Yang says of his role, "He thinks of himself as strong and powerful...But when facing combat on the field, he panics and flusters."  Taili says that his character has "absolute confidence in his diagnoses, but, in fact, he always gets it wrong."  Their humorous performance wins praise from their fellow actors. 

 

          Dragon Blade is a period film sure to make history with its international ensemble of characters that reflects the message that Jackie Chan and Director Daniel Lee want to send across - that different races can live in harmony.  Opens on February 18, from VIVA International Pictures and MVP Entertainment.  Don't miss it!"

 

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