Yes, it’s really happening. You may have forgotten, but at the beginning of the year it was announced that The Weinstein Company were pushing forward with a sequel to Ang Lee‘s smash hit “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” with plans to shoot this past May. While that didn’t exactly happen, the project now has a new start date and more importantly, a key cast member.
EW reports that Zhang Ziyi — who will kick ass in “The Grandmaster,” opening this weekend — is in talks to return as Jen Yu in flashback sequences in the movie now called “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon — The Green Destiny.” The film has a script from John Fusco (“The Forbidden Kingdom,” “Hidalgo“) and is based on the book “Silver Vase, Iron Knight,” the fifth book in “Iron Pentalogy” (‘Crouching Tiger’ was the fourth), with story centering on Yu Shu Lien. Michelle Yeoh will also return take on that latter role, with Donnie Yen also on board the sequel as Silent Wolf.
Worryingly, Ronny Yu (“China White,” “Freddy Vs. Jason“) was initially in talks to direct, but now that job has been taken over by legendary fight choreographer Wo Ping Yuen, who worked on that first film, and mostly recently with Zhang on Wong Kar-Wai‘s effort. Lensing is slated to begin next March, though the reason for his movie happening at all is still up for debate. Until we know more, and see how it all plays out, here’s a vintage 20-minute conversation with Ping.