UPDATE - November 30
It seems Zhang Ziyi hasn't decided yet whether she'll star in 'My Wife is a Gangster 3' or not. The previous news report, which started from a Tabloid-style news site and spread all over the Korean media (up to film magazines like Film2.0, and newspapers like Chosun Ilbo) used an employee of Hyunjin Cinema (producers of the film) as its source. But, at the Japanese premiere of 'Memoirs of a Geisha', Zhang said she still hasn't signed any contract yet, and is still thinking about her future projects. Zhang said: "I read the news a few days ago too, but it's just a rumour. I still haven't decided what will be my next project. It doesn't really matter from which country the film comes, but whether the role would be a challenge for me or not."
But there's more: Lee Soon-Yeol, president of Hyunjin Cinema, said in a phone call to Sports Today (which started the 'rumour') that they signed a contract with Zhang's management (taken care of by Zhang's own brother), after revising the script as requested. He also said maybe Zhang called this a rumour because she hasn't received the final script yet. Lee claims Zhang will get her script once she returns from the 'Geisha' Japanese tour, and that China Film Group told them Zhang's participation in the film was guaranteed, when they signed the contract. "I don't know why she said that" closed Lee.
So who's right? Zhang or Hyunjin? More on this in the coming weeks.
Via Chosun Ilbo and Sports Today
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The first was one of the best examples of 'entertaining crap' the gangster comedy trend created a few years ago; its sequel was probably the biggest sign such trend was dying out in 2003, not so much because of its box office results - it did decently, selling over 1.8 Million tickets - but for the kind of almost unanimous bashing it received. But the 조폭마누라 (My Wife is a Gangster) franchise will continue, this time with an eye to the International market.
The first film of the trilogy starred Shin Eun-Kyung as a gang leader looking for a quick marriage, to satisfy her dying sister's last wish. The second, 조폭마누라 2: 돌아온 전설 (My Wife is a Gangster 2) brought back Shin, who was now using her sashimi knife for cooking, instead of cutting her rivals to pieces. Losing her memory after an accident, she finds herself slowly re-connecting with her past. But the third installment of the series will not feature Shin as a lead (even though she could have either a cameo or supporting role in the film), responsibility which will be carried by none other than Zhang Ziyi. Zhang had a short cameo at the end of part 2, and will instead feature prominently in 조폭마누라 3 (My Wife is a Gangster 3).
Rumours spread a while ago that she would star in the film, but they were often denied or remained unconfirmed. Now it's been announced the young Chinese superstar will earn a 1 Billion Won guarantee in the 10 Billion Won blockbuster. A HK-Korea Co-production, which clearly is trying to set its sight on International recognition by casting Zhang, the film will be directed by Jo Jin-Gyu (who helmed the first film), and produced by Hyunjin Cinema. China Film Group will co-produce the film, which stars Zhang as the daughter of a Chinese triad boss running away to Korea, where she meets a group of third rate gangsters, with all the shenanigans you can expect emerging. The role of her Korean partner hasn't been announced as of yet. 70% of the film will be shot in Korea, and Zhang will start shooting in March, for what looks like a surefire Chuseok 2006 release.
Via Sports Today