Tsui Hark had a big hit on his hands with his Andy Lau starring
Detective Dee and he is no doubt hoping lightning will strike twice for him with the character as he prepares his prequel offering
Young Detective Dee: Rise Of The Sea Dragon.
The young Dee Renjie arrives in the Imperial Capital, intent to become
an officer of the law. Empress Wu, who is at the start of her reign, has
sent the fiery-haired Detective Yuchi to investigate a sea monster that
stalks the city at night. By chance, both Dee and Yuchi fight off the
creature when it attacks a ceremonial procession carrying the beautiful
courtesan Yin to be sacrificed at a temple to appease the Gods.
Suspicious of the stranger, Yuchi has Dee imprisoned. Dee escapes with
the help of visiting doctor Shatuo and together they discover that the
upper reaches of society, including the Emperor himself, are addicted to
a poisonous tea produced by Yuan's famous teahouse. Yuan, who was
romantically attached to Yin, has been missing for months. Dee shadows
the courtesan, who is under Yuchun's protection, until the sea monster
reappears. Just as the two men are about to kill it, Yin reveals that
the monster is her lover, Yuan. Yuan has been poisoned by a foreign
Prince whose kingdom was overthrown by the Emperor. As the Prince's army
readies itself on a nearby island to attack the capital, a real sea
dragon rises from the deep.
Mark Chao takes over the title role while Tsui continues his love affair with 3D technology. Producers Huayi Brothers recently released a first brief teaser as part of an overall lineup preview. Check it out below.