John Woo directing Flying Tigers film??

[DarenC1]

July 07, 2009
Min Lee, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Canadian Press, 2009

HONG KONG - "Mission: Impossible II" director John Woo's next movie will tell the story of the Flying Tigers - volunteer American pilots who defended China from Japanese attacks during the Second World War - his producer said Tuesday.

Woo plans to start shooting late this year, with most of the filming to take place next year, producer Terence Chang told The Associated Press in a phone interview. The project will be a collaboration with the government of southwestern Yunnan province, where some of the volunteer pilots were based, Chang said.

"The director hasn't shot anything in a long time. He's eager to film again," he said. Woo's last project was the US$80 million Chinese-language historical epic "Red Cliff," whose two instalments were released last July and January.

Chang said Woo's new film will be "very expensive" but declined to reveal the exact budget because the script hasn't been finalized. He said he hasn't secured funding for the movie yet.

The movie will feature U.S. Army Gen. Claire Chennault, the leader of the Flying Tigers, but also focus on the entire team of pilots that was credited with destroying 296 Japanese aircraft during seven months between 1941 and 1942, Chang said.

Woo's next film was supposed to be "1949," a romance set against the Chinese civil war of that year, but the project fell through because of a dispute with its Taiwanese investors.

Woo made his name in Hong Kong with stylish action thrillers like "A Better Tomorrow" and "Hard-Boiled" before moving to Hollywood, where his credits include "Broken Arrow," Face/Off" and "Mission: Impossible II." He returned to Chinese film last year with "Red Cliff.""

Chang also revealed details about another earlier announced project that Woo will supervise. He said the $10 million kung fu film called "The Sword and Jianghu" will star former Bond girl Michelle Yeoh and South Korean actor Jung Woo-sung.

That Chinese-language movie, which Taiwanese director Su Chao-pin will start shooting in Shanghai in October, is about the son of a Ming dynasty official who unwittingly falls in love with a female contract killer who murdered his father.

The Internet Movie Database does have an "in development" listing under Woo for "Flying Tiger Heroes"....

[Warbird Kid]

80 Million for his last picture!

Heck they could make 4 or 5 brand new P-40c's along with any of the other aircraft needed to tell this story right! I mean c'mon. 80 MILLION for his last movie?!

[warbird1]

80 Million for his last picture!

Heck they could make 4 or 5 brand new P-40c's along with any of the other aircraft needed to tell this story right! I mean c'mon. 80 MILLION for his last movie?!

I hate to say it, but I'll bet you they use mock-ups for the ground scenes and CGI for the flying scenes. I can't imagine how hugely expensive it would be to ship off a few flyable P-40's to China. I wouldn't expect too many warbird owners would be willing to trust any shipping company to safely deliver their planes over there without damage. Unless somehow the U.S. Navy is involved and put the aircraft on a carrier or something, I don't see any real P-40's going to China for the filming. I guess the exception would be if they offered a LOT of money to the owners. But in these modern, recessionary times, I wouldn't think the producer would want to spend that kind of money on an "unknown" war story that could be a hit or flop. Remember "Pearl Harbor"?

[DarenC1]

Probably correct about the CGI/mock-up stuff - it's what I would do if I had to.

Mind you, I'd like to think Woo would use some real metal in his film - maybe just for air-to-airs in the USA?? (I'd forgive incorrect P-40 variants if he actually used some!!)

I'll keep my eyes open for this one. Stoked as I am about the George Lucas-produced Red Tails movie, this one might be more interesting....

[DarenC1]

Remember "Pearl Harbor"?

$450million in box-office, despite it being a critical failure...

[Jesse C.]

Oh no, is this going to be "Windtalkers" with CGI planes?

Ugh!

[RMAllnutt]

If it's John Wu... you can bet there'll be a scene with some guy wielding two pistols rolling on the ground while firing them in slowmo, while some white doves flutter across the sky...

Richard

[Django]

If it's John Wu... you can bet there'll be a scene with some guy wielding two pistols rolling on the ground while firing them in slowmo, while some white doves flutter across the sky...

Richard

That's pretty funny!

I bet they will at least attempt to get 1 or 2 machines there.

Just for discussion's sake, how hard would it be to convert later models to the B/C model? It can't be that hard, after Nelson did the same thing to the P-38, assuming the money is there.

[Jerry O'Neill]

If it's John Wu... you can bet there'll be a scene with some guy wielding two pistols rolling on the ground while firing them in slowmo, while some white doves flutter across the sky...

Richard

Love it Richard!

As far as getting flyable P-40's to China, I think they could ship some P-40's from New Zealand for the film for a little cheaper than from the US.
Jerry

[Chris Brame]

So who should play Chennault - maybe Tommy Lee Jones? Raymond Massey played him very well in God Is My Co-pilot - his performance was the best thing about that movie.

[Obergrafeter]

I am sure that Hollywood will put some Baldwin brother to play Chenault! Who would you have play Tex Hill? Now that we no longer have John Wayne tough boots to fill.

[jtramo]

What happened to team Valkyrie doing this film? If Woo does it it will be a disaster with cockpit to cockpit pistol fights, ninja pilots and 100% cgi. Plus if its filming in China, how the hell am I gonna try and be an extra?