Prequel to Donnie Yen’s ‘Painted Skin’ coming in 2019

“Painted Skin” Chinese Theatrical Poster

Back in 2008, director Gordon Chan (Armageddon) helmed an action-romance titled Painted Skin, starring Chen Kun (Zhong Kui), Zhou Xun (The Banquet), Zhao Wei (14 Blades) and Donnie Yen (xXx: Return of Xander Cage).

The film was loosely based on a classic short story by Pu Songling, a writer of supernatural tales during the Qing Dynasty. The same story also served as the inspiration for a 1992 Painted Skin starring Sammo Hung (The Bodyguard).

Then in 2012 a sequel, Painted Skin 2 (aka Painted Skin: The Resurrection), was made by Wuershan (Mojin: The Lost Legend) with most of the cast returning except for Donnie Yen.

Now news comes from AFS that a 2019 prequel is in the works by The Huayi Brothers (see the film’s teaser poster). Details are practically non-existent at the moment, but being a prequel, we can only wonder who’ll be back for the action? Someone from Jedha City perhaps? Stay tuned.