"Drunken Master III" Chinese Theatrical Poster

Hong Kong media outlets are reporting the death of filmmaker and actor Lau Kar-leung (also known as Liu Chia-liang) at the age of 75. More details should emerge in the following days but this is truly a tragic loss. Lau Kar-leung has left behind a considerable body of work, including some of the finest martial arts movies of all time.

He is perhaps most famous for directing and starring opposite Jackie Chan in the 1994 classic Drunken Master 2, but Kar-leung was also a veteran of the Shaw Brothers system.

During his impressive tenure with the Shaw Brothers studio, he helmed a string a bonafide martial arts classics – including The 36th Chamber of Shaolin, Legendary Weapons of China, My Young Auntie, and what is perhaps his masterpiece, Eight Diagram Pole Fighter.

Most of these films are available on DVD in North America, so this week may be a good time to rewatch one or several of his movies and remember the iconic filmmaker. Our condolences go out to Lau Kar-leung’s family and friends.

"Taken 2" Theatrical Poster

What would you do for $20 million? If you’re Liam Neeson, you’d sign the dotted line to reprise the role that turned you into a middle-aged action star. That’s right: Liam Neeson has officially negotiated to return as security specialist and family man Bryan Mills in Taken 3. The disappointing news? It looks like a done deal that Taken 2 director Olivier Megaton will be returning to helm the third installment.

Despite making a truckload of money, fan reaction to Taken 2 was decidedly lukewarm; as a filmmaker, Olivier Megaton clearly lacks the finesse and flair for action that original Taken director Pierre Morel possesses (don’t forget, Morel also directed the cult favorite District B13). Stay tuned for more news on Taken 3 in the months to come.

"The Wrath of Vajra" Chinese Promotional Poster

Law Ching Cheong is currently busy directing an increasingly over-budget remake of The Iceman Cometh with Donnie Yen, but his previous film is finally about to see the light of day. Titled The Wrath of Vajra, this high-concept martial arts movie is intended to serve as the first starring vehicle for Yu Xing.

Xing is a Shaolin monk turned actor who has already been seen in supporting roles in a number of movies so far, including Flash Point, Shaolin, and Kung Fu Hustle.

Law Ching Cheong has praised Yu Xing has ‘the next big thing’ in Chinese martial arts. You can watch the trailer for The Wrath of Vajra now. In the film, Yu Xing plays a top Chinese martial artist who sets his sights on a Japanese death cult after they abduct innocent Chinese children and train them to be assassins.

Judging by the trailer, the filmmakers have been influenced by the Ong-Bak sequels in terms of the slow-motion action photography and a willingness to feature comic book-like villains.

Update: Distributor Media Asia has snagged the international rights to The Wrath of Vajra. CEO Jeffrey Soong says the film “harks back to the old days when one take meant 20 minutes of fighting, not one scene with 200 cuts.” Here here! Film Combat Syndicate has a plot synopsis and word that Peng Zhang (Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World) provided the action choreography. We’re still waiting to hear a release date, however.

BREAKING NEWS: Check out the second trailer for the film, which is said to be something of a horror/kung fu hybrid.

"Kung Fu Man" Chinese Theatrical Poster

2013 might just end up being known as ‘the year of Tiger Chen.’ Not only is the Yuen Woo-ping protege making his leading man debut in Keanu Reeves’ Man of Tai Chi, but the trailer has surfaced for yet another martial arts film starring Chen. This time around, Tiger Chen will star as the titular Kung Fu Man in an English/Chinese co-production. This film has more of a family vibe, with Tiger Chen protecting a young orphan boy who is convinced Chen is a super hero, but the trailer also features plenty of fight sequences.

What else does the trailer feature? Plenty of wire-work, something that has gone out of fashion with martial arts fans in the last six years or so. Tiger Chen appears to legitimately have skills but, in an age that has seen the likes of Donnie Yen and Tony Jaa do incredible things without the aid of wires, he may have to go out of his way to prove himself to audiences.

What’s your take on the trailer for Kung Fu Man?

"Gatchaman" Japanese Theatrical Poster

For a generation of kids who grew up in the early 80’s, much of their favorite Saturday morning fare was – unbeknownst to them – anime that had been dubbed and re-edited from Japan. Thus, Japan’s Macross became Robotech and Beast King GoLion became Voltron.

Along those same lines, the long-running Japanese anime Gatchaman was introduced to American audiences as Battle of the Planets. The show followed a group of super-powered young people (who may or may not be cyborgs) tasked with protecting the Earth from the villainous aliens of Spectra.

Now, Japan is preparing to unleash a live-action movie based on the series and it looks to boast some spectacular production values.

A teaser trailer was released today but it’s definitely a ‘tease,’ offering only some voice-over and a glimpse of the hero’s costumes. Twitch assures us that a talented team has been assembled to work on the film, including visual FX from the team behind Returner and the live-action Space Battleship Yamato movie. Stay tuned to Cityonfire.com for further updates on this ambitious project.

Update: Don’t miss the full-length trailer, online now!

Pieta Blu-ray & DVD (Drafthouse Films)

Pieta, the acclaimed film from the celebrated and controversial Korean director Kim Ki-Duk (Bad Guy, 3-Iron), debuts on Blu-ray™ and DVD July 23rd from Drafthouse Films. An international box-office hit, Pieta has garnered numerous awards, including Best Picture trophies from 2012 Venice Film Festival, 2012 Blue Dragon Awards, 2013 Fantasporto Festival, and the 2012 Satellite Awards, and Best Director nods at the 2012 Dubai International Film Festival and a Jury Award at the South Korea’s 2012 Grand Bell Awards.

Lee Jung-jin (Wonderful Radio) stars as a loan shark forced to reconsider his violent lifestyle after the arrival of a mysterious woman claiming to be his long-lost mother. The mother is played by Cho Min-soo, who, in her film debut, won Best Actress awards at the 2012 Asia Pacific Screen Awards and South Korea’s Grand Bell Awards in 2012, as well as Favorite Actress at the 2012 Asian Film Awards.

Bonus Materials Include: Audio Commentary with Director Kim Ki-duk, Cho Min-soo and Lee Jung-jin; “God, Have Mercy On Us” Featurette – Interviews with Kim Ki-duk, Cho Min-soo and Lee Jung-jin; Winning the Golden Lion at the 69th Venice Film Festival; Behind the Scenes Featurettes; Filmography of Kim Ki-duk; 16-Page Booklet

Cityonfire.com received the above press release from Drafthouse Films/MPRM Communications.

"Poltergeist" Japanese Theatrical Poster

THE MOVIE: THR reports that Evil Dead’s Sam Raimi – along with Nathan Kahane, Roy Lee, and Robert Tapert – will produce a remake of 1982’s Poltergeist. The script is being written by Rabbit Hole’s David Lindsay-Abraire. Raimi will not be directing, but will play a crucial role in finding a filmmaker for the project.

Poltergeist’s on-screen credit lists Texas Chainsaw Massacres’s Tobe Hooper, but many believe that Steven Spielberg was in full control. Due to a clause in his contract while still working on E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial simultaneously, Spielberg could not make another film, hence giving Hooper director credit.

Updates: According to Fearnet.com, Rise of the Guardians screenwriter David Lindsay-Abaire will pen the script. | According to The Playlist, there’s a possibility that Sam Raimi might be directing the remake. This is coming from writer David Lindsay-Abaire himself. | So much for Sam Raimi directing. Collider reports that Gil Kenan (Monster House, City of Ember) will be directing the reboot.

BREAKING NEWS: EW reports that production is scheduled to begin this fall.

"Robotech: 2-Movie Collection" DVD Cover

The Robotech saga continues as the celebrated characters that gained world-wide popularity in the original series return in an exciting new adventure debuting as part of the Robotech: 2-Movie Collection. Arriving on DVD July 23 from Lionsgate Home Entertainment, under license from A+E Networks Consumer Products™, the Robotech: 2-Movie Collection DVD set includes the never-before-seen feature Love Live Alive as well as the timeless Robotech hit The Shadow Chronicles.

The Robotech chronicle continues with the unveiling of the all-new anime adventure Love Live Alive. Taking place during and after the events of Robotech: The New Generation (available in Robotech: The Complete Series from Lionsgate Home Entertainment), this thrilling installment in the Robotech saga follows the adventures of Lieutenant Lance “Lancer” Belmont as he recounts his journey from before his first encounter with Scott Bernard to the aftermath following Admiral Rick Hunter’s expedition to liberate the Earth from the mysterious Invid race. Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles continues the epic battle as Scott Bernard must once again face his tragic past as he joins the returning Robotech Expedition against new mechanized adversaries known as the Haydonites.

Robotech maintains its place as one of the most popular anime properties ever, the center of a massive media empire that includes comic books, toys and a major motion picture currently in development. Voted one of the “Top 50 Sci-Fi Properties of All Time” by IGN.com, Robotech remains a fan favorite. Pre-order today!

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES: (subject to change): Love Live Alive, Pre-production Gallery, The Shadow Chronicles, “Birth of a Sequel” featurette, Score Music Video, “Anime Selects” podcast coverage, “!Pon Anime” podcast interview, Robotech 3000 demo reel, Robotech 3000 motion capture sequences, Deleted scenes with optional commentary, Outtakes, Animatics with optional commentary, Trailers and Image Galleries.

BREAKING NEWS: Watch the newly released trailer.

Cityonfire.com received the above press release from Lionsgate and bhimpact.com.

"The Tiger Mask" Teaser Poster

The Tiger Mask is an upcoming live-action adapation of a Japanese manga series of the same name by Ikki Kajiwara. The series first appeared in the late 60s and by the early 70s, The Tiger Mask made its way onto TV, courtesy of Toei Animation.

According to Film Combat Syndicate, The Tiger Mask follows a highly feared and viciously skilled heel wrestler who changes his tune and chooses to become a symbol of heroism after a young boy approaches him and expresses that he wanted to be just as villainous as he was in the ring.

The Tiger Mask is directed by Ken Ochiai (Memory Sculptor) and stars Eiji Wentz, Natsuna and Sho Aikiwa. The film will premier at the Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal this July, then will have a theatrical run in November 2013. Until then, check out the teaser trailer.