Miramax Deals and Reels

Miramax Films recently announced its agreement with Hong Kong based Celestial Pictures to take over the entertainment rights of the renowned Shaw Brothers Library. This collection includes China’s biggest and greatest films, with the most notable titles being “Come Drink With Me, and “The One-Armed Swordsman”. Under the deal Miramax will release 50 films to be distributed on video and DVD, bringing to life what Miramax co-chairman, Harry Weinstein explains as “a terrific source of fresh story ideas for new movies”.

Miramax continues to diversify its audience adding 50 more titles to its growing list of Chinese distributed films. Weinstein can thank his executive VP, Charles Layton, and senior VP Stuart Ford, for negotiating such a promising deal.

USC Grad Makes the Grade

Director Jon M. Chu, a 23-year-old USC film school graduate, has made a quick name for himself in the movie industry. Chu was selected by Columbia Pictures and Red Wagon Prods to direct an updated movie version of the popular 1960s musical “Bye Bye Birdie”. Although the script remains in production, Chu has already announced his intention to appeal to younger audiences by putting an urban spin on the traditional musical. Despite “Birdie’s” Rock ‘N Roll origins, Chu plans on reinventing the classic to incorporate the hip hop nature popular in today’s culture. Columbia Pictures has high hopes for the young director, and his previous award-winning work, “When the Kids Are Away”, is an excellent example of Chu’s potential for great musical direction.

Jackie Chan

World famous movie star Jackie Chan has signed on with Mandarin Entertainment to do another action packed film, The Sword Searchers. Rising singer and actor Nicholas Tse, will co-star in the movie version of the highly popular Hong Kong comic book, Magic Weapons. In the film, Tse will star as Chan’s son, while Chan will portray a noble clans chief. Like the comic book, the film will attempt to synthesize both historical and legendary accounts of China’s warlords into an action adventure that appeals to both domestic and international audiences. Filming of the movie is set to begin in China this July.