Jet Li's Fearless Gets Pushed Back
Filed under: Action, Drama, Foreign Language, Cinematical Indie
If you've been waiting with bated breath to see Jet Li's Fearless (and really, who among us isn't?), you're just gonna have to sit back on your haunches and wait a bit longer. The film scored US distrib waaaaaaay back in February, after kicking ass at the box offices in Taiwan, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia. The film has already faced a lawsuit by the grandson of martial arts master Huo Yuanjia, on whose life the fictional film was roughly based, who claims that the film takes liberties with his grandfather's life story (to be fair, the film is a drama, not a documentary).
The film was set to release August 4, but has now been pushed back to September 22. One would presume, since the film has already shown theatrically, that the delay is not a post-production problem, so what might be the reason for the delay? There are several other films opening on August 4. I would assume they aren't worried about competing with Barnyard, so perhaps they didn't want to open against The Night Listener, The Descent, or Will Farrell vehicle Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. Anyhow, this is, rumor has it, Jet Li's best film in years (and maybe even the last film in which you'll get to see him do martial arts). If you're a Jet Li fan, you'll probably go see the film regardless of when it screens, yes? So go pencil in September 22, and if there are further changes, we'll keep you apprised.
Jeremy Renner Wants To Be An Avenger
Directors We Love: Jim Jarmusch
Indie Roundup: 'Sweetgrass,' 'Clarkworld,' 'Broken Embraces'
Shelf Life: Fight Club_thumbnail.jpg)
Watch: Famous 'Matrix' Scene Re-Created with LEGOs
_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-11-2006 @ 9:26PM
Peter said...
It is Jet Li's best film in years, but a flawless film it is not. Li is good, both physically and emotionally, and I really appreciate that Ronnie Yu (greatly stepping up his game from Freddy vs Jason) struck a nice balance between practical displays and wire-fu. Though, for a purists tastes it is still too slick, visually.
However, the movie isn't going to blow anyone's mind. I actually prefer Li's other shot at the story, Fist of Legend, over Fearless, but it is entertaining and does actually hit some heart strings (though with the aid of said factual liberties). A good change of pace from the pretentions of Hero and his Hollywood work.
Reply
7-11-2006 @ 11:23PM
Chris said...
I agree that Fist of Legend was better as a pure martial arts movie, but Feerless felt more complete. I enjoyed it a lot, though I'm sure Fist of Legend will remain my go to for Jet Li just plain beating people up.
Reply
7-12-2006 @ 12:22AM
Jason said...
Agreed here with Chris on FoL vs. Fearless. Fearless was good, but for the beat'em ups, FoL is better. On the just plain "good movie" level, Jet Li's best movie was Hero.
Reply
7-21-2006 @ 11:19PM
stephen said...
Jet Li is NOT quitting doing kung-fu movies.He is
not doing those kung-fu movies that are based on
a real character any more.That allows for what has
been doing lately and in the future.
Reply
7-29-2006 @ 10:07PM
10-e said...
Fearless might be his lest epic, i think he will have other things in the future. like this monk in NY or this Jackie Chan thing ive been hearing about.
Reply