Netflix is teaming up with Hollywood superproducer Harvey Weinstein for its first original film - the sequel to the Oscar-winning martial arts epic Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
The film is expected to be first of a number of collaborations between the internet TV network and The Weinstein Company, which Harvey co-owns with brother Bob. The sequel sees the return of Michelle Yeoh, this time opposite Donnie Yen, with Yuen Wo-Ping taking over as director from Ang Lee.
Titled Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend, the film will debut simultaneously at IMAX cinemas globally and via Netflix on 28 August next year. That formula could have significant ramifications for the long-standing global theatrical “window” which means that new movies are not usually made available to view at home for at least 13-17 weeks after their release in cinemas.
“The movie-going experience is evolving quickly and profoundly, and Netflix is unquestionably at the forefront of that movement,” said Harvey Weinstein in a joint statement from The Weinstein Company and Netflix. “We are tremendously excited to be continuing our great relationship with Netflix and bringing to fans all over the world the latest chapter in this amazing and intriguing story.”
IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond insisted the move was not an attack on existing distribution methods. “We are not going to war over this,” he told Bloomberg. ’We do not see this as a threat to the windowing model. We are still committed to the system for Hollywood blockbuster films.’’
The sequel will be based on Iron Knight, Silver Vase, the fifth book in the five-strong series of Crane-Iron novels by Chinese writer Wang Dulu, who died in 1977. Crouching Tiger was based largely on the fourth book in the saga.
The new film’s proposed cinema release holds out the potential for Netflix to compete for Oscars. Lee’s 2000 movie won four Oscars, including the prize for best foreign language film, in 2001 and the streaming service has already made its presence known at other awards ceremonies. Its self-funded shows Orange is the New Black and House of Cards have already won Emmy prizes, and the latter series took home a debut Golden Globe earlier this year - Robin Wright taking the best actress in a television drama gong.
Deadline reported in January last year that the Weinstein Company was moving ahead with a Crouching Tiger sequel, though with veteran Hong Kong director Ronny Yu – best known for The Bride With White Hair – in charge rather than Yuen Wo-Ping. The latter is best known for his work as fight choreographer on The Matrix Trilogy and Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill films, and as director of 1993’s Tai Chi Master.
Netflix describes Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend as a film which echoes the themes of the original movie, but tells its own story - “one of lost love, young love, a legendary sword and one last opportunity at redemption”. The service promises “breathtaking action in an epic martial arts battle between good and evil that will decide the fate of the Martial World”.
