The anticipation is high for Donnie Yen’s upcoming martial arts thriller “Kung Fu Jungle”, especially after recent online debut of the latest trailer for the film. However, if you’re in London next month, congratulations – you’ll have the opportunity to see the film’s official premiere ahead of the film’s release in China and Hong Kong. Even better, Donnie Yen himself will be present for the premiere, alongside his co-star Michelle Bai and the film’s director, Teddy Chen.
The premiere of “Kung Fu Jungle” is set to take place at 6:30 pm in the Empire Leicester Square Cinema on Sunday, October 12th as part of the Thrill section of the 58th BFI London Film Festival. Director Teddy Chen says of the film’s upcoming premiere at the festival, “I am excited and thrilled to present KUNG FU JUNGLE at the BFI London Film Festival with its world premiere to be screened at the prestigious Empire Leicester Square Cinema. As the Empire is equipped with one of the biggest screens in the UK, it will surely be the perfect setting for the screening of my film. It is my first film to cross martial arts combat in a contemporary Hong Kong action film with elements of a thriller and crime detective story. I wish to thank the LFF for choosing the film.”
BFI Festival Director Clare Stewart echoed Chen’s enthusiasm for the festival’s attendees to see the film two and a half weeks ahead of it’s Hong Kong release: “We are excited to be adding the eagerly anticipated KUNG FU JUNGLE to our line-up and honoured that Emperor Motion Pictures choose BFI London Film Festival as its World Premiere destination. Donnie Yen is a truly exhilarating martial arts star and action director and KUNG FU JUNGLE is a breathtaking thrill-ride, featuring stellar performances from the entire cast.”
“Kung Fu Jungle” will see Donnie Yen portray a former police detective imprisoned after accidentally killing a man, only for his former comrades to offer him his freedom in exchange for his help in apprehending a serial killer targeting the most formidable martial artists throughout Hong Kong. The film reunites Yen with his “Iceman” co-star Wang Baoqiang, who portrays the killer of the film, along with Yen’s “Ip Man” co-stars Fan Siu-wong and Shi Yan Neng (aka Xing Yu), with Yen handling the film’s action direction alongside Yuen Bun and Yan Hua.
Tickets are definitely going to go fast for this one, so if you plan on being on the same continent as London next month, get right on it! In the meantime, feast your eyes on the film’s just released third trailer, as well as some newly released images from the film featuring Donnie in an “Ip Man meets The Raid 2″ brawl with his fellow inmates!