There was a time when Wong Fei-hung movies were a dime a dozen. But since the turn of the century, thanks in part to the rise of the “Ip Man” films, Wong Fei-hung has been curiously scarce in Hong Kong martial arts films. However, that will finally change this fall with the release of the upcoming film “Rise of the Legend”!
The film will serve as a fresh reboot of Wong Fei-hung’s origins, and will focus on his early days as a promising kung fu prodigy before his rise to become a legend in Chinese culture. Eddie Peng will take on the role made famous by so many men before him, and although a novice to martial arts, his performance in last year’s “Unbeatable” should put to rest any doubt that he can handle such an action heavy role. He’ll be aided in the film by Sammo Hung, who also served as a producer, while famed action director Corey Yuen will handle the film’s fight choreography.
Few names carry as much weight and respect in the realm of martial arts film and Chinese culture than Wong Fei-hung. Jackie Chan got his start as a comically exaggerated version of the famed master of Hung Gar in “Drunken Master”, while Sammo Hung played one of his most renown students Butcher Lam in “Magnificent Butcher” and Donnie Yen got the chance to play his father Wong Kei-ying in “Iron Monkey”.
Jet Li practically made a career of playing the legendary Chinese folk hero in the “Once Upon A Time In China” films. With a list of predecessor’s like that, Peng certainly has some big shoes to fill, but judging by the trailer, everyone involved with “Rise of the Legend” is bound and determined to usher in the triumphant return of one of the most respected kung fu masters to ever emerge from China!
“Rise of the Legend” will be released in China and Hong Kong this November.
