Few legends of martial arts have gotten the big screen treatment as frequently as Wong Fei-hung. Having been portrayed by everyone from Kwan Tak-hing and Jet Li to Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung (the latter two in the decidedly more apocryphal “Drunken Master” and “Around the World in 80 Days”, respectively), 2018 is set to be a big year on the big screen for the legendary Hung Gar master in the upcoming “The Unity of Heroes”, with Vincent Zhao returning to the role, as you can see in the trailer below!
“The Unity of Heroes” is far from the first time that Zhao has assumed the role of Wong Fei-hung. Zhao previously took the reins from Jet Li in the fourth and fifth chapters of the “Once Upon a Time In China” series. Additionally, Zhao would also step into Wong Fei-hung’s shoes once more after taking up the role with the “Wong Fei-hung” television series, which began in 1996 and ran for two years. Zhao would also appear in 2010’s “True Legend” as Beggar So, who was famously depicted as Wong’s mentor in the elusive art of Drunken Fist in 1978’s “Drunken Master”, with Jackie Chan taking the character in a far different direction than he’d ever gone before or since (outside of 1994’s “Drunken Master II“!)
What’s more, “The Unity of Heroes” isn’t the only film releasing this year in which Zhao is set to portray Wong Fei-hung. He’ll also soon be seen in the martial arts ensemble “Kung Fu Big League“, where he’ll be joined by his fellow legends of kung fu, Ip Man, Chen Zhen, and Huo Yuan-jia!
Needless to say, the legacy of Wing Chun Grandmaster, Ip Man, has become the hottest series around in the Far East in the 21st century, and the famed mentor of the legendary Bruce Lee will make his return to cinema screens in “Kung Fu Big League” portrayed by Dennis To, who previously tackled the role in 2010’s “The Legend is Born – Ip Man”.
Vincent Zhao’s “True Legend” co-star Andy On will also appear in the film in the role of Huo Yuanjia, founder of the Chin Woo Athletic Association portrayed by Jet Li in 2006’s “Fearless”. Additionally, the film will also star famed Bruce Lee look-a-like Danny Chan, well known for his portrayals of the founder of Jeet Kune Do in the television series “The Legend of Bruce Lee” and more recently alongside Donnie Yen in 2015’s “Ip Man 3”. While Mr. Chan is not strictly portraying Bruce Lee in “Kung Fu Big League”, audiences will likely see him channeling his past portrayals of the man nonetheless, given that Chan will appear in the role of Chen Zhen, famously embodied by Bruce Lee himself in 1972’s “Fist of Fury”!
“The Unity of Heroes” and “Kung Fu Big League” are set for release later this year. Excited to see Vincent Zhao portray Wong Fei-hung once more, and in an ensemble of historical kung fu masters? Which other legendary martial arts warriors would you like to see team-up onscreen? Let us know in the comments below, join in the conversation and share this on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. (Check out KFK’s growing archive of FU-nomenal news and movie coverage too!)
