John Woo is to direct 1949 a big budget romancer that will crank up as soon as he has finished his epic Red Cliff.
Pic is a $40 million Chinese language epic produced by Woo and Terence Chang’s Lion Rock and Fortissimo Films handling worldwide rights outside China.
Based on true events at the end of WWII and the final years of the Chinese Civil War, pic will star Chang Chen and Korea’s Song Hye-kyo (second ref: Song, please note I’ve used Variety’s preferred spelling of this person) and Chang Chen (second ref: Chang). Screenplay is by “Lust Caution” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” scripter Wang Hui-ling.
Lensing will begin in December in China and Taiwan with theatrical release skedded for December 2009 and the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Coin comes from investors including Ling I-Jun and China Film Group.
“A project of this pedigree is guaranteed to move people as it realistically portrays the realities of the history of the Chinese people and nation,” Fortissimo co-chief Michael J. Werner said.
Credit: Variety
