LOS ANGELES, CA, December 14, 2011—Village Roadshow Pictures Asia today announced that the company will co-produce with China Film Group and Wanda Media Group Keanu Reeves’ directorial debut, Man of Tai Chi. The film will be co-financed and distributed by the co-producing partners and Universal Pictures. The announcement was made today by Village Roadshow Entertainment Group’s Chief Executive Officer Greg Basser.
“We are pleased to announce Man of Tai Chi under the Village Roadshow Pictures Asia label and to extend our long standing relationship with Keanu,” said Greg Basser. “The combination of Universal Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures Asia, China Film Group and Wanda Media Group will bring the project extraordinary resources to ensure success both in China and around the world.”
Man of Tai Chi will be filmed in Beijing, Hong Kong and Macau. Lemore Syvan is producing. The picture will be distributed by Village Roadshow Pictures Asia affiliates in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, by China Film Group and Wanda Media Group in Greater China, and by Universal in the rest of the world.
“The opportunity to get further involved in the Chinese market and to bring Chinese films to audiences around the world is important to Universal,” said Universal’s President, International David Kosse. “Man of Tai Chi has an amazing pedigree of filmmakers and we’re thrilled to be a part of Keanu’s directorial film debut.”
Set in contemporary Beijing, the film will co-star Reeves in an action-packed drama that follows then spiritual journey of a young martial artist, played by Tiger Chen, whose fighting skill brings him to a realm of vast opportunities and painful choices.
Reeves and his team are currently in China. They plan to commence production in Beijing in February 2012.