After six long years, Hong Kong director Johnnie To may finally return to the director’s chair. And the project he’s currently scouting locations for will reportedly star another Hong Kong legend: actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai.
READ MORE: ‘Chasing Dream’: Johnnie To’s Latest Is A Heartfelt, Giddy Genre Mashup [Fantastic Fest]
Deadline reports that To is checking out locations for a new action movie he plans to shoot in North Japan, particularly Hokkaido. To’s been scouting the region since late December, but his production company Milkyway Image confirmed to Deadline that the project remains in early development. And despite Japanese media teasing a To-Leung team-up since late last year, Milkyway wouldn’t confirm if the actor’s involvement; so stay tuned to see is the pair will indeed work together. If they do, it’ll just be the fifth time in their respective prolific careers. The Film Stage confirms the other four are lesser-known titles in their respective filmographies (“Tomorrow,” “The Royal Scoundrel,” “Lucky Tomorrow,” and “The Longest Nite,” which To ghost-directed)
To and Leung served as jury members at last year’s Tokyo International Film Festival, which may be where rumors of a potential collaboration between the two started. To headed the jury, which included him leading a discussion with Japenese director Yu Irie on the current landscape of filmmaking in his native Hong Kong. 2019’s rom-com “Chasing Dream“ was To’s last feature film, although he did helm a segment for the 2020 anthology film “Septet: The Story Of Hong Kong.” However, he did co-produce Soi Cheang‘s 2023 mystery thriller “Mad Fate,” which premiered at the 2023 Berlinale.
To’s filmmaking hiatus may be indirectly influenced by the recent poltical changes in Hong Kong, which may also explain why he’s scouting locations in Japan. And Hong Kong’s political upheaval may also keep To from making “Election 3,” a long-gestating sequel his two highly regarded films from 2005 and 2006. Next to “Exiled,” To’s “Election” films may be his most popular stateside; the first film premiere in competition at Cannes and won To best director at Sitges.
As for Leung, the legendary Chinese actor has stayed busy in the 60s, including 2023’s “Hidden Blade,” “The Goldfinger” and his Hollywood debut in 2021 with “Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings.” Leung’s most famous roles include the classic John Woo actioner “Hard Boiled” and the seven films he made with Wong Kar-wai, including “Chungking Express” and “The Grandmaster.”
Stay tuned to see if Johnnie To and Tony Leung will work together. Even if it’s just a rumor, a new Johnny To movie is still awesome news, although it remains to be seen when To will make it.
