According to The Hollywood Reporter, Al Pacino, Dan Stevens, Anthony Hopkins, Malin Akerman and Byung Hun Lee are all in final talks to star in Beyond Deceit, the directorial debut of screenwriter Shintaro Shimosawa.
The movie will follow the story of an ambitious young lawyer (Stevens) who takes on a big case against a ruthless executive of a pharmaceutical company, only to find himself as the prime suspect in a murder.
Hopkins will play the pharma exec, Pacino will take on the role of the head of the law firm and Stevens’ mentor; Akerman is set to play the lead’s ex girlfriend, while Lee will portray a hit man.
Lee Byung Hun Submits Forms to Request Pardon for Blackmailers
Newsen Lee so Dam Translation Credit : Grace Danbi Hong
Lee Byung Hun has submitted forms to request a pardon for his blackmailers.
According to legal circles on February 13, Lee Byung Hun submitted forms to request a pardon and favorable arrangements for former GLAM member, Da Hee, and model Lee Ji Yeon on his 5 billion won blackmail case.
Lee Byung Hun′s reps stated through the request for pardon that he does not want Da Hee and Lee Ji Yeon to receive punishments. With Lee Byung Hun expressing that he wants favorable arrangements made, attention gathering as to how the appeal trials will progress.
In September 2014, Lee Byung Hun reported to the police that he was being blackmailed by Da Hee and Lee Ji Yeon to pay five billion won if he doesn′t want their secretly recorded conversations to go public. The police arrested Da Hee and Lee Ji Hyun without warrant, and the case was later transferred to prosecution. The two were charged for an act of violence and a violation of the law (joint blackmail).
Three trials took place regarding the blackmail case, and on January 15, Da Hee was sentenced to one year in prison, and Lee Ji Yeon, one year and two months in prison. Currently, the two have both sent in appeals, as well as the prosecution.
Meanwhile, Lee Byung Hun is currently in the U.S., carrying out local schedules, with his wife Lee Min Jung, who is pregnant.
Actor Lee Byung Hun continues to make strides in his Hollywood career, and has been revealed to be currently in discussion to join an upcoming film that may feature Anthony Hopkins and Al Pacino.
According to The Hollywood Reporter on February 6th, the three actors are in final negotiations to appear in the film Beyond Deceit, a legal thriller that follows an ambitious young lawyer that takes on a big case against a pharmaceutical company with a devious CEO, only to be pulled into a murder case in which he is the prime suspect. Other actors who are also in final talks to appear other than Anthony Hopkins and Al Pacino include Dan Stevens and Malin Akerman.
BH Entertainment confirmed the report on February 17th, adding that they are still coordinating his schedule and the details have not yet been finalized.
Dan Stevens will be playing the protagonist lawyer suspected of murder with Malin Akerman as his ex-girlfriend, while Anthony Hopkins will play the lawyer and representative of the pharmaceutical company executive, which is characterized by Al Pacino. Lee Byung Hun’s role will be an assassin and hitman in the directorial debut of Shintaro Shimosawa (Grudge) Beyond Deceit, though further details were not yet revealed.
Should everyone confirm their roles and participation in the film, filming will begin in New Orleans in March.
Currently, Lee Byung Hun is staying in the United States with his wife Lee Min Jung, who is currently pregnant, as the couple are waiting their child’s birth in April. The actor was recently revealed to have held a surprise baby shower for his wife as well.
Meanwhile, the actor has several films making its premiere soon, including the fifth installment in the Terminator series Terminator Genisys as the villain T-1000. The blackmail court case against Dahee and Lee Ji Yeon also reached its verdict in January, sentencing the two to jail for a year to which Lee Byung Hun has recently filed a request for pardon on their behalf.
Brent Lang
Senior Film and Media Reporter l Variety.com
“Terminator Genisys” will get the Imax 3D treatment when it hits theaters worldwide on July 1.
The film is being described as a “blockbuster reset” after the most recent installment, 2009’s “Terminator Salvation” with Christian Bale, disappointed at the box office. This one brings back Arnold Schwarzenegger as the machine with a monotone and a lot of weaponry, along with Jason Clarke, Emilia Clarke and Jai Courtney. Alan Taylor (“Thor: The Dark World”) takes over the directing chair, while David Ellison and Dana Goldberg of Skydance Productions are producing the picture.
The film will be released by Paramount Pictures. Imax is debuting several potential summer blockbusters on its screens, including “The Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Tomorrowland,” “Mission: Impossible 5″ and “Jurassic World.”
“I am sorry for not giving an apology earlier, I have made many people uncomfortable and disappointed.”
“Because all problems started off from me, I think I should take all the criticisms by myself. I know what part of the happening made people disappointed in me, and because of my foolishness, so much time has passed since then. I apologize to all who have been hurt by me and I am reflecting on what I have done. I will continue to reflect on what I’ve done.”
“I have a huge debt to my family that cannot be repaid over my life time, and have been reproached for this also. I will use this place to apologize to everyone once again. I am sorry.” (soompi translate)
Actor Lee Byung-hun, who found himself at the center of a blackmail scandal last year, returned to Korea early on Thursday from Los Angeles with his wife, actress Lee Min-jeong.
“I’m sorry for causing such trouble as a public figure and the head of a family. I have deeply reflected over what I’ve done,” the 45-year-old told reporters at Incheon International Airport.
The remarks were his first regarding the controversy six months ago.
The actor sued fashion model Lee Ji-yeon, 25, and 20-year-old Kim Dae-hee, a member of the now-disbanded girl group GLAM, for blackmailing him with a video clip in August that showed him making lewd comments over drinks with Kim. The two asked for 5 billion won from him in return for not publicly releasing the clip.
On Jan. 15, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Lee Ji-yeon to a year and two months in prison, while Kim Da-hee was ordered to serve one year.
But during the trial, the chief judge at the Seoul Central District Court also had stern words for the elder Lee, “[Lee Ji-yeon] probably believed that the actor had feelings for her because, despite being a married man, he kept in touch with her and sent her text messages, which implied that [he hoped for] a sexual relationship.”
The Korean Wave actor, who has previously taken roles in a number of Hollywood films, including “Terminator Genisys” and “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” (2013), added on Thursday morning, “I owe a lot to my family.”
Lee and his wife are prepared to stay in Korea for the time being. Lee Min-jeong is due to give birth in April.
2015 has barely begun but it is turning out to be a baby boom year for k-drama actors.
The year began with a new baby for actor Kwon Sang Woo and his wife actress Son Tae Yong. The "Temptation" star and his wife welcomed their second child, a girl, into the world on January 13.
Ji Sung, star of the popular drama "Kill Me, Heal Me" and his wife are also expecting their first child. His wife is actress Lee Bo Young, last seen in "God's Gift - 14 Days" and before that "I Hear Your Voice." The couple's baby, nicknamed Bo Bae, is expected to arrive in June. Lee Bo Young is taking a break from appearing on the small screen to focus on her pregnancy.
Actress Han Hye Jin's husband superstar soccer player Ki Sung Yeung let fans know his wife was expecting during the February 22nd game his Swansea City soccer team played against Manchester United. He sucked his thumb after scoring a goal, which is a traditional way for a player to announce your wife is expecting. Han Hye Jin and Ki primarily live in England but she returned to Korea to film the drama "One Warm Word" and the film "Man In Love."
She plans to have her child in Korea
On February 25, Lee Young Eun's agency, JWide Entertainment, announced that the actress was three months into her pregnancy. According to her agency, the actress is currently resting following the conclusion of her recent drama, "Punch." After the release of her upcoming film "Granny From Hell," she prepare for the birth. Lee Young Eun is married to a non-celebrity.
The news that Lee Byung Hun and his wife Lee Min Jung were expecting came at an awkward time. The actor was the victim of a blackmail case in 2014, in which two young women attempted to extort $5 million from him or they would release a sexually explicit conversation of his that they taped. Claims of an affair between Lee Byung Hun and blackmailer Lee Ji Yeon were made and denied. Some wondered if the relatively new marriage between Lee Byung Hun and Lee Min Jung was doomed, but she stood by her man.
On January 20, 2015, Lee Min Jung's agency, announced that she was seven months pregnant. The "Cunning Single Lady" actress traveled to Los Angeles to live with her husband, who was in the U.S. for work, and the couple returned to Korea on February 26 to prepare for the birth. The baby is due in April.
Last but not least, Kim Hyun Joong's fans were shocked to learn on February 22 that the singer-actor's girlfriend, identified only as Choi, was expecting his child. Woman Sense magazine said the couple was reuniting, although the singer's agency later denied that Choi, who in 2014 charged the singer with assault but then met with him after he apologized, said she would never marry him. Kim has known about the pregnancy since January and the controversy continues.
After months of living in Los Angeles, actors Lee Byung Hun and Lee Min Jung have returned to Korea.
He was in Los Angeles to work on the film "Terminator Genysis" and to further talks with Hollywood producers about starring in an upcoming film with Anthony Hopkins and Al Pacino.
But the couple also saw the benefit of removing first-time mother-to-be Lee Min Jung from the full assault of the publicity surrounding her husband's blackmail case. The case made the news in August 2014 when it was revealed that singer-actress Da Hee and model Lee Ji Yeon had attempted to extort $5 million from the actor. If he did not pay them, they would release video footage of him engaged in a sexually explicit conversation. He reported them to the police and they were arrested and prosecuted. Claims of an affair between Lee Byung Hun and Lee Ji Yeon were made and denied.
"Cunning Single Lady" star Lee Min Jung much of that time in her parents' home leading some to assume that the marriage was in trouble. But then she announced her pregnancy and joined her husband in Los Angeles.
Press and fans alike greeted the couple when they arrived at the airport at 7:30 a.m. on Feb. 26. Lee Byung Hun escorted his wife through the exit and then returned to talk to the press.
Those present reported that he looked tired and nervous. Observers noticed that the couple was no longer wearing their wedding rings. The lack of a ring on Lee Min Jung's fingers could be attributed to her fingers swelling, which often happens during pregnancy. While he offered no explanation for the lack of wedding rings, he did apologize.
"I should have apologized to you earlier and I'm sorry that I did not," he said.
He apologized for disappointing his fans.
"Because this all started with me, it's right that I should receive the blame," he said. "I know very well what you are disappointed about, but because of my foolish behavior, a long period of time has passed. I know many have been hurt and disappointed by me. I will deeply reflect and try harder in the future."
He also specifically mentioned his wife and family.
"Most of all I am indebted to my wife and family so much that I could never repay them. I want to apologize to all of you once again. I am sorry."
The actor has submitted a letter of apology for the mistake he made that led to the blackmail case. He wrote to the court asking that his blackmailer Lee Ji Yeon and Da Hee be pardoned. Lee Ji Yeon was sentence to a year and two months in prison, while Da Hee was sentenced to a year.
Actor Lee Byung-hun left words of apology as soon as he arrived.
Lee Byung-hun arrived at Incheon International Airport on the 26th with wife and actress Lee Min-jeong. He stood in front of the press to say, "A long time has passed because of my foolishness. I have caused a lifetime debt to my wife and family".
Lee Byung-hun wore a black cardigan and jeans that they. He said in a low voice, "I am sorry. I apologize for the harm which I may have caused to many people".
"I should've come forward with an apology earlier, but I am sorry I didn't. I am reflecting on myself for my mistakes".
Lee Byung-hun was blackmailed by model Lee Ji-yun and Glam member Dahee for 5 billion won. They were sent to court and were respectively sent to prison for a year and a year and 2 months.
However, they appealed for a lighter sentence right away and the prosecutors appealed that it was too little. Lee Byung-hun released a letter of mercy to the court on the 13th.
SUMMARY
Title: “I Saw the Devil”
Director: Kim Ji-woon
Release date: Aug. 12, 2010
Genre: Thriller
Country: Korea
Rating: 4 out of 5
Revenge flicks have been done and redone to death. Man loves woman, woman is killed, man avenges woman’s death. Who avenges whom is interchangeable, but the formula stays the same for a reason: It works. What sets “I Saw the Devil” apart from a standard revenge flick is the intense emotion running through it.
Dedicated secret agent Soo-hyun’s (Lee Byung-hun, “RED 2”) plans to marry his pregnant wife, Joo-yeon (San-ha Oh). While he’s on a job one night, Joo-yeon is killed by psychopathic bus driver Kyung-chul (Choi Min-sik, “Lucy”). With nothing left to lose, Soo-hyun begins a deadly game of cat and mouse to exact his revenge.
“I Saw the Devil” could, in some respects, be called a road movie. Soo-hyun chases Kyung-chul across a big stretch of Korea, meeting people who give new meaning to the word “depraved.” With this travel comes wild fluctuations in tone and style, but thanks to the deft direction of Kim Ji-woon, it never feels jarring.
One sequence in particular is exemplary. At one point, a cab driver picks up Kyung-chul while he’s down on his luck. Things devolve in the car and knives are pulled. In a spinning single take, director Ji-woon watches the carnage unfold from 360 degrees. By the time it’s over, the viewer is left breathless. Interjections like this sequence keep the action fresh.
Speaking of action, every mile covered brings about a new and intensely gory set piece. Where the first act is a surprising emotional gut punch, the second is a visceral thrill ride. If it weren’t for the incredible performances of Lee Byung-hun and Choi Min-sik, these sequences wouldn’t have half the kick they do.
But thanks to a solid screenplay and actors brave enough to plumb its bloody depths, every gunshot becomes teeth-rattling. With a hard violent shell and a gooey heart, “I Saw the Devil” becomes something transcendent in the revenge genre. Make no mistake: The movie is taken with violence. It’s simply filthy at every turn. After all, watching two monsters go head-to-head is bound to dirty up the place.
This hard-hearted revenge flick doesn’t clean up its mess anyway. It forces viewers to look at who started the violence, who continued it, and whether or not they’re that different. If Soo-hyun’s penchant for cruelty is any indication, they may not be. But does his cruelty reach Kyung-chul’s heights? Deciding just who the devil is in “I Saw the Devil” is a big part of the fun, and viewers with the stomach for it will find themselves more than satisfied.
Author
Wishing A Happy 33rd Birthday to Lee Min Jung-ssi!
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