Source: STARN News
Public's attention is getting focused on Lee Byung Heon's future activities.
On February 26th, actor Lee Byung Heon got back to Korea from America with his wife, Lee Min Jung.
After his arrival Lee Byung Heon had a short interview with reporters, and he said, "I owe my family members a huge debt that I will never be able to pay back. Everything rooted out from my faults, and I will take all of the responsibility. I would like to make a sincere apology for disappointing everyone."
A representative of Lee Byung Heon's management agency, BH Entertainment, told that Lee Byung Heon headed to his home in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province directly after his arrival.
Regarding Lee Byung Heon's future activities, a representative of the agency said, "We do not have any plan for now, and Lee Byung Heon is going to take a break for a while."
Meanwhile, Lee Min Jung is expecting to give birth to her first baby in April.
Regarding Lee Byung Heon's future activities, a representative of the agency said, "We do not have any plan for now, and Lee Byung Heon is going to take a break for a while."
Meanwhile, Lee Min Jung is expecting to give birth to her first baby in April.
Paramount Pictures has struck a long term distribution agreement with Lotte Entertainment, which will see the Korean major handle a number of upcoming and future releases of Paramount’s films.
Notable among these will be the next installment of the “Mission: Impossible” franchise, starring Tom Cruise, will be released in Korea on July 30, 2015 by Lotte.
The studio has previously looked to CJ Entertainment, the largest vertically integrated entertainment company in the country, to handle distribution of its titles in the world’s sixth largest theatrical market.
Paramount confirmed that other titles to be handled by Lotte include the Michael Bay-produced “Project Almanac” and the previously announced “Terminator Genisys,” which is set for a July 2 outing in Korea. “Terminator Genisys” gives prominent billing to Korean star Lee Byung-hun, who plays a shape-shifting T1000 cyborg.
“We very much look forward to beginning this long-term arrangement with Lotte and know that they will bring a tremendous amount of enthusiasm, along with their expert marketing and distribution capabilities, to every one of our upcoming films set for release in Korea,” said Mark Viane, Paramount’s Co-President of International Theatrical Marketing & Distribution.
“Together we will be in the best position to introduce more of Paramount’s exciting slate to local audiences. We are looking forward to a successful partnership over the years to come,” said Won Chun Cha, CEO of Lotte Entertainment.
As an investor in the Hemisphere Tentpole Co-financing Fund, Lotte has previously had access to a small number of other Paramount-released titles, including “World War Z” in 2013. “Terminator Genisys” was different and in January Lotte picked up Korean distribution and marketing activities without being an investor in the picture.
Many Asian countries are reaching the peak of success by leaving their mark all over the world be it through the economic, technologic, political or even entertainment sector.
Asian artistes have been in Hollywood movies for many years, but back in the old days, they are often portrayed as villains, nerds, sexists and racists due to our 'strict yet traditional' culture. Also, we are also known for our martial arts (apparently).
Some of these traits are still depicted in today's film industry, but it is not as stereotypical as it was before, as many Asian-born celebrities are now starting to get their own limelight in Hollywood.
These days, it is not surprising to see an Asian actor in Hollywood films as a supporting or even a main character.
Though some of these Asian artistes are Asians born in Hollywood, it has become a fact that many Asians have slowly gained their prominence in the Hollywood film industry.
But it's not just actors, even directors such as Ang Lee, John Woo and M. Night Shyamalan have managed to blow audiences away with their Hollywood achievements.
Today, we are going to take a look at the Asian artistes who have gone big in Hollywood.
1. Jackie Chan
Who could possibly not know the famous Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director, producer and singer who is known for his amazing acrobatic fighting style, hilarious comic timing, creative use of improvised weapons along with innovative stunts, which he usually comes up with by himself. Jackie Chan has been acting since 1959 and has appeared in over 150 films. He made his Hollywood debut in 1980 with the film "The Big Brawl" but the film was a flop. His first huge blockbuster success was in the 1998 buddy cop action comedy "Rush Hour" where he acted alongside Chris Tucker. The film made him a Hollywood star. From then on, Jackie gained continuous Hollywood success as he acted in films such as "Shanghai Noon", "Shanghai Knights" "Rush Hour 2", "The Tuxedo", "Around the World in 80 Days" and more.
2. Jet Li
Here's another famous Chinese film actor, film producer, martial artist, and wushu champion who managed to make it big in Hollywood. Jet Li is most notably known for his role as the folk hero Wong Fei-hung in the "Once Upon A Time in China" series. His first role in a Hollywood film was as a villain in the 1998 movie "Lethal Weapon 4". He then played his first Hollywood leading role as Han Sing in the 2000 film "Romeo Must Die" which became a box office hit. Since then, Li has delved in more Hollywood films including "Kiss of the Dragon", "Unleashed", "The Forbidden Kingdom" (which he co-starred with Jackie Chan), "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" and "The Expendables" trilogy.
3. Michelle Yeoh
Our very own Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh who is a Malaysian actress born in Ipoh, has also carved her name in Hollywood. She is a former beauty pageant winner who started her acting career in Hong Kong with martial arts and action films where she performed her own stunts. Yeoh started to gained more success after she starred in "Police Story 3: Super Cop" alongside Jackie Chan. She made her Hollywood debut in the 18th "James Bond" film series, "Tomorrow Never Dies" with Pierce Brosnan. Her other notable Hollywood films are; "Memoirs of the Geisha", "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" and "Kung Fu Panda 2".
4. Chow Yun-fat
Chow Yun-fat who is the second highest earning actor in Hong Kong, has appeared in over 121 films and 24 television series to date. His first two Hollywood films were "The Replacement Killers" (1998) and "The Corruptor" (1999), which became box office disappointments. He then starred in "Anna and the King" alongside Jodie Foster but the film was also a box office failure. In 2000, Chow then played the role of Li Mu-Bai in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" which then became a box office hit and an Oscar-winning film. Chow also starred in "Bulletproof Monk", "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" and the unsuccessful "Dragonball Evolution".
5. Zhang Ziyi
Zhang Ziyi is one of the most bankable Chinese actresses and model who is also one of the Four Dan Actresses of China with Zhao Wei, Zhou Xun and Xu Jinglei. Zhang first major role was in the 1999 Chinese romantic drama film "The Road Home". She started gaining recognition in Hollywood after starring in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" which won several awards in the Western world. Since then, she began to receive more roles in Hollywood films such as "Rush Hour 2", "Hero", "House of Flying Daggers" and "Memoirs of a Geisha" which she acted alongside Michelle Yeoh and Gong Li.
6. Gong Li
Gong Li is known as one of the most prominent Chinese actresses who achieved international fame through her collaboration with director Zhang Yimou which helped promote the Chinese cinema to Europe and the United States. After her performance in the Oscar-nominated "Raise the Red Lantern", Zhang began to receive international spotlight. Gong officially made her Hollywood film debut in "Memoirs of a Geisha" which she acted in with Zhang Ziyi and Michelle Yeoh. She then starred in more Hollywood films such as "Miami Vice" and "Hannibal Rising".
7. Watanabe Ken
The Japanese actor who is known for always playing the tragic character, Watanabe Ken is one of the few Japanese actors who have achieved fame in Hollywood. Watanabe started acting in 1979 but made his international debut through the 2003 film "The Last Samurai" where he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards. He also appeared in "Memoirs of a Geisha' as Chairman Iwamura and played Ra's al Ghul's decoy in "Batman Begins". He then starred in Clint Eastwood's "Letters From Iwo Jima" alongside Ninomiya Kazunari in 2006. His other notable Hollywood films are; "Inception", "Godzilla" and "Transformers: Age of Extinction".
8. Kikuchi Rinko
Kikuchi Rinko became the first Japanese actress after 50 years to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress after she received international recognition in Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's film "Babel". Her first full English-language film is "The Brothers Bloom". She was then cast in the first English-language adaptation of Japan's most famous samurai tale, "47 Ronin". In 2013, she starred in Guillermo del Toro's "Pacific Rim" and in 2014 she played Kumiko in David Zellner's "Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter".
9. Lee Byung-hun
Lee Byung-hun is a popular and acclaimed South Korean actor and martial artist who began his acting career in 1995. In Korea, he is best known for "Joint Security Area", "A Bittersweet Life", "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" and the television series "Iris". Meanwhile, in U.S, he is known for portraying Storm Shadow in "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" and its sequel "G.I. Joe: Retaliation". He also acted in the 2013 action comedy "Red 2". Lee will be playing T-1000 in the upcoming "Terminator Genisys".
10. Irrfan Khan
Irrfan Khan is an Indian film actor who predominantly works on Bollywood films and gained recognition through "The Warrior", "Maqbool", "Haasil", "Charas: A Joint Effort", "Paan Singh Tomar" and more. Irrfan began his Hollywood venture in 2007 through "A Mighty Heart" and "The Namesake". He then played a police officer in the critically acclaimed British film "Slumdog Millionaire", for which he and the cast of the movie won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. His other prominent Hollywood films include "New York, I Love You", "The Amazing Spider-Man", "Life of Pi" and the upcoming "Jurassic World".
Actress Lee Min Jung has broken her Instagram silence after a six-month hiatus.
On March 7, the soon-to-be mother uploaded a snapshot of polaroid photographs on her personal Instagram account. The caption says, “My people… Thanks to you….. Thank you!”
The pictures show Lee Min Jung posing with her dearest and nearest, who seem to have supported her during recent changes and events in her life, including the blackmailing scandal involving her husband Lee Byung Hun. The post marks Lee Min Jung’s first social media update after the scandal broke out in last September. Since then, it has been revealed that the actress is pregnant with the couple’s first child, and will be giving birth at the end of this month.
Meanwhile, Lee Min Jung recently returned to Korea together with her husband, and they are now preparing for their baby’s arrival.
Lotte Entertainment has entered into a long-term deal with Paramount Pictures, which will see it distribute a number of the Hollywood major’s releases in the Korean market. Summer franchise titles Terminator: Genisys and Mission Impossible 5, as well as the sci-fi Project Almanac, which was released last week, are the first titles to be announced as part of the new pact.
To be released on July 2nd, Terminator: Genisys, which features local star LEE Byung-hun in a major role, was announced by Lotte earlier this year, while the latest installment of Mission: Impossible is slated for July 30th. The most recent outing of the Tom Cruise spy franchise, 2011’s Ghost Protocol, was a huge hit in Korea, garnering 7.51 million admissions.
Mark Viane, Paramount’s co-president of international theatrical marketing and distribution said: “We very much look forward to beginning this long-term arrangement with Lotte and know that they will bring a tremendous amount of enthusiasm, along with their expert marketing and distribution capabilities, to every one of our upcoming films set for release in Korea.”
Meanwhile, WON Chun Cha, the CEO of Lotte Entertainment stated that “We are delighted to partner with Paramount Pictures for the continued growth of its compelling franchise in Korea. I believe that together we will be in the best position to introduce more of Paramount’s exciting slate to local audiences. We are looking forward to a successful partnership over the years to come.”
Prior to this year, Paramount generally worked with Lotte’s distribution rival CJ Entertainment. Since Lotte is an investor in the Hemisphere Tentpole Co-financing Fund, it was able to secure distribution rights for some earlier Paramount titles, including 2013’s World War Z, which accrued 5.24 million viewers in Korea.
Josh Duhamel and Alice Eve have joined Anthony Hopkins and Al Pacino in Beyond Deceit, a legal thriller that will mark the directorial debut of screenwriter Shintaro Shimosawa.
Glen Powell, who will appear in Ryan Murphy’s upcoming Scream Queens, and Leah McKendrick are also joining the cast, which already includes Malin Akerman and Byung-hun Lee.
Duhamel is stepping into the shoes previously worn by Dan Stevens, who dropped out due to a conflict with Disney's live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast.
Duhamel will now star as an ambitious young lawyer who takes on a big case against a ruthless executive of a pharmaceutical company, only to find himself drawn into a murder case in which he is the prime suspect. Eve portrays his wife.
The script was written by Adam Mason and Simon Boyes with a rewrite by Shimosawa.
Jonathan Senger and Ellen Wander are producing.
Duhamel last starred with Emmy Rossum and Hilary Swank in You’re Not You and is now on TV starring in CBS’ Battle Creek, the new cop show from Breaking Bad creator Vince Gilligan. He is repped by ICM Partners, John Carrabino Management and Hansen Jacobson.
Eve last shot thriller Criminal, from Millennium Films, in which she stars alongside Ryan Reynolds, Kevin Costner and Gal Gadot. She is due to reprise her role as Carol in Star Trek 3 and has Neil LaBute's Dirty Weekend premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival. She is repped by CAA and Untitled Entertainment.
LEE Byung-hun’s management company BH Entertainment announced on March 20th that LEE has been cast for the newest Hollywood film, Beyond Deceit. He recently fled to USA for the production and will return to Korea around April in time for the birth of his first child.
LEE Byung-hun has been a strong performer in domestic Korean films but is also one of the most active Korean individual in Hollywood. His previous works include G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009), G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013), Red 2 (2013), and Terminator Genisys.
Also starring in the film are big name stars Al Pacino, Anthony Hopkins and Josh Duhamel. In Beyond Deceit, an attorney takes on a case against a powerful executive of a pharmaceutical company. LEE will be cast as an accountant, while Hopkins will be the executive, Pacino is the head of the law firm who also acts as Duhamel's mentor.
Beyond Deceit will be directed by screenwriter Shintaro Shimosawa as his debut feature. Shimosawa previous worked on TV series Intelligence, Criminal Minds, and Smallville as well as co-produced The Grudge movies. Lionsgate has the distribution rights to USA.
Actor Lee Byung Hun was previously in the talks of joining a Hollywood film, and on March 20th his company officially announced that the actor has left to America to film Beyond Deceit.
BH Entertainment shared, “For his scheduled shooting for the movie Beyond Deceit and other related things, Lee Byung Hun has been scheduled to departure to America in the afternoon.” His company also added, “The exact date has yet to be set, but he is planning to return once Lee Min Jung has given birth, which is expected to be in April.”
Joining Lee Byung Hun for the thriller film will be actors Anthony Hopkin, Al Pacino, Josh Duhamel, Dan Stevens and more. The movie will be directed by Shintaro Shimosawa, who is known to have produced the film The Grudge in 2004. The film will follow a story of a lawyer who he finds himself involved in a murder case, and Lee Byung Hun is said to be playing the role of assassin.
Actor Lee Byung-hun will appear in the Hollywood film “Beyond Deceit,” according to his agency, BH Entertainment.
The movie is about a young lawyer fighting against a corrupt pharmaceutical company, who later finds himself becoming the subject of false accusations and a suspect in a murder case.
Joining Lee in the film will be Hollywood stars Al Pacino, Anthony Hopkins and Josh Duhamel.
BH Entertainment declined to reveal specific information involving Lee’s role in the upcoming film. “Because of the contract, it is hard for us to elaborate on Lee’s role and more details about Lee’s shooting schedules in Hollywood,” the agency said.
“Beyond Deceit” will be the directorial debut of Hollywood screenwriter Shintaro Shimosawa, who wrote “Repentance” (2013).
Lee is known to fly to Hollywood after being with his actress wife, Lee Min-jeong, for the birth of their baby in April. The two married in 2013, but the actor was involved in a blackmail scandal with two women last August.
Lee and the women reportedly drank alcohol together at one of the two women’s houses and Lee used lewd language. The women recorded it and asked for 5 billion won ($4.4 million) from Lee in return for not publicly releasing the clip.
Because of the scandal in which Lee flirted with the two younger women, no release dates were scheduled last year for three films in which Lee starred. A July release recently was announced for one of them - “Terminator Genisys” - but release dates for the two other films remain undecided.
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