Star of new action movie Dragon Tiger Gate Donnie Yen Ji-dan wasn't originally intended to appear in the movie, but was supposed to direct it.
Speaking at the movie press conference in Shanghai, Yen (above centre) said he was approached by the film company to turn local kung fu comic Oriental Heroes into a feature-length movie. 'About four years ago, when producer Raymond Wong talked to me about the movie, he asked me to be the director and didn't expect me to act in it,' he said.
However, since Yen had never read the comic, the collaboration didn't work out. 'Then it took several years to look for investors, director and the right actors. After, Wong showed me the script, inviting me to take part in the movie.'
The film, directed by Wilson Yip Wai-shun, also stars Nicholas Tse Ting-fung and Shawn Yue Man-lok. It opens in Hong Kong, the mainland and East Asia on July 28.
Yen, who's also the film's action director, said he tried to preserve the essence of the original. 'The comic has a 35-year history in Hong Kong,' he said. 'We keep the relationship of the three crucial characters - Dragon Wong, Tiger Wong and Turbo Shek, as well as their martial art skills.'