Fresh from their success with original TV programs, like House of Cards and Orange is the New Black, Netflix is now getting into the movie-making business. First up will be Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend, a sequel to the critically and popularly acclaimed Ang Lee martial arts epic. The film will premiere exclusively on Netflix and in selected IMAX cinemas globally on 28th August 2015.
Produced by The Weinstein Company, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend echoes the themes of the original film, but tells its own story – one of lost love, young love, a legendary sword and one last opportunity at redemption, set against breathtaking action in an epic martial arts battle between good and evil that will decide the fate of the Martial World.
Directed by the renowned martial arts choreographer (The Matrix Trilogy and Kill Bill 1& 2) Yuen Wo-Ping, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend sees Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Lady) reprise her role as Yu Shu-Lien and stars Donnie Yen (Ip Man 1&2, Monkey King 3D) as Silent Wolf.
The film is to be the first of several major films backed by Netflix to premiere the same day on the world’s leading Internet TV network and in select IMAX cinemas globally, giving consumers and exhibitors around the world unparalleled flexibility in how, when and where they enjoy a major motion picture. This has drawn the ire of regular cinema chains in America, but with 50 milion subscribers Netflix does not seem to be too put out by this.
“Fans will have unprecedented choice in how they enjoy an amazing and memorable film that combines intense action and incredible beauty,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. “We are honoured to be working with Harvey Weinstein and a world-class team of creators to bring this epic story to people all over the world and to partner with IMAX, a brand that represents the highest quality of immersive entertainment, in the distribution of this film.”
“The moviegoing experience is evolving quickly and profoundly, and Netflix is unquestionably at the forefront of that movement,” said TWC Co-Chairman Harvey Weinstein. “We are tremendously excited to be continuing our great relationship with Netflix and bringing to fans all over the world the latest chapter in this amazing and intriguing story .”
“IMAX has a terrific opportunity, via this partnership with Netflix, to release Crouching Tiger – a high-quality, action-packed film that is right in our wheelhouse — at the end of the summer blockbuster season,” said Greg Foster, Senior Executive Vice President, IMAX Corp. and CEO of IMAX Entertainment. “We are particularly hopeful it will play in our highly successful China market. In territories where we simultaneously release with Netflix, we are excited to offer consumers the option of deciding how, when and where they want to view the film, and exhibitors the opportunity to participate in this alternative form of content in a new and innovative way.”
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend also stars Harry Shum Jr (Glee, Revenge of the Green Dragons), Jason Scott Lee (Seventh Son, Hawaii Five-O), Roger Yuan (Bulletproof Monk), Eugenia Yuan (Revenge of the Green Dragons) and newcomer Natasha Liu Bordizzo.
Principal photography is now under way in New Zealand. The film’s director of photography is Tom Sigel (Drive, X-Men: Days of Future Past) and design is led by the Academy Award®-winning Lord of the Rings team of costume designer Ngila Dickson, production designer Grant Major and visual effects supervisor Mark Stetson.