Chow admits he’s getting old, Hong Kong needs new talent
BEIJING: The God of Gamblers has practically thrown his last dice and will henceforth be slowing down.
During a press conference to promote the thriller Cold War 2, actor Chow Yun Fatt conceded that he may be getting too old for this genre.
Admitted Chow with a straight face: “I am ageing, and Hong Kong’s films need fresh talent to sustain their development.”
Filming the movie must have been strenuous for Chow.
It has been 24 years since he had last starred in a crime thriller.
“I like the first film very much and I asked to play the role in the sequel,” said Chow.
Joked Chow: “I knocked on the door and demanded for a role in the movie! When Cold War was released, I had not watched a movie that was that entertaining! After watching it, I came to admire Aaron Kwok and Tony Leung. I just wanted to get into the sequel with the two of them.”
Sunny Luk and Longman Leung are directing Cold War 2, slated for release in July.
The first Cold War movie starring Aaron Kwok and Tony Leung was the highest grossing Hong Kong film of 2012, earning US$5.78 million locally and US$40 million on the Chinese mainland.
It also dominated the Hong Kong Film Awards, bagging nine prizes including for best film, best director, best screenplay and best actor.
Luk says the story of Cold War 2 will explore the answers to the major pending questions in the first film.
The main villain, who was briefly mentioned in the first film, returns to the scene. Meanwhile, Sean Lau (Kwok) is now promoted to commissioner of police after the successful rescue operation in the original film, and his retired deputy Waise Lee (Leung) returns to his post to help Lau solve a complicated kidnapping case.
Chow plays the role of a lawyer. “The directors gave me a good role, living a luxurious life, with big houses, good whiskey and an expensive hobby-photography,” he said. “But the character is also under the greatest pressure, engaging in battles of wits with the characters played by Kwok and Leung.”
Speaking of his association with Chow, Leung recalls that he started out as an extra for Chow in a TV drama. He played a bit part and had only one line with Chow.
This time around, Leung and Kwok have the leading roles, but Chow is happy with that.
“The entertainment industry doesn’t have a particular order. It is a kind of fortune to make a name,” Chow figured.
I am ageing, and Hong Kong’s films need fresh talent to sustain their development. Chow Yun Fatt, star of “Cold War 2”