Donnie Yen in ONE ARMED SWORDSMAN Remake!!

According to website M1905.com Donnie Yen takes over another Martial Arts star part: He plays the title character in Peter Chan’s ONE ARMED SWORDSMAN remake, and will also choreograph.

Chan does not intend to shoot a pure remake. Although Chang Cheh’s classic inspired him, he will tell a new story which shall be (even) more bloody and cruel. Donnie Yen plays the role of a brutal killer who becomes a fugitive and is then captured by a character played by Chinese-Japanese actor Takeshi Kaneshiro aka Jing Cheng Wu. These experiences transform him mentally and emotionally – and also physically, we guess.

Takeshi Kaneshiro’s character will be similar to his role in HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS. Before shooting starts in August, he will have to get through a lot of fighting training.

Takeshi Kaneshiro aka Jing Cheng Wu in HOUSE OF FLYING DAGGERS 2004

Donnie Yen enters upon a difficult inheritance. Chang Cheh’s ONE ARMED SWORDSMAN movies starring Wang Yu as well as his own remake NEW ONE ARMED SWORDSMAN starring David Chiang count among the most beloved classics and milestones. Another remake, no matter how distant from Chang Cheh’s Shaw movies, will surely be suspiciously eyed.

Wang Yu in Chang Cheh’s ONE ARMED SWORDSMAN 1967

David Chiang in Chang Cheh’s NEW ONE ARMED SWORDSMAN 1971

Classic themes are bound to be remade from time to time (after all, Hong Kong saw the release of a movie titled ONE ARMED SWORDSMAN already back in 1966 - one year prior to the release of Chang Cheh’s classic). Donnie Yen should be the man, actor and martial artist to turn the difficult inheritance into a success. But still ... no matter how grand this remake will be, Chang Cheh’s movies cannot be reached for us old school fans. 

To the best of our knowledge, without guarantee

As of July 1st 2010