Columbia Pictures announced principal photography has commenced on Jiang Wen’s 3D feature film Gone with the Bullets, through his production company with Ma Ke, Buyilehu. The second film in “the Bullets Trilogy” (begun with Jiang’s 2010 hit feature Let The Bullets Fly, one of the highest grossing domestic Chinese releases in recent years, with over $140 million at the worldwide box office). Gone with the Bullets will be distributed in China by Buyilehu, and internationally by Sony Pictures Releasing International.
Gone with the Bullets started production on October 2, on location in Beijing at the China Film Group studio in Huairou, and will film in Shanghai, Fujian and Inner Mongolia as well. Jiang will star in the film opposite Ge You (Personal Tailor, Sacrifice), Zhou Yun (Let The Bullets Fly, Bodyguard and Assassins), Shu Qi (China Zodiac, Love), and Wen Zhang (Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons). Keith Young is the choreographer, and Pixomondo (Hugo) is handling the visual effects.
Gone with the Bullets, set in 1920s Shanghai, is based on a true story. Ma Zouri (Jiang Wen) and Xiang Feitian (Ge You) establish a notorious beauty pageant called the Flowers Competition. All of the citys elite attend this gala event, but when Wanyan Ying unexpectedly wins, it sets into motion a series of tragic events that change their destinies.
Commenting on the local language production, Doug Belgrad, President of Columbia Pictures said, Were thrilled to be partnering with Jiang Wen on this film. As both an actor and a filmmaker, Jiang is well respected in China and around the world, and we think audiences will respond to Gone with the Bullets just as strongly as they did to Let the Bullets Fly.
The film is expected to be released in December 2014.
