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Synopsis
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An epic story of love, honor, duty, and regret, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, set in 1778 China, is told through
the intertwined lives of two women struggling against their ultimate fates. The reknown swordsman Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-fat),
wishing to give up his warrior ways, asks that his dear friend, Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh), whom he secretly loves, present
his ancient sword, the mythical Green Destiny, to the revered Sir Te in Beijing for safe-keeping. When the exquisite Green
Destiny, filled with ancient powers, is stolen, Shu Lien investigates, and finds that the trail appears to lead to the young
and willful aristocrat Jen Yu (Zhang Ziyi). Jen, unwilling to settle for the loveless marriage that has been arranged for
her by her parents and no longer accepting of the love of her former lover, the notorious desert bandit Lo (Chang Chen),
rebels fiercely in order to establish her freedom from all worldly constraints with the use of her extraordinary martial
arts abilities and the aid of the incredible Green Destiny. The outcome leaves all forever changed.
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Director's
Statement by Ang
Lee
Cast
& Crew
Awards and Honors
Script
Pictures
Reviews
What
The Title Means by Ang
Lee
Wang
Dulu & Crane-Iron
Wuxia Fiction
News
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Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Prequel Not To Be Made
May 23, 2005
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The highly anticipated prequel to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon —
director Ang Lee's worldwide hit
wuxia set in
Qing Dynasty China,
starring Chow Yun-fat,
Michelle Yeoh, Zhang Ziyi,
Chang Chen,
Cheng Pei-pei and
Lung Sihung — will likely not be made.
After the production idea was rejected by several major studios, including Sony Pictures Classics,
co-financier of the first film, Crouching Tiger producer Bill Kong
(House of Flying Daggers,
Hero) announced that he's given up
plans to have the film made. One leading factor presumed for why the studios have rejected financing the prequel is because Zhang Ziyi
would not be cast in the production.
The Crouching Tiger prequel would've been based on the second of five books from the Crane-Iron Pentalogy,
Precious Sword, Golden Hairpin. Based on events that occur approximately 20 years prior to Crouching Tiger (the fourth book),
Precious Sword is essentially about the much younger Li Mu Bai, Yu Shu Lien and her fiance and his friend, Meng Si Zhao, mentioned in
the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Because of the time frame, it's highly unlikely most of the lead actors from the first film
would've been able to reprise their roles in the prequel, including Zhang Ziyi. Hence, the studio rejection.
Instead of the prequel, maybe Bill Kong should seriously consider a Crouching Tiger sequel based on the fifth book, Iron Knight, Silver Vase?
In the book Precious Sword, Golden Hairpin, Mu Bai (25) meets and falls in love with Shu Lien (17). But Shu Lien is soon
betrothed by her family to a man she's never met, Si Zhao, the son of a good family friend. Upon learning of this, a broken-hearted Mu Bai
leaves Shu Lien behind and moves on with his life. While doing so, he meets and becomes fast friends with Si Zhao, who's using
an assumed name, and tells him of his situation. Soon, Si Zhao dies in a fight against a local tyrant, but not before giving his blessing to
Mu Bai and Shu Lien. Instead, both choose to honor Meng's memory by not expressing their feelings for one another, setting up
a life-long situation between the two of unrequited love that's finally expressed by the end of the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Thanks to phoenixsue9002 for the news update.
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