Weinstein Co. Snaps Up Wong Kar Wai Berlin Opener ‘The Grandmaster’

Wasting no time, the Weinstein Company snapped all rights in the US and English speaking Canadian territories from financeer Annapurna to Wong Kar Wai’s Berlin opening night martial arts epic “The Grandmaster,” as well as rights to Australia, New Zealand, and the UK from Wild Bunch.

“The Grandmaster” was well-received by the press at advance screenings (here’s Indiewire’s review) and has already grossed $50 million at the box office in China making it the director’s highest-grossing career best. Written by Wong, Zou Jingzhi, and Xu Haofeng, the film is executive produced by Megan Ellison, and produced by Jacky Pang and Wong Kar Wai.

Set in 1930’s China and inspired by the life of Bruce Lee mentor IP Man (frequent Wong collaborator Tony Leung Chiu Wai), the story focuses on two kung fu masters, IP Man, and Gong Er, on the night of the Japanese invasion in 1936.  The ensemble cast also includes Zhang Yiyi (“Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon”) along with hundreds of Asia’s top martial artists.

Wong said:

“I am pleased to continue our long-time and multi picture collaboration with TWC on THE GRANDMASTER. With Harvey’s expertise and his passion for this genre, I am confident that he and his team will reach new heights with THE GRANDMASTER by cultivating hardcore action fans as well as exciting and pleasing those long time fans of my films.”