Scene from Eternal Moment. [Global Times]

 

Cinematic superheroes

Starring top Hong Kong film stars Sandra Ng and Louis Koo, superhero action comedy Mr. and Mrs. Incredible tells the story of a middle-aged couple with super powers going back to fight evil after remaining anonymous for decades.

"The film style is mix-and-match, with influences from Superman, Mr. and Mrs. Smith and the Chinese martial arts story Divine Eagle, Gallant Knight," Lu Xiao, media manager of the film, told the Global Times.

Hollywood, meanwhile, has its own superhero offering with action comedy The Green Hornet showing in cinemas from next Tuesday, starring Seth Rogen as a wealthy newspaper publisher who is secretly masked crime fighter the Green Hornet. Chinese pop star Jay Chou stars as Kato, a personal mechanic who becomes the Green Hornet's valet and sidekick. Christoph Waltz and Cameron Diaz also offer supporting roles.

Rogen and Chou with director Michel Gondry attended a press conference in Beijing recently and are now on their Asian promotion tour. As a major star in China, Chou attracts Chinese audiences for the Kato role first made famous by kung fu icon Bruce Lee in the original TV series in the 1960s.

Chou said he was honored and humbled to take the part. "Bruce Lee was capable of doing anything. He is like God to me. I accepted the role mainly because of him. I am a regular guy and can only try my best and never challenge Lee."

Chou described his Hollywood acting as rather relaxing and almost like being on holiday. "Hollywood has a big budget. A three-month production in Hollywood could be a one-month production here," Chou laughed.