#3 – Opinion
by James Stoddard
“I am not a writer, but I’m afraid the plot you mention has some holes in it. I know I’m just getting a rough draft, but when you mentioned ressurecting Lo Pan, I immediatlely hated it. I hate movies where supernatural monsters get resurrected again and again, Jason, Freddy, Michael and the gang. If you want James Hong back, cast him in a different role, but let Lo Pan rot in hell. James has been in some wonderful movies, one in particular, The Vineyard, he was a real nasty in.
As to Jackie Chan, it’s six of one and half a dozen of the other. I love Jackie Chan, he would be great in a movie with martial arts, but I’m not sure he’s right for Big Trouble II. Especially if he isn’t the top star in it.
Like I said before, I’d like to see a sequel if it was done right. They did a good job with making the first sequel to Alien, also movies like Phantasm and Texas Chainsaw Massacre. If BTLC II wasn’t done right, it would be a terrible disapointment. You have to admit, Escape From LA was a turkey and a complete waste of good talent.
I know it is easy to criticize when I have nothing better in mind. I hope I didn’t come off like too much of a wet blanket. I really like your site, and I bet a great script will come along. Whether Carpenter takes it, that’s another story, but you’ll cross that bridge when you come to it.”
#7 – More Trouble in Little China – Possible Plot Synopsis
by Josh Horowitz
Ok folks, after remaining an impartial bystander for these last few weeks of Big Trouble II speculation, I have decided to add my own thoughts on the matter.
The way I see it, the only way that a Big Trouble sequel could happen is if the studios feel that it would bring in revenue. What is revenue? Revenue comes in the form of big name actors and actresses with draw. Jackie Chan. Kurt Russell. These would be the main draws. All this talk of including Jackie Chan is correct, in my opinion. The last couple of Chan films have been very successful in the US, and they were actually re-releases from Hong Kong! I think at the very least, Jackie’s presence in a Carpenter film would bring enough viewers to make the film break even financially. Optimistically, a Big Trouble sequel with Jackie Chan would attract both his fans, Russell’s fans, Carpenter fans, and Big Trouble fanatics. (I know you’re out there; I get dozens of your emails a week!)
Okay, but what would a possible plot for this sequel be? I would hate to see just a general remake, ala Escape from LA. This would have to be a fresh plot using both old and new characters.
How about this: The action takes place not in San Francisco, not in China, but Hong Kong. The movie opens during a storm, like in the first film. Our hero Jack Burton is not driving a truck this time… he’s flying a charter plane, chomping on a sub-sandwich and pouring his thoughts out on a CB on the plane. It would be kind of funny if air traffic control actually responds to Jack, telling him to shut up.
Jack lands in Hong Kong (now part of communist China) and meets up unexpectedly with (guess) Wang Chi, who left San Francisco during the recession to take up business near his homeland with his wife, Miao. They reminisce about old times, and we are introduced to Wang’s son (or daughter). A cute kid, knows Martial arts. And who taught it to him(her)? Why, Wang’s cousin Jackie. Jack looks blankly at Jackie, and asks Wang “Does he speak English” whereas Jackie looks at Jack and says to Wang “Hey Wang, who is this guy?”
Ah, but there’s dirty work afoot. We learn that businesses are hurting more in Hong Kong these days, especially for people in the shipping business like Jack. Most people are blaming the Communists, but in reality it is something more sinister, something ancient. What could it be? Lo Pan? No, he’s dead. A resurrected Lo Pan? Naah… How about… Shing Tai, the God of the East? He must have been pretty ticked when Jack got rid of his favorite worshipper… and now he’s in the Hong Kong Shipping business… with his four henchmen. The Storms? Nope, they’re history too. His four henchmen are The Elementals: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. And they too wear suits and smoke cigars like the Storms did.
Meanwhile, an American tabloid news-show, hosted by none other than Miss Gracie Law, is doing an exposé on corruption in Hong Kong. She gets a plane ticket and sets off, unaware of the reunion about to take place…
Throw Egg Shen into the equation. He said he needed to take a “long vacation” and wound up in (where else) Hong Kong. He is really a mystical being, and learns about how Shing Tai is seeking revenge against him and Jack and company. He contacts everyone and explains what’s going on and what must happen.
Egg: “The Evil Dream Must Die…”
Or something like that.
Of course there are Hong Kong gangs in the way, as well as the Red Army and other people for our heroes and Jackie to mop up.
Returning Characters:
Kurt Russell as Jack Burton
Kim Cattrall as Gracie Law
Dennis Dunn as Wang Chi
James Hong as Shing Tai
Victor Wong as Egg Shen
Suzee Pai as Miao Yin-Chi
and
Guest Appearance by Carter Wong (Thunder) as an Elemental
(You just HAVE to throw him in!)
—————————-
New Characters:
Jackie Chan as Jackie
New Talent as Wang’s Son / Daughter
4 Elementals
—————————-
Another idea is to make Jackie Chan one of the Bad Guys, a Mystical fighter summoned by Egg Shen, etc. Those might work too.
There! I wrote something! – Care to give a rebuttal? Be my guest! I’ll post your response!
#9 – Jackie Chan’s role
by Brandon
I think it would be a great idea to have Jackie Chan in the movie but I feel he should be a villain. All movie stars and actors do have a “bad guy” role to play once in their carreer so now would be his time. Of course if he is a bad guy, and even appears in the movie, that means, Wang Chi will have to do a lot more Martial Arts than in the first movie. Chan could be some, ya know, follower of Lo Pan sent out to kill Burton or whatever etc. I do agree with you when you said it would make it another Jackie Chan movie and not BTILC2. On the other hand, he doesn’t have to be in the movie at all. I know people love Jackie but he can’t be in every Martial arts movie, ya know. If he must be in it, I say he should be a bad guy.
The thing about Lo Pan being ressurected seems pretty cool, but new villains are needed. So, Lo Pan can still be a ghost, but Jackie or whoever the new bad guy is fights whoever and stuff. Or Lo Pan can have Thunder, Rain etc. resurrected also with him or something like that.
#11 – Sequel Suggestions
by Drunken1
I like where some of the other suggestions have gone so far. Do you think Sam Raimi would go for an Ash cameo? It’d be interesting to say the least. Lo Pan should definitely stay dead. But the Ching Di, God of the East idea has serious potential. Dennis Dun, who Played Wang in the original was recently in WARRIORS of VIRTUE. The second time around if you look at the Ching Di Revenge angle, Should be epic. Chinese mythology is so deep, there are oodles of villans/monsters for our Protagonists to battle. Egg Chen should have a larger role because his magic would be a big factor in the conflict with a revenge crazed deity! There could be all kinds of possibilities for guest stars here. Being a Martial Artist and a Fan of Martial Arts Film and Choreography, there is no limit to what could be Showcased.
With the Exodus of Many of Hong Kong’s Greatest Action Stars, It shouldn’t be to difficult to envision a Jackie Chan or Jet Li in a cameo, maybe as a villian/demon like the Storms, or as a Hero or legendary Character Summoned by Egg Chen to fight on the side of right! Like having Egg summon the Eight Drunken Immortals, or General Kwan Yu the Patron Saint of Martial Arts! The Storms, Being Immortal Demons could come back, as they were an intergal part of the appeal of Big Trouble. The comments between Egg Chen and Lo Pan as they duel has interesting possibilities also. As noted, It would appear that there was at least a couple millenia of rivalry between the two Sorcerors. The only way to bring Lo Pan Back would be to have the Sequel as a Prequel, and show possibly the Beginnings of the Rivalry, or by some quirk, have Wang Chi and Jack some how get zapped back to ancient China and them run into Egg when he was younger. This film could be a sfx/martial Arts extravaganza!! any one who has seen the HK Classics ZU:Warriors from the Magic Mountain(where Carpenter got the Inspiration for Big Trouble) or the more Recent Jet Li Classic, KUNG FU CULT MASTER, know that the market is out there, we just have to make it known. Just my two Cents.
#20 – Sequel Suggestions
By The Cooler King
To create a sequel that will produce a lot of hype, or money, you need to inprove apon the last, but make the same style for movie pattern it, as well. I think that (In my humble opinion)
1.) Should have the same old faces (Jack, Gracie, Egg, etc, the main characters)
2.) New characters, villian and heros alike (Jackie Chan?? What an idea!!)
3.) New basic ideas (there were very basic platforms for the last movie, and they allowed for action and comedy without a lot of plot interference, due to the basic ideas,I.E. the “three storms” stopping the wedding,etc.)
So, what should the sequel look like? (If we get our way?) Well, there has to be a new conflict. No problem. A plot like that should be easy. New characters. No so easy. Assume someone like Egg don’t want to do a sequel. And all the storms are dead. New guys need to be made, but it shouldn’t pattern something like “Mortal Kombat.” The character should be diverse and intresting. Mysterious, neven. The plot should pattern after Chinese legend/stories because hey, it is about Little China. I read a story about a Monkey King once from Chinese legend that kicked ass. The Monkey King was a warrior who supposed to have great fighting skills and carried a big ass pole. Could sell… the idea is simple. this is a good movie idea. people will PAY to see it. and I think that will attract attention and create hype to a sequel. All we have to do is create hype!!
#23 – Sequel Suggestions
by Nick MacDonald
Some ways to intergrate Jackie Chan into the movie:
1) Mr. Chan could work for the bad guy(s) and either lose with the bad guy(s) or see the light and switch sides
2) Mr. Chan could be related to Wang Chi (marriage or blood) & be killed off after a heroic battle at the start of the movie
3) Mr. Chan could be another friend of the Burton character in another town where a new adventure occurs.
Those are just off the top of my head.
#24 – Sequel Suggestions
by Chris Born
A long time ago, the First Emperor Qin (Ch’in) d.300 BC or so died looking for the Elixr of Life. What a neat thing to
possibly work into, since Qin Chi Huang (Lo Pan’s sovereign emperor…who really did exist) was part of Lo Pan’s curse.
He was entombed in a huge mound of terra cotta soldiers and items and weapons, all these things could come to life!
There was once a jade clad emperess who was also buried in a jade suit and she could come to life.
What about a Chinese version of Dante’s inferno! Going through some of the aforementioned hells!
There are many local gods including the “Stove god”
Dragons generally are cool.
How about Sun Tzu?
Then there are the stories of the “Three Kingdoms” from which the Han dynasty emerged, having created peace and stability, under a balance between the political system of Confucius (Kung Zi) and Han Fei Zi (Legalism) The 3 warring generals, including General Cao (Whom the American Chinese dish “General Tso’s Chicken was named!) who is very famous in this story. If you are interested, I could dig up loads of Chinese history and myth, and religion, and jokes…all acurate and usable!
Movies like BTILC, Army of Darkness (evil deads), the princess bride, etc. take on cult roles among college students. THis movie NEEDS to be made! Half of the campus at Valpo in Indiana has seen the movie, can quote lines, and thinks it is the funniest thing they have seen. The re-release on video tape a few years ago was a great aid in this.
#25 – Sequel Suggestions 2
by Chris Born
I think SF Chinatown or NY Chinatown would be great for locations. NY had amazing sewers and subways. You should see the NY chinatown…
Millions of people per square foot.
Lovely little alleyways where all sorts of bad (i mean good) things could happen, like:
Opposing Chinese gangs
Henchmen kidnaps
Martial arts bonanzas
Chinese standoffs
There are tons of super restaraunts, including mainland and Cantonese Dim Sum restaraunts.
(Imagine crashing one of those!)
Crazy people (I am a New Yorker, I know all about it!)
Tall buildings
SF CHINATOWN PLUSSES include:
True to original form
Ability to bring in older characters
EGG SHEN’s TOURS
Bay area to drive into (although NY has 6 bridges)
Easy to shoot on location
In talking to [another BTLC fan], I thought that it would be exceptional to have something to do with Lo Pan’s sovereign emperor, Qin Shi Huang Di (Or Ch’in Ji Wang) who Egg Shen talked about having subjugated Lo Pan…He was buried in a tomb of terrra cotta soldiers and gear. What if these terra cotta forms were to be a shell, so to speak, for the warriors and Qin himself? (Spirit mediums…they became a dream…) Then, today, I thought, well, Qin was searching for the elixr of life, which killed him, (or in our movie’s tentative case…was believed to kill him) and it was made by an alchemist. (Just how OLD is egg, really?)
Maybe when Egg took his long vacation to China, he visited the grave of the first emperor (who he killed with his potion…because Qin was a REAL REAL bad guy…and he is historically accurate as well) and something happened in the chamber, and he knew he had to return to (insert place name here….)to stop this evil as well.
The real story about Lo Pan is that he was a general/prince who was conquered by Qin before emperors or empires had been started. (Era of Duke of Zhou…I’ll consult my notes and things and tell you EXACTLY what the historians say.) There were a bunch of rival states, and these were consolidated by Qin. Then Qin died, and his son took over. Soon the great period of the Three Kingdoms was begun, and from this time emerged the Han, or the greatest Chinese dynasty. I need to get all the exact details. I am Japanese and Chinese studies major, and I absolutely LOVE the fact that the story of BTILC is based on actual history.
Well, off to ponder more.
#26 – On the Terra Cotta Warriors
Presented by Chris Born
Written by Mark L Kellerhals
WebChron: The WebChronology Project
Terra Cotta Warriors of the Qin Dynasty
The terra cotta warriors were accidentally discovered by Chinese peasents while digging a well. This discovery prompted archaeologists to proceed to Shaanxi, China to investigate. No one knows why this site became buried and lost among memories in the clay and in the minds of China. What they found was the ancient burial-site of the first Chinese Emporor Qin Shihuangdi. These warriors were placed all around the burial tomb of Emperor Qin. Before Qin, masters were buried with women, slaves, and soldiers. This tradition during China’s feudal period vanished during the life of Qin. To substitute for the actual humans, Qin ordered a massive clay army to be produced for his protection. Qin wanted the afterlife to be the same as his life on earth. Qin produced a warlike culture in China, which brought him many enemies. During his lifetime there were three attemps to assasinate him. He had to be protected in the afterlife. He wanted his afterlife to be exactly like his life in China. This is the reason for the making of the warriors.
The first site was excavated in 1974. Although much of the site had been looted soon after it was built, archaeologists discovered 6,000 pottery figures. This oblong shaped site is 689 feet long, 197 feet wide. The trenches that contain the soldiers are 14.8 to 21.3 feet deep. The actual bodies of the soldiers were formed out of terra cotta clay. Each soldier was baked in a kiln. The positioning of the soldiers in the oblong shape shows an actual battle formation of the troops. These warriors were dressed and ready for battle. They carried spears and various other combat weapons. Each warrior is wearing an army uniform which distinguishes the soldier’s rank. The soldier’s uniforms were painted either red or green. They also wore either brown or black armor. Different types of warriors include bowman, infantrymen, and among these soldiers are six chariots. Each soldier has a distinct facial expression. Even the horses found at this site have different poses. Both the hands and the heads of the soldiers are detachable. These pieces of the body were carefully crafted and painted seperately. The purpose of this was to provide the soldier with individuality and uniqueness. This also shows the quality of Chinese art during this time. These soldiers were made to be naturalistic. The height of the normal soldiers ranges from 5 ft. 8 in. to 6 ft. 2.5 in. Those that rode the chariots were 6 ft. 2.5 in. The commanders were the tallest out of all the soldiers. They stood 6 ft. 5 in. Clearly height represented the importance of the officer.
The second excavation occurred in May of 1976. This pit contains 1,400 warriors with horses. It is 64,000 square feet in area. Pit number two differs greatly from the first pit. The battle formation was square. This pit contains sixty-four chariots. It has divided groups which include infantrymen, cavalrymen and even commanders to guide the troops. This display of soldiers gives insight into the work that went into the Chinese army. Long distance battles had to be fought by using many chariots. The facial expressions of the men in this pit are also very different from those men in the first pit.
The third pit was discovered in 1980. This pit is the smallest out of the three discovered. It contains only one chariot, six warriors, and a small amount of weapons. This room is thought to be a group of special commanders. A fourth pit was also discovered. This room is bare. This room is probably empty because the workers did not complete the warriors in time for Qin’s death.
Archaeologists continue to excavate the burial site if Emperor Qin. His actual tomb has not been excavated. These warriors will continue to give insight into the history of both Chinese art and war tactics. They represent a microcosm of life during the Qin Dynasty. The dynasties following Qin would pattern their lives after this great dynasty of the Fist Emperor of China.
Bibliography:
Schellinger, Paule & Salkin Robert (ed.), International Dictionary of Historic Places: Asia & Oceania. (Volume 5, 1995). Filtroy Dearborn: Chicago & London.
Kelleher, Bradford. Treasure from the Bronze Age of China. The Metropolitan Museum of Art: New York, 1980.
Edited by: Brooke L. Newton
Researched by: Elsa A Hagos
Written by: Mark L Kellerhals
September 22, 1997
#27 – On the Three Kingdoms Period
Presented by Chris Born from China, Lonely Planet Publications, Australia, 1994.
Three Kingdoms Period
220-280
By the end of the second century, the Han Dynasty had virtually ceased to exist. The repression of the taoist rebellions of the Yellow Turbans and related sects marked the beginning of a period of unbridled warlordism and political chaos, from which three independent centers of political power emerged.
In the north, all authority had passed into the hands of the generalissimo and “protector of the dynasty,” Ts’ao Ts’ao. In 220, the last puppet emperor of the Han officially ceded the throne to Ts’ao Ts’ao’s son, who became the heir to the empire and the first ruler of the Wei Dynasty.
Soon afterward, two competing military leaders proclaimed themselves emperor, one in the far interior (Shu Han Dynasty in present-day Szechwan Province) and one in the south, behind the barrier of the Yangtze (the Wu Dynasty, with its capital at present-day Nanking).
The short, turbulent Three Kingdoms Period, filled with bloody warfare and diplomatic intrigue, has been glorified in Chinese historical fiction as an age of chivalry and heroism.
The empire was nominally reunited with the rise of the Jin Dynasties.
China, Lonely Planet Publications, Australia, 1994.
#29 – BTILC2 without John Carpenter and Kurt Russell?
by Marc Bright, Cardiff University Of Wales, UK, Webmaster of the John Carpenter Web Page
If we do get a sequel to this movie I think we might have to face up the fact that J Carpenter and K Russel might not be involved, at least not in directly reprising their original roles. I think that JC is too involved with developing new projects, particularly his lifelong ambition to film a western. Even if he did return the biggest problem would be the return of Kurt Russel. The original BTILC was not exactly a huge success. Sure, it has become a cult favourite but not in the same league as Escape From New York which enabled EFLA to be made. Russel has managed to work his way on the action-hero A-list and would be priced way too high to make a BTILC sequel feasible. So I think we have to consider the tough task of replacing Jack Burton, who was the heart of the original movie.
Now I don’t necessarily think this would be a really bad idea, it would force the scriptwriters to come up with some new ideas as they couldn’t just settle into making Jack Burton say ‘it’s all in the reflexes’ every five minutes. My pick for this role would be Rowdy Roddy Piper, yes he is the WWF star but he is more importantly the undoubted star of They Live, another fantastic JC film. He has the same scene chewing presence that a Jack Burton replacement would need to really make BTILC2 a success. So, maybe instead of asking for the moon (huge budget, all the stars and JC to direct) we should look at some of the alternatives if we really want this film made.
#30 – Rebuttal to BTLC2 without John Carpenter and Kurt Russell
by Josh Horowitz
As the webmaster of Falcon’s Big Trouble in Little China Home Page and one of the people involved in creating a petition for a sequel, I’d like to respond to these comments you guys are making regarding the sequel’s conception.
For the year I’ve had my site up, these are the first instances of someone suggesting the sequel should NOT be made, or be made without John Carpenter and Kurt Russell.
First off, the suggestion that Russell and Carpenter *not* be a part of the project sounds just plain wrong to me. BTLC, while standing as a film by itself among Carpenter’s other films, would NEVER hold the magic it does without these two prominant figures.
Carpenter was the brain-child behind the idea of making a “Chinese Kung-Fu Ghost Story.” His influence definitely stands out in the writing of the screenplay by W.D. Richter, Gary Goldman and David Weinstein. The subtle humor (yes, HUMOR), slapstick comedy, background elements and excellent martial arts made BTLC a great film, all under the auteristic nuances of JC.
Kurt Russell’s screen presence MADE the film, plain and simple. Even suggesting that someone else take up the Jack Burton role is absurd. Can you imagine someone other than Mark Hamill playing Luke Skywalker in Empire Strikes Back? Or Al Pachino not being Michael Corleone in the Godfather II? Russell’s dim-witted ability to rush eyes closed into danger added to the greatness that was BTLC. As for rumors that Russell was clueless during the film and didn’t really enjoy working on it, I give you this bit of info:
—————————————————————————
Transcript from an AOL interview (1996) with Carpenter shortly after the release of Escape from LA:
AOLiveMC11: From RAven0875:
Question: John, now that you and Kurt have resurrected Snake, is there any chance of Jack Burton and The Pork Chop Express making another run through Chinatown?
JCarpentr: Kurt and I both love “Big Trouble in Little China” and would be more than interested in exploring the idea.
—————————————————————————–
Take this evidence as you will, but I do belive that through the loose, natural performance of Russell and Carpenter’s entusiasm in another BTLC, this project will take off the ground with JC and KR attached.
May I also point out that I have thus far collected over 250 email addresses from people all over the world who would love to see Jack Burton back on the big screen. And you know it’s not Roddy Piper they’re thinking of when they mention ol’ Jack…
So I implore you all: petition for a sequel knowing that when BTLC2 becomes a reality, it will be another Carpenter-Russell collaboration, possibly with such names as Jackie Chan or Bruce Campbell attached. Sounds interesting, doesn’t it? Of course it does! So visit my page and petition!
#31 – Sequel Ideas
by Alex J Norman
A possible idea that I have literally just made up on the spot is that Jack(Kurt) confronts the monster that was in the back of his truck. This happens while he is trying to sleep in his motel apartment. The monster has some strange telepathic ability and it sends a message to one of the three remaining storms (The storm that survives carries the power of the other two storms). The arrival of the storm is greeted by… a storm, in the town/city that Jack is staying. Jack actually kills the monster after a fight, but the monster has already told the storm of his wearabouts… the storm has arrived (bringing thunder, lighting and rain).
Jack is powerless to stop him. Once the storm destroys the apartment, ripping the roof right off the building that jack is staying in, he is rendered unconcious and taken away. When the storm takes away jack, the storm overhead goes. The tiny motel is destroyed. When things quieten down, the drunk owner crawls from under his desk and mutters the words “God damn triads” or something else that is funny. This is when the music kicks in.
Jack is taken back to Hong Kong where there is an even bigger magical empire of evil hiding in the midst of the city. They employ the triads, this involves taking a cut of money from their takings to finance their cult. The triads are terrified of upsetting the empire so they do what they want this includes fighting to the death for them. Jack is seen as the key figure in the death of Lopan, that is why he is taken back alive. They have their own way of dealing with things. If the person responsible of Lopans death is not ‘taken care off properly’ the soul of Lopan will forever walk in Limbo in the minds of his fellow collegueas causing disruption and . Jack needs to be held hostage, while the evil empire bring back the soul of Lopan.
News of Jacks kidnap, the destroyed motel and the body of the monster are plastered all over the news. Police call for people to come forward about Jack disappearance. His friend Wang feels obliged to find out. Kim cattral is out of the picture and so he tracks down the old man from the first one who helped them out, he is very ill… but his instinct tells him that Hong Kong is where they are. He has sold his tour bus and therefore has lots of money. He says he wont need it much longer and pays for wangs ticket to Hong Kong. This is where the adventure begins. Wangs search for Jack, Jacks battle of survival and the new magical, evil , empires bid to put Lopans soul to rest by killing Jack in a ritual thousands of years old. Will wang get their on time?, will Jack outwit the bad guys again?, will the old man be strong enough to guide Wang with his telepathic help?
I don’t know I haven’t written any more…
Copyright 1998 Alex J Norman
#32 – A New Script Idea for the BTLC Sequel
by Chris Born
My buddy Martin Obermueller and I were talking the other day, and I got to thinking, what if the “dumb Beastie” became a kind of buddy or pet for Mr. Burton? We see them at the beginning of the new movie, drinking beer at a bar, and the monster is eyeing the place, and Wang Chi comes by and they get to taking about Egg, and what JUST finally happened (Kind of like the lawyer scene with Mr. Shen)
Then flashback time after some dialogue, Jack drives into NYC, and is crossing a bridge (The WIlliamsburg, which leads DIRECTLY to Canal st., the heart of NY Chinatown (And it’s called Chinatown in NYC. There is Little Italy, and there is a smaller Chinatown in Queens as well) He’s talking about Lo Pan and Co. and the old crazy experiences, things like
“I ain’t afraid of some little bit of traffic, I mean, hell, when you been chased by sword weilding buddhas and Screaming Wing Kong, zapped with electricity, and almost blown to smithereens, only after escaping 6 or 7 hells of all sorts of really bad stuff, some pipsqueak in a rollerskate means absolutely nill”
Guy in car beeps and yells at Jack..he’s in a beat up old Chevy Citation — baby blue with rust all over it– “Watch where you’ goin’ you (Expletive here) I oughtta kick your butt!”
JB: Says nothing and looks at him like when he says “It’s all in the reflexes” and says “You and what army?”
(And then a flash to a laughing Chinese mad man in high up building — I am thinking the guy that played Eddie Sakamoto in “Rising Sun” and Kapai Tseng in “The Phantom” –I can’t remember his name–) Some flashes of lightning, and a fast zoom out, out some iron doors, that slam shut, and in comes the new theme music!
What d’ya think?
Another thing I forgot to metion is this old laughing Chinese guy in the high building would be Qin Shihuang himself. I think we could work the Jade Emperess into the story as well, you know, having a girl be a ghost/dream person who just is kept around by Qin ’cause he likes her, and all. This might be cool…being PC and stuff, plus maybe she could have some bad attraction for Mr. Burton, who has none for her, but she kicks some serious Wing Kong/whoever behind in the course of events. Here’s some cool dialogue:
(Jade Emperess suddenly appears, decked in green silk with a few yellow borders…many layers of green, from forest to sea green. She is extremely attractive, but there is something about her, the fact that she’s ancient, decked in all green, and moody is only half of it, she appears in a ball of green lightning.)
JB: “What the hell is this? Who are you?”
Jade: “Don’t you know?”
JB:”NO. ‘m’ I supPOSED to?”
Jade:”NO”
JB :”No. SO? So What!”
Jade:”So You will soon be part of history, 2000 years in the making”
JB:”Great, what more could a guy ask for?”
Jade: (Big smile)
JB: (Look of disgust) Oh ho ho, God! Not in your eternity!
Jade: What?!!!
JB: I don’t know about you, honey, but don’t you want someone close to your age? And what about dating? Us? At the movies? You in that getup? People would be running away like a bat outta Chinese hells!
Jade: We shall see, Mr. Jack. (then she vanishes in green lightning and stuff)
JB: 2000 years and she can’t find one…
EGG: (Interrupting) Like what you see? Ahh…the Jade emperess. Very long time ago,
(and he goes into history that I haven’t come up with yet…)
#33 – The Underground Underworld
by Alex J Norman
Wang finally arrives in Hong Kong. He books himself in to a hotel and heads for the streets to find out what evil is hiding behind the sky scrapers. Carrying a picture of Jack, Wang asks the folk on the streets if they have seen this man around… no joy. Are these people being truthful or are they scared to speak the truth. The day has been long, therefore Wang goes to a back street restaurant/take away.
He orders food in the empty restaurant and the owner tells him to take a seat while he prepares his meal. All of a sudden, a group of men barge in to the restaurant and call for the owner. These men are members of the triads and they are collecting their dues.
After a verbal argument, the gang start smashing the place up, that is when Wang stands up to help. The leader of the gang laughs at him and tells him he has no business interfering . The gang then take on Wang and he manages to fight them all, the old man gets a weapon and comes out to help. While all this is happening, Wang drops the photograph of Jack and the gang see it. They retreat from the restaurant after a brawl, leaving Wang on the ground badly bruised, but they know the picture of Jack and realise Wang is bad news for the evil empire. Wang chases after them but as soon as he gets outside they are all gone, and there is just silence on the back street, like nothing ever happened.
Wang goes back in to the restaurant and checks that the old man is alright. He is. Wang gets his meal eventually, and the two of them start talking. Wang tells the old man about what he has seen in San Francisco and the old man does not seem surprised. He tells jack that the triads no longer work on their own. They know work for someone. The old man goes on to tell Jack that the locals live in fear of the evil hiding in the city. When an earth tremor or a storm occur, they do not know if it is the evil surfacing or just natural phenomena. There is a sense that something extremely bad is going to happen and soon.
The old man realises what that bad feeling is after Wang tells him about the death of Lopan and Jack being held responsible. “Your friend does not have long” the old man says. “I know” Wang replies.
When Wang finally leaves the restaurant to continue his search he notices something. All the man holes have a strange symbol on them. He asks a passer by what they mean but this person just cowers away from him. After continual attempts at asking people, Wang decides to find out for himself, or at least find out if it is just your everyday sewer underneath. Wang finds a fairly desolate man hole and decides to open it. Just as he is about to pull it up a voice from behind says “I wouldn’t do that if I was you… tourist!”
Wang turns around and before him is an American with a camera around his neck. Another god damn journalist. (Bruce Campbell perhaps). Wang asks him where he came from and he said “I followed you after that little scene in the restaurant. Its where I usually eat but not today”. Wang asks him why he followed him and the journalist replies “Because no-one ever stands up to the triads like that, and the look on their faces when they left was certainly something I don’t see very often”. “Where did they go when they left the restaurant” Wang asks, “Exactly where I just advised you not to go my man”.
Wang looks down at the man hole cover and realises that the gang disappeared so quickly because they went down a man hole… “The underground underworld eh!” the journalist replies…
To be continued…
Alex J Norman 1998
#34 – On Ash and Jack
by Gerbil Boy
I don’t hate the idea. The thought of Jack being back in the next film is, I think, crazy. Not so much because he wasn’t a great character but because I don’t think that anyone else could play the character with the same flair as Russell did. The fact that you guys are even remotely thinking Bruce Campbell is awesome. One of my favorite flicks is “Army” and the original “Evil Dead” ( 2 wasn’t the greatest, But it did show how he went from loser in 1 to the character he became in Army). Maybe the film has Bruce as a Burton brother? ( Bruce Burton!! LOL).
Or the fact that he is just the next guy that is the one to be forced into the crazy situations that Jack got put into in BTILC.
Jackie Chan is a big box office draw but I think that there must be another that might be just as suitable and would help to keep the budget lower than if Chan was brought on board. As for the fact that anyone who has seen the first one and has seen Army will definitely check this one out I don’t think there needs to be any Ash crossover or anything like that the fans of Army would just like to see Bruce in a similar role which is exactly what Burton was. Oh well if my 2 cents has turned into more money let me know but I think it would be a good idea to have Bruce Campbell in BTILC2 in any role.
On Jackie doing Bruce Lee:
Terrible idea. The reason that Jack Burton was so much like John Wayne was because he was portraying the stereotypical American westerner. The fact that the two societies were brought together is what made this film reat it was a West meets East kind of a thing if you put Jackie Chan in the movie doing an impression of Bruce Lee that would be like every other kung fu from Hong Kong movie. Again the fact that Jackie Chan has done so well here in N.A. is because it is again an East meets West thing. He’s here working for his dad or uncle or he’s an American policeman that deters the crimes with his “Eastern” ways. That is what the draw is. Just my opinion.
#35 – On Getting a Sequel Done
by Sinboy
Well folks, it may have been mentioned before, but if so, I can’t find it, here goes. The way to get anything done in Sillywood is to convince someone with a lot of money that making a sequel will make *them* money. This takes insider status, convincing them that although the sequel flopped, this one stands a snowballs chance in hell of **NOT** flopping.
What might do that: A real slick talking pitchman who’s in the know Kurt Russel *and* Carpenter talking about it at a public event “we’d like to make it [the sequel, we’ve got a great script, and some really innovative special effects sequences, but we need to find someone who’ll believe in us”
Other big names willing to back them up, and not just actors, but scriptwriters, FX houses, people who are known in the industry to be surefire revenue generators.
A really decent budget. Carpenter *loves* big stuff, as evinced in Escape from LA. A lot of relay dramatic effects can be done cheaper these days via computer. Anyone with an accounting degree can tell you it’s more cost effective to have a cast of 30 extras in one scene than a cast of 1000. With computers, a cast of 30 can become a cast of 1000 cheaply. unknown actors can be a good source as well, but a big name is a draw. Jackie Chan is a lot less expensive than, say, Leonardo DiCaprio.
Carpenter has to want to make this movie. He may *say* it’d be fun, but you know he’s got his doubts. Making movies is *not* easy, nor it it a sure thing. On the other hand, the industry is the cult of personality. With enough drive, contacts, and wheeling and dealing, the movie could be made. The question is, who’s going to invest time to try and do it the right way. It’ll have to be someone who knows how to do such things, or the whole project is doomed from the start. This is why fan based petitions don’t always work that well, IMO. Whomever’s going to be putting money and time “…And Time IS money…” as a famous guy once said into a project wants some assurances that his money isn’t going to get burned to appease the hungry ghosts or something.
That’s the short of it, a view from a self educated industry outsider who’s views are based on common sense and reading industry magazines.
#36 – On a Possible Sequel
by Graham Ganson
Wow! The thought of Big trouble in little China 2 is incredible.
I think Jackie Chan would be great throughout the whole movie. He would although not reveal his martial art skills until the end of the movie like you mention. He would merely put on an act of perhaps clumsy friend who may indeed actually be part of the oposing force in disquise. Then later he realizes his sovereign ruler (Perhaps Lopan or another cursed legend, perhaps a Chinese God) , is so terrible and ambitious to rule the world that he must choose to join the forces of good to defeat his powerful army of legionaires.
I would really love to write a script to this movie. I think I would (NOT) rival the original masterpiece, but make a great sequal unlike most movie sequals. The return of Lopan or other legend would have the power to conjure up demons and monsters in the praisal of ching di (I think the name of was) (The God Lopan must appease) Except this time, Burton and Wang reunite to find themselves tormented by the wing cong in amist the return of Lopans long awaited revenge. Since Lopan did not fullfill his curse, by killing Wang’s fiance, Ching Di has brought him back to his spiritual form so Lopan could not escape his curse. Now he must try to appease his God again. This time thought in the year 2000, (WIth so much population) He has no trouble finding a Chinese girl with green eyes. He breaks the curse and his power becomes almost unstopable, until Wang, Burton and of course Chan give him a going away party he’ll never forget just when he thought he’s won again.
Sorry for the long paragraph. I got excited about the talk of BTILC 2.
I think they should make this movie a reality. I would see it in the theatre every day and buy the movie.+ watch them both a million times. Maybe if the idea gets out, a cult can introduce the idea to the film makers to stop making unoriginal movies and go back to the good old days, when movies had depth and character. Nothing made that movie like good old Jack Burton complaining the whole time just like a real person would, and of course Lopans humorous ….” INDEED…” Line when talking to Jack. As for some big breasted hot super model in BTILC 2 to boost some romance, no thanks…. Its been overdone in movies to damn much. I like the fact that in BTILC Burton has a thing for Gracy, but more or less pushes her aside at the end of the movie to go back to his trucking. Now that is more realistic. Ya know, I’m willing to write a script and send it to the film makers. “Ya never can tell” as Jack Burton would say.
#37 – On the Viability of a Sequel
by Mitch Boyer
Man, you are my hero! BTLC is one of my all-time favorite movies. Perhaps it is time to take another go at Carpenter about a sequel. There is no doubt that the Martial arts genre is exploding in america with an emphisis on Chinese performers. Need I point to the Matrix? The original BTLC didn’t make any money because the mainstream audience was probably not interested in Chinese mysticism and martial arts. The time wasn’t right.
But it is NOW.
1-If he could get someone like Jet Li or Donnie Yen interested I’m sure a studio pitch would be possible. You know Kurt would be willing.
2-Yuen Woo Ping has already made a name for himself here (matrix) and could design amazing wushu scenes if Carpenter could get him interested.
3-With computing technology booming effects are cheaper, faster and better than they used to be.
4-US audiences have excepted Hong Kong movies staples like wire tricks (Matrix) and “2 gun mojo” ala every John Woo movie to date (MI:2 was a big hit).
5-There are a host of Hong Kong luminaries that have come to the US with “goldrush fever” (Chow Yun Fat anyone?) . There has NEVER been a better time than now to pitch this to a studio. But we have to let him know that there is an audience. Ever thought of organizing a new petition in conjunction with some of the Hong Kong movie sites? Getting mags like Giant Robot to write articles about it? I can see great potential in the idea. I own a copy of Darkstar on DVD for Christsakes! Carpenter is the man. He could pull this off. Now to convince HIM.
#38 – Retrospective
by Chris Casino
In 1987, a film came on HBO, which pretty much got yours truly through his childhood. It was called Big Trouble in Little China. It was an action/adventure/comedy/martial arts/ghost story/monster film (and I love all of these types of films, so as Jack Burton says to the Six Demon Bag, “what more could a guy ask for?”) directed by the always-reliable John Carpenter and starring the also always-reliable (in the action genre anyway) Kurt Russell. In the film, Russell plays a fast-talking trucker, Jack Burton, whose swagger suggests he’s seen one John Wayne movie too many. When the film begins, he goes to see his old friend, San Francisco Chinatown restaurateur Wang Chi (Dennis Dun, an actor who has been curiously quiet since this film, which is sad since his calm voice of reason and knowledge provides a wonderful counterpoint to Jack’s stubbornness and self-consciousness), whom he beats for $1148 x 2 in a Chinese gambling game. Wang announces he has to pick up his fiancée, Miao Yin (the beautiful Suzee Pai) at the airport. At the airport, however, some Chinatown punks kidnap her and rip off Jack’s truck before selling her to the evil Chinese sorcerer David Lo Pan (who is incidentally the most feared figure in Chinese mythology, played by a delightfully wicked James Hong). With the help of American lawyer Gracie Law (Sex in the City’s Kim Cattrall), Wang’s employee Eddie Lee, and Egg Shen (a wonderful Victor Wong), a good sorcerer who is Lo Pan’s oldest rival, and in short, is the Yoda of this movie while at the same time being Obi-Wan Kenobi to Lo Pan’s Darth Vader, Jack and Wang team up to fight David Lo Pan and his three Storms. I’m a Star Wars nut, what can I tell you?
John Carpenter and Kurt Russell recently commented on Big Trouble in Little China’s new (and wonderful) special edition DVD that while everyone involved had a great time with it and it got very positive test scores, it was a film ahead of its time which 20th Century Fox did not know how to market, which is the truth. In the years since it bombed at the box office, it has gained a loyal cult audience on home video and television, including myself. I am personally very happy to see this as without Big Trouble in Little China, my Saturday afternoons would have been duller than a three-hour Carrot Top concert. A further example of the studio not knowing how to market the movie is that when the original screenplay was written, it was a Western! A Western! And it was still set in Chinatown! The reason for this is because the original writers had penned it as a follow up to the film The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension. I haven’t seen this film, but I think even those who have would agree with me that the movie works a lot better on its own. In fact, a friend of mine who recently confessed his love for the movie once stated, “That movie is hype. If it had been a Western, it would have been Big Trouble in a Small Bar!” Couldn’t have said it better myself, Brian. It would have sucked as a Western – it’s better off as a kung-fu movie.
When I first asked this friend if he had ever seen the movie, he replied, “Hell yeah! That was one of the first movies I ever watched all the way through and enjoyed ’cause it used to come on HBO all the time.” And that was basically how I discovered it too.
Something else I feel I should comment on is the martial arts used by Dennis Dun in the movie. In a featurette, it was stated he practiced them every day, yet John Carpenter said on the DVD commentary that even though he was very good at it, Dun was not a martial artist. This revelation was totally mind-blowing. He was so good at it, I was sure he’d studied under one of the masters!
Something else about Dennis Dun: One of the major complaints about this picture when it first came out was in most casual viewers’ opinions (or at least mine), this was the appeal of the film in the first place: The fact that even though Jack Burton is the main character, he is little more than an innocent bystander who often fails to put his money where his mouth is because more often than not, he doesn’t know what the hell’s going on, whereas the guy who appeared to be the sidekick Wang Chi is actually the one who knows everything about the Chinese mythology they encounter and is all-action, ready to kick ass when he is not ridiculing Jack for his lack of knowledge or playing the voice of reason when he doesn’t know what to make of something. Ergo, he’s the second character behind Jack, but he’s the movie’s true hero. One can hardly blame the critics at the time. They overlooked the fact that it was a comedy, and expected Kurt Russell to be a true hero in the 80’s, the era when such terrific thespians such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone ruled the screen. But what they didn’t think of was that having an American John Wayne-style hero in a Chinese mythology film would have been disrespectful to the culture that influenced the film in the first place. It is an interesting twist on a movie cliché as old as David Lo Pan himself, which is remarkable for the cliché ridden 80’s.
In truth, this running gag/change of pace from movie clichés makes the adventure aspects of the film a lot more interesting and the comedy aspects a lot funnier. And God forbid a movie that could do something original for a change, isn’t that right, you smart Hollywood execs who didn’t market this cult classic film everybody loves correctly?
One more aspect of Big Trouble in Little China I must talk about is the people who compare it to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (which most people do today, even people who enjoy it). While both of these films are great films to watch with good, entertaining stories, particularly on a double bill with each other, there is no comparison between them at all. Big Trouble in Little China is a comedic cross between Indiana Jones, Fu Manchu and Jackie Chan movies that takes a humorous approach to Chinese mythology, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is a straightforward martial arts film with no demons that takes a deadly serious approach to Chinese mythology. Big Trouble is just playing around. If I may paraphrase the great philosopher George Carlin when talking about his childhood, “Crouching Tiger’s not playin’, people, it’s f-kin’ serious!” I don’t understand how the comparison even got started. For you people who say Big Trouble in Little China was no Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, I don’t think it really tried to be. Call me crazy, but I believe that it would have been awfully difficult to attempt to emulate a film that came out fourteen years after yours. As my friend I’d spoken about before remarked just earlier today to me, “That’s like saying 2001: A Space Odyssey was no Star Wars!”
That said, I do believe that perhaps Big Trouble in Little China and the cult following it has received has helped pave the way for people like Jackie Chan and Jet Li, and films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon to be accepted for who and what they are in America. Big Trouble was way ahead of its time, which is primarily why it first appealed to me when I was a little boy. Besides being fascinated by both Japanese and Chinese culture and mythology, I’ve always had a soft spot for things that were unique. So here was a comedy/fantasy/martial arts/action/adventure/ghost story/monster movie set in and made by America, which was certainly something we never tried before, at least not all at the same time. I suppose had Carpenter and his crew attempted to do a Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon-type flick, they would have failed at it, because that’s what the Chinese are good at. As it is, however, I believe people should stop comparing it to its predecessor.
There has been talk of a TV movie sequel or a TV series for years, either of which I am all for, particularly a pilot for a TV show on HBO, since that was where it was discovered by its audience. But I would set it immediately after the movie and cast younger actors in the roles since Kurt Russell says that his age limits his ability to keep playing such characters.
But as I said, I would love to see more adventures with Jack and Wang and their Chinatown pals, and if the Hollywood execs who made the film cared about its fans, they would indulge us. Time will tell.
#39 – Sequel Ideas
by Chris Casino
My idea for the sequel (which is tentatively titled “Bigger Trouble in Little China”) is six months after the flick. Jack Burton, Gracie Law, Egg Shen, Eddie, Margo, and Uncle Chu are all invited to Wang Chi and Miao Yin’s wedding. Incidentally, in nearly all of these cases, different people would be cast in the roles. After the ceremony, Miao Yin announces that in three months time, she is going to have a baby. Meanwhile, after the wedding, everybody is perplexed as to why Egg Shen was a no-show. Meanwhile, Egg Shen’s obituary shows up in the local San Francisco paper the next morning (to get around Victor Wong’s death), and Jack and Wang attend the funeral. There, they meet Egg’s (yet unnamed, bare in mind, I just thought of this last night) grandson, who is his only living relative. The grandson is grieving over Egg’s death, ’cause they were very close. He announces Egg was murdered in New York City trying to stop an American young man from conjuring up some kind of sorcery. Jack and Wang decide to travel to the Big Apple (which I may yet decide to change to Philadelphia, considering I’m from those suburbs) with Egg’s grandson to avenge his death. Anyway, it would eventually be revealed that this American person is using these spells to raise David Lo Pan and the 3 Storms from the dead so he can find an ancient relic of the Ming Dynasty, with which to sacrific an unborn child (which is where Miao Yin enters the picture again), and eventually they try the bit about marrying Miao Yin again so Lo Pan can rule the Universe. However, this relic, if the guy uses it properly, will make the guy co-ruler of the Universe. But I have a few other places I might set the story in besides NYC, like, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, or Atlantic City. Which would you set it in?
Incidentally, I think Zhang Ziyi from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon would be a cool Miao Yin. Lucy Liu, too, but I kind of think Miao Yin has to be all Chinese, and Lucy Liu’s from Queens.
#40 – Big Trouble on TV?
by Terry Little
I been meaning to post this blog for a few months now. It is about the film Big Trouble In Little China and my take on how it could be resurrected into a television series. So why a television series and not a film sequel? Because this was the film that made John Carpenter become disillusioned with Hollywood film making and made him decide to go into independent film making. He became disillusioned because of the bad reviews and poor box office performance when he was proud of this movie. I can see where he is coming from being that I made a few creations myself and them getting lukewarm reception if not ANY reception at all! Anyway, a fan asked him if there was a possible sequel in the works now that he is more successful and judging by his reaction, that was a sore spot so one can conclude that there will NEVER be a straight sequel to the movie. There was, however, discussion of possibly making a television series out of this and this is where I started brainstorming on what would make a kickass series. I love this movie by the way and it is one of my favorites.
Before I get into this let me give my little take on how I finally came to love this movie. I can remember when it first came out, I wanted to go and see it because the previews looked pretty badass but I just never got around to watching it being 14 at the time and being limited to only seeing the films my mother and sister wanted to see as far as new releases. (Hey, I was 14 living in rural Seminole, OK and I didn’t have a license nor a car!) I can remember my cousin Alison telling me that it was a good movie and that it was funny. As far as the video release goes, I can’t even remember when it was available for rent. I finally saw it several years later, about 1994 when my nephew was watching it over and over and over. I almost got tired of it before I actually sat down and watched it! I finally saw it from beginning to end and thought “this is a pretty good movie!” I recorded it for my own video collection and it remained in the back of every box I stored my VCR tapes in since. Well fast forward to 2007. I was retraining at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, MS. I was at a Wal-Mart going through the $5 dollar bin and lo and behold there was Big Trouble In Little China. I thought I haven’t seen this in a long time so I bought it and fell in love with the movie all over again this time with a vengeance.
Anyway, it got me to wondering, since old movies have been getting remade, could there be a remake or even a sequel? Well as I stated before a sequel is out of the question and that leaves little room for the possibility for a remake. It could happen though, especially with today’s effects. But I read that there was a TV series being worked on but that fell through. That is where the brainstorming hit. Remake aside, I thought wouldn’t it be great to see the characters in action again but they would be a little too old for today’s youth to enjoy the full context of the story. Who would want to see a TV show with a lot of action potential full of old actor’s? So I thought the TV series idea was a good start to continue the story with. I don’t know what John Carpenter had in mind when he was shopping the idea around but I had a few ideas of my own:
First off, let’s discuss bringing back the main characters. You really can’t bring all of them back, that is reality and a rare occasion.
First, some have passed on, some have hit it big with other projects, others simply got out of the acting game. That surely leaves the door open to introduce new characters with many connections to the original story and its players. Plus this could open the door for new up and coming actors….
Now let’s discuss who we can and can’t bring back as well as new characters at the same time. Let’s start with Jack Burton. I don’t know if Kurt Russell would want to move from the big screen to TV, many actors have done so successfully already and had hit TV series so that is a possibility but my ideas stem from the assumption that he would want to stay on the sidelines for this one as producer or something so my idea for his character would be that he could be making cameo appearances in order to tie in the past and present which leads to the character of an offspring, either a son or daughter. I mean in the movie he did say “Like I told my last wife…” leaving the implication that he was married several times leaving the possibility he could have fathered a son or a daughter with a past wife and furthermore leaving the door open for my first premise of the series-he doesn’t know of this child. Of course now the child would be grown up so we won’t be introduced to some actor that would be too young but either a young teen or most likely a young adult. As the series opens up, we find our young adult suddenly being plagued with strange occurrences and attacks from some unknown assailants without knowing why which gives rise to my second premise of the series-this person finds out why these things are happening as well as learns of his/her father. I figured this series could be put together in the format similar to shows like 24, Lost, or Heroes where each show is connected. Back to the assailants who are working for none other than Lo Pan, yes Lo Pan, back from the netherworld to seek revenge on the one who ruined his chances at world dominance (you’d be pissed too)! Not only would he be seeking vengeance on Jack Burton but his OFFSPRING as well, to wipe everything about Jack Burton off the face of the earth!
Now James Hong has expressed his interest in returning to play Lo Pan and in fact he played a character called Ben Lo Pan in the series Chuck not too long ago. We of course could bring back Lo Pan, sending out his minions since he was so badass in the movie. Think supervillian Fu Manchu. Gotta have Lo Pan! Yes, I know, Lo Pan was “killed” in the movie but think about it, he was a mystic. You can always bring back anyone who had magical abilities! He just lost his “shell” and floated around in the netherworld until he was ready to enact his revenge, he was sulking in “magic, the darkest magic”, his soul swimming in it. I know James Hong is getting old but this also leaves the door open to bring in another actor to play Lo Pan when he “sheds” his shell again, should James Hong get too old and want to retire. Hey, we don’t even have to bring in Lo Pan until the season finale or maybe not until mid season, hell he could even be introduced right away, maybe the pilot could start off with him narrating his pain.
Now if we bring in Lo Pan, we definitely have to bring in my favorite character, Egg Shen. Off course with the passing of Victor Wong in 2001 it would be impossible to bring back the original Egg Shen so enter the young, reincarnated Egg Shen played by a new Chinese actor. Yes I said reincarnated. Everything about the movie centered around the otherworldly and Chinese magic so this is definitely a possibility. It was implied in the movie that Egg Shen has been battling Lo Pan for centuries so why not the idea that he was able to battle him through being reincarnated each time? Egg Shen was a mystic too anyways. This time, as we are introduced to the young reincarnated Egg Shen, he is a young street conman, not knowing of his previous life nor his abilities which gives room for this character’s development. We can watch him as he learns of his past life and his purpose as the story develops. Us being introduced to him as a street conman can add some comic relief in the mix because here is a young man being born unto the world with abilities not explained to him so he uses them to survive on the streets. Of course he can enter the scene as he is about to get beat up by some Chinese gangsters and in runs the Burton offspring being chased by Lo Pan minions and they end up running together and fast becoming friends therefore starting the overall premise for either the first season or the first HALF of the first season as each now have something to learn about themselves or their purpose.
As these two join forces to find out what the hell is going on, they run into yet another character with ties into the past, maybe an offspring of Wang Chi and Miao Yin, Wang DID say he was going to marry her. Maybe a girl with green eyes, perhaps? Or even a GUY with green eyes who Lo Pan is after also so he can posess his body to once again enter this world to complete his revenge on Jack Burton. Maybe the green eyes thing will be done to death at this point but maybe this could be used as Lo Pan’s required entry into this world. I don’t know, the writers would have to do more homework on this one. Maybe we can make THIS character one of the bad guys. Maybe the Wang offspring grew up, made some wrong choices and ended up joining the Wing Kong? Maybe as we learn later on, this could have been orchestrated by the three storms, yes the three storms, returned and are making the preparations for the return of their master and luring Wang’s child into the Wing Kong so when the time is right, Lo Pan can have easy access to this “descendant of a holy man” with green eyes so he can conduct the necessary rites to possess his body.
As for Gracie Law? Well, Kim Cattrall is a much bigger star now with Sex In The City than she was when she made this movie so it could be highly unlikely that she would want to make time for this project but then again, it’s possible. References to her could still be all around though, who knows, maybe she would appear in cameos?
What about the storms? Hell, they can come back too, they are not human after all, even though they were destroyed in the film. The same actors can be used or new ones can be brought in using the “new shell” theory.
Wang and Miao Yin? Cameos, that is if they accept the invitation, or they can be added to the cast, it’s up in the air. I know the actress who played Miao Yin retired from acting. Dennis Dun? It is a possibility with him returning.
Margo and Eddie Lee? They can also be worked in, it would be up to the writers imagination in that one, I haven’t really thought up anything for them but I am sure fans of the film including myself would like to see them worked in somehow, at least in cameos. Don’t know if the actor who played Uncle Chu is still alive as he was pretty old when the original film first came out.
And the setting of all this could still be in San Francisco Chinatown.
Hell, the possibilities are endless on each episode from then on. This could open the door for young actors, particularly Chinese actors. This series could also have more martial arts action too. Not to mention the comedic value to add into the mix. This could also serve as a platform to introduce a new generation to the original film. It is a cult classic now. I don’t know if John Carpenter or even Kurt Russell would be interested in giving this project another try but here is another idea to approach it with. Fans love the film and I know there are many who are waiting to see the story continue in some form or another. If I had the chance, I would like to pitch this idea to either John Carpenter or Kurt Russell so if either one of you see this, give me a call, we can have lunch! If anyone can help me along the way, I don’t mind using the 6 degrees of separation thing either! Yes, I know posting this blog would leave me open to theft of my ideas but as long as this project gets launched, I can burn that bridge IF I get there…