TV News


Carradine & Hannah Reunite for KUNG FU KILLER

By: Jarrod Sarafin
Date: Friday, June 20, 2008
Source: Spike TV Press Release

David Carradine and Daryl Hannah reunite for the first time since their roles on the big screen in the two "Kill Bill" Volumes to star in the two-part original movie miniseries, "Kung Fu Killer" slated to premiere this August on Spike in HD.

Set in late 1920s in China, before Communist rule, "Kung Fu Killer" tells the story of White Crane (Carradine), an orphaned son of Western missionaries who was raised as a Wudang monk to become a spiritual leader and master in martial arts, and his ultimate journey for revenge and justice.

In the first installment, Crane's peaceful world is shattered when Kahn Xin (Lim Kay Tong) and his mercenaries raid his temple and slay his mentor. In search of his master's murderers, Crane infiltrates the Shanghai underworld where he encounters Jane Marshall (Hannah), a lounge singer from Brooklyn, who is on a mission of her own -- to find her lost brother, who is being held captive by Kahn. Realizing that Kahn's evil plans are more intricate and widespread than originally thought, Crane teams up with Jane in order to enter Kahn's inner circle. From there, they tread carefully in order to dismantle Kahn's destructive plans before assassinating him. Soon, Crane's battle becomes a moral one, as he finds himself torn between his peaceful Wudang upbringing and the cold-blooded life of an assassin.

The second installment, "Kung Fu Killer II" shifts gears to a more personal drama as Crane returns to help rebuild his shattered temple. However, the peace is short-lived as, back in Shanghai, nightclub singer Jane is kidnapped by Bai Yang, an old classmate and rival of Crane's who plans to employ her in the sex trade. It is up to Crane and his young protege Lang (Osric Chau) to save not only Jane, but Lang's true love Wei.


"Kung Fu Killer" was shot entirely on location in China at the Zhejiang Heng Dian World Studios and the towns of Fong Yang and Heng Dian. The miniseries marked the first time a production of this scale was produced by a Western production company utilizing an almost exclusively Chinese crew. "Kung Fu Killer" also features the singing debut of Daryl Hannah, who sings such period standards as "You Made Me Love You" and "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows," along with others done with a period-authentic jazz mixed with torch-song style arrangements.

"Kung Fu Killer" is a production from RHI Entertainment. Robert Halmi, Sr. and Robert Halmi, Jr. serve as executive producers. Shan Tam, Matthew O'Connor and Michael O'Connor are producers. Philip Spink is director. Jacqueline Feather and David Seidler are writers, and the teleplay is by John Mandel


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Comments/Responses
1
noahbody • Jun 20, 2008, 05:00am •
So if it is any good Spike will cancel it because women are not watching cough Blade cough.

Might tune in to see/hear DH.

JarrodSarafin • Jun 20, 2008, 05:04am •
Heh, I just like how the series is called "Kung Fu Killer" and Carradine's character is called Crane.

Now, take off a word from the title and a letter from character.

Kung Fu.

Cane.

:)

woodwraith • Jun 20, 2008, 05:06am •
Nice to know that David Carridine doesn't play the same kind of character in every film or tv show. OH wait. He does. I'll skip this flick

WISEGUY562 • Jun 20, 2008, 05:51am •
It won't be canceled because it's a mini-series, not an on-going.
Once I see a clip of the fighting to see what level of production value they give it I'll decide wether or not to watch it.

tiredjay • Jun 20, 2008, 07:24am •
Old news. It premiered in the UK in February, and has been airing in Canada for months.

fft5305 • Jun 20, 2008, 08:27am •
It could still get cancelled. They show the first part, then never show the rest. :-p

TayDor • Jun 20, 2008, 01:50pm •
Like wqe haven't seen this story before. *yawn*

I liked Carradine's Kung Fu when he was younger and make his Tai Vhi moves almost look like Kung Fu. But now when he does a roundhouse kick and his leg never gets higher than his waist...ugh.

1
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