Tsui Hark’s (徐克) upcoming period action film, Detective Dee: The Prequel <狄仁傑前傳> recently commenced filming in Hengdian World Studios. A prequel to the director’s last hit film, Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame <狄仁傑之通天帝國>, Detective Dee: The Prequel stars Taiwanese actor, Mark Chao (趙又廷), as the titular character, a young Tang Dynasty detective who eventually becomes a chancellor for Wu Zetian, China’s only female emperor. All-Star Cast Revealed Hong Kong model and actress, Angelababy, and mainland Chinese actor, William Feng (冯绍峰), will also star in major roles. Insiders at the shooting revealed that William Feng, who showed up at the blessing ceremony with red hair, will be the film’s main villain. Angelababy’s role in the film is unknown, but fans speculate that she will either portray a palace maid, or a young, neglected concubine of the emperor who befriends Detective Dee. Also reported to star in Detective Dee: The Prequel is Carina Lau (劉嘉玲), who will return as Wu Zetian, the role she played in Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame. Xuan Yuan Sword 3 <轩辕剑之天之痕> star, Lin Gengxin (林更新) and Korean actor Kim Bum (金范) will also make appearances. Last night, reporters caught Mark Chao and Angelababy filming together near a small lake in the “Along the River During the Qingming Festival” film studio, a filming location within Hengdian World Studios that is designated for drama productions with a Tang or Song Dynasty setting. Similar to Andy Lau’s (劉德華) image in Detective Dee and the Mystery of the Phantom Flame, Mark Chao donned a short mustache and was dressed in constable robes. Tsui Hark kept the filming of Detective Dee: The Prequel in tight wraps. A low profile blessing ceremony was held earlier this month, which was only discovered after Hengdian’s official Weibo account posted pictures of the ceremony. Creds: QQ
