Although critically panned by critics, Chen Kuo Fu’s (陳國富) Painted Skin: The Resurrection <画皮II> is currently the biggest Chinese film in history. Since its release in June 2012, Painted Skin: Resurrection has earned over $730 million RMB in the mainland China box office, out-grossing China’s previous best-selling film, Let the Bullets Fly <让子弹飞>. The stars of Painted Skin: The Resurrection, notably Zhao Wei (赵薇), were also critically lauded, and that a third Painted Skin film is currently in the works. Similar to 2008’s Painted Skin <画皮>, which was supported by a television adaptation in 2011 that starred Fiona Sit (薛凱琪 ), a television adaptation of Painted Skin: Resurrection is also in the works. Produced by Ruby Lin (林心如), the television drama adaptation, Painted Skin: No Regrets for Real Love <画皮之真爱无悔>, has been receiving much attention from the media recently. Ruby Lin invited Hawick Lau (劉愷威) and Ying Er (颖儿) to star in the lead roles as Wang Ying and Princess Jing respectively. Twenty-six-year-old rising star, Michelle Bai (白冰), will star as Xiaowei, the fox spirit. Ruby Lin’s manager stated, “The actors were cast by the investors. [Ruby and her production company] are only in charge of the production. The storyline is adapted from the movie. The settings and characters are the same.” Painted Skin: No Regrets for Real Love will be Ruby Lin’s third drama produced by her production company. Her previous works included 2011’s The Glamorous Imperial Concubine <倾世皇妃> and Drama Go Go Go <姐姐立正向前走>, both starring Ruby Lin herself. Ruby Lin’s manager revealed, “Ruby would have starred in Painted Skin: No Regrets for Real Love, but the script requires the characters to be young, and Ruby doesn’t think she’s suitable. But she will guest star in the drama as Mr. Wang’s wife, Peirong.” Watch Trailer for “Painted Skin 2″ TV Drama [video=youtube;Gh2R6OBCwQA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh2R6OBCwQA[/video]
