New Shaolin Film: Real Monks, No Zombies

There must be hundreds of films with "Shaolin" in the title, including Shaolin vs. Evil Dead (2006; Shaolin monks battle zombies; unrated)  and Shaolin vs. Vampire (1980; Shaolin monk protects baby vampires; unrated). Filming has begun on one more, to be titled Shaolin.

The work is being filmed in the real Shaolin temple and will star Andy Lau, who was in the gorgeous House of Flying Daggers, with Jackie Chan in a cameo, along with Hong Kong actor and pop star Nicholas Tse and Chinese actress Fan Bingbing. Real Shaolin monks will take part in action scenes and play supporting roles. The director is Benny Chan, who appears to be best known for New Police Story (2006; unfairly disgraced police inspector vs. violent gang; rated R).

Some news stories say the new film will be remake of the classic Shaolin Temple (1982; made Jet Li a star), but others say the story is entirely new. Whichever, it could be worth watching when it comes out, probably in about a year.