Hollywood Reporter has learned that Chinese actress Li Bingbing (Transformers, Resident Evil, The Forbidden Kingdom) has landed the lead role in the superhero film Realm. The Chinese production will feature Stan Lee’s involvement with his company Stan Lee Global, he’s also responsible for the creation of the secret superhero movie and it’s based on an original idea from Lee.
The film will be scripted by Predators writer Alex Litvak, but no word if it’ll get a Chinese or western director to helm it
“What a kick it has been to create our first Chinese female superhero, and an empowering one at that,” said Lee. “It has been such a fun experience bringing to life an international woman character, and the ability to do so has been different from anything we’ve ever done! I am thoroughly enjoying every minute of it.”
It was previously reported that Bourne Legacy and Reel Steel screenwriter Dan Gilroy was also working on another Stan Lee Chinese superhero project titled The Annihilator, I’m curious if this is same/retooled project. That has Leehom Wang (Blackhat) attached to star as the titular hero. This one will be an English production with some Mandarin, and the expectation it will shoot Stateside.
“A young Chinese expatriate named Ming, who must choose between remaining in prison or enlist in a secret U.S. super soldier program.” After a grueling gauntlet of tests and experiments, Ming survives thanks to “his extreme resolve, gained as a result of his family’s tradition of practicing Qijong and martial arts.”
Stan Lee recently mentioned a bunch of diverse superhero projects he was working on while speaking to Larry King, he briefly commented on this current movie about a year ago. I’m curious if all of these new Stan Lee characters will be getting features, it would make sense that studios would be begging for movie ideas since the Marvel franchise is a juggernaut.
These projects include Latino and Indian superheroes, the latter named Chakra.
I recently mentioned that Li would make a perfect candidate to play Marvel’s Colleen Wing, it seems like she’ll be getting her superhero shot earlier than expected.
SOURCE: HOLLYWOOD REPORTER