Besides the acclaimed House of Cards and Orange is the New Black, two more recent announcements makes the once exclusively online service look more like HBO… or is HBO looking more like Netflix? And how did IMAX get into the picture? Interesting also to note that both of these are being produced in conjunction with the Weinstein Company… see Harvey Weinstein’s quote below about what a moviegoing experience is, not to mention the incursion into the Chinese market with a full-length IMAX film.
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Lorenzo Richelmy in a scene from Netflix’s “Marco Polo.” Photo Credit: Phil Bray for Netflix.
A new series, MARCO POLO, which, from the trailer sent out by Netflix (see below), has all the costume drama feeling of Rome and Game of Thrones, both HBO blockbusters with high production values and glorious film-style cinematography. The show premieres on December 12, 2014, and has the potential to stir up plenty of binge watching over the winter.
But the other announcement seems to carry Netflix even more deeply into HBO’s territory for film distribution: Netflix announced their first feature film, a sequel to the popular Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and, more importantly, it will be released both on Netflix and simultaneously in selected global I-MAX cinemas on August 28, 2015.
Here is a teaser video for Marco Polo, with Netflix’s promotional news below, followed by the press release for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend.
In a world replete with greed, betrayal, sexual intrigue and rivalry, “Marco Polo” is based on the famed explorer’s adventures in Kublai Khan’s court in 13th century China. The show stars Italian newcomer Lorenzo Richelmy as ‘Marco.’ Best known for her role in The Wachowski’s “Cloud Atlas,” the Beijing-born Zhu Zhu plays Marco’s love interest ‘Kokachin.’ Joan Chen (“Twin Peaks”) and Benedict Wong (“Prometheus”) also star in the show’s eclectic global cast as Empress Chabi and Kublai Khan.
Rounding out “Marco Polo’s” global cast of characters will be Remy Hii as ‘Prince Jingim,’ Olivia Cheng as ‘Mei Lin,’ Claudia Kim as ‘Khutulun,” Uli Latukefu as ‘Byamba,’ Chin Han as ‘Jia Sidao,’ and Tom Wu as ‘Hundred Eyes.’
Creator John Fusco (“Forbidden Kingdom,” “Young Guns,” “Hidalgo”) and Harvey Weinstein are executive producers on “Marco Polo.” Dan Minahan (“Game of Thrones,” “True Blood”) also serves as executive producer and directed two episodes for the 10-episode first season. Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg (Academy Award nominated “Kon-Tiki,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales”) directed the season’s first two episodes and serve as executive producers. Patrick MacManus serves as co-executive producer. Collin Creighton produced on behalf of The Weinstein Company.
CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON: THE GREEN LEGEND TO PREMIERE SIMULTANEOUSLY ON NETFLIX AND IN SELECT GLOBAL IMAX® THEATERS
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend, the stunning next chapter in the saga started by the critically and popularly acclaimed Ang Lee martial arts epic, will premiere exclusively on Netflix and in selected global IMAX® theaters on August 28, 2015.
Donnie Yen stars in Netflix’s CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON: THE GREEN LEGEND. Photo credit: Rico Torres for Netflix
Produced by The Weinstein Company, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend echoes the themes of the original movie, but tells its own story — one of lost love, young love, a legendary sword and one last opportunity at redemption, set against breathtaking action in an epic martial arts battle between good and evil that will decide the fate of the Martial World.
Directed by the renowned martial arts choreographer (The Matrix Trilogy and Kill Bill 1&2) and director (Tai Chi Master) Yuen Wo-Ping, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend stars Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, The Lady) reprising her role as Yu Shu-Lien and Donnie Yen (Ip Man 1&2, Monkey King 3D) as Silent Wolf.
The film is to be the first of several major films backed by Netflix to premiere on the same day on the world’s leading Internet TV network and in select IMAX theaters globally, giving consumers and exhibitors around the world unparalleled flexibility in how, when and where they enjoy a major motion picture.
Michelle Yeoh stars in Netflix’s CROUCHING TIGER, HIDDEN DRAGON: THE GREEN LEGEND. Photo credit: Rico Torres for Netflix
“Fans will have unprecedented choice in how they enjoy an amazing and memorable film that combines intense action and incredible beauty,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. “We are honored to be working with Harvey Weinstein and a world-class team of creators to bring this epic story to people all over the world and to partner with IMAX, a brand that represents the highest quality of immersive entertainment, in the distribution of this film.”
“The moviegoing experience is evolving quickly and profoundly, and Netflix is unquestionably at the forefront of that movement,” said TWC Co-Chairman Harvey Weinstein. “We are tremendously excited to be continuing our great relationship with Netflix and bringing to fans all over the world the latest chapter in this amazing and intriguing story.”
“IMAX has a terrific opportunity, via this partnership with Netflix, to release Crouching Tiger – a high-quality, action-packed film that is right in our wheelhouse — at the end of the summer blockbuster season,” said Greg Foster, Senior Executive Vice President, IMAX Corp. and CEO of IMAX Entertainment. “We are particularly hopeful it will play in our highly successful China market. In territories where we simultaneously release with Netflix, we are excited to offer consumers the option of deciding how, when and where they want to view the film, and exhibitors the opportunity to participate in this alternative form of content in a new and innovative way.”
Based on the acclaimed novel, Iron Knight, Silver Vase, by Wang Dulu (book 5 in the Crane-Iron Pentalogy) and written by John Fusco (Marco Polo) the new film is produced by Harvey Weinstein (Academy Award winner – The King’s Speech, The Artist) and Peter Berg (Emmy Award winner – Friday Night Lights; Lone Survivor, Hancock) and Sarah Aubrey (Friday Night Lights; Lone Survivor, Hancock) and executive produced by Morten Tyldum (Headhunters, The Imitation Game), Ralph Winter (X-Men franchise), Anthony Wong, and Bey Logan (The Medallion).
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: The Green Legend also stars Harry Shum Jr (Glee, Revenge of the Green Dragons), Jason Scott Lee (Seventh Son, Hawaii Five-O), Roger Yuan (Bulletproof Monk), Eugenia Yuan (Revenge of the Green Dragons) and newcomer Natasha Liu Bordizzo.
Principal photography is now underway in New Zealand. The film’s director of photography is Tom Sigel (Drive, X-Men: Days of Future Past) and design is led by the Academy Award®-winning Lord of the Rings team of costume designer Ngila Dickson, production designer Grant Major and visual effects supervisor Mark Stetson.
