Here’s how you can catch the much-anticipated sequel to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in Singapore
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny sees the return of Michelle Yeoh as the female warrior Yu Shu Lien.
Some 15 years after internationally-acclaimed Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was released in cinemas, fans
of the epic martial arts film will finally get to enjoy another instalment with big action stars.
LIMITED RELEASE
However, this time, you won’t be heading to cinemas to catch the action.
This much-anticipated sequel, titled Sword of Destiny, will not be shown in cinemas in Singapore. It will only be aired via the new Netflix service here, on Feb 26.
Also read: How to get 9 months of Netflix for free
This comes after the decision by Netflix and The Weinstein Company’s producer, Harvey Weinstein, to release Sword of Destiny only on Netflix and in selected IMAX theatres around the world.
STEEPED IN SECRECY
Instead of veteran actor Chow Yun Fatt from the first film, Sword of Destiny stars Donnie Yen as a new lead, Si Mengzhao (aka Silent Wolf).
Not only has Sword of Destiny’s limited release flown under the radar in Singapore, its storyline has also been kept tightly under wraps. Movie database website IMDb simply states: “A story of lost love, young love, a legendary sword and one last opportunity at redemption”.
The first movie featured veteran actor Chow Yun Fat as accomplished swordsman Master Li Mu Bai, Michelle Yeoh as female warrior Yu Shu Lien and Zhang Ziyi as the feisty tritagonist, Jen Yu.
Also read: Zhang Ziyi: Relationships should be about giving each other space
Sword of Destiny, on the other hand, features almost entirely new characters. Action star Donnie Yen, most famous for portraying Ip Man, stars as lead character Meng Sizhao (aka Silent Wolf). The only other familiar character is female warrior Shu Lien, reprised by Yeoh.
Jason Scott Lee, who starred as Bruce Lee in the biopic, Dragon (1993), and Eugenia Yuan, whose mother, silver screen legend Cheng Pei-Pei, starred in the first film, also appear in Sword of Destiny.
Will Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny be a smash hit like its award-winning predecessor? With missing stars and such a limited release, it might hurt its prospects.
By Pamela Chow
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny will be released on Feb 26 on Netflix Singapore.
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