Wong Jing Eager to Cast Deanie Ip and Kenneth Ma in TVB Drama
The television wars in Hong Kong have been delayed to 2013, allowing TVB, CTI, and Now TV more time to prepare for battle. TVB majority shareholder, Charles Chan (陳國強) has convinced Director Wong Jing (王晶) to produce a big-budget 40-episode drama for TVB. Wong Jing hoped to cast internationally acclaimed actress, Deanie Ip (葉德嫻), Kenneth Ma (馬國明), Hawick Lau (劉愷威) and Kimmy Tong (童菲) in the series.
TVB’s rival station, CTI’s broadcasting license approval has been delayed, stretching the cash resources of Chairman Ricky Wong (王維基). Successfully luring away many of TVB’s reputable artists and production staff, CTI has several dramas in the pipeline, including a new detective thriller starring Felix Wong (黃日華) and his daughter, Adrian Wong (黄芷晴).
Richard Li’s (李澤楷) Now TV was eager to make greater strides in its television drama programming. Husband-and-wife team, producers Lau Ka Ho (劉家豪) and Miu Siu Sing (梅小青), left TVB to work for Now TV in April. It was reported that Lau Ka Ho is interested in seeking out Charmaine Sheh (佘詩曼) for a new drama. Wong He (王喜) also confirmed that he will film for Now TV in early 2013.
Realizing that TVB needed to strengthen the quality of its dramas amidst greater competition, Charles Chan sought out director Wong Jing to act as TVB’s trump card.
Wong Jing had worked as a TVB scriptwriter in the 1970s, creating the masterpiece, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, also known as Man in the Net <網中人>. Wong Jing also created the widely popular Flaming Brothers <縱橫四海>, saving ATV ratings in 1999. Wong Jing’s dramatic scripts and seasoned ability made him the best person for TVB to turn to amidst an impending television war with rival stations.
Wong Jing Confirms Partnership With TVB
Admitting that he will produce a drama for TVB, Wong Jing said, “TVB invested in my production company’s new mainland drama, which centers around family love and revenge. [Deanie Ip] will be the matriarch. Kimmy Tong will portray her adopted daughter. Hawick Lau and Kenneth Ma are also actors I wish to cast. I had preliminary discussions with Deanie. When the discussions are more advanced, we can speak about it further!”
It was rumored that internationally acclaimed actress, Deanie Ip, commanded a staggering $250,000 HKD filming fee per episode for the new TVB drama. If Deanie were to accept the powerful matriarch role, the caliber of her acting skills will provide audiences with great joy.
Although his earlier acting career in Hong Kong was lackluster, Hawick Lau has managed to turn around his luck incredibly in mainland China, ascending to the ranks of television producer this year. Wong Jing’s desire to produce a drama to appeal to the mainland market naturally led him to consider Hawick Lau.
Dubbed as a “Jing Girl” due to Wong Jing’s heavy promotion, 21-year-old Kimmy Tong was also cast in Wong Jing’s new film, The Last Tycoon <大上海>, opposite Chow Yun Fat (周潤發).
If Wong Jing were able to assemble his dream cast of seasoned talent and popular actors, his new TVB drama will be a heavyweight in next year’s television line-up.
Source: Apple Daily via ihktv.com
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Jayne: Deanie Ip is good friends with Wong Jing; there will be a good chance that she will film. Kenneth Ma will of course be cleared as Wong Jing pointedly asked for him. Hawick Lau may be the only actor whose availability is uncertain, since he may be busy doing post-production work for his upcoming drama. However, Wong Jing likely desires Hawick’s commercial appeal in mainland, which makes Hawick a good casting choice.
It will surely be an interesting and attractive drama series for people in Hong Kong and overseas.
Looking forward to watching Deannie Ip’s excellent acting.
wow wong jing specifically wants ma ming to be in his blockbuster! glad that ma ming is his choice out of so many others
Fiona,
Wong Jing is foremost a businessman, so he is trying to pick solid actors with wide appeal. Kenneth is very popular in HK right now, while Hawick Lau is a solid actor with high popularity in mainland China.
I hope Wong Jing can assemble his dream cast. Hawick may be the uncertain card though.
Wow hope this news is true. Will be excellant to see Deanie Ip and Kenneth Ma working together. Kennethe seems to be climbing the ladder in a speed!!
KM is really becoming a big shot in TVB fast now. Working with Deanie Ip in a grand production is something big!
Not yet. Just a casting wish first. But if Wong Jing says so, my bet is Kenneth will drop all other series for this. After all, Deanie Ip wor…
I am not sure if Hawick is a great actor now but he is very popular which is true. But again $$$ is the question.
Wong Jing also said this is a mainland series so it make sense why WJ wants Hawick since Hawick famous in mainland. KM is easy to get sinve TVB is the investor and TVB surely let KM film this. It’s Deanie forgodsake
TVB direction now really to target mainland audience
It is said he or TVB producing 40 episodes.
Dear Wong Jing,
Please stop killing me.
Regards,
Hong Kong cinema.
Wong Jing was a producer of many epic TVB and ATV series before he make movies.
Sure, but this time he is the director
This sound promising with Wong Jing! Hope he get his dream casts! So happy for Ma Ming!
Yikes, I don’t think I like any of wong jings work.Okay I lie, i thought Sex and Zen was interesting lol lol lol.
Best news for TVB thus far but I think it will be those tycoon story.
It can also be something like HOG and MR
No no not those clapping hands and singing together with slogans. No no!
Not that. But those huge dramatic crying scene and family feud scenes. Ratings always high for these types.
I never had the chance to finish “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”, and it’s been a while since I’ve last seen “Flaming Brothers.” But from what I remember of it, it was good, and I became an instant Patrick Tam fan because of it.
I should watch it again LOL
I heard Flaming Brothers was a big hit when it was aired in HK.
I never had the chance to watch The Good, The Bad, The Ugly. Was it really good as people always say?
It was under the standard of the series in this period in my opinion.
It was good in that era. Although people will find it outdated now but the storyline is good. The chemistry between Chow Yun Fatt and Carole Cheng is excellant. Worth to see it!!
I remember Flaming Brothers, wrote a review for it. It was a good series spoilt by the fact that Kathy Chow became sick towards the end and the editing was terrible because they kept repeating a single scene of Kathy smiling since she was not there to film it. It was sad though. Reminds me of Looking Back In Anger.
Eventhough, I’m glad to see Kenneth and Hawick but the story is around family and revenge. This main theme has been in many drama series before.
Flaming Brothers have my favorite artists but the story wasn’t that good despite the popular main casts. Somehow, I don’t like Deanie Ip’s performance in that serie. I only watched for Kathy Chow, Michael Tao, and Patrick Tam.
This is a TVB and mainland collaboration so it will help to introduce TVB artistes to mainland market. I don’t know if TVB can afford Hawick. Deanie Ip fees alone is already high.
Deanie Ip sounds promissing but Wong Jing gets me out. Alrite he has famous products in the past but look at him now. Lolz, the latest series he has just done is Da Tang Sung Lung? It’s ridiculous. Txb’s Da Tang isnt too good but at least it dun have the 7 stars on footsteps.
Hawick Lau should use the busy status to refuse it and if can, I hope Deanie Ip will also refuse.
Deanie Ip is big name if TVB manage to get her!
Can TVB afford Hawick?
Some people have to play friendship card to get Hawick I think LOL
Ask Lau Dan. Father is easier.
Wong Jing might use Deanie to persuade Hawick.
Lau Dan surely can help.
Who doesn’t want to co-star with Deannie Ip in a drama series? Her acting is fantastic and she had been awarded Best Actress Award in Venice and in Hong Kong and maybe somewhere else. It is an honour to co-act with her.
If Lau Dan is in the drama I think Hawick might agree to film as well.Father and son film together will be the best.And Ma Ming will be another bonus.
I hope this does not clash with on call 2. Don’t think tvb will postpone on call 2 for Kenneth since Lawrence is also confirmed.
I don’t think it will clash and this series won’t start soon. Wong Jing need time to finish the script and confirm the cast. It might even take a year before this series start filming.
family love and revenge… how is that any different from EVERY OTHER tvb series?? big names don’t make compelling story. hoping this will not be aother failure.
I will still watch this even though it’s the same recycled storyline of family love and revenge. I think it will be interesting to see the proposed actors/actresses come together and the sparks that will be generated. This series if it does end up happening will definitely generate a large viewership and will be great for TVB.
Wong Jing will pick Kenneth MA,
that is surprise, why ?
Ma Ming is popular enough and the with all the recent scandals with Bosco,Raymond and Ron of course Ma Ming will be pick instead.
WHY on earth is kate called medusa? After seeing this photo of kenneth, I strongly campaign for Kenneth to be called Medusa instead.
http://ww3.sinaimg.cn/large/70e120a9tw1dvrah5cq4vj.jpg