Tavia Yeung and Kenneth Ma to Star in TVB Drama Remakes
In order to retain its largely middle-aged demographic, TVB has made drastic plans to recreate the magic of its golden era in 2014. Not only will major film stars Anthony Wong (黃秋生), Sammo Hung (洪金寶), and Tony Leung Ka Fai (梁家輝) appear on prime time TV, two classic dramas will be remade along with a new iteration of the Below the Lion Rock <獅子山下> series.
In addition, TVB executive Peter Au (區偉林) stated that the company will eliminate abstract, complex dramas, such as this year’s Bullet Brain <神探哥倫布> and Beauty at War <金枝慾孽貳>. He also promised to focus on comedy and martial arts selections next year. The new plan generated much discussion and debate among viewers; some showed anticipation over the remakes while others criticized TVB’s lack of new, creative materials.
Additional information about some of these upcoming projects surfaced this week. TVB will begin filming the remake of Double Fantasies <無雙譜> in January. Originally aired in 1981, the series was helmed by famous director and producer Kam Kwok Leung (甘國亮) and written by Jonathan Chik (戚其義). The series is known for its special effects during supernatural sequences. Double Fantasies is made up of three story segments that examined the dilemmas that people faced, as well as their double standards. The cast performed two different roles in the drama, as a spirit and as a human. One of the most memorable performances was from Louise Lee (李司棋), who starred as a carp spirit.
For the remake, TVB executive Catherine Tsang (曾勵珍) is looking to cast Tavia Yeung (楊怡) in Louise’s role. Louise herself is also rumored to appear in the new series, though her role is currently unknown. When asked to comment about the news, Louise said, “It should’ve been remade long ago! Technology is so advanced nowadays; the series will certainly look great! TVB hasn’t reached out to me yet, but I will accept any role. Tavia is good; I have worked with her before… however I feel that Eliza Sam (岑麗香) is even more suitable. She is the cutest actress in all of TVB. She is pretty and young. I think she is very suitable for playing the carp spirit.”
In April, TVB will begin production on the second classic remake, 1981’s The Misadventure of Zoo <流氓皇帝>, and will cast Kenneth Ma (馬國明) as its lead. The original series took place during the end of Qing dynasty and starred Adam Cheng (鄭少秋) as poor villager Chu Gam Chun, and Louise Lee as his childhood crush Yung Yung. Despite their love for each other, Chu Gam Chun was too poor to afford the betrothal gifts that Yung Yung’s father demanded. Yung Yung eventually was forced to marry someone else. Chu Gam Chun then went through a series of events that gave him riches beyond imagination. He hoped to enter Yung Yung’s life once more but fate kept them apart. Later, Gam Chun lost all of his wealth during a dangerous escape but his misfortunes ironically led him back to Yung Yung. Their reunion scene remains one of the most iconic in TVB history.
In addition, new series Seize the Moment <只爭朝夕> will also begin filming in April next year. Not much is known about this series at the moment, but Tony Leung Ka Fai will star along with Raymond Lam (林峰). As for the revival of Below the Lion Rock, TVB hopes to retain the original format and turn realistic, relatable events into short stories. The company plans to bring in fresh faces, and assured that each story unit will star a different artist.
Source: Face Magazine #328 via ihktv.com
This article is written by Katrine for JayneStars.com.
look forward to all those drama…and i prefer Eliza Sam over Tavia Yeung
No complex series? Well, Producer Chik left that’s why.
Even Louise picks Eliza, lol She’ll be leading the next batch of actresses.
Just because Louise picked Eliza, doesn’t mean she’s any good. Eliza’s pretty, but that’s all. She can’t say her script properly and she can’t act. I think she’s got a long way to go before she can be the lead in a series. Tavia is actually a pretty good actress. The only thing is, I can’t stop staring at her nose, which is a bit irritating.
Looks like disasters are in the making, unless TVB is willing to fork more money in their productions, especially in terms of costumes and CGI. But I highly doubt they’ll do so, as illustrated by their cheapskate past
i hope tvb will remake return of the condor heroes.with him law as yung guo and tavia as siu long lui.
kolo,
That would be an interesting pair up!
oh true haha that would be VERY INTERESTING but Tavia is a bit old to be Siu Long Lui.
they don’t match…
i rather have him law and mandy wong….but they are not 1st line actor…TVB will not let them do it.
Maybe him law and eliza sam?
sure..okay
In the novel, Siulongnui was about 4 years older than Yangguo… so this is actually a very good pairing!
4 years?? I thought it was 8 years? Unless JY changed it in the newer editions.
Just 4 or 8 years? At least has to be 8 years. I thought like 10 or 12 years :).
My mom read the first edition and told me it was 8 years since I think YG was 10 and XLN was 18 when they first met. They do have an age gap, but I don’t think it is that big like 10 or 12 years.
8 years not too bad. My friend is 33 years old and dating a guy 25 years old but they are both white so I guess big age gap is not as a big deal as us Asians.
Oh yeah I remember when they first met and first time people actually saw her like when she turned 18 years old. And he is like 10, 11. Yeah 8 years make sense.
I the english comic version I read, Yang Guo was around 13-14 and Xiao Long Nv 18 when they first met.
I thought XLN was 15 and he was like 12? 10?
Yu Zheng with his “Pig can fly” Xiao Long Lui is saved if your wish comes true. At least Michelle Chen is still young and only fat, not fake.
I know for sure she was 18 cause the other characters talking about her turning 18. But I am not sure about him. But 18 and 10 make sense cause 8 years is a big gap. 4 not so much.
I think it is 18 because my mom even mentioned in the novel that it was during that time that she was 18 or about turn 18, which was why many showed up at the tomb hoping to marry her due to the rumour spread by Li Mo Chou. However, I am not sure how old YG was. My mom just told me that they were 8 years apart so it meant that he was around 10.
They can’t because JY has banned them for good. There are many Liang Yu Sheng and Huang Yi novels that have not been adapted yet. Also, there are many GL ones that have not been remade for a long time or have been adapted yet. Why not try those since JY’s have been remade way too many times already.
LOL…um, no…remaking ROTCH is not going to happen because 1) TVB is banned from remaking JY’s works, and 2) they wouldn’t be able to pull it off anyway because of the huge ‘lack of resource’ situation they’re currently in.
In a sense, I’m actually kind of glad there’s a ban because JY’s works have already been remade to death over the past 3 decades — to the point that it was starting to get annoying. Now if only JY could extend the ‘ban’ to a certain Mainland producer (though it’s pretty much a given that’s never going to happen), I’m sure that would make many JY fans very happy….
I don’t think Tavia is good for Siu Lung Lui. She does not have that kind of charisma and elegance.
Not sure about SIU LUNG LUI but Tavia looked very beautiful in ancient clothes. The serie with Steven Ma and Moses Chan. She looked very very pretty.
I just cant imagine TY as siu long lui either!
O yea TY is great for 楊門女將 plzzzzzzzzz do a remake of it TVB huh!
too bad jin yong banned tvb from ever remaking his dramas
Wat happened ??????????????
Tavia as XLN? No way!! Mandy as XLN? Same like the Yu Zheng travesty. Leave that alone until they can find someone ethereally beautiful for that role.
Him Law as YG? Good reason to start ripping off his clothes then.
I like Eliza too but I prefer Tavia ;).
Definitely not Eliza. I prefer Tavia and still don’t understand why Nancy is not getting the opportunity.
ME TOO! I believe actors need to have experience and eliza just doesnt have that yet.
I second that-I do like Eliza, but for this role-definitely a NO. Tavia’s acting can pull it off no doubt.
Tavia actually looks good in the above picture. Is it the latest? looks like she gained a bit of weight? Or she did something to her chin?
Yes, she looks good. Sometimes Tavia dress so old, she really needs a good stylist.
Haha I like her a lot but I dont like this photo of her. But she does look younger here.
Complex drama? it was only because the script were so badly written that made it complex to understand and boring to watch…. WIll TVB ever learn?? Even TITS2 is failing miserably. I Cant stand anything tvb makes. They cant just focus on comedy and material art dramas. People need varieties. Now they trying to remake drama just to stand out and prove they still strong. tvb so desperate to be good but fails whatever they do.
Stealing ideas from others is already embarrassing but messing with their finest dramas is beyond out of control. That Catherine Tang needs to be sack.
I definitely fall into the batch of people who are critical of TVB remaking classic series (I already can’t stand them doing sequels to popular series, so ‘remaking’ of old series is definitely a ‘no-no’ for me, especially with TVB’s lack of talent at this point in time). I guess we’ll have to see what happens, but personally, I feel it’s a waste of time…
Since this article came from a tabloid, not sure how true the information is…if it’s true though, I have to say that Kenneth Ma will have big shoes to fill playing the iconic Chu Gam Chun role that Adam Cheng made famous! I may not like Adam as a person (and he’s actually hit and miss for me as an actor too), but he’s absolutely had quite a few memorable performances and “The Misadventures of Zoo” role was definitely one of them.
And I’m really interested in seeing how TVB is going to handle the famous Adam/Louise reunion scene….
Frankly I have not watched all those series… It is a good chance for the youngsters to watch the remake 🙂
I have to agree with Ray! why not right? hahaha
Ok TVB is truly desperate and running out of ideas. Remaking novels is one thing, but now are trying to remake their own classics too. Boy, they are trying to milk the cow dry and trying to save themselves from a sinking ship.
Yeah they should not do remake. If they want to do remake, maybe try remaking Japanese series into HK version, like hotaru no hikari. Tavia will be good as the lead. As for the male lead, I love naohito fujiki, so it will be difficult to cast for that. Maybe Michael Tse?
Oh.. Steven Ma with Tavia would be great for a remake of hotaru no hikari!
Hm… good idea but then they will be accused of stealing ideas. But then again, if they claim that it is Japanese series remake then it should be ok. TVB really needs new ideas and borrowing ideas is the only way to go right now since they have milked their own cow dry.
True HeTieShou. I don’t think it’ll be a problem if they say they are remaking Japanese series, much better than milking a dry cow as you’ve said so elegantly.
I have no idea what it is but yeah sounds good I like both of them.
Sophia, it’s based on a Japanese manga.
Hotaru is a OL who looks professional during the day but turn into dry fish at home during the night. She prefers to sleep or drink beers at home than seek romance. Due to unforeseen circumstances, suddenly she’s living with her boss, Buchou or Takano. Then Makoto, a new person at work who’s younger than her fell in love with her…
Come to think about it, Steven Ma can be Buchou, Him can be Makoto and Tavia can be Hotaru!
@Puff,
Hey you should work for TVB since you seem to have more ideas than those folks that work for them do. Do you watch Taiwanese series?? I enjoy those a lot and a number of them are adapted from Japanese manga, but of course they always say that it is from a Japanese manga so there would be no accusations of copying or plagiarism.
Thanks HeTieShou. Yeah, those TVB people are deadwood. 😉
I don’t watch Taiwanese series, but I know of them (my friend loves it). I prefer Jap series, trying to improve my Jap.
I agree tht saying it outright and e transparent about adapting from Jap will not attract accusations of plagiarising. But those silly people in TVB just don’t think ahead…
Thanks Puff. It sounds very interesting :).
I am actually more excited about 只爭朝夕 than the other two dramas.
After BTROC there wasnt any of tavia’s drama that i like. No offence to tavias fans ( i used to be her fan 2), her acting has reached a level where it cant improve anymore. Shes just stiff in her acting. And i really hate her voice now, it has become so hoarse. She used to be one of my favorite actrices but now i just cant enjoy her acting anymore. Really used to like her in historical dramas.
Sad but I have to agree. I still LIKE her A LOT though.
An actor’s performance can always have room for improvement-but with the amount work tvb loads her with each year, series after series after series, there is basically no time for her rest and recharge; to be able to stop and analyse her own performance in order to improve.
And I agree- BTROC was one that really stood out in terms of her acting, the series after that were good but not surprising as her acting performance level for her roles were expected. But I do have to say that her recent SSSS performance was really well done IMO! Didnt really like the drama’s plot, but the way she portrayed her character was excellent.
She is overworked and also overexposed.
“- BTROC was one that really stood out in terms of her acting”
I absolutely disagree. I thought her acting was awful and so obviously OTT with her obvious constant eyes rolling. Her best work was Vigilante Force. The Other Truth was a good one but I absolutely love her in The Land Of Wealth (that one with Steven Ma and Moses) where she matured as an actress who was elegant and subtle. But after that she became too promoted and too overexposed in roles that some she did well (SSSS but crappy series) but many she was wrongly cast as the lead.
But to me BTROC is never that bar where she is to be compared with. I in fact like to forget about her in BTROC. I actually thought Charmaine did much better in there.
But 3 series stood out. Vigilante Force which showed her potential. The Other Truth which was well written and well acted. But The Land Of Wealth was where she blossomed and soon after dried out.
She looked so beautiful in Land of Wealth. She looked really good in ancient clothes, ancient beauty.
if there’s a series I want to remake, it’s looking back in anger…but that doesn’t really gel with the pg era tvb is in.
PLEASE NO!!! TVB better not touch any of THOSE classics (the truly popular ones from the 80s and 90s…or even the 70s for that matter). There’s no way that TVB will be able to remake those classics in a way that would transcend the original — the caliber of artists was different back then and the environment / atmosphere was different as well…
Honestly, I hope TVB doesn’t continue this route of remaking classics because like I said earlier, not only is it a waste of time, they’re also opening up the door for more criticism and comparisons (especially if they even try to touch the true classics that already have a special place in audience’s hearts). At this moment in time, when TVB already has so many problems to deal with and are already so deep in the toilet in terms of public opinion, it just doesn’t seem like a wise move for them to be remaking classics and thereby inviting more criticism (though I guess it can be viewed as a good way to generate hype and get people to watch the series — after all, negative exposure is better than no exposure at all….)
im not against remakes but agree that remakes by tvb is almost always worser than the originals. since tvb said that big names like samo hung, tony leung ka fai and anthony wong will coming back to take part of such great classics im very curious this time.
@llwy12: Totally agree!! TVB would be nuts to even think of messing with the truly popular modern classics from the 70s, 80s and 90s, like Man In The Net, The Feud of Two Brothers, Looking Back In Anger, or The Blood Of Good And Evil!! Omg, it’s ridiculous for TVB in its current pathetic state – devoid of true talents right now, be it in terms of writers, producers or actors- to attempt reinventing these timeless classics. It’s like Michael Bay trying to remake the movie The Godfather or Titanic. Sheesh, what utter foolishness and desperation if TVB thinks they can catch lighting in a bottle twice.
Oh good idea. I heard it was a good series but I have never seen it. Why not?
It’s pretty damn good. Was one of the highest rated series in the 80s. Greed of Man and Heaven’s Retribution (also produced by Wai Ka Fai) are much better though. Greed of Man is the greatest thing TVB’s ever done IMO.
FOJ might be a really good idea for a reboot IMO. There’s a lot of decent younger actors who haven’t headlined anything who should be given a chance much like Bobby Au Yeung and Michael Tao were given a chance with the first FOJ.
@sophia: Watch “Looking Back in Anger” and you’ll understand why fans like us DON’T want it remade….
sophia,
You can look forward to “Brother’s Keeper” which features brotherly love, which was explored in “Looking Back in Anger”.
With the current pool of artists at TVB? Are you kidding me?!?! Felix, Deric, Carina, Maggie, etc. are all memorable in their respective roles.
chilam for felix
him law for deric
myolie for carina
nancy for maggie
eliza for chow hoi may
what do you think about that?
Nonono!!! Ugh. Leave LBIA alone!
@hkppl: No, no, no, no, and no! Doesn’t matter who TVB decides to cast, it’s not going to work…LBIA is way too LEGENDARY of a series that any attempt at remaking would be a disaster (not to mention that TVB would truly be committing a “horrible sin” in fans’ eyes). The way that series impacted the entertainment industry as well as all of HK is not something that people who didn’t grow up in that era will understand.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
NOT MY MOST FAVOURITE SERIES! NOT THE SERIES THAT DEFINED MY GENERATION!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
No!!!
Not sure if it was reported here, but the reason that they decided to do 2 remakes for the upcoming year is to lessen the load for the writing staff. Starting 2014, 90% (I believe that should be correct) of the script has to be completed before shooting can begin so this is supposed to help with the adjustment.
I haven’t seen the original of either of the series, and don’t really plan to, but I’m not that keen on the idea of remakes. I’m surprised that they didn’t just put a dubbed Mainland series in one of the slots since they have done this a few times, although I would prefer a remake vs dubbed series.
I actually don’t like remakes at all but I guess TVB is out of ideas? haha….
Personally, I think Tavia would be more suitable to play the lookalike brother and sister played by Lee Lam Lam in the old version.
I think remakes should be interesting because some of the young generations tvb fans have not seen the classic! so why not remake it so the young generations get to see what it is about.. not a bad idea! many Hollywoods remakes the old movies too. So I dont see why not! I’m excited actually!
Why do TVB make a remake of some classic action like The Bund ,The Shell Game ,The Final Combat ,soldier of fortune ,the lonely hunter,Prize of Growing Up,cast Kenneth as Loh 4 Hoi ,Raymond Lam as Shaun tai Chin and Him Law as ah loong in the shell games,cast William chak as Hui Man Keong in the bund ,what do you think.
Reporters once again make all planned casts as 100% confirmed and when there is chances, whoever Txb dun boost will be bashed for the changes.
No contract has been signed for series with Tony Leung. LF still says he is considering the offer. Tony Leung says he might film if he has time.
How about Man in the Net? My mum always claim no one can replace DoDo…lol… she’s big fan!
@ebbie: Hell no! TVB better not touch that series either! (by the way, the actual English name for that series is “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly”). Chow Yun Fat and Dodo Cheng were awesome as the leads in that series and are “legendary” when it comes to acting — neither one is replaceable and TVB better not even try….
Haha…. I thought so too:-)
Interesting!
O TVB y not do a gigolo series havent watch such from TVB so far huh!
agree that tavia not fit for this role
http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/UmKZVMyh2GA/
Eliza Sam is perfect for this role, but need to improve her chinese… it took someone cute for the role