Joe Ma Loses $10 Million to Film “Tiger Cubs 2”
Joe Ma (馬德鐘), who left TVB last year to sign with a separate management company, is confirmed to return to star in the Tiger Cubs <飛虎> sequel this summer. Joe reportedly lost over $10 million HKD in order to star in the production.
Tagged as TVB’s “Summer Drama of the Year” in 2012, Tiger Cubs was a bit hit and gained a strong online following. The action-packed serial about Hong Kong’s elite Special Duties Unit (SDU)also contributed to the stardom of Oscar Leung (梁烈唯), Vincent Wong (王浩信), and Him Law (羅仲謙).
TVB confirmed last year that they will produce a Tiger Cubs sequel, which will begin shooting in June 2013. Although leading star, Joe, had already left TVB at the time of its announcement, an insider spilled that the Tiger Cubs producers had Joe in mind to return. The source said, “Joe has kept a good relationship [with TVB] when he left. When TVB decided to give Tiger Cubs 2 the green-light, they all wanted Joe to return. In the end, Joe decided to sign an artist contract with TVB.”
The insider revealed that Joe was hired for $60,000 HKD per episode, making him one of the highest-paying actors in TVB. Now a contracted artist, Joe promised to film one TVB drama serial per year.
Joe, who reportedly lost $10 million HKD in filming remunerations due to signing with TVB, admitted this indirectly in a phone interview. Jod said, “I indeed turned down two mainland Chinese dramas in order to film Tiger Cubs. Let’s not talk about how much money I lost. It is not very important.”
He explained that Tiger Cubs has been one of his favorite and most satisfying projects in recent years. “I am very happy to have the opportunity to film the sequel. When TVB contacted me about the project, it didn’t take long for me to say yes. I am honored to have the chance to film a drama that I truly enjoy and love. It’s worth it.”
Asked if Joe was getting paid $60,000 HKD per episode for Tiger Cubs 2, Joe laughed, “It is not always money all the time! I am actually more worried about my body being out of shape. I am not as fit as before. Although I have kept some of my pectoral muscles, my abs are completely gone. Hopefully I’ll have time to work out. I may need to hire a fitness instructor to help me out.”
Joe also reasoned that the Tiger Cubs 2 project arrived at a perfect timing. “I’m happy that the start date is in June, because I’ll get to stay in Hong Kong. My 20th wedding anniversary is also in June, and my wife and I want to host a party. It’ll be even better if filming doesn’t begin until after our party. That’ll be absolutely perfect!”
Joe Earns $45 Million
After leaving TVB’s management last year, Joe filmed six mainland Chinese dramas, reportedly earning over $45 million HKD in total. Currently earning for 150,000 RMB per episode in mainland China, Joe is also frequently hired to participate at grand opening events and promotional concert tours.
The wealth he has earned for one year in mainland China almost equates to the wealth Joe earns in TVB for seven years.
Source: Three Weekly via ihktv.com
This article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.
Damn he lost a lot of money to film for tvb again but “Tiger cubs” was really good. He can earn those money again.
And I think you did a spelling mistake, it should be big hit not bit hit.
oh my gosh, like 4real?
one year in mainland China is as much as seven years in TVB??
holy lord that is unbelievable
but then again, you get more famous and recognised in TVB than mainland china
yeh u get recognised more by hong kong in tvb but isnt money more important
It’s quite normal. In some better cases, one year in China equal to ten years in Txb.
Txb will help to have the recognition in HK :P. In China, not all Txb actors can make the fame and recognition.
But without the seven years in TVB, no one knows him and who would hire him in china??
It is good to have Joe Ma back for sequel.He look exactly like a real SDU commander. Thumbs up for Joe. And hopefully the female lead will act as arrogant as possible but not elegence since this is not a love story drama but fully actioned packed.
linda chung will be the female lead.
Wow that’s a lot of money. No wonder why some tvb celebrities left to find work in mainland China instead.
Please don’t screw up Tiger Cubs 2.
TVB tends to screw up dramas they make a second of.
I truly enjoyed watching TC last year. TVB has not produced that many quality dramas over recent years and TC was the only one that really kept me wanting more with its actions sequences and SDU storylines.
Hopefully the sequel will be just as good.
Yea, they do earn ALOT more in mainland China which is why many aim to go there instead of stay at TVB. Also, their scheduling is better so the artists are able to rest better too. Instead of at TVB where the pay is low and they work you to death…
But the matter is: Not everyone can go to China and gain big money there. Having leading role in China (even in small series) is hard to approach as well.
theres a good chance where joe can earn 500k an ep like raymond and kevin soon
He must really dislike filming over there if he is willing to take such a huge paycut and slave-like conditions to work for TVB again.
Not many TVB artists would give that opportunity up to stay in HK.
I wonder if his wife dislikes him filming in the mainland? That would certainly explain his decision to re-sign with TVB and stay in HK.
Perhaps his wife wants to avoid the whole Rose Chan fiasco from happening again. It is less likely that such things would re-occur if he were to stay in HK under her supervision.
Or perhaps he really loves filming in HK; and money isn’t really that much of an issue anymore?
Lots of people give up the higher paying jobs/roles just because the added stress/travel/people just aren’t worth it!
Life is short, gotta spend it doing something you enjoy!
I am glad he is still in demand but i totally did not find Tiger Cubs interesting at all.
he’s crazy….
Why does it have to be about TVB or about the money? Maybe Joe, as he states, really enjoyed Tiger Cubs and wants to do the sequel for that reason alone?
I agree, perhaps Joe really did find that filming Tiger Cubs was very self-fulfilling and wanted to film the sequel. The media always likes to attach dollar figures to everything.
Don’t underestimate the popularity TVB series can bring if the role is a success. Sometimes, actors like to film for TVB to get the recognition from Hong Kong audience. Joe can earn that money back, no problem.
Quite liked Joe in TC. Looking forward to his comeback.
Love Joe, he is still so handsome, his acting has got better over the years and he gets more lead role, shame he never won anything….
Was Linda Chung suppose to replace Jessica Hsuan?
Joe Ma is ugly and cannot act!