Weekend in Taipei
| Weekend in Taipei | |
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 Theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | George Huang |
| Written by |
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Production company | |
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Release dates |
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| Countries | France Taiwan[1] |
| Language | English |
Weekend in Taipei is an upcoming French action film[2] directed by George Huang and co-written with Luc Besson. Starring Luke Evans, Gwei Lun-mei, and Sung Kang, the film was filmed and set in Taiwan. It centers around an American DEA agent, John Lawlor (Evans), who reunites with a Taipei-based mercenary driver, Joey Kwang (Gwei), and becomes entangled in a romantic relationship with her.
The film is set to premiere on 21 August 2024 in France, follow by a theatrical release on 25 September in Taiwan.
Premise
John Lawlor, a committed American Drug Enforcement Administration agent, fell in love with Joey Kwang, a Taipei-based transporter, but was forced to separate due to the disruption of criminal and corruption activities. 15 years later, the duo is reunited when Lawlor is on a mission in Taipei.[3]
Cast
- Luke Evans as John Lawlor, an American DEA agent[3]
- Gwei Lun-mei as Joey Kwang, a top Taipei-based "transporter"[3]
- Sung Kang as the leader of a drug cartel[4]
- Patrick Lee as a drug cartel hitman[4]
- Wyatt Yang as Kwang's son[3]
Production
Development
In 2013, director Luc Besson and producer Virginie Besson-Silla filmed the French sci-fi film Lucy in Taiwan. The duo were impressed by the Taiwanese cityscapes and promised to return to Taiwan to shoot another film.[5][6] In February 2023, Luc and Virginie Besson developed a screenplay set in Taipei and went to Taipei for further location scouting.[7] The Bessons met with Taipei City mayor Chiang Wan-an, who announced that the film would be supported by the Taipei Film Commission.[7][1] Initially titled Weekend Escape Project, the film was announced to be produced by EuropaCorp in June 2024, with George Huang brought on as the director, while Luke Evans and Gwei Lun-mei were cast as the lead actors.[5] The film marks EuropaCorp's first production after the company's financial restructuring and a four-year hiatus.[5] Huang later also took up screenwriting duties and co-wrote the film with Besson.[2] In August, Korean actor Sung Kang joined the cast.[8] The distribution rights in North America were acquired by Ketchup Entertainment in March 2024.[2] The official trailer was released in August 2024.[9]
Filming
Principal photography began on 3 July in Taipei,[5] with Evans arriving in Taiwan to prepare for the shoot in June.[10][11] The entire filming crew was composed of Taiwanese filmmakers.[1] Filming was expected to span across three months, with location shooting taking place at Zhongshan Hall, Taipei Performing Arts Center, Taipei Dome, Taipei Music Center, and Taipei City Hall.[5][12] Filming also took place at the I-Mei Foods office on 7 August,[8] and at the American Street of Ximending on 22 August, with Besson and Kang spotted on set.[13]
Release
Weekend in Taipei is set to release theatrically in France on 21 August 2024.[14][better source needed] The film will be subsequently released on 25 September in Taiwan,[6][15] and on 10 November in North America.[9]
References
- ^ a b c "兌現10年承諾《周末在台北》大動作勘景 台北市長蔣萬安歡迎國際影人全力支持拍攝". Taipei Film Commission (in Chinese). 10 February 2023. Archived from the original on 7 April 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ a b c Grobar, Matt (22 March 2024). "Luke Evans Actioner 'Weekend In Taipei' Produced By Luc Besson's EuropaCorp Acquired By Ketchup Entertainment". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d Massoto, Erick (1 August 2024). "'Weekend In Taipei' Trailer Reunites Two 'Fast & Furious' Stars [Exclusive]". Collider. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ a b "《台北追緝令》桂綸鎂化身飛車手 姜成鎬與路克伊凡斯為愛大戰". Mirror Media (in Chinese). 1 August 2024. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Frater, Patrick; Keslassy, Elsa (21 June 2023). "Luke Evans, Gwei Lun-mei to Star in Taipei-Set Action Thriller From Europacorp (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on 3 July 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ a b "盧貝松《台北追緝令》預告曝光！全片台灣拍攝，男神路克伊凡斯、韓哥、桂綸鎂一同演出". Marie Claire (in Chinese). 1 August 2024. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ a b Strong, Matthew (11 February 2023). "French producer Virginie Besson, director Olivier Megaton plan Taipei film". Taiwan News. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ a b Scanlan, Sean (8 August 2023). "'Fast Furious' star arrives for a new film project in Taipei". Taiwan News. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ a b Cassio, Jerome (2 August 2024). "Weekend In Taipei Trailer: 2 Fast & Furious Franchise Stars Reunite In New Action Movie". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Chiang, Michelle (19 June 2023). "Luke Evans to film Luc Besson's movie in Taipei". Radio Taiwan International. Archived from the original on 24 June 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ 葉冠吟 (18 June 2023). "盧貝松再取景台灣 男主角路克伊凡斯現身台北". China News Service (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 7 April 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ 喬偉綱 (12 February 2023). "盧貝松回來了！繼《露西》之後新片《周末在台北》再來台取景". The Commons Daily (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 3 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "壹蘋10點強打｜10小時貼身跟拍！盧貝松台北暴雨收工 韓哥曝菸槍本色（狗仔直擊）". Apple Daily (in Chinese). 24 August 2023. Archived from the original on 7 April 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "2024 SCHEDULE". FirstShowing.net. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ 許世穎 (1 August 2024). "桂綸鎂台北街頭狂飆到200！激吻好萊塢男神台灣美景全見". Liberty Times (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
