Rest easy,Shanghai Noonfans: another sequel is on the way. In the wake of the massive success of 1998’sRush Hour, which teamed up Hong Kong superstarJackie Chanwith fast-talking comedic actorChris Tucker, studios were eager to cash in on this lucrative premise. Thus, in the year 2000,Shanghai Noonwas born. The film teamed Chan up withOwen Wilson, this time against the backdrop of the Wild West in an action buddy comedy with one-liners to spare. The film was a success and spawned a British-centric sequel in 2003,Shanghai Knights, and while a third film was discussed, it’s taken until now to come to fruition.
We learned last May that MGM was indeed moving forward withShanghai Dawn, withOwen WilsonandJackie Chaneyed to reprise their roles, and nowTHRreports thatNapoleon DynamitedirectorJared Hessis coming aboard to take the helm. He steps in the shoes ofNoon’sTom Dey(Marmaduke) andKnights’David Dobkin(Wedding Crashers), and the move comes as the latest in a series of more commercial moves for the filmmaker who got his start with the little-comedy-indie-that-could.
Wilson and Chan remain in talks to return for the film, and while story details are being kept under wraps, shortly after the release ofShanghai Knightsthere was talk of the franchise going to Hollywood, Africa, or the Egyptian Pyramids. Hess will be working from a story byNoonandKnightsscribesMiles MillarandAlfred Gough, whileTheodore RileyandAaron Buchsbaumare handling script duties.
Hess most recently helmed the studio comedyMastermindsstarringZach GalifianakisandKristen Wiig, which was supposed to be released last fall but was subsequently postponed due to Relativity Media’s bankruptcy woes. The film is now on track for releasethisfall, and in the meantime Hess has stayed busy directing episodes ofThe Last Man on Earthand the upcoming Fox comedySon of Zorn.Shanghai Dawnwill certainly mark his biggest project to date, but I’m curious to see if interest exists for a sequel to a movie that came out over 15 years ago. For everyJurassic Worldthere’s anIndependence Day: Resurgence.
What say you, folks? Are you down for anotherShanghaimovie? Sound off in the comments below.
