Set in the 80s in the Taipei Wanhua district, the movie, directed by Doze Niu, will commence shooting in August after a delay of four years. Ruan said he was hoping to be in the movie but never dreamt that he would be the male lead.
With a fee that has escalated more than three times, Ruan told Director Niu forthrightly, “I’m willing to be cast in this movie for any amount!” On hearing that, the producer of the film joked, “I think I have to relook at the price then!”
Though the usually sunshiny boy will be taking on the role as a triad member for the first time – a character very different from his actual self and previous characters – Director Niu has absolute confidence in him. The latter has also planned for Ruan to take on action training and hook him up with a real triad leader to observe their behaviour and speech after they return from the Cannes Film Festival’s Taiwan Night.
The film, which was originally planned for collaboration with Jay Chou five years ago, is targeted for screening for Chinese New Year next year. It will go head on with Chou’s new movie Ci Ling, which may be awkward for Niu.
Niu thanked Chou for his support back then, but since Monga is the only Taiwanese film to be screened during the festive season in recent years, Niu has decided to go up against Chou at the box office, regardless of the result.
