Somehow this was sitting in my spam folder so I’m just now getting to this tidbit of news. I’m not that familiar with this comic myself but now that it might hit our movie screens soon here in North America, could be worth checking out or keeping a watchful eye on.
Click continue reading to read the full press release:
In their ongoing effort to bring world renowned IP to the studio, Pulse Films, in association with Initial A, have announced an exclusive option for the worldwide English-language film and television rights to the Chinese comic book franchise Teddy Boy, the underlining material for the Hong Kong hit film series YOUNG AND DANGEROUS directed by Andrew Lau.
Thomas Benski, Dimitra Tsingou and Brian Levy will be producing for Pulse Films. Andrew Lau and his producing partner Andrew Loo will be producing for Initial A. The project will be developed with an eye towards a feature film or an episodic series.
Teddy Boy is a comic series from Chinese publisher Concord Publishing, written by Hong Kong artist Kai-Ming Man and inked by Yu-Kwok Lun. Published weekly since 1992, it’s the longest running comic still in publication (reaching #2000 in February, 2017). Andrew Lau made 6 films based on Teddy Boy entitled YOUNG & DANGEROUS 1-6, between 1996 and 2000.
The comic series follows the adventures of Ho-Nam Chan in his triad life and dizzying ascent through the ranks of the triad hierarchy. The series explores the values of loyalty, righteousness and brotherhood in underground Hong Kong society, the politics and corruption, as well as the intergenerational conflicts and power struggle between triads.
Andrew Lau’s film series INFERNAL AFFAIRS was the basis for Martin Scorsese’s THE DEPARTED which won 4 Oscars® including Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Director, and starred Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Wahlberg, and Matt Damon.
“Pulse Films is dedicated to providing audiences with rich and diverse stories from a global pool of content. Young and Dangerous is precisely the type of IP we are drawn to, it’s an historic and iconic series with a real international attraction. We are excited to work with Andrew’s team to find a true filmmaker with the vision, originality and passion to build an on-screen universe in a way that brings this dynamic franchise to life for a global audience.” said Pulse Films’ Benski.
“I’ve always been drawn to characters who wage the battle between brotherhood and betrayal, themes which feature heavily in the Young and Dangerous universe. I couldn’t be more excited working with Pulse Films to introduce this world to a whole new generation and a brand new audience,” said Lau.
Pulse Films’ forthcoming projects include GANGS OF LONDON series helmed by Gareth Evans (THE RAID) for Sky Atlantic, Cinemax and HBO which went into production in November 2018 and “Atomic Bazaar” helmed by Gregory Burke (’71, ENTEBBE).