The film reunited the director with his star Chow Yun-Fat. There are plans to turn it into a feature film — Woo won't be directing. But will he be involved in making another game?

"I don't have that much time," the filmmaker told website Cinematical, "even though I want to make one again."

Woo currently has a handful of projects in development in both China and Hollywood. He's a busy guy.

Interview: John Woo [Cinematical]

The game is a sequel of sorts to 1992 Hong Kong action flick Hard Boiled and starred the film's lead Chow Yun-Fat and the character he made famous, Tequilla. The Stranglehold film is apparently moving forward without Chow Yun-Fat. What's more, instead of Woo, actor-writer-director Stephen Fung (Enter The Phoenix, House of Fury) has been in negotiations to helm John Woo game.

According to Woo, he'll be simply producing the movie: "I'm involved as producer. We're working on the script and I'm sure it's going be a very interesting movie, but it won't be ready until years from now." Know what would make it an even more interesting movie? If John Woo directed it. Know what would make it even more interesting that than? If Chow Yun-Fat starred in it.

John Woo confirms HARD BOILDED 2 is still in the works [24Framespersecond] [Pic]

Instead, actor-writer-director Stephen Fung (Enter The Phoenix, House of Fury) is in negotiations to helm John Woo game. According to John Woo's producing partner Terence Chang, the Stranglehold flick will have a new storyline, but will retain some of the game's action set pieces.

The 2007 video game is a sequel to John Woo's 1992 Hong Kong action flick, Hard Boiled. The game stars Chow Yun-Fat, who played inspector Tequla Yuen. The two worked together on the A Better Tomorrow franchise and The Killer during the 1980s. and The video game was the first project the two had collaborated on since 1992's Hard Boiled.

Stephen Fung To Direct Live Action Version Of Stranglehold [Kung Fu Cult Cinema via Imprint Talk]

Buy either Red Cliff Part I Standard Edition or Red Cliff Part I Collector's Edition and get a bundled Shin Sangoku Musou: Multi-Raid (Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce) flier that includes a password players can use to unlock in-game armor for their characters.

Both Red Cliff and Dynasty Warriors are based on Ancient China's Three Kingdoms period.

真・三國無双 MULTI RAID [GameSpot via PSPHyper]

Metroid was optioned for a film deal way back in 2004, according to the Hollywood Reporter. And then, nothing. I can't get this Swedish blog to load, but the date on this poster — if it's European format, that's February 5, 2009 and that's a Thursday. If it's US, that's May 2 (prime blockbuster season — have we ever had a video game adaptation release in May? I don't follow that closely) and that's a Saturday. US releases typically open on Wednesdays or Fridays.

Oh, and John Woo is not in the Comic Con's list of guests.

Debunked?

John Woo to Announce Metroid Film at NYC Comic-Con [Destructoid, via The Tanooki]

So in other words, this deal may be decent for our UK friends as well (and even you Ash, to pick up while you're in the States). It's odd not to hear from Ash in his night notes, isn't it? Not that Luke "kangaroo boxer" Plunkett isn't great, but I for one am eagerly awaiting the tales of Mini-Bash experiencing Tex Mex cuisine, American Santa and buxom Texas ladies.

Amazon [via cheapassgamer]

'The War of the Red Cliff' Breaks the Traditional Game Model

BEIJING, Aug. 23 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/— Beijing Perfect World Technology Co., Ltd. announces that their new game, ''The War of the Red Cliff'' will break the traditional computer gaming concept. This game is nostalgic for many gamers who grew up playing ''3 Kingdoms 2 — The War of the Red Cliff," but rest assured that this new game does not conform to the traditional mould of games.

Beijing Perfect World will release "The War of the Red Cliff" in the fourth quarter of 2007. This game is sure to bring excitement to gamers. The game's eighteen characters each posses a unique weapon, which players can enhance the use of throughout the game. A great deal of fanatic movements along with various skills featuring special effects guarantees that this game will entertain game enthusiasts.

Contrary to other online games, Beijing Perfect World will add software that will allow fighting motions throughout the game. Most other games have limitations such as skill ability, where the majority of attacks occur in actionless conditions. This limitation was seen in a game labelled ''Fury Warfare,'' where two players were fighting to the death, had their characters in a stand still mode during combat. In ''The War of the Red Cliff,'' courageous and valiant generals move in a combination of attack manners in order re-create a motion-plus-assault mode. In the game, players can experience the tussles in fighting, which only exists in the wrestling games.

Besides common motions found the wrestling games, many other kinds of action motions underline detailed motions of players are present in ''The War of The Red Cliff.'' This action game will improve the sense of reality in the battlefield of the troubled era of the three kingdoms.

In the fourth quarter of 2007, Beijing Perfect World plans to launch the second big-scale MMORPG called "The War of the Red Cliff" which uses the self- developed new-version of the Angelica 3D game engine. Differentiated from the traditional Japanese game "Romance of the Three Kingdoms", this newly-produced game highlights the most grandiose scenery. "The War of the Red Cliff" aims to provide gamers with the reality and trueness of real battle scenes from the three kingdoms era, so players have the chance to experience a Chinese version of the pure, traditional "Romance of Three Kingdoms."

I'm really excited because my favorite Chinese actor, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, will be making an appearance (no Maggie Cheung, sadly). The movie is scheduled for release in two parts next year, the first scheduled for release before the Olympics. If you can read Chinese, you can find out more about the game at the official Chibi Online website.

Perfect World Reaches Agreement with CFGC on Both the Film and Game Versions of 'The War of the Red Cliff'

I can't wait for this game to come out so I can play an Asian person that isn't a ninja or some kind of half-anime character. I gotsta represent my peeps. Kim Phu

The Making of Stranglehold [GameTrailers]

We would definitely bring 'Stranglehold' to the big screen. We want to be very selective about producing games. We would like game titles to have all kinds of possibility. Having a movie made from them is certainly a major consideration for deciding on a title.

Woo has already started work on another video game/movie combination called "Ninja Gold", but neither the script for that movie or the timetable/publisher for the game has been announced.

At the rate Woo is going, there will probably be rumors that next week you will be able to Stranglehold DVDs at Best Buy, Ninja Gold will be number one at the box office, and people will be able to fly to work in their briefcase saucers. He works that fast. Kim Phu

Woo Logs on to "Ninja Gold" Movie, Video Game [Reuters]

Simply film your two-minute long, slow motion, dual-wielding-Berettas while diving through a cloud of doves in a hospital masterpiece and send it in to be judged by June 25th for a chance to win $25,000, a trip to Chicago to meet the developers of the game, a copy of said game, a movie poster (woo) signed by John Woo (<--), an Amp'd mobile phone, and a chance to appear on Spike TV and Gamehead.

That leaves just weeks for you perfect your shooting while leaping technique, not to mention determining how to keep a gun sideways whie spinning through the air. They'll take off points if you screw that up. Michael Fahey

Midway Announces Stranglehold 's True to John Woo Short Film Contest on MySpace

$25,000 Grand Prize Winner to be Selected by Acclaimed Director John Woo and Planned to Premiere on Spike TV This Summer

CHICAGO—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Midway Games Inc. (NYSE: MWY), a leading interactive entertainment publisher and developer today announced a groundbreaking video submission contest in association with John Woo and his video game production company, Tiger Hill Entertainment, Spike TV and Fox Interactive Media: Stranglehold's True to John Woo Short Film Contest. Hosted exclusively on MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/strangleholdgame), and promoted across other Fox Interactive Media properties including IGN Entertainment (http://ign.com/stranglehold), this unique contest is scheduled to launch April 30th and encourages contestants to create the most authentic John Woo-style short film. Contest ends June 25, 2007. No purchase necessary.

The grand prize winner will receive $25,000, a trip for two to Midway's Chicago studios to meet developers and tape an interview for Spike TV, the chance to personally premiere the short film on Spike TV, an authentic "Hard Boiled" movie poster autographed by John Woo, an Amp'd mobile phone with six months' service, and a copy of Stranglehold.(a)

"Stranglehold's cinematic action is directly inspired by John Woo's acclaimed action films and their unique style," said Mona Hamilton, vice president of marketing, Midway Amusement Games, LLC. "We've created a premier collaboration with Spike TV and Fox Interactive Media's MySpace and IGN Entertainment sites that gives fans the opportunity to put their creativity to the test with a short film judged by John Woo himself."

"Young filmmakers need encouragement to grow; it is an aspect of my profession which I cherish deeply," said action director John Woo. "I know the Stranglehold Short Film Contest will find new talent and with it, new possibilities."

In addition to the premiere on Spike TV expected this summer, both the game release and short film winner will be a featured segment on "Game Head," Spike TV's weekly series dedicated to everything that is happening in the world of video games, giving viewers an uncompromised look at the culture of video games.

Additionally, the films of ten finalists are expected to be posted on MySpace, with user voting determining a second "audience choice" winner, who will receive prizes including $1000, an Amp'd mobile phone with six months' service, an authentic "Hard Boiled" movie poster autographed by John Woo and a copy of Stranglehold.(a) Fans will also be able to learn more about the game, the contest and the art of John Woo's filmmaking by visiting both the Stranglehold contest profile on MySpace, and an exclusive IGN micro site dedicated to the game (http://www.ign.com/stranglehold).

Entries to Stranglehold's short film contest must be no longer than two minutes and thirty seconds in length and will be judged using three specific criteria:

* Overall Quality - 40% - includes cinematography, editing, sound, image quality and technical production
* Strength of John Woo Homage - 40% - includes extent of homage, quality of homage and use of Woo signature techniques
* Creativity - 20% - includes screenplay, acting and overall impression

For more about Stranglehold's short film contest, including official rules and regulations visit: http://www.myspace.com/strangleholdgame

(a) Stranglehold's True to John Woo Video Contest prizes are subject to change.

So here's the appetizer equivalent of a Kotaku gallery, showcasing the PLAYSTATION 3 and Xbox 360 game in all its well-lit glory. Michael McWhertor

I'm a little concerned by the way Chow Yun Fat is so cavalierly blowing away that priceless dinosaur fossil in this clip of gameplay from Stranglehold. I mean, are there, you know, guys hiding in that brontosaurus skull? Florian Eckhardt

I wish I'd seen Stranglehold at Leipzig. I didn't. And so this is the only third-party memory I have. Florian Eckhardt

Shooting goodness from director John Woo, action star Chow Yun Fat and the good folks at Midway. How excited are we about this game? Visibily. Brian Ashcraft

Cruel, cruel fate. Stranglehold, filmmaker John Woo's game sequel to his gonzo Hong Kong action flick Hard Boiled, needs to reload says game maker Midway. The game got glowing reviews from the E3 previews, and it is a title I personally cannot wait for. Stranglehold is being knocked out by the good people in Midway's Chicago studio and will shoot up the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC sometime Q1 2007. Until then, I will be making "bang-bang" noises with my finger in the living room. Brian Ashcraft

More Here [Eurogamer]