Asian Entertainment News & Celebrity Gossip

What’s on tap for Zhang Ziyi? The word is that she is in negotiations to play a supporting role in a film about Peking Opera legend Mei Lanfang.

In it, Zhang Ziyi would play the role of Meng Xiaodong, a female friend and rumored lover of Mei Lanfang.

Director Chen Kaige has met with Ziyi during the Cannes Film Festival and said it would “take some time” before a final agreement was reached.

Chen Hong, the director’s wife, will play the heroine, while Hong Kong star Leon Lai will portray Mei Lanfang.

All the cast members will undergo training in performing Peking Opera before the film starts shooting in the second half of the year.

Another Dumpalicious pic of Maggie Q from this year’s Hong Kong Asia Film Awards. Decked out in Versace, Maggie is going to be a break out star this year both in the US and overseas. With blockbuster Mission: Impossible 3 with Tom Cruise already under her belt, the Q decided to do something a bit smaller so this summer get ready to see her in the Die Hard sequel, Live Free or Die Harder with aging action hero, Bruce Willis. CLICK HERE to see the trailer!

Going a different direction, you’ll also see her in Balls of Fury, a comedy on ping-pong diplomacy followed by The Tourist. You’ll like this synopsis:

An accountant, Ewan McGregor, is introduced to a mysterious sex club known as The List by his lawyer friend, Hugh Jackman. But in this new world, he soon becomes the prime suspect in a woman’s disappearance and a multi-million dollar heist.

Maggie will then return to Asia to film Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon with Andy Lau, Sammo Hung and Leon Lai.

So it’s pretty obvious Maggie will be blowing up the next few years to become a ‘playah’. Though not a hometown girl, she put her dues in Asia and is representing Asia hard. Big Ups, Q. You’ll soon have many Q&A converts soon enough!

Gaile Lok, the 26 year old beauty, is originally from Macau but was raised in the US, in the Bay Area. In Hong Kong she is best knows as a model, an actress, and much rumored girlfriend of Cantopop “Heavenly King” and actor, Leon Lai. Worst kept ’secret’ in Asia actually but that’s another story…

A paparazzi favorite, Gaile has become a target, but more of a darling, of the paparrazi and media. With her smile, her down to earth lifestyle, and her coy answers, she has skirted the more aggressive tactics that the Hong Kong stalkerazzi is known for. Even when, in 2006, a magazine published an article and intimate photographs of her and Leon at their residence, protests were immediately formed from the Hong Kong Actor Guild denouncing the irresponsibility of the magazine.

So despite the ‘haters’ trying to cause trouble from everything ranging from their age difference, made up indiscretions with third parties, and a ridiculous focus on her past cosmetic surgeries, Gaile and Leon or GAILEON as the Dumpling likes to say, are still going strong.

And why not? She’s a total sweetheart who likes to have fun with her friends and that guy she’s supposedly romantically involved with. Oh wait, do you think they’re dating or just friends who spend a lot of time together?…

Either way, click ‘Read the rest of this entry’ to see Gaile during her day job.

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In case you didn’t know, Leon Lai, one of CantoPop’s Heavenly Kings, is dating beautiful model, Gaile Lok. Rumors have been rampant for the past year: are they or arent’ they? One of the worst kept secrets in Hong Kong but the Dumpling respects that. Both returned to Hong Kong from Japan on Thursday night and the two were both smiling and looked happy. When reporters asked Gaile if Leon had asked for her hand in marriage over the Chinese New Year holidsys, Gaile said that she is happy to date for a few more years and has not thought about marriage or even babies for that matter.

GAILEON flew to Hokkaido for some Chinese New Year skiing. As is their M.O., the two came out from different gates, making it impossible for reporters to photograph them together.

Wearing dark glasses and a cap, Leon came out of the gates with his luggage and wished over 50 fans waiting for him at the airport a happy CNY. The fans then gave their idol lucky money and some presents. Gaile had come out of the gates 10 minutes earlier and was accompanied by a female friend. When asked if she had spent a sweet holiday with Leon, Gaile replied, “It was ok! I think he will be coming out soon.” [AsianFanatics]

One of Asia’s favourite superstars, Leon Lai, has completed a private sitting with Madame Tussauds Hong Kong and will soon join the all-star lineup at the Peak end of December as the 2006 finale to the celebrity-inspired attraction.

The wax figure will reflect his role in ‘Comrades…Almost a Love Story‘.

During the sitting session, sculptors from Madame Tussauds took over 200 measurements of Leon’s physique, and put him on a turntable where reference shots are taken from every angle. Hair, eye and teeth color are matched to the utmost precision.

“The sitting session was very intricate and memorable. I visited Madame Tussauds when I was studying in boarding school in the UK. To become part of its Hong Kong attraction is an honor for me” Leon Lai said.

The wax figure will be featured in “World Premier” and guests will have a chance to cuddle up with Leon and reenact the famous scene from ‘Comrades…Almost a Love Story’ as he rides his bicycle along the bustling streets of Hong Kong. [AsiaTravelTips]

Best Feature Film
After This Our Exile, Hong Kong

Best Short Film
The Secret In The Wind, Taiwan

Best Documentary
My Football Summer, Taiwan

Best Director
Peter CHAN Ho Sun, Perhaps Love, Hong Kong / Taiwan

Best Leading Actor
KWOK Fu Shing, After This Our Exile, Hong Kong

Best Leading Actress
ZHOU Xun, Perhaps Love, Hong Kong / China

Best Supporting Actor
GOUM Ian Iskandar, After This Our Exile, Hong Kong

Best Supporting Actress
Nikki SHIE, Reflections

Best New Performer
Bryant CHANG, Eternal Summer, Taiwan

Best Original Screenplay
NING Hao, Crazy Stone, China / Hong Kong

Best Screenplay Adaptation
NING Dai, ZHANG Yuan, Little Red Flowers, China

Best Cinematography
Peter PAU, Perhaps Love, Hong Kong / China

Best Visual Effects
FOO Sing Choong, Silk, Taiwan

Best Art Direction
Tim YIP, The Banquet, China / Hong Kong

Best Makeup & Costume Design
Tim YIP, The Banquet, China / Hong Kong

Best Action Choreography
LING Chun Pong, WONG Chi Wai, Exiled, Hong Kong

Best Original Film Score
LIM Giong, Do Over, Taiwan

Best Original Film Song
Crossroad (from Perhaps Love)
Lyric: Chris SHUM, Song: Leon KO, Singer: Takeshi Kaneshiro, ZHOU Xun

Best Film Editing
CHEN Po Wen, Liu Chun-hsiu, Do Over, Taiwan

Best Sound Effect
TU Du Chi,GUO Li Chi,KE Yi Jun, Amour- Legende, Taiwan

Formoz Film Award
Do Over, Top Film Company, Leader Entertainment Company Ltd.

Formoz Filmmaker Award
KUO Lichi

Lifetime Achievement Award
Cheng Tzu-Fu (Taiwanese movie poster artist)

Best Feature Film Chosen by the Audience
Exiled Read the rest of this entry »