Korean 'Gangster 3' ready to roll

Posted: Mon., Mar. 6, 2006, 4:49pm PT

By DARCY PAQUET

Shu steeping in after Zhang passes on role

Taiwanese superstar Shu Qi will star in Korean comedy "My Wife Is a Gangster 3," set to start shooting in April.

The $6 million production by Hyunjin Cinema originally was to feature "Memoirs of a Geisha" star Zhang Ziyi, who made a cameo appearance in "My Wife Is a Gangster 2." However, the two sides failed to agree on terms.

Announcement comes amid a boom of sorts for South Korean comedy sequels, with "Marrying the Mafia 2" earning $35 million locally last fall and "My Boss, My Teacher" (sequel to 2001 hit "My Boss, My Hero") setting a new comedy record with $39 million in January.

Shu ("Three Times," "So Close") plays the feisty daughter of a boss in the Hong Kong underworld, who takes refuge in South Korea, where she falls in love with a gangster.

Pic will be directed by Jo Jin-gyu, helmer of the original film, which earned $24 million in South Korea and spent two weeks on top of the Hong Kong B.O.B.O..

Miramax bought remake rights to that film in 2001, although the remake has languished in development.

Source: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117939323?categoryid=13&cs=1