Ma Zhong Jun, producer of Seven Swords, says that preparation for Seven Swords 2, budgeted at over 100 million yuan, is going on well. Having listened to audience feedback, Tsui Hark and the production are working on improving the weaker aspects of the first movie. One of the main complaints was that the screentime was too evenly spread out between the various characters such that none of them really stood out and all felt rather nondescript, and the story felt disjointed and hazy. So, in the sequel, the story will focus on two main characters, so that their personalities would be more pronounced and scintillating. They'd also try to keep the sequel shorter, since length was the main concern of the investors and audience alike.
As for the storyline, its hinted in the ending of Seven Swords: going to the palace to negotiate with the Manchu emperor regarding lifting of martial arts ban. One possible plotline is that on reaching the palace, the Seven Swords find out that the emperor Sunzhi is but a titular ruler. Eventually, they rescue the emperor and escort him to Mt Wutai. This has been confirmed by Tsui Hark who says that the sequel revolves around palace intrigues and the movie will take on a different artistic direction.
While Seven Swords' box office takings were rather encouraging at around 80 million yuan in China, it still sparked various controversies. Quite a number of the audience felt the ending was somewhat shoddy, leaving many things unexplained. Tsui Hark, who's also working on an unnamed project, replies, "I'm planning to tell the whole story in seven parts, the first film merely serves as an introduction to the world of Seven Swords. Those who have read the original novel would know that, the actual story hasn't even begun."
Tsui Hark also reveals that they actually had another ending shot, "In the theatrical release, Wind Fire died in an explosion. In the alternate ending, he managed to escape amidst the chaos, but was killed by his brother, the person who's carrying an abacus who often stood behind him. As Wind-Fire often slighted him, the latter seized the opportunity to murder his brother, and ran away in hysteria. Originally, near the end, Wind-Fire had a quite a bit of conversation with the Seven Swords. Some of my friends felt that this ending was not bad, but owing to length and for the sake of consistency, it was removed."
Tsui Harks says that the sequel will focus on Celestial Beam Mu Lang, the central character of the original novel. "In the first generation Seven Swords, Chu Zhao Nan and Yang Yun Cong had the most scenes, especially the Chu Zhao Nan's betrayal and Yang Yun Cong's entanglement of love. But as the story develops, it turns out that Mu Lang is the central character. Without him, there wouldn't be the emergence of second generation. I feel that he is a very interesting character, especially his attempt at committing suicide following a major misunderstanding and mishap, and his subsequent seclusion. What his feelings are is well worth exploring. So, this character is very difficult to write. It is taking me tremendous effort."
Besides that, Liu You Fang might start picking up swordplay in Seven Swords 2. Tsu Hark explains, "In the original, Liu Yu Fang becomes a member of the second generation Seven Swords [Actually, she's only a ""friend of Seven Swords" rather than a member in the novel.], and her skills aren't too bad. There's plenty of room for development, including her character, her relationships, and the twist of her fate. Apart from that, she shares a very complex relationships with Mu Lang. This is also a key character in Seven Swords 2, with substantial screen time."
Donnie Yen, Charlie Yeung, Leon Lai, etc are expected to be back, and new actors would be introduced too. Tsui Hark is amending the script as well as confirming the actors' schedule. Once everything is fixed, production would begin at the end of the year in Xinjiang. Shanghai Youth Daily, Changsha Evening News
Comme le mentionne JP Dionnet, il fallait un sacré méchant pour s’opposer “seul” aux sept.
Après le charisme et le jeu puissant de Honglei -Ravage- Sun, qui a envie de voir Michael Wong en tenue d’empereur brandir l’épée en dentelles exhumée dans Seven Swords?
Les sbires bariolés aux armes heavier than life vont-ils laisser place aux simples soldats en costumes d’opérette (chinoise) de l’empereur?
Puisque la virtuosité de Tsui Hark s’accomode de script basique (qui se serait intéressé au pitch de Seven Sword annoncé par un autre réalisateur actuel?) , on aurait pu souhaiter pour la suite l’irruption de 7 mercenaires d’élite inédits venu d’ici et là, commandités par l’empereur, et développer pour eux une forte empathie (genre St Seya Asgard).
Avec flash back avec un des sept et un mercenaire vieille connaissance par exemple...
Mais peu probable que Liang Yusheng soit allé dans cette direction “pas très littéraire” dans ses romans...
Tsui Hark précise aussi qu’une scène d’amour a été suprimé du premier volet...
De quels personnages s’agissaient t’ils? La suite nous l’apprendra t’elle?
Donnie Yen sera t’il hypnotisé (
) par la sorcière ( 
) de l’empereur pour livrer un combat d’anthologie contre ses 6 anciens compagnons 
?Quelle opposition aux sept? C'est la question cruciale en ce qui me concerne... et vous?
?
?
