Just when I’m about to head to bed, I came across the explosive news on baidu and other chinese news sites. It’s not official yet because the leaked news comes from the cast list that an insider has snapped a photo of, which is spreading like rabid fire online. Yu Zheng’s new adaptation of Jin Yong’s novel, Return of the Condor Heroes 2013, has revealed the face of its leading lady. Who is to play the coveted role of Xiao Long Nu? Keep in mind that Chen Xiao plays Yang Guo. Nope, it’s not Zhao Li Ying. She’s too adorable and young. Neither is it Angelababy, whose name has been attached to this project for quite a while already. Now imagine your own XLN and then click more…
Taiwanese actress: Michelle Chen from the hit movie You Are the Apple of My Eye!
These photos are what Yu Zheng posted on his Weibo several hours ago…teasing the fans. Some are angry, some are not. Which are you?
I’m surprised by his choice since I thought he would pick a younger mainland actress. While Michelle Chen is not a classic beauty like the past XLNs, her full face and and age brings a maturity that Liu Yi Fei lacked in her version. Plus, she’s more expressive.
I’m not heart-broken nor excited by the news since this is a Yu Zheng’s production. However, I’m waiting for the butchering of characters to begin. That’s where the fun lies. hehe.
Rumor on baidu also says that Zhao Li Ying will play Yang Guo’s mother, Mu Nianci. Now that’s funny. 😛
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
Hmmm, Michelle surely needs free PR for her new debut album, “Me, Myself, and I,” sighs… the reason why her album isn’t doing well… no duets. She’s like the Asian Carly Rae Jepsen or Taylor Swift, however she still doesn’t have enough talent to pull a solo album all by her lonesome. She made the wrong choice not including duets in this album.
Back to this… I like Michelle since “(Split) Apple…” and it’s a fresh step up for Michelle to join a wuxia project. Good for her to broaden her resume!!
I’m glad Angelababy isn’t getting involved in this remake. She needs time to balance her personal affairs before taking on a huge project like this good ol’ classic folktale. No producer needs an actress having bigger headlines for her affairs than her work. I don’t invest heart in Mainland actresses so I can’t compare other female lead contenders.
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
Wow, that doesn’t sound good for Michelle’s album.
So much for Yu Zheng’s promise of keeping XLN’s clothing as white. That man loves colors. But the cutesy hair is the problem. But what do I know since he’s changing her character from aloof to more approachably sweet.
And yep, it’s confirmed. Zhao Li Ying as Yang Guo’s mother. And Jiro Wang as Kublai Khan – the Mongolian leader. This is ROTCH: Idol Version.
I have never seen Angelababy in a drama before so I can’t judge her acting but she does frequent tabloid magazines with her romantic affairs. We’ll be seeing her often in the next few months though, she has many projects line up, both in dramas and movies.
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
As you said, Kappy, this is a Yu Zheng production, so I wasn’t overly affected by the casting news, not even over Zhao Li Ying playing Yang Guo’s mama … UNTIL I read your comment…
Jiro Wang as Kublai Khan… PFFFTTTTTTT *rolls on the floor and dies laughing*
My god.. has Yu Zheng ever read a history book?!?! Kublai Khan was… well.. he was this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:YuanEmperorAlbumKhubilaiPortrait.jpg
As for Angelababy, her stage name is horrible, but the only time I ever watched her act was with Eddie Peng in Love You You, and she was passable over there (tbh, I wouldn’t know, Eddie Peng sorta had me hypnotized), so I don’t have strong feelings of her being a cast member either way…
Gosh, now I can’t wait to watch this version, albeit for all the wrong reasons -__-;;
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
I literally LOLed for a good 5 mins at least after hearing about Jiro being cast as Kublai Khan (HAHAHAHAHAHAHA WTF :D)
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
YZ simply picked Jiro ’cause he’s dark skinned and has a robust build. Dunno why must we stereotype Kublai Khan as such but whatever.
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
Because he was a Hun! *cue Mulan OST*
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
Not stereotyping, but Kublai Khan was a hardened Mongol general who lived in war times. I like Jiro and he’s very athletic, but he’s just too pretty boy to pull off the Kublai Khan character.
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
Honestly, I wouldn’t mind at all if this remake offers fresh faces other than making it another “idol” drama. I just don’t get it, why this project needs to be a collaboration of 3 countries? The hype for this remake seems extravagant.
Sad to admit, the list of actors fitting the role is too limited. Jiro has no competition ever since Wu Chun stepped away from the small screen comparing body mass. I prefer none of the Fahrenheit members cast in this production but I don’t call the shoots.
Seems like Taiwan is lazy and shortsighted discovering new young talents. You would think, TW has the resources and ability to establish an acting academy to sculpt new young talents every year. Why limit themselves w/ the same actors year after year?
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
Totally agree with you – it’s like they have the same idol actors over and over again even when they’re not even suited for the role. The idol drama model fits modern series and should not be used for wuxia classics like ROTC. I like Jiro and all, but he’s totally wrong for the role – he doesn’t even have the look for a period drama.
It’s like ever since Wu Zun left for the big screen, they just default to Jiro. That’s OK for fluffy idol dramas like KO and all that, but NOT for something ROTC which should be a more serious production.
Oh well it’s not like I’m gonna watch this anyway. I read that Yu Zheng’s gonna make crazy plot changes that butcher the characters and the story, and this is like what, the 11th adaptation of ROTC? Each remake gets progressively worse so why even waste my time?
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
the first photo is nice, yu zheng’s version kills it. but he’s changing the majority of the main characters though. she won’t be aloof anymore, but sweet. and the rapest dude is gonna be adorable?!! i read that he’s putting a different spin on the rape scene. why not remove it yu mama??!!
im slightly disappointed….. since i wanted a newbie to take a chance! michelle has already established herself as an actress….
sigh….but Zhao Li Ying playing Yang guo’s mother… this cracks me up!! talks about twisting the storyline, yu zheng has that superb quality down!!
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
I like how with every new version, the characters become less icy (and depending on the character, evil) and more adorable and redeemable (and sometimes intelligent).. Everyone likes only white and gray areas now.. black areas are now out of fashion xP
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
hehe Nutella. I’m still giggling with Jiro as the Mongolian leader. Cracks me up! This is indeed the Idol Version!!
Can’t wait for his fitting photos!! ha!
Here’s our little Yang Guo. Protrayed by Wu Lei. He’s cute.
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
He is….. cute! *faint sniff* I smell the next Kim So Hyun heartthrob.
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
sho cute~ he shall be the heartbreaker in this cast I tell ya! He sheds a tear, we weep a river… >-<;;
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
Crystal Liu Yi Fei was perfect in her role in Xiao Long Nu…but it’s interesting to know that there are another version of ROCH in 2013… ^^
seems exciting ^^
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I care not what sort of ‘bastardisation’ of Jing Yong’s stories and characters’ going to be – I will watch. Maybe I will grimace and curse and laugh, but whatever the ‘reincarnation’ of JY’s work is, I will follow. This is me speaking, as a true blue JY fan. 🙂
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
Yu Zheng posted a Photoshopped photo of the OTP. [Original Photo = TVB’s Louis Koo & Carman Lee]
Is it me but they look like twins?
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
LOL this is a PS manip done by netizens who’d rather Chen Xiao play both Yang Guo and Xiaolongnu instead of Michelle Chen! 😀
They look like twins because they pasted Chen Xiao’s face on both characters! 😀
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
Haha~ Who ever made this simply superimpose Chen Xiao’s nose and mouth on both characters. Eyes remain original.
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
My god that is creepy to look at… it’s like cloning or something.. especially when you know how the originals looked…
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
hehe I was kidding about the twins part! ROFL! 😛 That netizen must be furious with his choice of XLN. hee!
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
I don’t blame the netizens because it’s a fact that Michelle fits NONE of the physical descriptions of XLN in the novels.
TBH there are many other better candidates out there for XLN but very often the candidate with the most connections/backing get the role. This is a fact of life. Yu Zheng has made questionable choices in the past and he has a say in casting choices, but even he has his hands tied by investors.
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
its not like michelle is a struggling actress. she’s an established one in TW. so her being the choice of XLN….seems like YZ’s crazy idea. I honestly don’t think connection is at work when YZ is in play. the man is known for a temper if things dont go his way. he doesn’t back down from a fight and rarely cares about the netizen’s bashing. he just does what he likes. and plus, even if his versions completely butchered the original work, the investor won’t care because his name, however infamous, sells in the market. most, if not all, of his projects are big hits and shot many stars to fandom.
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
Another fanmade XLN for Chen Xiao’s best OTP girl.
She looks quite elegant. Youthful like Liu Yu Fei but the latter looks more heavenly and ethereal. Dang you netizen, stop feeding me ideas that are far too late.
Because they look really young, LYF & ZLY could play XLN (Carman Lee)’s daughters. 😀
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
This is one of those moments when you look at Yu Zheng in the face and go: Now be honest here, what the hell were you thinking?!?
I like Michelle Chen and all… but this pic just screams XLN..
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
LOL I find it ironic that YZ gets this girl to play Yang Guo’s mom when he looks more like XLN instead. Michelle and this girl should swap roles TBH.
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
*she
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
Nooooo~ I don’t see it. She may have XLN package however her eyes deceive the whole look. Her eyes and eyebrows scream unkind and un-demure for the role of XLN.
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
I’m currently watching Return of Condor Heroes 2006. While Liu Yi Fei is gorgeous, I find Huang Xiaoming’sacting distasteful. He overreacts too much for me. Maybe that is how the character should be but for me, it’s BLEH.
I don’t know why but I thing YuZheng’s version si gonna work. I just feel it?xD
Chen Xiao is yummy and hot and everything else… ^^ and Michelle Chen is okay as an actress. At least, better than Angelababy. Haha just my thoughts :p
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
i totally agree with you!! Huang Xiao ming in return of the condor heroes 2006 was bad lol i am a huge fan of him, i didnt like him in it at all ><
Chen Xiao is soooo hot!!! he fits sooo well for the role yang guo!! ^___^ i'm a hardcore fan of him haha
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
Yup, I stopped watching at episode 7, I can’t take it anymore.
Chen Xiao is handsome. Im currently watching Legend of Lu Zhen/ Female Prime Minister. The OTP chemistry is great o_o” I now understand why fans want them to be together in real life :3
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
Chen Xiao can surely be yang guo!!! his acting is amazing! i am sure he will do well in this role. But Michelle Chen doesnt look pretty at all and her acting is not so good.
33 thoughts on “Xiao Long Nu in Yu Zheng’s version lands to…”
Michelle Chen doesnt fit the image to be xiao long nu at all, definitely the worst Xiao long nu ever cast.
She doesnt have the elegance, beauty, and slim physique for XLN.
She frankly can’t hold a candle to the previous XLNs. Her chubby girl next door look is TERRIBLE for the character. She should know better as an actress than to accept such a miscast role.
It doesnt help that all the other actresses are more beautiful and have better personalities. It makes you wonder what on earth possessed Yang guo to pick her, gah they dont even have any chemistry. It must be hard for Chen Xiao to act like she’s the fairest of them all when she looks like a common palace maid.
I was looking forward to this drama but Michelle Chen’s crappy casting and acting has ruined it. She’s too fat, too ugly and too old to play xiao long nu. She should know better.