(Upcoming) 新版 《水浒传》 Shui Hu Zhuan - NEW Water Margin

[loislane]

Title: Shui Hu Zhuan
English title: Water Margin / All Men are Brothers / 108 Liangshan Heroes
Episodes: 80
Filming starts: 4 July 2009
Director: Ju Jiaoliang
Screenwriter: Wen Haojie
Art Director: Zheng Xiaolong

Summary:
The story opens when an imperial official, Marshal Hong, who is sent by the Emperor is seeking Heavenly Master Zhang to help them in combating the plague. On the way, Hong visits a temple and unsuspectingly releases 108 demons imprisoned in a secret chamber for centuries. The demons spread out throughout the land after being released and are incarnated into the 108 Liangshan heroes. As if predestined, the stone tablet which holds the demons bears the words "Opens when Hong arrives".

The story basically tells about the exploits of a group of 108 outlaws(105 men and 3 women), who are called "bandits" by the imperial, but considered as "heroes" by people, representing all classes of Chinese society, who rose up, under the leadership of Song Jiang, against the tyranny of a corrupt and unjust official in the Song dynasty. The Liangshan heroes consisted of 36 Heavenly Spirits and 72 Earthly Fiends.

Stories of the 108 outlaws are told separately. Connections between characters are vague, but the individual stories are eventually pieced together after Song Jiang becomes the leader of the outlaw band at Liangshan Marsh.

Eventually, after defeating the Imperial forces sent to suppress them, they were granted amnesty and invited to form their own company in the Imperial army. They were then sent to attack Fang La in the south, who had declared himself an emperor, and met a tragic end.

source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_Margin
http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Water_Margin

Cast:

36 Heavenly Spirits:

Zhang Hanyu (of The Assembly[2007] & The Message[2009] fame)
... as Song Jiang, 1st Rank, Commander of Liangshan

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Li Zong Han
... as Wu Yong, 3rd Rank, Strategic Planning (Military Affairs)

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Jing Gangshan
... as Gongsun Sheng, 4th Rank, Strategic Planning (Military Affairs)

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Hu Dong (Fan Yao in Yi Tian Tu Long Ji 2009)
... as Lin Chong, 6th Rank, one of the Five Tiger General

Zhang Di
... as Hua Rong, 9th Rank, one of the Eight Tiger Cub Vanguard General

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Huang Hai Bing
... as Chai Jin, 10th Rank, Liangshan's accountant

Wu Qingzhe
... as Wu Song, 14th Rank, infantry

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Kang Kai
... as Li Kui, 22nd Rank, infantry

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Han Dong
... as Shi Jin, 23nd Rank, one of the Eight Tiger Cub Vanguard General

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Yan Kuan
... as Yan Qing, 36th Rank, infantry

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72 Earthly Fiends:

Liu Xiao Xiao
... as Hu San Niang, Rank 59th of Liangshan / 23rd of Earthly Fiends, Calvary

Hu Ke (Su Quan in Royal Tramp 2008)
... as Gu Dasao, Rank 101st of Liangshan / 65th of Earthly Fiends, Scouting and Intelligence

Zhang Xiao Chen
... as Zhang Qing, Rank 102nd of Liangshan / 66th of Earthly Fiends, Scouting and Intelligence

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He Jiayi (Ji Xiaofu in Yi Tian Tu Long Ji 2009)
... as Sun Erniang, Rank 103rd of Liangshan / 67th of Earthly Fiends, Scouting and Intelligence

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Tong Dawei
... as Duan Jingzhu, Rank 108th of Liangshan / 72nd of Earthly Fiends, Scouting and Intelligence


Liangshan-related characters:

Lu Liang Wei (Ray Lui Leung Wai)
... as Chao Gai, the founding father of Liangshan

Ady An Yixuan
... as Li Shishi, a prostitute from the capital city whom Emperor Huizong frequently visits, she helps the Liangshan heroes in obtaining amnesty from the emperor, has frequent contacts with Yan Qing

Gan Tingting
... as Pan Jinlian, the adulterous wife of Wu Dalang, the elder brother of Wu Song, one of the Liangshan heroes

Du Chun
... as Ximen Qing, rich man from Yanggu County, he has an affair with Pan Jinlian

Fu Yiwei
... as Granny Wang, the owner of a teahouse and the neighbour of Wu Dalang

Anita Yuen
... as Mrs. Lin, the beautiful wife of Lin Chong

Meng Yao
... as Yan Poxi, Song Jiang's wife

Huang Gexuan
... as Wang Lun, one of the pioneers of Liangshan


Antagonist characters:

Waise Lee Chi Hung (Li Zi Xiong)
... as Gao Qiu, prime minister

Yang Zi
... as Emperor Song Huizong

Zhou Mingshan
... as Tong Guan


Special appearances:

Zhang Tielin
... as Marshal Hong, imperial officer who released the 108 demon spirits

Huang Xiaoming
... Su Dongpo, or more well-known as Su Shi who is a writer, poet, artist, calligrapher, pharmacologist, and statesman of the Song Dynasty

Nie Yuan
... as Marshal Xiao Wang

Zhang Min (Sharla Cheung Man)
... as ???


Blog:
http://ent.sina.com.cn/f/v/newshuihu/index.shtml

News:
http://ent.sina.com.cn/v/m/2009-07-04/16392595724.shtml
http://ent.sina.com.cn/v/m/2009-11-25/10152784272.shtml
http://china8.blog82.fc2.com/blog-entry-1176.html
http://star.pclady.com.cn/tv/0909/447053.html

Can anyone please correct the info if I made mistake? And add more infos about this series? I'm very interested in the all-star casts, and I esp. would like to know Zhang Min's role in this series. I hope someone can tell me. And does anyone know when will this series finish filming and when will it be released?

[loislane]

More filming pics:

Song Jiang & Gongsun Sheng
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Ximen Qing & Pan Jinlian
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[forgot password]

there are only very few women in Shui hu zhuan, since Zhang min doesn't play the role of Female Yaksha Sun er niang, which i think suits her evil looking and age the most, i can't think of any other character with moderate on-screen time she can play. so Zhang min will possibly be just a guest star, in that case, the role of Jiang men shen's arrogant wife (beaten up by Wu song) or Yang xiong's adulterous wife may be hers.

[loislane]

Yeah, you're right. After looking around more, seem like Zhang Min is just a guest star and her role hasn't been decided yet. And if I'm not wrong, she's one of the co-producer or sumthin?

More pictures

The Liangshan heroes
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Song Jiang (Zhang Hanyu)
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Yan Qing (Yan Kuan) & Song Jiang
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Wu Yong & Gongsun Sheng
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More Yan Qing...

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I've also updated the first post with more pics of the characters.

[thythy]

I always loved the story of Wu Song and Pan Jinlian. But the actress wasn't very good looking from the pic as Irene Kwan. Still looking forward to this.

[IloveMimiLo]

Wooo Looks good!!!

[Creme de la top]

Oh, Yan Kuan!! I love this guy!

How juicy is his character, considering I've no knowledge of anything Water Margins related?

[loislane]

Oh, Yan Kuan!! I love this guy!

How juicy is his character, considering I've no knowledge of anything Water Margins related?

I've just started studying the story recently, so I dunno much either

Here's info abt the character:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yan_Qing

And I heard, his character will have a love story with Ady An's character, Li Shishi, the prostitute who helped out his rebel group.

I currently bought the CCTV 1997 version of Water Margin (I think this is the only adaptation exist?), and had a glimpse of the first episode. It looks good. I think the story is quite unique since it introduces the main villain's life journey first, but I just wish the actor who plays Gao Qiu is better looking XD From the pics, Gao Qiu in this new version is definitely better to look at^^

[Lady Zhuge]

Well finally, this new adaptation is actually coming to fruition. Originally, Wu Zi Niu had planned to direct this and they had cast Zhang Di as Yan Qing and Nie Yuan as Lin Chong. Yan Kuan fits the description of Yan Qing so much better, though. Not that Zhang Di fits the role of Hua Rong, but alas.

I currently bought the CCTV 1997 version of Water Margin (I think this is the only adaptation exist?), and had a glimpse of the first episode. It looks good. I think the story is quite unique since it introduces the main villain's life journey first, but I just wish the actor who plays Gao Qiu is better looking XD From the pics, Gao Qiu in this new version is definitely better to look at^^

No, there's at least another version, a 1980s adaptation starring Bao Guo An (best known for his role as Cao Cao in Romance of the Three Kingdoms 1994) as Song Jiang.

I'm glad Yan Kuan is playing Yan Qing, one of the few characters still alive at the end. He's already had to die way too much in previous roles. Too bad Fan Bing Bing isn't playing Pan Jin Lian. She would have been perfect. Li Zong Han as Wu Yong? Interesting choice. I wonder who will be playing Lu Da?

Two actors played Gao Qiu in the 1997 version, but they're equally unappealing to the eyes. I didn't care much since he's not supposed to be good looking anyway and is one of my least favorite characters for obvious reasons. I also strongly dislike Song Jiang.

[loislane]

Lady_Zhuge, have you watched the CCTV 97 version? What do you think of it as an adaptation and as a serial? Have you read the novel? How's the story compared to Jin Yong's Demi Gods Semi Devils? I don't like DGSD story and I think it's probably because it focuses to too many characters. I'm really interested in the casts of this new Water Margin, but I'm afraid coz of the too many characters, it'd be just like another DGSD for me XD

No, there's at least another version, a 1980s adaptation starring Bao Guo An (best known for his role as Cao Cao in Romance of the Three Kingdoms 1994) as Song Jiang.

Ah, right. I just checked again. There was even a Japanese 1973 version produced by Nippon Television(NTV)

I also strongly dislike Song Jiang.

Oh no... is Song Jiang a dislikeable character? Coz I like Zhang Hanyu alot, the actor who will play SJ in this new version, and really looking forward to his performance here. Hopefully the new version made him more likeable XD

So who is your most favorite character in Water Margin? And which invidual plotline do you like the most? I really love actresses, Hu Ke(plays Gu Dasao) and Liu Yun(Hu San Niang), who will play 2 of the only 3 females in Liangshan. And I wonder if their characters are good/nice/likeable?

I just started to have interest in the story (I guess its due to the lack of pop-idol-trendy adaptation for this story Even the TVB 80s version was not popular?) and I really want to read more opinions and comments about this story and the adaptations^^

EDIT:
Another pic of Wu Song just came out today:
http://yule.baidu.com/news/star/2009...023246141.html

[Lady Zhuge]

Yes, I saw the '97 version a long time ago. I can't believe it's now been over 10 years since it was made. I enjoyed it as a serial, but since I've never read the novel, I can't comment on its accuracy as an adaptation. If you didn't like DGSD 'cause it had a lot of characters, then I'm not sure you're going to like Water Margin with there being what, 108 heroes alone. On the other hand, while Water Margin does focus on many characters, it's done in a non-overwhelming way in that each main hero has his own story before everyone comes together to form the famous group. The portrayals of Lu Da, Lin Chong, and Wu Song stood out the most to me. I don't really have one favorite character, but I do have soft spots for Hua Rong (the Legolas of Water Margin ), Wu Yong (the Zhuge Kongming of Water Margin), and Lin Chong. Gu Da Sao and Hu San Niang are strong, spirited and likable, but as someone mentioned earlier, the females (other than Pan Jin Lian) don't really play a significant role in this male-dominated story. You'll see as you continue to watch the '97 version. However, with this new version being an estimated 80 episodes, there will probably be more character development and screentime for the ladies.

I dislike Song Jiang's stubbornness and idealism, two traits so fatal when combined in this one man that it really felt like he was almost just as responsible for the deaths of many of the Liang Shan heroes as Gao Qiu. I'm not sure how Song Jiang was in the book, but perhaps Zhang Han Yu can give a more sympathetic portrayal.

English Wikipedia didn't list the 1984 version starring Bao Guo An. I didn't know there was a 1980s TVB version as well.

[loislane]

Thank you for your comments! I'll continue watch the 97 version to see if I like it^^

[hhlieu]

I am looking forward to it. I saw some episode of the 1997 version on TV, but missed most of it. 80 episodes ... that's going to take me a long time to finish.

[loislane]

Pictures of the characters in costume:
http://slide.ent.sina.com.cn/slide_4_163_1379.html
Li Kui, the fat guy looks funny and interesting^^ And apparently, I got the wrong info, Hu Sanniang will be played by Liu Xiaoxiao (not Liu Yun )

New website for New Water Margin (pics included and complete casts list): http://ent.sina.com.cn/f/v/tvnewshuihu/index.shtml

Zhang Qing is quite cute^^
http://ent.sina.com.cn/v/m/2009-12-01/10262792740.shtml

Some of the guys are cute. So far, I think Wu Song, Yan Qing and Zhang Qing are acted by handsome guys^^ Wu Yong is good-looking too.

I can't wait to see Pan Jinlian and Li Shishi in costumes^^

[loislane]

Liu Xiao Xiao as Hu San Niang
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Huang Hai Bing as Chai Jin
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Kang Kai as Li Kui
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Han Dong as Shi Jin
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Zhang Di as Hua Rong
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Zhang Xiao Chen as Zhang Qing
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He Jiayi as Sun Erniang
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Zhou Mingshan as Tong Guan
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[loislane]

Pictures of Gan Ting Ting as Pan Jinlian (in costumes):
http://slide.ent.sina.com.cn/slide_4_163_2101.html

[Trinie]

Thanks for the pix and info... Oh my gosh, are those real tattoos on Han Dong's body?? I did not know that he had that many tattoos.... Lets hope that this is accurate to the novel.

[loislane]

Oh my gosh, are those real tattoos on Han Dong's body??

I don't think so The character he plays Shi Jin is nicknamed "Nine-Tattooed Dragons" as he has flowery and dragons tattoes all over his body. So I'm sure the tattooes are drawn on HD's body just for this series' filming.

Lets hope that this is accurate to the novel.

I have a feeling it won't. The 43-eps CCTV 1997 version was said to be the one which is accurate to the novel. As this new version has 80 episodes, twice longer than the previous version, I think there will be alot of additional plots, probably to give space for the many characters developments. I just hope the 80 eps won't be draggy.

[patricia n]

Pictures of Gan Ting Ting as Pan Jinlian (in costumes):
http://slide.ent.sina.com.cn/slide_4_163_2101.html

she's very beautiful in that picture. i've seen so many pictures of her, but i still don't know what to make of her. she is pretty, but from some angles, she looks gorgeous (with heavy make up). but in other pictures, she's only so so. however, in that particular picture, i find her very very attractive.

[sunnysnow]

I agree that the actress cast as Pan Jinlian looks really beautiful (with the exception of the maid pics)