Derek Yee angered by criticisms over his cast choice

22 Apr – Hong Kong director Derek Yee recently slammed his critics that questioned his new movie, "The Sword Master" for having no prominent actors in its cast list.

Previously, co-productions, Bona Film Group and Film Unlimited Productions revealed that they have begun filming the new 3D martial arts movie in Hengdian Studios.

The movie, co-written by Tsui Hark, Derek Yee, and Chun Tin Nam, tells the story of a retired master swordsman who is forced to return to the world of martial arts and face his nemesis.

Directed by Derek, whose last released directorial effort was the 2011 movie, "The Great Magician", the movie will star Chinese actor Lin Gengxin as the retired swordsman, Taiwanese artiste Peter Ho as his nemesis, as well as Chinese actresses Jiang Yiyan and Jiang Menjie.

However, according to Filmbiz Asia, the cast selection has sparked a lot of negative reactions from Netizens, who questioned the movie's capability due to its lack of top stars.

Defending his casting choices, Derek recently turned to his Weibo account and said, "If a collaborative project between me and Tsui Hark need big stars to get you to buy the ticket, then we might as well pack up, go home, drink whiskey and talk crap."

The 56-year-old filmmaker also added that there is no need for his movie to have top actors in them, saying, "Tsui Hark and I are the top stars of the film!"