[2009.07.14] TONY LEUNG BREAKS ARM, DELAYS THE GRAND MASTER

After years of preparation, Wong Kar Wai's film THE GRAND MASTER (YUT DOI JUNG SI) based on the Wing Chun master Ip Man's life has finally been confirmed for a production start this year. Tony Leung Chiu Wai will play the role of Ip Man. Because Wai Jai did not have any kung fu background, for nearly half a year Wai Jai has been practicing Wing Chun with a master in hopes of coordinating with the shoot and being able to play the role convincingly.

As THE GRAND MASTER near its production countdown stage, yesterday Leung Chiu Wai was rumored to be injured. Jet Tone confirmed that Wai Jai was injured yesterday during training. Actually Wai Jai lately has been practicing everyday. In the morning he would train at home. In the afternoon the company rented a location for Wai Jai to spar with four or five masters. After training for awhile, Wai Jai was in much better shape and he was rather confident in himself. Thus during sparring he would give his all. As he charged forward in preparation of attacking the Master, the Master suddenly kicked and hit Wai Jai's left arm. His left arm immediately became immobile.

Later Wai Jai immediately was treated and discovered left arm was broken. Originally the doctor suggested a cast, but Wai Jai was afraid of hindering practice and insisted against it. The doctor asked him to keep his left arm immobile no matter what and it should heal in five to six weeks. Wai Jai currently was the most concerned about hindering the production progress. Now he could not even run so he was quite frustrated. He was afraid that his training would be wasted. However, although Wai Jai's arm was immobile, he would still train his legs.

Wai Jai frankly stated that injury was a part of action films and he expected that. Because if he was not injured during training, he might have been during the shot. Because his wife Carina Lau Ka Ling is working on DETECTIVE DEE (DIK YUN KIT) in the Mainland, he could not notify his wife in time. Although his wife was not by his side, Wai Jai only injured his left arm so he could still eat with his right.