Overview of Acquisition

In an exhilarating development set to thrill fans of action cinema, Shout! Studios has officially acquired the worldwide rights to the Golden Princess movie library. This rare collection features 156 classics from Hong Kong's cinema that have not been accessible in Western markets for decades.

This significant deal combines the efforts of Hollywood’s independent film company with a revered repository of Hong Kong films, spotlighting the groundbreaking work of celebrated directors like John Woo and Tsui Hark. The library includes blockbuster films featuring iconic stars such as Chow Yun-fat, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, and Leslie Cheung, ensuring that the legends of this golden era are not lost to time.

Notable Films in the Library

Notable titles included in the acquisition are Woo's masterpieces, including "Hard Boiled" and "The Killer," along with the entire "A Better Tomorrow" trilogy. Tsui Hark's influential film "Peking Opera Blues," alongside Tony Ching’s "Chinese Ghost Story" trilogy, further enrich this cinematic gem. Other beloved hits making their way to audiences include Wai Ka-fai’s "Peace Hotel" and Andrew Lam and Johnnie To’s "The Big Heat."

Impact on the Film Landscape

These films were pivotal during Hong Kong's cinematic golden age of the 1980s and 1990s, shaping the film landscape and leaving an enduring impact on Hollywood. Their influence is evident in modern action and crime genres, inspiring filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino and leading to iconic franchises such as "The Matrix" and "John Wick."

Statements from Involved Parties

David McIntosh, Jordan Fields, and Taylor Devorsky, involved with the Golden Princess Amusement Company, expressed their enthusiasm about the acquisition. Fields, who serves as Senior VP of Acquisitions and Originals at Shout!, remarked, "This is a remarkable moment for us. The Golden Princess library stands alongside names such as Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest, but its films have been largely dormant in the West. Our mission is to bring these cinematic treasures back into the limelight, enriching Shout!'s evolving catalog of esteemed Asian films."

Lai, executive director of Kowloon Development Company Ltd., the parent organization of Golden Princess, mirrored this excitement, stating, "The films in the Golden Princess Library are akin to the sword in the stone. Shout! Studios is the only entity capable of unleashing their potential."

Future Plans and Accessibility

Fans can brace themselves for a bounty of unforgettable viewing experiences, as Shout! Studios promises to remaster key films from this library and even reintroduce select classics back to theaters. Furthermore, Fields emphasized their strategy for home video, stating, “We understand the audience and are dedicated to serving them with premium content."

Looking ahead, these treasured Hong Kong films will be accessible via Shout!’s digital platform, with plans for special programming including marathons and viewing events, marking a thrilling new chapter for fans of Asian cinema. Get ready to dive into this rich library of lost classics!