''Back to the Past'' (Chinese: 尋秦記) is an upcoming Hong Kong historical

science fiction Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel uni ...

action film Action film is a film genre in which the protagonist is thrust into a series of events that typically involve violence and physical feats. The genre tends to feature a mostly resourceful hero struggling against incredible odds, which include l ...

directed by Ng Yuen-fai and Jack Lai, with action direction by

Sammo Hung Sammo Hung Kam-bo ( zh, t=洪金寶, j=Hung4 Gam1-bou2; born 7 January 1952) is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film producer and director, known for his work in martial arts films, Hong Kong action cinema, and as a fight choreographer for ...

. The film is a continuation of the 2001 television series, '' A Step into the Past'', which was based on Huang Yi's novel, ''The Chronicles of Searching Qin''. It stars the original cast members of the series

Louis Koo Louis Koo Tin-lok ( zh, t=古天樂; born 21 October 1970) is a Hong Kong people, Hong Kong actor, singer and film producer. He began his professional career as an actor in local television series, winning TVB's Best Actor award in 1999 and 2001 ...

Jessica Hsuan Jessica Hester Hsuan (; PA: syn hyn, also known as Suen Huen, is a Hong Kong actress. Early life Hsuan's father gave her the name Jessica, while her mother gave her the middle name Hester. She was educated in Hong Kong at Maryknoll Convent S ...

Raymond Lam Raymond Lam (; Jyutping: lam4 fung1; born 8 December 1979) is a Hong Kong actor and singer who is best known for roles in the television dramas ''A Step into the Past'', ''Twin of Brothers'', '' Moonlight Resonance'', '' Highs and Lows'' and '' Lin ...

Sonija Kwok Sonija Kwok Sin-nei (, born 22 July 1974) is a Hong Kong actress who worked with TVB from 1999 to 2015. Since 2015, she has been managed by GAIA Entertainment. Early life Kwok was born in Hong Kong and is of mixed three quarters Cantonese an ...

, Joyce Tang and Michelle Saram reprising their roles from the series. Produced by Koo's One Cool Film Production, filming for ''Back to the Past'' in April 2019 in

Guizhou Guizhou (; formerly Kweichow) is a landlocked province in the southwest region of the People's Republic of China. Its capital and largest city is Guiyang, in the center of the province. Guizhou borders the autonomous region of Guangxi to the ...

and wrapped up on 7 July 2019. On 16 March 2021, the first teaser trailer for the film was released.

Plot

After being wrongfully imprisoned for many years, Ken swears to travel back to the past and become the Emperor to make up the life wasted while incarcerated. Back in the

Qin dynasty The Qin dynasty ( ; zh, c=秦朝, p=Qín cháo, w=), or Ch'in dynasty in Wade–Giles romanization ( zh, c=, p=, w=Ch'in ch'ao), was the first dynasty of Imperial China. Named for its heartland in Qin state (modern Gansu and Shaanxi), ...

, although Hong Siu-lung have been living in recluse with his family, his protege,

Qin Shi Huang Qin Shi Huang (, ; 259–210 BC) was the founder of the Qin dynasty and the first emperor of a unified China. Rather than maintain the title of " king" ( ''wáng'') borne by the previous Shang and Zhou rulers, he ruled as the First Empero ...

Ying Ching still keeps an eye on his every move. Just when Qin Shi Huang was uniting the six kingdoms, Ken makes a surprise attack on him, he has no choice but to go to his former mentor. Hong and Ying meet again for the first time in twenty years, along with time traveller Ken who swears to alter history, the three will most definitely stir up a crisis in the Qin dynasty that will change the destiny.

Cast

as Hong Siu-lung () *

as Wu Ting-fong () *

as Ying Ching () *

as Kam Ching () * Joyce Tang as Sin-yau () * Michelle Saram as Princess Chiu Sin () *Kevin Chu *

Louis Cheung Louis Cheung (; born 11 January 1980) is a Hong Kong singer, songwriter, and actor. He is an alumnus of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, majoring in acting. His first play was in 1997, and he has performed in a total of more than 20 ...

*Jimmy Au as To Fong (陶方) *Wong Man-piu as Tang Yik (滕翼) *

Liu Kai-chi Dick Liu Kai-chi (, 30 September 1953 – 28 March 2021) was a Hong Kong actor, best known for his everyman supporting roles. His career spanned over 40 years, with appearances in over 90 television series and 70 films. He earned eight nomina ...

as Professor Wu Yau (烏有博士) *John Tang as Lee Siu-chiu (李小超) *

Timmy Hung Timmy Hung Tin-ming (born 1 July 1974) is a Hong Kong actor. He is the eldest son of Sammo Hung. Background He was born in Hong Kong as the eldest son of martial arts superstar Sammo Hung and Sammo's Korean first wife Jo Eun-ok (曹恩玉). Hi ...

Production

Development

For many years,

has expressed interest in adapting '' A Step into the Past'' to the big screen. Koo's film production company, One Cool Film Production, was able to acquire the rights the series in 2015 and a film version of the series was greenlit. In March 2018, it was announced that aside from Koo,

and

will also be reprising their roles from the series and production was to begin at the end if 2018 with budget of US$45 million. Jack Lai will be set to direct and make his directoral debut. In February 2019, it was announced that

will serve as the film's action director. On 18 March 2019, the film was promoted at the 2019 Hong Kong FILMART. Aside from Koo, Hsuan and Lam, series cast members Joyce Tang and Michelle Saram were also present at the event, confirming their participation in the film. Visual effects artists Ng Yuen-fai will also co-direct the film with Lai.

Filming

Principal photography for ''Back to the Past'' began in April 2019 in

. On 12 April 2019, photos from the set were revealed, showing Koo's costume. Production for the film officially wrapped on 7 July 2019.

References

{{Reflist

External links

Official website at One Cool Film
*
Back to the Past
' on Douban *
Back to the Past
' at AsianFilmFans Upcoming films Cultural depictions of Qin Shi Huang Hong Kong science fiction action films Hong Kong martial arts films Hong Kong historical films Martial arts science fiction films Wuxia films Cantonese-language films Upcoming directorial debut films Films based on Chinese novels Films based on television series Films about time travel Films set in the Warring States period Films shot in Guizhou