Hallyday, Testud join 'Vengeance'

Johnnie To directs ARP, Media Asia thriller

By MARCUS LIM

Veteran French rocker Johnny Hallyday and French actress Sylvie Testud are to star in Hong Kong-set crime thriller "Vengeance," helmed by Johnnie To.

Pic, about a French assassin-turned-chef who comes to Hong Kong to avenge a murder, is set up as an ARP production in partnership with Hong Kong shingle Media Asia and produced by Milkyway Image.

Scripted by Wai Ka-fai, "Vengeance" has begun lensing in Hong Kong and is skedded for delivery next summer. It also stars To regulars Anthony Wong, Simon Yam, Lam Suet and Lam Ka Tung.

For To, pic is the continuation of a love-in between France and Asia, but a change of project. The helmer was ramping up to shoot a remake of French classic "Le Cercle Rouge" with Studio Canal and the Hong Kong thriller "Death of a Hostage."

According to a spokesman for Milkyway, "Le Cercle Rouge" is still in development while shooting has halted on "Hostage" while the director's focus shifts to "Vengeance."

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