10 Facts About The Goldfinger: Tony Leung and Andy Lau Reunite in a High-Budget HK Thriller
Hong Kong’s film industry, renowned for its classic action crime thrillers, is set to release another highly anticipated movie, “The Goldfinger.”
This action-packed thriller, set in the 1980s, chronicles the rise and fall of a multi-billion-dollar company.
Its chairman, played by Tony Leung, finds himself under a 15-year investigation led by an elite anti-corruption investigator portrayed by Andy Lau.
This film, both written and directed by Felix Chong, stars the iconic duo of Tony Leung and Andy Lau, familiar names that promise an engaging cinematic experience.
In anticipation of its official release on 30 Dec, right before the New Year Countdown, here are 10 intriguing facts about this blockbuster.
1. The film’s success hinges on a compelling script and the dynamic Tony & Andy pair.
In this upcoming Hong Kong blockbuster, the legendary Hong Kong actors Tony Leung and Andy Lau play the protagonist and antagonist, respectively.
Felix Chong, the scriptwriter, expressed that Tony Leung was his top choice to play the role of a charismatic businessman and a manipulative stock market genius.
At the film’s production commencement press conference held at Emperor Cinema, Lau revealed he was convinced of Leung’s suitability for the role after reading the script he received from producer Wong.
Similarly, for Tony Leung, the prospect of co-starring with Andy Lau was a significant draw.
In an interview with The Straits Times, Tony spoke highly of working with Andy, citing the confidence and ease it brought him.
Producer Ronald Wong summarised the film’s appeal succinctly: a compelling script combined with the star power of Tony and Andy.
2. It’s been 20 years since Tony and Andy last collaborated.
“The Goldfinger” marks the highly-anticipated reunion of Tony and Andy on the big screen, 20 years after their last project together, the acclaimed “Infernal Affairs” crime trilogy in 2002.
In an Instagram video, Andy Lau playfully referenced their famous rooftop scene from “Infernal Affairs.”
“How many years since the rooftop?”
Felix Chong, who also wrote the script for “Infernal Affairs,” reunites with the duo in this latest venture.
Tony Leung recalled building a strong rapport with Lau during their time filming the TVB series “The Duke of Mount Deer” in 1984, a relationship that has only grown stronger over the years, according to The Straits Times.
3. “The Goldfinger” boasts a record-high budget.
The film’s production budget stands at an impressive HK$350 million, making it one of the most expensive Hong Kong productions ever.
For reference, Internal Affairs was filmed at a budget about 6 times cheaper, at $55.1 million
This movie’s budget surpasses that ceiling, indicating its grand scale.
Producer Ronald Wong has high hopes for the film’s success, banking on the star appeal of Tony and Andy to break box office records.
4. Tony Leung travelled to Singapore to promote the film.
Tony Leung, one of Asia’s most renowned and internationally acclaimed actors, recently visited Singapore to promote “The Goldfinger.”
The press conference took place at Resorts World Sentosa, attracting numerous local media outlets.
Following the press conference, Tony also interacted with fans at a red carpet event in Universal Studios Singapore (USS).
He, along with director Felix Chong and producer Ronald Wong, attended the gala premiere at the Pantages Hollywood Theatre.
In the film, Tony portrays a charismatic conman who arrives in 1970s Hong Kong and rapidly builds a fraudulent conglomerate.
5. There is a James Bond film titled “Goldfinger” from 1964.
While “The Goldfinger” (2023) and “Goldfinger” (1964) might be easily confused due to their titles, both are poised to be unforgettable classics in their own right.
The 1964 James Bond film “Goldfinger” revolves around gold smuggling and a plot to contaminate the United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox.
6. A pivotal scene between the two superstars was filmed in The Peninsula’s presidential suite.
The Peninsula Hong Kong, a colonial-style luxury hotel, served as the backdrop for a crucial scene featuring the two lead actors.
This iconic hotel, often featured in popular culture, has been a filming location for numerous productions, including “The Dark Knight,” the 1988 NBC miniseries “Noble House,” and the 1974 James Bond film “The Man with the Golden Gun.”
The cost of staying in its presidential suite is a staggering HK$128,000 per night (approximately $21,700 SGD), offering luxurious amenities such as a full harbour view and a view of the Hong Kong skyline.
With its new role in “The Goldfinger,” this suite’s popularity and rates are expected to climb even higher.
7. The film features an impressive ensemble cast.
“The Goldfinger” boasts a star-studded cast, including Simon Yam, Charlene Choi, Carlos Chan, Tai-Bo, Kar Lok Chin, Phillip Keung, among others.
This lineup of well-known actors adds to the film’s allure, much like an all-star team assembling for a major blockbuster.
8. “The Goldfinger” draws comparisons to “American Gangster” (2007) and “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013).
According to Screen Daily, “The Goldfinger” could be likened to a version of “American Gangster” without the violence, or “The Wolf Of Wall Street” minus the debauchery.
These comparisons reflect the nuanced approach Felix Chong takes in portraying the film’s enigmatic subject.
“American Gangster” is a film about a New York City cop’s pursuit of Harlem drug lord Frank Lucas, while “The Wolf of Wall Street” follows Jordan Belfort’s rise and fall in the financial world.
9. Post-production of the movie took approximately two years.
The filming of “The Goldfinger” began in February 2021 and concluded on 24 May 2021.
Although the actual filming took about three months, the movie is only being released towards the end of this year, indicating a lengthy post-production process.
“The Goldfinger” is scheduled for a simultaneous theatrical release on 30 Dec 2023 in Singapore and Hong Kong.
Additionally, it will also be shown in China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.
That’s pretty much the whole world.
You can catch the film in theatres like Shaw Theatres in Singapore (before the tickets sell out).
