In a major digital restoration initiative, Shout! Studios is bringing five seminal Jet Li martial arts classics to 4K resolution, marking a significant moment for fans of Hong Kong action cinema. The legendary martial artist’s collaborations with directors Gordon Chan, Woo-Ping Yuen and Corey Yuen will debut on digital platforms Feb. 18.
The collection includes “Fist of Legend” (1994), “Tai Chi Master” (1993), “The Legend” (1993), “The Legend 2” (1993), and “The Bodyguard from Beijing” (1994), representing a golden era of Hong Kong action filmmaking that helped establish Li as an international star.
The films showcase Li at the height of his powers, from his portrayal of Chinese folk hero Fong Sai-Yuk in “The Legend” series to his role as a conflicted martial artist in “Fist of Legend.” “Tai Chi Master,” which pairs Li with Michelle Yeoh, demonstrates the actor’s range in a story of betrayal and redemption centered around the ancient martial art. In “The Bodyguard from Beijing,” Li steps into more contemporary territory as an elite security professional, blending intense martial arts action with a modern crime thriller narrative while protecting a murder witness played by Christy Chung.
Under the comprehensive distribution agreement, Shout! Studios has secured worldwide rights, excluding China, U.K., and Indonesia. The deal encompasses physical media, electronic sell-through (EST), advertising-based video on demand (AVOD), subscription video on demand (SVOD), transactional video on demand (TVOD), free video on demand (FVOD), linear streaming, broadcast, theatrical, non-theatrical, and ancillary rights. The films will be available individually and as a digital bundle exclusively on Apple TV and Fandango at Home, marking the first time these titles have been packaged together.
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“Movie fans can now easily enjoy these entertaining films in stunning 4K on various digital platforms,” Li said in a statement. “I hope a new generation of audiences will be introduced to these action classics that give a glimpse to the talent of directors, writers, actors, stunt people, and crew that come from the rich history of Hong Kong cinema.”
The move follows Shout! Studios nabbing worldwide rights (excluding select Asian territories) to the coveted Golden Princess movie library, a treasure trove of 156 Hong Kong cinema classics that’s been MIA from Western markets for decades.
The Jet Li 4K release initiative represents a significant investment in preserving Hong Kong’s action cinema legacy, with additional announcements planned in the coming months regarding special features and promotional activities surrounding the releases.