Song Joong-ki courted for sci-fi fantasy as post-army comeback

40 January 30, 2015January 30, 2015

Song Joong-ki courted for sci-fi fantasy as post-army comeback

by javabeans

Hm, so looks like the sci-fi action blockbuster Fist Fighting is still looking for a leading man, with Song Joong-ki (Nice Guy) emerging as the latest name in contention, and before he’s even been released from army duty. According to a statement made on the 30th by a source with the film’s production, Song is looking at headlining the film, although his management quickly countered by saying that Fist Fighting is only one of many offers on the table, and that for now he is focused on completing his service.

The film has had trouble locking down a leading man, beginning with its initial choice, Jo In-sung (It’s Okay, It’s Love), who dropped out of the project when shooting was postponed. The project was dormant until the decision was made to co-produce the film with Chinese partners with a hefty 20 billion won (20 million dollars) production budget, and producers selected Yeo Jin-gu (I Miss You) to lead… only to then dump him (after contracts were signed, to boot) while trying to nab Kim Soo-hyun (You From Another Star), who was experiencing a huge surge of popularity in China. (To his credit, Kim refused as soon as he heard of the situation, leaving the film with neither star.) Yoo Ah-in (Secret Love Affair) was also at one point in the mix as a potential lead, but did not bite.

It’s too bad that the project is struggling since I find the sci-fi fantasy premise of the movie intriguing: Set in a near future suffering an energy shortage, the high school hero happens upon a mysterious village of criminals. The village, which is on the verge of being destroyed by greater powers, also harbors the secret to procuring endless energy. The hero cannot stand by in the face of injustice and joins in with the villagers to help them fight back against their oppressors. It sounds epic and large-scale, and with the director of Welcome to Dongmakgol at the helm, I’d expect a creative, quirky result.

But that’s if the project can manage to cast and meet its goal to begin filming this year, and securing a leading man is a pretty crucial step. Here’s a hint: When you find him, don’t go behind his back looking to upgrade this time!

Via Newsen

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Tags: Song Joong-ki

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1 Nugu

January 30, 2015 at 8:45 AM

Song Jong Ki the first thing to do its go to running man and celebrate the 250th episode

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hella

January 30, 2015 at 11:30 AM

oh.my.goodness. That would be so epic! I hope he doesn't take this role, I don't know if the bad karma has worn off yet. He should spend some time with his friends. Who needs to do a maybe-cursed-movie when there's Running Man and dramas? I'm not saying this for me, really... *winks* *is slightly ashamed* *marks calendar anyway*

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Chandler

January 30, 2015 at 1:33 PM

That's what I wanted for him to do too!

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2 PeepsLeAwesomePotato

January 30, 2015 at 8:52 AM

I'll be surprised if he takes it. A drama with production drama is not a particularly tempting one for a military comeback.

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3 ela1023

January 30, 2015 at 8:53 AM

Bad karma for dumping Yeo Jin-goo.

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changhyun

January 30, 2015 at 9:21 AM

For real...that was such a scumbag move on their part

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Gumiho_bean

January 30, 2015 at 9:26 AM

Ikr? I hope Joong ki pick something else and celebrate his comeback in Running Man first.

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tarolove

January 30, 2015 at 11:31 AM

If the character was a highschooler then yeo jin gu would have been perfect for the role. One of their reasoning was that he's too young to take on such a big role but come on. Making late 20 somethings play highschool roles would require even more suspension of disbelief.

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Gidget

January 30, 2015 at 12:29 PM

I'm guessing the investor money came with some inflexible conditions. One thing those power 'investors' will have to learn about the outside world is that you can't control outcomes in bad ways without bad results... and more importantly... character counts.

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Pat mcgovern

February 1, 2015 at 6:15 AM

Totally agree,I hope he doesn't do this project as it is doomed...I am also sick and tired of grown men playing high schoolers....he is a very sexy adult why make him into a child...he has just served his country....and he is a great actor why appear in bad material with unethical backers.

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4 Ceecile

January 30, 2015 at 8:59 AM

I know he's baby-faced but high school?

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pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉

January 30, 2015 at 9:12 AM

If Lee Min-ho can do it while looking like he's going on 35, Song Joong-ki can definitely do it when he's not yet 30.

(yes, I realise which one of them is older....he's just not the one that looks older!)

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pitch

January 30, 2015 at 3:08 PM

I have no idea what he looks like right now, but pre-army I could have bought it.

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5 pogo - now sailing HMS Queen of Tears with Corn Salad on deck🍉

January 30, 2015 at 9:15 AM

Sounds interesting, though I'm wondering about the idea of Jo In-sung (their original choice) as a high school hero - maybe they changed the script around to work with Yeo Jin-gu/Kim Soo-hyun.

And I can't believe Song Joong-ki's coming out of the military this year! Can't wait for May <333

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6 kumi

January 30, 2015 at 9:16 AM

I hope he'll get a better project.

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7 CaroleMcDonnell

January 30, 2015 at 9:28 AM

Ah Joong-ki, he always makes me smile

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8 lulu88

January 30, 2015 at 9:31 AM

+1
Just happy to hear talk about him, his completion of military service and the return to acting. Seeing an article about him on DB put a smile on my face.

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9 blueribbon

January 30, 2015 at 10:08 AM

I can't wait for him to come back, I hope he stars in a drama soon.

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10 lenrasoon

January 30, 2015 at 10:14 AM

I hope Song Jong Ki doesn't sign the contract, he can do better.

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11 jomo143

January 30, 2015 at 10:24 AM

I would watch him in anything!
But I would love more watching him more in a drama than a measly 120 min film. I am greedy that way.

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12 redfox

January 30, 2015 at 10:41 AM

I think he should play something else than a high schooler, but I like the premise. sounds a bit too manga plot perhaps, seen a lot of such stories.
but Mr Charisma is back, that is good.

some mystery and dramatic apocalyptic landscapes, looking into the distance, gawd. this guy can sometimes be TOO intense for normal heart rate. his charisma slays hearts
cant he just play a spoiled prince who is narcissist and ignorant and suddenly has to go to war or something. a sageuk would be sooo good you know.

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13 mismiss

January 30, 2015 at 12:39 PM

But when is he actually coming back from army?

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alpha

January 30, 2015 at 12:58 PM

He is discharging this May. Don't know the exact day.

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14 jensredshoes

January 30, 2015 at 12:50 PM

Wah! I've been missing him so! I'd he getting out in April or May? I can't wait to have him back in anything, for sure!

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15 alpha

January 30, 2015 at 12:57 PM

I know it was very rude and unprofessional to drop Yeo Jin Goo out of this, but I'm actually glad YJG isn't doing this project. He is too young for this. I know he is a very good child actor but he's not ready for that big presence yet.

I hope this project is like Kill Me, Heal Me, (so many actors dropped at first, but when it all clicked, oh boy, it did click brilliantly)!

I would love to see Song Joong Ki back as soon as possible. I have missed him too much. Might go and rewatch some Nice Guy episodes while I'm at it.

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16 Queenbee

January 30, 2015 at 1:16 PM

This project smells like a blockbuster hit. I agree that this project looks too big for YJG. What a pity KSH turned it down just b/c of the mess with YJG's in-and-out casting.

I don't believe much in the so-called karma thingy. In many cases, one's rejection became other's luck. SJK should think about choosing this one as a comeback.

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eny

January 30, 2015 at 11:14 PM

one rejection become other's luck sometimes really happen. may be this movie project too big for him but why make him sign it , i think the real reason is the producer attractted to KSH popularity, they doesn't wanna lose money. His popularuty can attract viewer

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Krystal Anne

January 31, 2015 at 12:57 AM

Hmm now that you mention it. It's true as much as I hate what they did to YJG, that also does not meant that the movie is bad or that it will fail. What makes me symphatize with YJG so much is that I don't think they dump him just because they think he is too young for such a big role but more on because KSH is really popular in both Korea and China. His name alone will create a big buzz if he sign on the movie and not to mention it will be his post production right after YWCFTS. Many will want to see it, weather they like him or not just to see if the movie is good or not. Which is such a scumbag move for me because YJG have already been working out in preparation for the movie and they go behind his back.

But then I also agree in what you said that 'one's rejection became other's luck'. Look what happened with KMHM they are doing well in ratings despite all the casting changes. And also many might not remember this anymore but isn't Kim Soo Hyun also the first choice in Wolf's Boy but he turns it down and it went to Song Joong Ki and it became such a blockbuster movie. SJK got so much popularity from it. So I do agree with what you said but I still do not want SJK to do this one just because I don't want to go watch this movie and give my full support right after what they did to YJG. But if SJK signs in then I will have to support it because I really like him. So I hope he don't do it.

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Queenbee

February 1, 2015 at 2:39 AM

Now u mention it, so I will say: YJG was said to sign another movie nearly the same time with this movie, and this seemed to breach this movie's filming contract terms. That was why he was out. If it was the case, then replacing KSH had nothing to do with YJG's bad luck. Some YJG Fans may think that YJG was dumped by KSH's casting involvement. I personally hate the fact that the one got dumped was YJG. If it was someone else, KSH may haven't turned it down. And KSH was casted just b/c of his popularity in china? Well, they may have casted LMH as well.

FYI: KSH turned down wolf's boy to go for The moon embracing the sun, which SJK rejected. And what happened after that was history. Wolf boy was a hit, but not a blockbuster project, compared to what was described about the movie mentioned above.

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17 Sam

January 30, 2015 at 2:08 PM

Joong Ki's coming back! YAAAAY! :D
I hope he chooses to do a drama though. He'll be on our screens for longer :)

Aside from all the casting drama, this film sounds really good so I hope someone good signs on soon. But Jo In Sung? Really? How on earth does he look like a high schooler? Or was the plot different then? :/
Yeo Jin Goo would've been perfect for the role. They really effed up with that one :(

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j2hr

January 30, 2015 at 5:07 PM

this project started 5 years ago, and the script has changed a lot since then. So JIS was ok for the casting at that moment when the hero wasnt high-schooler. And even if the hero were a hs student, it should be ok for JIS 5 years ago to play the part.

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18 pastmidnite

January 30, 2015 at 6:30 PM

Is it two years already? Innocent Man/Nice Guy had just finished airing on my local tv, and I just realized while watching it that I miss him so much in a new drama! I hope he takes a drama or variety show project first. But this movie seems like a promising one, story-wise, and I think Joong ki has the power (and acting skills) to do magic.

Can't wait for the cuuuteee :-)