Ketchup Entertainment has released a second and final official trailer for the upcoming action-thriller Weekend in Taipei, set to hit theaters in November. Directed by Taiwanese-American filmmaker George Huang and co-written with Luc Besson (Lucy), the film reunites Luke Evans and Sung Kang, who previously co-starred in the Fast & Furious franchise. The title arrives just in time for the holiday season, making it an exciting box office draw for fans of the genre.
Weekend in Taipei (originally titled Weekend Escape Project) follows former DEA agent John Lawlor (Evans) who unexpectedly reconnects with his ex-undercover partner (Gwei Lun-mei) while pursuing her druglord husband Kwang (Kang). Things get even more complicated after John learns a dangerous secret from his ex-flame. The official synopsis reads as follows:
“On a deep undercover assignment in Taipei, DEA agent John Lawlor was doing everything right… until he fell in love with his informant, beautiful Josephine “Joey” Kwang, one of the Asian underworld’s best transport drivers. Compromised and cover blown, John was forced to flee. Now, years later, John is back in Taipei for the weekend. But is he here to finish the job? Or to win back Joey’s love?”
The trailer opens with a blood-soaked John on a high-speed chase with Joey and her son Raymond (Wyatt Yang) as they are on the run from Kwang while being pursued by police. Ketchup Entertainment released images that give the first look at the cast in seemingly intense moments in the film. Watch the trailer below along with production stills of Evans, Kang, and Lun-mei.
Weekend in Taipei’s North American Release in Select Theaters
Theposter for Weekend in Taipeibills it as “From the creator of Taken and The Transporter,” referring to Besson. Fans of the acclaimed filmmaker find it curious that he didn’t co-write this film with his frequent collaborator, Robert Mark Kamen (The Fifth Element), with whom he co-penned TakenandThe Transporter. Additionally, some question the pairing of Besson with Huang, who hasn’t directed a feature film since 2001’sHow To Make a Monster, and his last writing credit was 2016’s Hard Target 2.Weekend in Taipeimarks his first time behind the camera since directing episodes ofAmerican Heiressin 2007.
Huang and Besson wrote the script for Weekend in Taipei, which was filmed in Taipei, Taiwan as part of a co-production between the country and France. Deadline reported that Ketchup Entertainment acquired North American rights to the movie earlier this year, produced by Besson’s EuropaCorp and his wife Virginie Besson-Silla. Ketchup Entertainment CEO Gareth West said in a statement:
“Weekend in Taipei is an exciting movie that George Huang has masterfully directed and features a great cast that includes Luke Evans, Gwei Lun-Mei, and Sung Kang. We look forward to working with Luc, Virginie and EuropaCorp and bringing this film to North American audiences.”
Related
Luc Besson’s 10 Best Movies, Ranked
From action to sci-fi to crime thrillers, these 10 movies offer a glimpse into what makes Besson’s storytelling so entertaining and thought-provoking.
EuropaCorp CEO Jean-Marc Lacarrère added, “We are very proud of Weekend in Taipei, which perfectly captures EuropaCorp’s DNA by bundling action, romance, and comedy together. We are also pleased to partner with Gareth and Ketchup’s team in sharing this thrilling film with audiences throughout North America.”
Weekend in Taipei reportedly had its world premiere at Vieshow Cinemas Xinyi in Taipei, Taiwan on September 1 and was theatrically released in France and Taiwan on September 25. The film opens in select U.S. theaters on November 8.
