New updates have emerged regarding the Twilight of the Warriors film series. The film's producer, renowned Hong Kong filmmaker John Chong, recently attended the 2025 China Film Directors' Night and revealed in an exclusive interview with Wen Wei Po: "The series will subsequently release a prequel titled Twilight of the Warriors: Dragon Throne and a sequel, Twilight of the Warriors: The Final Chapter. Currently, we are preparing to film The Final Chapter—the sequel will be shot first."
He also mentioned that the mainland film market is now flourishing with a vibrant diversity of films. Hong Kong productions still have opportunities, but filmmakers must seize the mainland market and have much to learn from it. He encouraged young filmmakers to hold onto their dreams, find their direction, and persevere in their efforts.
Speaking about the critically and commercially successful Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In, Chong shared his dedication to the project. 20 years ago, he had already wanted to make a film about Kowloon Walled City and even completed the script, but the project was shelved during development. It wasn't until nine years ago that producer Angus Chan proposed the idea of filming Kowloon Walled City that Chong felt it was a heaven-sent opportunity. He enthusiastically embraced it and saw the project through to completion.
When asked about the progress of the two upcoming films in the series, Twilight of the Warriors: Dragon Throne and Twilight of the Warriors: The Final Chapter, Chong revealed: "We are currently preparing to shoot The Final Chapter. The screenplay is written by Au Kin-yee, and the story is set in the early 1990s when Kowloon Walled City was officially demolished. The four protagonists (Chan Lok-kwan, Shin, Twelfth Master, and AV) lose the shelter of the walled city and are forced into the turbulent conflicts of rival gangs, facing unknown challenges. As for Twilight of the Warriors: Dragon Throne, the story is set in the 1950s. At the peak of his career, Lui Cheng-tung and his brother Chen Jim are forced to flee to Kowloon Walled City. Biding their time to survive, they wait for the opportunity to reclaim what they lost—until they encounter a man known as Cyclone."
Audience preferences influence film direction
After observing the mainland film market, Chong believes it is now a thriving landscape with successful films of diverse genres.
What challenges and opportunities do Hong Kong films face in the mainland market today?
"Hong Kong films still have a chance, but over the past two to three years, the crime thriller genre has struggled because the settings and actors have become too familiar. Therefore, Hong Kong films need to evolve. For instance, Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In made significant changes, offering a comic-book feel while incorporating genuine emotion and nostalgia."
He also noted that audience preferences can sometimes influence film direction, and filmmakers must consider multiple factors. If the goal is to resonate more deeply with mainland audiences, collaborating with mainland screenwriters might be a good choice.
Regarding strengthening cooperation between the Hong Kong and mainland film industries, Chong believes there are still many avenues to explore. While there is already substantial collaboration, including exchanges among directors, the mainland market is developing faster than Hong Kong's. For example, some films—even high-budget ones—can recoup costs solely through streaming platforms, an area where Hong Kong needs to catch up. Additionally, the mainland market is much larger, so Hong Kong filmmakers must learn much more to seize this opportunity.
Advice for young screenwriters: Master AI skills
When discussing the impact of AI (artificial intelligence) on filmmaking, Chong noted that its biggest influence on Hong Kong cinema currently lies in screenwriting.
According to him, the cost of using AI is now very low, and while it can generate various types of videos, filmmakers remain hesitant to experiment due to the risk of poor results requiring double the effort. However, AI is indeed useful in screenwriting.
He advised young people to quickly master AI-related skills to mature faster and better harness its potential. "Humans have emotions; AI does not. So, before AI becomes too advanced and its scriptwriting theory surpasses ours, we must learn to control it and teach it how to write."
For general audiences, the role of a producer remains somewhat mysterious. "Before filming begins, you must resolve funding and script issues, and sometimes even address the director's many challenges." Using Twilight of the Warriors as an example, he noted it was a difficult project to film, and director Soi Cheang agreed only after much deliberation. "The producer is accountable to investors while also dealing with the director, so it's hard to pinpoint the toughest part—you're constantly solving problems."
If there were a film where he could ignore the box office entirely and shoot whatever he wanted, what would Chong choose?
"I've worked in commercial films for many years, so I no longer think that way. I'd still make movies that audiences can enjoy together and share in the happiness."
Dare to dream
It is reported that the 2025 International Film Camp, organized by the Asian Film Awards Academy, will select 16 finalists to attend a five-day creative camp at an integrated resort in Macao during mid-September. Participants will receive one-on-one mentoring from veteran industry professionals, attend masterclasses, and pitch their projects. Eight of them will each receive HK$300,000 in production funding, with the opportunity to screen their short films at international festivals. Chong will serve as the chief mentor, guiding young filmmakers.
Just as a memorable line in Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In goes: "From now on, the walled city belongs to you young people." For those dreaming of a film career, Chong hopes they can find their direction. Once they decide to pursue filmmaking, they must commit wholeheartedly.
When asked how a 20-something could make a great film, he believes it's very difficult at that age—they must persist and experiment extensively to have a chance at success.
(Source: Wen Wei Po; Journalist: Jiang Xinxian, Lin Yitong; English Editor: Darius)
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