Hong Kong stars Tony Leung (left) and Andy Lau have been friends for 40 years now. Photo: Screengrab from Andy Lau/Instagram
Twenty years was how long it took for Hong Kong movie stars Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Andy Lau to reunite on screen.
The pair, who last shared the big screen in the Infernal Affairs trilogy (2002-2003), square off once again in the riveting crime thriller, The Goldfinger.
At a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, Leung, 61, said the prospect of working alongside Lau, 62, influenced his decision to join the movie.
“Andy and I haven’t worked together for a long time, and I’ve always wanted to collaborate with him again. When I received the script, my first thought was Andy should be my co-star,” he said.
Leung added that there was a sense of security that came with starring alongside someone he’s familiar with, allowing him to feel “bolder” to try new things with his performance.
The actor previously told Lau that they should share the screen as partners rather than enemies in future projects.
“Our great chemistry is built on trust,” he said at the media conference. “Whenever we’re on set, there’s no need for any special communication. Just one glance and we both understand each other.”
Leung (left) and Lau play enemies in the new crime thriller, 'The Goldfinger'. Photo: Andy Lau/Instagram
Set in the 1980s, The Goldfinger depicts the rise and fall of a massive conglomerate led by the arrogant yet charismatic Henry Ching (Leung), who is relentlessly pursued by senior investigator Lau Kai Yuen (Lau).
The movie also stars Charlene Choi, Simon Yam, Alex Fong and Philip Keung.
While the film draws inspiration from the real-life financial fraud of the now-defunct Carrian Group, filmmaker Felix Chong clarified that all characters are fictional.
“The story of the main character and his conglomerate are different. None of the characters are based on real-life figures,” he said.
Taking on new challenges
With a reported budget of HK$350mil (RM207.6mil), The Goldfinger stands out as one of the most expensive films in Hong Kong cinema history.
Despite the substantial budget, producer Ronald Wong – who was also in KL – was confident the pairing of Leung and Lau would attract moviegoers.
Chong, who worked on the script for Infernal Affairs, said Leung was his sole choice for the role of the manipulative Henry.
Having played an antagonist “no more than five times” in his decades-long acting career, Leung found the offer refreshing as it presented him with new challenges.
Leung stars as the manipulative yet charismatic con man Henry Ching in 'The Goldfinger'. Photo: Emperor Motion Picture
“I had to deliver some lines in Hokkien, and it was so difficult as I couldn’t speak the language. I had to learn it on set and couldn’t get it right each time. After many failed attempts, we settled with using a dub in the end,” he said.
Leung also recounted a challenging scene that required fellow actress Catherine Chau to slap him.
According to the actor, Chau was initially afraid of hurting him but eventually finished the scene after being persuaded by Leung himself.
“I encouraged her to use her strength (to slap me) or we would have to shoot that scene multiple times. It really hurt when she slapped me in the end,” he said with a laugh.
Leung’s resilience in the face of adversity, and dedication to his craft have certainly paid off.
He was awarded the Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Award at the Venice Film Festival in September and became the first actor to sweep the top acting prizes at Taiwan’s Golden Horse Awards, Hong Kong Film Awards and China’s Golden Rooster Awards.
Leung has no plans on retiring anytime soon. Photo: Izzrafiq Alias/The Star
When asked for a comment on the accolades he received in 2023, Leung humbly said: “I’m happy as it’s recognition of my efforts over the past few decades.”
Even after 40 years of acting, Leung expressed no desire to retire anytime soon and is looking to diversify his acting portfolio by working with different directors globally.
The movie star, who made his Hollywood debut in Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings (2021), will be heading to Germany in March to shoot Hungarian director Ildiko Enyedi’s film, Silent Friend.
“I hope that I can shoot as many films as I can and collaborate with more filmmakers from different places in the future. There’s still a lot more I have to offer,” he said.
But one person Leung won’t be collaborating with in the future is his wife Hong Kong actress Carina Lau.
“I’ve already acted with my wife once, and it felt very weird,” he said, smiling.
The Goldfinger is now showing in cinemas nationwide.
