Chow an idol to younger co-stars Peng and Kwok
Chow Yun Fat's effervescent, playful behaviour at yesterday's press conference was so contagious, even Aaron Kwok and Eddie Peng could not resist making fun of each other.
Peng brought up a moment during the Cold War 2 filming when he got roughhoused by Kwok quite badly.
Kwok burst into laughter, saying he had been "too engrossed in the scene".
Peng was referring to a scene where his character, Joe Lee, is captured by Kwok's police commissioner Sean.
A handcuffed Joe is shoved into the back of a car before being taken to the police station.
Peng said: "He was really pushing me against the door before throwing me into the back seat."
"At least it was a cushioned seat," Kwok retorted.
He said: "That scene was supposed to be done in one shot and I couldn't hear the director calling 'cut', so I just improvised. I was too engrossed in the moment."
Cold War 2 continues the tense situation between Sean and Joe's father, former police chief M.B. Lee (Tony Leung Ka Fai), after Lee turns Joe in to the authorities.
The sequel to the 2012 police thriller also further explores the rivalry between Sean and Lee, and this time, things get personal.
Chow, a new addition, plays a judge who is called out of retirement and is caught between the two men.
Chow said he wanted to be part of the film series because he was very impressed by Leung and Kwok's performance in the first flick and was intrigued by the story.
"We have been in the industry for so long, but we have never starred in a film together," he added.
Kwok and Peng were delighted about Chow joining them because he has always been their idol.
Kwok said: "He may look stern all the time, but he's such a friendly, open guy. He treats everyone on set very well and is always looking out for us. He's a global star, but has no airs at all."
Chow interjected: "One thing you must learn... Don't ever throw your co-star around!"
Peng lamented that he did not share any scenes with Chow, but said he was "honoured to be in the same film".
"I'm such a newbie next to all my co-stars. They are such inspirations," he said.
The handsome actor, who grew up in Vancouver, Canada, admitted to feeling "some pressure" when revisiting his antagonist character as "everyone is so good at their game".
But Chow was full of praise for Peng, stating that he "will be a big movie star".
"Make sure you look after us next time, okay?" he joked.
HIGH HOPES
Kwok has high hopes for Cold War 2 purely because of Chow's presence.
The first movie was the highest-grossing Hong Kong film of 2012 and was also a big winner at that year's Hong Kong Film Awards. It bagged nine awards, including best film, best director, best screenplay and best actor for Leung.
"You will win this year," Chow told Kwok, who humbly replied that Leung should win again.
"No, I'm sure you will win," Chow argued.
"You are saying all this because Tony isn't here," said Peng, laughing.
"Maybe you are right," Chow added, laughing. "I'll probably say that to Tony if he was here instead of Aaron."
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