Once Upon A Time in China (film Series) - Imitators

Imitators

As imitation was relatively common in the Hong Kong film industry, Once Upon a Time in China quickly gained mimics. Whilst these films also focused on Wong Fei-hung, they were not part of the series, and had different cast members and directors. They include:

• Once Upon a Chinese Hero, directed by Wu Ma and starring Yuen Biao as Lau Zhai. In some releases this had the alternative titles Kickboxer and Once Upon A Time In China 6: Kickboxer.
• Once Upon a Time a Hero in China, directed by Lee Lik-Chi and starring Alan Tam, Eric Tsang and Simon Yam.
• Once Upon a Time a Hero in China II, a sequel to Once Upon a Time a Hero in China, directed by Lee Lik-Chi and starring Alan Tam and Eric Tsang.
• Great Hero from China, directed by Hwang Jang Lee and starring Chin Kar-lok and Lam Ching Ying.
• Wong Fei Hung Series, a television series, also known by the alternative title Once Upon a Time in China, directed by Tsui Hark and starring Vincent Zhao.

However, one imitator had more direct links with the original series, Last Hero in China (黃飛鴻之鐵雞鬥蜈蚣). This film was released in 1993 after the original Once Upon a Time in China trilogy. It is derivative of these films, and unlike other imitation films, it can be considered a spin-off or parody to some extent. It was directed by Wong Jing in place of Tsui Hark. The film's action director was Yuen Woo-ping and once again it starred Jet Li as Wong Fei-hung. However it differs greatly in tone from the Once Upon a Time in China series, containing stronger elements of violence and broader slapstick comedy.