The Hong Kong film mogul partnered with the founder and CEO of Hong Kong-based tech branding company Gusto Collective on the marquee sci-fi flick. Here, they tell us about the making of the film and the future of NFTs in entertainment
Warriors of Future is a film filled with superlatives. Six years in the making and produced at a cost of HK$450 million, it is a rare example of a sci-fi action flick in Hong Kong cinema.
It also marked the first time a Hong Kong film was launched alongside an NFT collection, which consists of 10,000 unique 3D soldier avatars with interchangeable armour; the holders of these NFTs can compete in a mobile game named after the movie. Released in Hong Kong cinemas on August 25, it raked in HK$47 million within the first two weeks of opening.
The driving force behind the project is award-winning actor and Hong Kong film industry veteran Louis Koo, who produces and stars in the movie. His production company, One Cool Group, produced and distributed the film. The firm worked with the Hong Kong-based tech branding company Gusto Collective, founded by Aaron Lau, to create the NFT collection.
The film is set in Hong Kong in 2055, an apocalyptic future where Earth has become a desolate wasteland due to climate change and pollution. Koo plays the commander-in-chief of the city’s military force, who has to defend the planet from Pandora, an alien body that causes destruction. It is directed by Ng Yuen-fai and also stars Sean Lau and Carina Lau.
Here, Koo and Lau tell Tatler about the vision behind Warriors of Future, its NFT campaign—and how a collaboration of this kind is the way forward in entertainment.
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What’s the inspiration behind Warriors of Future?
Louis Koo (LK): Warriors of Future was created with a desire to challenge perceptions and influence more local talents to try new things in the field. The production of sci-fi movies often involves high investment costs and long production time, so it came as no surprise that this genre has long been absent from the local industry. As a long-time contributor to Hong Kong’s film industry, it’s important for me to take the first steps in supporting sci-fi movie productions.
Tell us more about the casting process.
LK: Casting is an essential part of the production process for any movie. This element is especially important for this project, because Warriors of Future represents many firsts—[including] my first time shooting a sci-fi movie.
Long before the script was written, I had my sights set on Sean Lau—he is a very good friend of mine and we had collaborated many times over the years.
Carina Lau is a perfect fit for the role of commander in the movie—she matches up to [her character] Tam Bing’s rigidity and strength. She excelled at capturing the character’s personalities and was able to deliver a memorable performance.