Hong Kong, China— Acclaimed Hong Kong actors Louis Koo, Jessica Hsuan, and Raymond Lam recently discussed the cinematic evolution of their beloved 2001 television series, A Step into the Past (尋秦記), during an exclusive interview with HOY anchor Wang Ling-yan. The stars shared anecdotes from the production, highlighting challenges ranging from script development to on-set dynamics, underscoring the cast’s commitment to delivering a faithful yet refreshed narrative for the highly anticipated film adaptation.
Louis Koo, who spearheaded the film project and served as a producer, revealed that the ambition to create a movie sequel originated immediately after the original series concluded two decades ago. “I wanted to capture the collective memory that audiences held,” Koo stated, explaining that the long gap allowed for both the characters and the actors to mature, which he believed ultimately strengthened the story. The arduous process involved meticulously refining the script to honor the source material while forging a new path.
Jessica Hsuan expressed immediate enthusiasm upon receiving the invitation, noting that whispers of a film version had long circulated. For Raymond Lam, returning to his role required a deep dive into character development. “I had to re-understand the character,” Lam remarked, emphasizing that the time elapsed mirrored the growth trajectory the characters needed. New cast member Justin Cheung, who portrays Koo’s son in the film, admitted he hadn’t seen the original series but felt both shocked and honored to join the massive franchise.
The dynamics on the set, however, shifted significantly from the series days. Hsuan pointed out that the atmosphere was more restrained this time, largely due to Koo’s multi-faceted role. “When we shot the drama, we had producers and scriptwriters,” Hsuan explained. “Now, this is Louis’s film; he had to oversee everything, so we couldn’t be as playful as before.”
A lighter moment involved a blooper reel where Koo playfully “pokes” Hsuan, mimicking an ancient Chinese pressure point technique, a gesture Koo jokingly explained as a way to “check if she had fainted yet” after forgetting her lines. Hsuan conceded that occasional forgetfulness occurred, particularly with period dialogue, but playfully refuted Koo’s suggestion that she frequently struggled with lines.
Lam also recalled the original series being his first foray into period dramas, describing the learning curve as immense. “The character’s development spanned such a large arc, and we weren’t shooting in chronological order,” Lam shared, adding that he frequently sought advice from veterans on set.
The deep bond between Koo and Hsuan, which predates A Step into the Past, underpinned their on-screen chemistry. Koo jokingly noted that the series was his last television drama before leaving the network, quipping, “I never shot a drama again because the friendship ended.” Hsuan counter-argued that their personalities are opposites, to which Koo good-naturedly agreed, noting Hsuan’s non-stop chatter on set, a habit that has apparently only slightly tempered over the years. Hsuan clarified, however, that her effusiveness is often a defense mechanism to avoid awkward silences when interacting with Koo.
Koo acknowledged the challenging journey to production, highlighting two major hurdles: coordinating the schedules of the large ensemble cast and overcoming substantial on-set difficulties, including weather-related incidents like flooding. Despite these obstacles—and the three-year global pandemic impacting post-production—Koo remains deeply satisfied. He emphasized that the enduring excitement surrounding the film, decades after the show aired, confirms that the perseverance of the cast and crew was worthwhile, ultimately rewarding the passionate loyalty of the fan base. The movie’s eventual release is a testament to the audience’s sustained enthusiasm for this cross-generational saga.
