Media Asia, Base Sign 4-pic Deal

Media Asia Films has signed a deal with new film outfit Base Production, headed by director Andrew Lau ("StormRiders"), for four pictures over a two-year period.

The first film off the block will be the HK$40 million ($5.13 million) crime thriller "I Want to Be You," set to star Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Canto-pop heartthrob Andy Lau (no relation to the director). It marks the first time since 1993 that the two popular actors have collaborated on the big screen.

"I Want to Be You" centers on the relationship between an undercover policeman sent to infiltrate the triads (organized crime gangs) and a former triad member who joins the police force.

Production starts Friday in Hong Kong and is expected to finish in September.

Media Asia's deal with Base Production is similar to the one it signed with actor Andy Lau's Teamwork Motion Pictures in December. The two companies co-produced "Dance of a Dream," which had a successful release earlier this year.

MA's plans with Teamwork, however, ground to a halt last month when Lau's business partners, CCT Telecom Holdings, filed a writ to sue the actor over several breaches in their agreement. CCT also sought an injunction to stop the actor from further breaching their agreement conditions.

CCT Telecom Holdings claimed that Lau refused to float the company on the secondary stock exchange, the Growth Enterprise Market, as agreed, resulting in the company's loss of $19.6 million.

Lau resigned as a director of Teamwork on June 4. Director Andrew Lau was head of production at Teamwork until January.

Neither director Lau's or Andy Lau's reps would comment on the likely effect of the litigation.