Tony Leung Recalls Numerous Reshoots for 'Days of Being Wild,' Reflects on His Craft and New Film
Film emperor Tony Leung delivered a masterclass at the Golden Horse Film Masterclass in Taipei on April 13, 2026. He recounted his experience filming Wong Kar-wai's 'Days of Being Wild,' where a scene of eating a pear with Maggie Cheung was reshot 30 to 40 times. Initially frustrated, Leung eventually understood Wong Kar-wai's intention for a performance 'without a trace of acting.' He also discussed how working with Hou Hsiao-Hsien on 'A City of Sadness' inspired him to read literary novels, which in turn transformed his acting style. Leung's new film, 'Are You Not a Tree?', is slated for release in Taiwan on April 17, 2026. With over 40 years in the industry, he emphasized the importance of stepping out of his comfort zone and trying new things in what he considers the 'final stage' of his acting career, highlighting daily discipline and exercise as crucial for an actor's energy.
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- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 13:25
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Film emperor Tony Leung held a masterclass at the Golden Horse Film Masterclass in Taipei, Taiwan, on April 13, 2026. He shared his collaborative experiences with renowned directors Wong Kar-wai and Hou Hsiao-Hsien. For Wong Kar-wai's 'Days of Being Wild,' a scene where he ate a pear with Maggie Cheung was filmed 30 to 40 times. Leung initially felt disheartened by the lack of explanation from the director but later realized Wong Kar-wai sought a performance with 'no trace of acting.' His work with Hou Hsiao-Hsien on 'A City of Sadness' prompted him to read literary novels, which significantly altered his acting approach. Leung's upcoming film, 'Are You Not a Tree?', will be released in Taiwan on April 17, 2026. He humorously mentioned that the director provided him with books on neuroscience, plants, and philosophy for the role. Reflecting on his career spanning over 40 years, Leung expressed a desire to embrace challenges, work with unfamiliar teams, and continuously explore new facets of acting during what he perceives as his 'final stage.' He also detailed his disciplined daily routine of exercise, meals, drives, watching films, and cooking, stressing that physical fitness is vital for an actor's energy, especially during demanding shoots.