Recently, TVB had been in talks with ‘golden’ scriptwriter Cheung Wah Biu about him returning to TVB in October and collaborating with producer Lee Tim Sing as well as TV King and Queen Wayne Lai and Sheren Tang for a third installment of hit series "Rosy Business". However, it has just been confirmed that Cheung Wah Biu was personally invited to stay at his current position (working for Next TV in Taiwan) by media mogul (and Next Media’s owner) Jimmy Lai – therefore, Cheung Wah Biu has decided to stick with his current job and will no longer return to TVB. Upon hearing the news, "Rosy Business" stars Wayne Lai and Sheren Tang expressed completely opposite reactions: Wayne was disappointed at not being able to collaborate with Cheung Wah Biu once again, whereas Sheren was thankful that she does not have to choose between the "War and Beauty" and "Rosy Business" sequels.TVB has been planning its ‘grand production’ film projects for the coming year – in addition to filming the sequel to "War and Beauty" starting in February, TVB was also planning on filming another sequel to "Rosy Business" starting in April in anticipation of that series’ ‘golden’ scriptwriter Cheung Wah Biu’s imminent return to TVB. The intention was to reassemble the original cast of "Rosy Business" for another installment of the popular series in the hopes of once again gaining good results. However, at the same time, a dilemma also existed, as the 2 central characters in both series – Concubine Yu (from "War and Beauty") and Sister Gau (from "RB2: No Regrets") – were both played by Sheren Tang. This presented a huge problem in terms of scheduling, as Sheren not only has plans to participate in a movie around that time, it would also be difficult for her to carry 2 grand productions at the same time, since the filming schedules for both series would overlap – this meant that Sheren would have been left with no choice but to pick one of the series and give up the other.
Earlier on, "Rosy Business" scriptwriter Cheung Wah Biu – who had left TVB last year and went to Taiwan to work for the fledgling Next TV – had indicated that he was not able to adapt to life in Taiwan and missed his wife and children in HK; therefore, TVB’s management execs were trying to persuade him to return to TVB. However, in a surprising turn of events, it has been reported that Next TV’s boss Jimmy Lai did not want to let talent go, so he personally spoke to Cheung Wah Biu and made concessions to let him return to HK and write his scripts from there. On Wednesday (September 7th HK time), during a phone interview, Cheung Wah Biu confirmed that he will be staying with Next TV: “Previously, I had thought about returning to TVB, but over here [Next TV in Taiwan], they don’t want me to leave. Actually, the reason I had wanted to leave [Next TV] earlier was only because I couldn’t get used to living in Taiwan, but now that they are allowing me to write my scripts from HK, then I will stay. In terms of TVB, it shouldn’t matter, as they have a lot of scriptwriters of their own. As for Wayne and Tim Gor – yes, we are definitely very compatible and in fact we keep in touch with each other consistently. Hopefully, we will get the chance to collaborate again in the future!” In response to the reports that Cheung Wah Biu won’t be returning, TVB’s ‘golden’ producer Lee Tim Sing (Tim Gor) could not help being disappointed: “Aiye! Wah Biu not returning, makes it harder to reassemble the original cast, as the whole premise of RB3 is to use the same cast and create a new story around them. Currently, I’m working on the script for my new series "??" [loosely translated as “Stairway to Heaven”], which will start filming in April 2012, so no time to think about the "Rosy Business" issue right now.”
A happy situation comes to nothing
Previously, when Wayne Lai heard that Cheung Wah Biu would be returning to TVB, he was ecstatic at having the opportunity to collaborate with Wah Biu and Tim Gor again. Our reporter caught up with Wayne as he was filming for his new series "King Maker" -- Wayne expressed that he has already been in communication with Cheung Wah Biu and upon confirming the report, expressed that he was very disappointed: “It was already 90% confirmed [that Cheung Wah Biu would return to TVB], but I heard that the other side [Next TV] just received its television broadcast license, so they don’t want to let him [Wah Biu] go. For me, it’s definitely a ‘happy situation coming to nothing’ – I’ve collaborated with Wah Biu for many years and it has always been a very happy collaboration. From a work perspective, he knows what types of characters suit me best and is always able to play to my strengths – it’s to the point that we can easily collaborate and don’t need time to ‘warm up’. On a personal level, we are also quite compatible – even during the time that he was away, we continued to stay in touch via SMS. But I guess everything is dependent on fate – I’m already satisfied that I had the chance to collaborate with Wah Biu and Tim Gor for so long and each time being a happy collaboration. I can only hope that we will have the chance to collaborate again in the future.” With regard to rumors that Wayne has a chance to win the TV King award for a 3rd straight year due to GM Stephen Chan’s ‘return’ to power, Wayne responded: “That has nothing to do with it! Stephen is someone I respect and admire a lot, as he definitely has a lot of talent, however the reality is that all my interactions with him have been work-related only – on a personal level, I’ve never had dinner with him and definitely never had ‘secret’ communications with him. In fact, I’m the type who does not like to socialize and prefers going home after work. I don’t belong to any particular party or clique.”
Sheren Tang: Please don’t make me choose!
Wayne Lai may be disappointed with the lost opportunity to collaborate with Cheung Wah Biu again, however his co-star Sheren Tang has a completely opposite reaction to the news. Laughing, she responded: “Not disappointed at all! It’s actually better [for me] if Wah Biu returns later than anticipated. Both series ("War and Beauty" and "Rosy Business") are equally great series and I love both characters that I portrayed – please don’t make me choose between the two! After waiting so long for a sequel to "War and Beauty" and with Wah Biu returning at the same time, both series could end up conflicting in terms of schedule – if I had to give up one over the other, it would definitely be very disappointing and such a shame! I feel that God has his way of arranging things in a manner that works out best. Encountering a good script is like a encountering a good man – it will come to you at the most appropriate time.” (But both Tim Gor and Wayne are disappointed?) “We as humans may propose certain plans, but it’s up to God to bring them to fruition. I believe that God has his plans – perhaps Wah Biu will come back later during a time when it is better suited!” (If both series were to rely heavily on your character to ‘carry’ the series, how would you choose?) “This entire time, I only received notification from the company [TVB] that they would like me to film the "War and Beauty" sequel – I have not received any invitation from Tim Gor yet.” (But what about the reports that Sheren had decided on filming "Rosy Business 3" because the series had helped her win 2 TV Queen awards?) Sheren responded: “Can’t the people who made up those rumors be more creative? Even though I still need to consider my schedule and look at the script, it doesn’t make sense that I wouldn’t want to film such a classic, highly anticipated series! In fact, I’m taking this opportunity very seriously – when considering scripts for other series, I’m trying not to accept any Qing palace themed ones, as I don’t want there to be repetition.”
Source: HKChannel (Original Source: Mingpao Weekly, Issue 2235)
Translation: llwy12 @ AsianFanatics
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