LayarHijau – The Chinese action film Blades of the Guardians (2026) has officially been confirmed for release during the Lunar New Year 2026 period. Since the announcement, the film has quickly become a hot topic, drawing attention for its rare gathering of actors from multiple generations in a single large-scale project.
Featuring a cast reportedly exceeding 30 actors, Blades of the Guardians brings together legendary figures such as Tony Leung Ka-fai, Kara Hui, and Jet Li, alongside younger-generation stars including Nicholas Tse, Max Zhang, and Wu Jing. This lineup has led many viewers to describe the film as one of the most ambitious wuxia projects in recent years.
Behind-the-scenes footage released on short-video platforms has also drawn attention to the physical demands placed on the veteran actors. Jet Li was seen briefly stumbling after completing an intense fight sequence and admitted that maintaining balance is no longer as easy as it once was. Max Zhang appeared visibly exhausted after performing a series of demanding action scenes. Wu Jing, meanwhile, joked that if their ages were added together, the total would exceed 160 years—yet they were still required to fight on set despite bodies that are no longer in peak condition.
Audience reactions have been deeply emotional. Many netizens view the film as a symbolic farewell to an era, even calling it a possible “final feast” of classic wuxia cinema led by the very actors who once defined its golden age. Some viewers shared that they grew up watching these stars and felt moved seeing them continue to perform action roles at this stage of their lives.
The discussion has also sparked reflection on changing times. These veteran actors are widely seen as having devoted their youth entirely to action cinema, without ever knowing whether the wuxia genre would still have a strong audience decades later. For many fans, that uncertainty is precisely why Blades of the Guardians feels meaningful—made at a moment when these legends can still stand in front of the camera together.
Attention has also turned to the involvement of legendary action director Yuen Woo-ping. Max Zhang has openly stated that whenever Yuen Woo-ping calls him for a project, he will join without hesitation, highlighting the long-standing trust between the two.
After retiring from the wushu team in 1998, Max Zhang joined Yuen Woo-ping’s stunt team. During the production of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Yuen Woo-ping recognized Zhang’s potential and entrusted him with stunt work, including serving as a stunt double for Zhang Ziyi and participating in action choreography support. These experiences laid the groundwork for Zhang’s later transition into acting.
At the age of 39, Max Zhang received a major career boost through Yuen Woo-ping’s recommendation for the role of Ma San in The Grandmaster. The performance earned him the Best Supporting Actor award at the Hong Kong Film Awards. In his acceptance speech, Zhang named Yuen Woo-ping as the first person he wished to thank.
Now, with Blades of the Guardians (2026), the collaboration between generations—and the reunion of long-standing partners—comes together once more. For many viewers, the film represents more than just an action spectacle; it stands as a significant milestone in the long journey of wuxia cinema on the big screen.
