Song Joong-ki in consideration for Tazza 2

68 April 6, 2013April 6, 2013

by girlfriday

They’ve been talking about making a Tazza 2 for so long that I sort of forgot they didn’t already. The hit 2006 gambling movie — Tazza, sometimes called The High Rollers or The War of the Flowers — was based on a manhwa and already had a 2008 drama remake, and is now gearing up to do a sequel film for the fall. The production is reportedly courting Song Joong-ki (Nice Guy, Wolf Boy) to be the leading man, but who isn’t these days? Song is considering the role among other dramas and films, but his reps do say that a film is likeliest for his next project.

The original 2006 film was directed by Choi Dong-hoon (The Thieves, Jeon Woo-chi) and starred Jo Seung-woo in the title role as a hwatu card shark. The SBS drama version starred Jang Hyuk in the same role. The character is slick, cocky, and as daring as he is sharp. The sequel will be helmed by director Kang Hyung-chul, of Sunny and Speed Scandal. So the franchise is pretty much just passing from one box office kingpin to another, though tonally it seems like a departure for Kang.

With one drama remake already in existence, another movie seems like retreading old ground, but maybe the sequel will get a spin? This says nothing about Tazza vs. Tazza 2, but I do like Kang Hyung-chul’s movies better than Choi Dong-hoon’s, so there’s that. Song Joong-ki is closing in on his final year before army duty, so there’s some pressure to pick a good project. Until Nice Guy I wouldn’t have thought he’d be the guy to cast in a movie like this at all, but now I think he’d be great as a slick gambler. Perhaps we’ll see him play a card shark before the year is out?

Tazza 2 is planning for a September release.

Via Sports Hankook, OBS

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Tags: sequels, Song Joong-ki

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1 ffsbanana

April 6, 2013 at 5:13 AM

I'm on board as long as they cast a suitable leading lady opposite him. Preferably someone around his age.

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pogo

April 6, 2013 at 5:57 AM

yeah, Moon Chae-won was perfectly cast opposite him in Nice Guy (and so was Park Shi-yeon, but she was supposed to be playing older anyway)

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Lilian

April 6, 2013 at 8:06 PM

True...both couples were great. He had sizzling chemistry with both!

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2 observantzani

April 6, 2013 at 5:13 AM

OMG GREAT NEWS! Love the director of Speedy Scandal and Sunny! Two of my favorite Korean movies. I heard this might be his last project before the army. I think this will be a good one definitely! :D

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Belle3005

April 6, 2013 at 7:06 AM

Ditto! Loved both movies as they both gave me warm fuzzies inside my heart. If this is indeed his last project before the army,I'm so watching this! I have faith in him,at least strong enough to believe that his last project won't be too bad,perhaps it'll be decent and well memorable enough to make me yearn for his return from the national service for 2 years, LOVED HIM IN SUNGKYUNKWAN SCANDAL. His bromance with Yoo Ah In was one of my favorite onscreen bromance even up till today. :D

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3 KDaddict

April 6, 2013 at 5:15 AM

Oh, that picture of Song Joong Ki! I read the 3 short paragraphs, twice, n don't understand a word!

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4 damianna

April 6, 2013 at 5:19 AM

i just hope he picks the right project to send him off with grace to the army. after hyun bin n kang dong won, this one will hit hard for me when he leaves.

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5 BlueCurtain

April 6, 2013 at 5:23 AM

He looks cute in the picture :0 I'll be glad to see him in another project, cuz he's pure eye candy.

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lily

April 7, 2013 at 2:19 AM

HEY, he's just not eye candy, he's a great actor too.

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6 Msb

April 6, 2013 at 5:23 AM

For him, I'd probably watch. I didn't like Tazzo

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JoJo

April 6, 2013 at 1:34 PM

Me neither...thought I was the only one.

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7 Rachel

April 6, 2013 at 5:34 AM

I didn't know he'd be leaving for the army in a year! :( Hope this is a good one!

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Russe12

April 6, 2013 at 11:45 AM

Yeah, same here. I knew he was getting close but liked to forget it...I read the sentence about the army and was like "Wait, nooooooooo!"

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8 CL

April 6, 2013 at 5:40 AM

Tazza 2 is planning for a September release.

Actually it's been pushed back, what with the delay with the screenplay revisions and no leading man just yet. All I got from the scoop article is that they/the production company & director Kang want SJK, but his management was careful not to reveal how he feels about it, just that it's one of many screenplays/scripts he's received and he's still weighing his next project. That's as non-committed an answer as it can be at this point. I'm as anxious to see him in something, anything as anybody, but I also trust him to pick the "right" project and if it means waiting for who knows how long, well, so be it.

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9 doug

April 6, 2013 at 5:53 AM

I remember the 2008 'Tazza'-I really enjoyed that one. Jang Hyuk was the perfect person for that role.

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10 pogo

April 6, 2013 at 6:01 AM

UNF

I wasn't super into Tazza, but if SJK is in this, my eyeballs are his. And I kind of wish that he'd taken Sword and Flower, if he was going to do a drama after all - the idea of him and Park Shin-hye together was making me have major squee and now neither of them is attached to it, ha.

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observantzani

April 6, 2013 at 6:13 AM

THIS.

I agree I was looking forward to Sword and Flower more. The plot sounds more interesting compared to Heirs. No offense. I wish Park Shin Hye could just do both dramas. (SAF is a June drama while Heirs is an Oct drama) I'm sure if her name was still attached to Sword and Flower, Song Joong Ki would end up signing in no time.

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Annie

April 6, 2013 at 6:36 AM

His team said from the beginning that he would be doing a movie next so I doubt he actually considered the drama.

Which I'm neutral about - SJK is a really good actor but I think the role calls for someone more rugged looking. Hopefully once he goes to the army (he's supposed to enlist at the end of the year iirc) I'll stop thinking of him as a puppy.

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pogo

April 6, 2013 at 6:48 AM

I think, at his current age, he can't do rugged but he can do 'boyish mature', if that makes any sense - that's very much like the vibe that Kang Maru gave off, in actor terms a bit like Lee Jun-ki in Arang I think? Young, but with some gravitas - that could work.

And he's old enough that I don't think his looks will be that much of a drawback to him playing characters his age/with a certain amount of gravitas (as long as he doesn't pull a Yoo Seung-ho in I Miss You and try playing a 35-year-old as opposed to, say, late 20s).

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Annie

April 6, 2013 at 7:10 AM

I don't disagree - my preference for sageuk men (and in general to be quite honest) runs towards the obviously masculine so my hope was that someone like So Ji Sub would throw us drama watchers a bone and take the role.

But there must be something off about the script if the producers were turned down so many times...

Kiara

April 6, 2013 at 7:41 AM

Song Joong-ki reminds of Leo DiCaprio when he was in his late 20s. He was talented but still had that boy-ish look. I think he was 28 when he played the protagonist in "Gangs of New York" and although he was praised for his performance he was over-shadowed by the veteran actor Daniel Day Lewis. He had the acting shops but couldn't quite pull off the rugged gangster. I think he was about 32 when he started to shed that boyish look in Blood Diamond and The Departed.

I think for Song Joong -ki, this kind of roles would be perfect for him when he coomes back from the army.

Kiara

April 6, 2013 at 7:51 AM

err acting chops.

Annie

April 6, 2013 at 9:06 AM

@ Kiara, agree 100% about the Leo Di Caprio comparison. But let's hope SJK ages better than him!

pogo

April 6, 2013 at 9:18 AM

@Annie: good god, it would actually be sad if SJK aged as terribly as Leo did. Though fingers crossed, I don't think he will.

Kiara

April 6, 2013 at 4:16 PM

Yea I dont think he will :).

pogo

April 6, 2013 at 6:44 AM

To be honest, the writer of Heirs doesn't always do a good job with female characters and I wanted PSH in a romance sageuk because it'd be her first sageuk and it sounded really interesting and also, well, romance. And I wanted SJK as the lead in the crazy intense-sounding romance sageuk because he's proven he can do intense really well.

Now I'm just going to wait and see who they cast and probably watch it anyway, ha. And hope that the PSH/SJK pairing happens in the future, when there's no military service putting him on a deadline!

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Gwinna

April 6, 2013 at 9:20 AM

MTE. A romantic sageuk with SJK and PSH would have been awesome. I'm nowhere near as interested in Heirs and Tazza.

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Starlinh

April 6, 2013 at 6:51 PM

Doubt he even considered Sword and Flower. That was only fans speculations.

Like the other users have stated. His preference from the star was leaning towards movie than drama.

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11 anna

April 6, 2013 at 6:01 AM

He's having a very good year. Sad to see him have to enlist during his peak.

Speaking of the army, is Hyun-bin going to do anything yet?

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Mumu's Mom

April 6, 2013 at 10:29 AM

my question too... where is BINNIE??????

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KDaddict

April 6, 2013 at 8:39 PM

Binnie is doing his Pan-Asia Fan-meeting tour (from Mar to May) to thank his fans for waiting for him, encouraging him while he was in MS. Stops include: Taipei, Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai. Next up, fan-meetings in Japan in late May. After that, a film, I read somewhere.

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12 lemondoodle

April 6, 2013 at 6:10 AM

He could do much better. It'll be his last project before the army. So I would guess he's going to want to pick something great. This doesn't sound all that promising to me.

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13 aly

April 6, 2013 at 6:17 AM

My baby looking so gorgeous! remember when he kissed ji hyo on the cheek. Made my heart flutter. Miss him on running mam but glad that He has so much going for him!

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14 snow_white

April 6, 2013 at 6:29 AM

I wanted him to do a drama....a rom-com one....

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Katie

April 6, 2013 at 7:05 AM

SAME. I can't believe he's deciding between a film and going to the army...NOOOO lol.

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lily

April 7, 2013 at 2:22 AM

this makes me SO SAD TOO. he should do a drama ,more screentime.

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15 Abbie

April 6, 2013 at 6:33 AM

After seeing Nice Guy, I think Song Joong-ki can play just about anything. He's a wonderful actor. I'll miss him when he goes to the army.

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16 Newbie

April 6, 2013 at 6:43 AM

SJK has all options now. He is a wonderful, versatile actor. Personally I hope, he'll not go for the umpteenth reanimation of a known subject. (Btw loved CSW in Tazza, but he's my favorite anyway.)

I'd love to see SJK in a love storie with lots of skinship. I'm shallow, I know. :)

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Newbie

April 6, 2013 at 6:44 AM

make that *story

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17 Winna

April 6, 2013 at 7:04 AM

So I'm wondering, will this one be a movie, or a drama?

The post mentions it will be a movie.

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18 anonymous

April 6, 2013 at 7:45 AM

He is the best korean actor. Way better than overrated hallyu actors like Lee minho, Jang geunsuk, etc. He should be leading the hallyu wave.

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Yasmin

April 6, 2013 at 1:08 PM

TOTALLY AGREE !!

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Kiara

April 6, 2013 at 4:01 PM

Hallyu stars have their own appeal to both local and overseas market. Actors like Bae Yong-joon, Choi Ji-woo, Lee Min-ho etc are not the best of the best when it comes to acting but maybe its because they are good looking, successful, or have been in a hit drama/movie overseas etc I'm really not sure what it is but they can spread the hallyu wave like wildfire.

If it wasn't for Lee Young Ae, Ji Jin-hee in Dae Jang Geum, Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo in Winter Sonata,I wouldn't be here watching Song Joong-ki grow up to be a fine actor.

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Snowman

April 6, 2013 at 4:24 PM

Okay...

I've never finished any of his shows. Don't see the appeal.

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maldita

April 6, 2013 at 11:09 PM

To be fair, I actually think Lee Minho and Jang Geunsuk are good actors, as long as they have the right project. Everyone was all praises for Lee Minho because City Hunter was so well done. Everything clicked for that drama. Jang Geunsuk, on the other hand, is shamelessly milking his current Hallyu fame for all it's worth. I'm still hoping he comes back to his senses and picks a good movie or drama that doesn't have to cater to his Hallyu-loving tendencies. He really does have the acting chops for whatever roles out there. His roles pre-You're Beautiful would show anyone that.

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kdwkyah

April 7, 2013 at 2:10 AM

haha your comment made me laugh XD
'shamelessly milking his current hallyu fame'

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LoveIt

April 7, 2013 at 4:08 PM

This is the perfect example of everyone having an opinion. I do not think Song Joon-Ki is a very good actor at all. Nowhere near the best. I couldn't even finish Nice Guy, something about it was just so bland. Both leads were just so bland, that they didn't catch my attention. He is most definitely beautiful to look at. Probably the most handsome from the list you listed. But he is certainly not the most talented.

It seems like most actors are as good as their last hit for quite a few people.

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19 Boo

April 6, 2013 at 9:21 AM

Dang, I didn't know he was going to the army soon! T.T
I haven't watched that many works with him.

I really loved his acting in TWDR though. Makes me want to check out Nice Guy now.

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Kiara

April 6, 2013 at 4:24 PM

He was on fire in TWDR wasn't he?. That was the break through performance we knew he was capable of. I watched 2 episodes of Nice Guy but I hate melo-dramas and that was good enough for me.

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20 ilikemangos

April 6, 2013 at 9:53 AM

I've always been charmed by SJK. Is there any other actors/actresses out there who has formed SUCH a large fanbase before taking on their first lead role?
Yoo Seung ho maybe one? Yeo jin goo in the process.
This proves second lead syndrome exists.

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pogo

April 6, 2013 at 10:50 AM

Lee Jun-ki, back in the days of My Girl (he hadn't done a drama lead yet)

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Cloud

April 7, 2013 at 2:04 AM

Oh Yes,Lee Jun Ki! <3

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Kiara

April 7, 2013 at 7:11 AM

Right but he had a hit movie right before or during My Girl. The King and the Clown was a big hit and was at #1 till The Host came along.

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pogo

April 8, 2013 at 12:27 PM

SJK did have a movie lead role in Penny-Pinching Romance in 2011, though. But I agree, it's amazing how he's solidified his fanbase from supporting roles.

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maldita

April 6, 2013 at 11:12 PM

Yoo Seungho and Yeo Jingoo are different though 'cause they're high-profile child actors. They have the advantage of a fanbase that grows with them, as opposed to actors who only start in their late teens and early 20s like Song Joongki.

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21 Mumu's Mom

April 6, 2013 at 10:32 AM

I agree --- Song Joong Ki is a fantastic actor and can be manned up as we saw in second half of NG. Now... does HALLYU still exist? I thot that wave has subsided...

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22 SuziQ

April 6, 2013 at 12:59 PM

He's adorable!

He's really doing well this year. He's a smart actor who has chosen some great roles in movies and dramas. He'll be missed, but I hope he chooses something other than a sequel movie. Sequels unusually are not as good as an original.

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23 like

April 6, 2013 at 3:03 PM

Why is he not in Knife and Flower? That drama sounds awesome and i think it would be a great role for him! Maybe he rejected it because it looks like drama has female central character!

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stars

April 6, 2013 at 6:48 PM

Knife and Flowers was just a speculations from fans. Means, nothing proven to be true that he was indeed got the offered. There are so many other actors/actresses who are rumored for this drama.

SJK's agency from the start has been saying that his choice is leaning towards movie than drama. So, let's don't take rumor as real

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24 Fiona

April 6, 2013 at 3:16 PM

Joongki had become such an A-lister since Wolf Boy and Nice guy that every major film and TV production not to mention endorsements seems to want him. And that's what major talent happens to someone like him. I'm sure he can nail this role but I just hope the script will be as good that it can make him shine more.

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25 missjb

April 6, 2013 at 7:30 PM

Joongki,
U will be missed
I can't believe he will be enlist soon....
Maybe Park Ki Woong will go sooner before him, since PKW is 85-ers and Joong KI is 86-ers. And PKW haven't enlist yet.

So maybe he will enlist the end of this year ?

I don't want to see him enlist so soon
I'm about to cry now.....

His Ma Ru will be always in my heart... It's so hard to erase such a memorable character, especially if he really nail that character to a T.

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Annie

April 6, 2013 at 8:32 PM

SJK is also an 85er and Park Ki Woong has already set a date for enlistment later this year.

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missjb

April 6, 2013 at 10:54 PM

oohhh yesss he is also 85 ers..
I'm sorry my mistake

PKW has already set a date? God. I hope his recent movie will end with a bang

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26 Fiona

April 7, 2013 at 6:16 PM

@Lovelt, talk about a perfect example of everyone having a good opinion. And what may I ask prompted you think that SJK is not a good actor? As you mentioned you have not even finish watching Nice Guy. You cannot base your opinion on something you have not even proven. Have you even watched Tree of Deep Roots? He gave a mind blowing performance in there. He may not be the most talented, I agree, but he has talent up to par to other actors you might be admiring.

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27 Wol Jinju

April 7, 2013 at 9:07 PM

https://www.facebook.com/KoreanDramasAreMyLife Please like this page it's all about the Korean dramas you like on Facebook and is based around your opinions

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28 rheina07

April 7, 2013 at 9:54 PM

now you mention that Joong Ki will be leaving to army SOON.

oh korea, could you just let him go ~ T.T

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29 Yoke

April 14, 2013 at 9:58 AM

Oh no... Joong Ki oppa is going to serve in army soon?? I didn't know it.. >_< Please Korea.. Just leave him be~ (T^T)

to those who said Joong Ki oppa cannot act, please watch all of his work first... (until the end if it's a drama)
If you still cannot appreciate his work... well I don't know what else to say.. Just check you eyes (or your heart)? :p

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30 mARle

April 27, 2013 at 4:21 PM

... Sin duda me gustaria verlo actuaren un personaje meditabundo y reflexibo... no he visto esa peli tazza... pero lo veo bien en todo realmente se ha robado mi corazón es un gran actor... un gran chico, super inteligente ... con buenisimas notas y sin duda alguna en el ejercito lo hara bien... por su patria... me encanta en todo lo que haga---11111 *-*

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