Isabella Wei, Ming-Na Wen & Tzi Ma Starring In Mina Shum’s ‘Flashdance’ Inspired ‘Watcha Want’ Backed By Crave, Mongrel Media
EXCLUSIVE: Emerging actress Isabella Wei, whose recent TV roles include Bridgerton and Black Doves, has been set to star with screen vets Ming-Na Wen of The Mandalorian, Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. and The Joy Luck Club fame, and Tzi Ma (The Farewell, Mulan) in indie feature Whatcha Want.
The film, described by producers as “Crazy Rich Asians meets Flashdance”, sees Wei portray “a recent immigrant and trophy wife from Hong Kong who rediscovers her love of dance after her wealthy husband’s betrayal”.
Writer-director is festival regular Mina Shum, whose previous five films have played at Toronto, including most recently Meditation Park which was picked up by Netflix and also starred Ma. The Canadian filmmaker has also had multiple films at Sundance and her debut, Double Happiness, starring Sandra Oh, won Best First Feature at the Berlin Film Festival. She most recently wrote the drama This is Always, with Daniel Dae Kim’s 3AD producing.
Principal photography is underway across Victoria, Vancouver and Hong Kong.
Producers are Stephen Heyges, Raymond Massey and Mina Shum, with Naveen Prasad serving as executive producer. Backers include Telefilm Canada, Mongrel Media, Crave, and CBC. Prasad is handling international sales. Mongrel is releasing the film theatrically, with Crave handling streaming rights in Canada.
“Going to camera with so much gratitude and joy for our phenomenal cast and the talent gathered behind the scenes. Looking forward to every moment of this,” said Shum.
Mina Shum is repped by CAA, Hopscotch Pictures, and Gang, Tyer; Isabella Wei by Benchmark Management and 2pm Sharp; Ming-Na Wen by Innovative Artists, and Link Entertainment; Tzi Ma by BRS / Gage Agency and Echelon Talent Management.
