Much to the excitement of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon fans, director Ang Lee announced his plans to produce a sequel to the internationally-acclaimed film. Released in 2000, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was extremely well-received in the Western world gaining critical acclaim, a handful of awards, and a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Lee has thus far revealed that the film will star Donnie Yen and Michelle Yeoh. He has expressed that they are working on the script adamantly and will not stop working on it until it’s improved and in excellent shape. He has also revealed that they plan to produce both an English and Mandarin version of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon 2 instead of dubbing the Mandarin film. Both versions will be filmed separately to maintain originality.

Donnie Yen, who is casted in the lead role aside Michelle Yeoh, is hoping to have a breakthrough performance with his new role. We’ve waited 13 years for this sequel and we certainly hope for the best.

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The Asian Film Awards, presented by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, occur annually to celebrate film professionals and film industries responsible for Asian Cinema. This year the Excellence in Asian Cinema Award will go to Malaysian superstar, Michelle Yeoh. With over 30 movies in her name, Yeoh has received nothing but compliments and approval from the Hong Kong International Film Festival. Executive director, Roger Garcia, stated:

“Her work in Chinese language cinema has helped promote it to an international audience and the global film industry. Michelle has excelled as both an action star and a serious actress – a very rare combination in this business, and practically unique. She is the perfect choice to be awarded with this prestigious honour.”

Michelle Yeoh will be presented her prize at the Asian Film Awards Ceremony on March 18th in Hong Kong.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bond film franchise and the tenth Asian Bond Girl (French Cambodian-Chinese actress Bérénice Lim Marlohe) who’s featured in Skyfall, we’re going to take a step back into history and give you an overview of every single Asian actress who has shared screentime with Ian Fleming’s iconic secret agent (and arguably the world’s most famous) spanning the last 50 years. Some of these names may be recognizable to you – while others may be of surprise. Click and read on!

French Cambodian-Chinese actress/model Bérénice Lim Marlohe as Sévérine in the latest Bond movie, Skyfall.

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Some feel good indie films — and a do-good shopping fest — happening this week.

When Harry Tries to Marry, May 6: A modern Indian American bachelor (Rahul Rai) living in New York City surprises his parents and opts for an arranged marriage. Nayan Padrai directs this award winner.

The First Grader, May 13: Based on a true story, The First Grader chronicles octogenarian Maruge who decides to take advantage of the Kenyan government’s new free public schools and enroll in first grade.

True Legend, May 13: The latest action epic by Yuen Woo Ping (The Matrix trilogy, Kill Bill Volumes I and II, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) features an all-star cast, including Vincent Zhao, Jay Chou, Michelle Yeoh and David Carradine.

Thread, May 15: Indie designers are out in full force at this shopping event, held at the Lab in Orange County, Calif.

Ready or not, here they come! The kick-off to summer's blockbusters.

Each summer, moviegoers form lines at the theaters to be the first to see the newest crop of action-packed-hilarity-inducing flicks. For many it’s just something to do; for others it’s an addiction. And Hollywood doesn’t exactly make it easy for them to break the habit. Since the first summer blockbuster hit of yesteryear (thanks to Steven Spielberg’s Jaws), the movies have gotten bigger and better throughout the years (e.g., Independence Day, Iron Man, The Dark Night, Inception). But films with smaller budgets have also found their way into the spotlight (think Knocked Up and (500) Days of Summer).

This summer, the storylines of your favorite movies will continue, while new ones will be introduced hoping the marquee names catch your eyes. (Pick up our Summer 2011 issue, out in early June, for a full list of all the must-see summer movies!) Meanwhile, here’s a list of some pre-summer releases starring your favorite AA celebs (and some newcomers) — from Ken Jeong to Maggie Q – to whet your appetite.

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Indian star Shah Rukh Khan's wax figure, just revealed at Madame Tussauds Times Square. Photo by Alex Oliveira/startraksphoto.com, courtesy of Gitesh Pandya.

As celebrated Bollywood film star, Shah Rukh Khan (whose latest film My Name is Khan is out on DVD now), made his debut at Madame Tussauds New York Wax Museum in Times Square last week — a part of the museum’s “Bollywood Zone” which includes film legend Amitabh Bachchan — we couldn’t help but wonder, which other Asian and Asian American greats have been immortalized in wax figure by the popular tourist attraction?

Aishwarya Rai, left, with her wax figure likeness.

Seems like, not many.

After some sleuthing, we have found martial arts kings Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee at the Madame Tussauds Hollywood location and a tense-looking Tiger Woods at the Vegas location. And of course there’s Indian film legend Aishwarya Rai in the museum’s London location.

As for rest of the ladies? Fuggetabout it. The closest figurine we spotted even resembling an Asian woman was an eerie Michael Jackson figure made as part of a Jackson tribute at the Washington, D.C. museum.

The wax figure of Michelle Yeoh.

For the rest of us itching to cuddle up with wax figures of Lucy Liu or Michelle Yeoh, we’ll have to travel a bit farther — to a Hong Kong, Shanghai or soon-to-be-opened Bangkok location to get our fix. ‘Cause frankly, putting your arms around an Asian-looking Michael Jackson just doesn’t cut it.