TVB Celebrity News

There has been a recent wave of TVB Siu Sang and FaDans leaving the company, like Charmaine Sheh, Sammul Chan and Joe Ma. In 2003, Sammul became popular after Triumph in the Skies and was known as 'S4' along with Bosco Wong, Kenneth Ma and Ron Ng. Earlier, Sammul ended his relationship with TVB and even criticized the company on iCable's interview that they are harsh to their artists. He expressed his hard work in TVB was ignored for several years and wasn't even part of the nominations for awards. He also exposed that he even had to haggle over a HK$10 raise when he was discussing for a contract renewal.

Not sure if its because of his criticisms that angered TVB, but Sammul is 'kicked out' of the Triumph in the Skies (TITS) sequel. It was said that TVB will start shooting TITS sequel at the end of this year and a movie version next year. Back then, S4 members Bosco, Kenneth and Ron of course will get boosted into fame, while Sammul gets kicked out because he already left TVB. His role is said to be replaced by Raymond Lam, creating a new S4!

In fact, when TITS broadcast in 2003, it quickly became a popular hit. TVB had always hoped to shoot a sequel with the original cast. Although they couldn't get the 'housewife killer' pilot Francis Ng back, TVB initially considered Alex Fong, Anthony Wong and Jessica Hsuan to take over, but unfortunately things did not work out. According to sources, the TITS sequel is one of TVB's grand productions this year with plans to shoot in Australia, Japan and other locations in Southeast Asia. TVB looks into adding new faces and a fresh feeling, such as the recent rising stars 'gamers' goddess' Cilla Lok and 'super voice' Mag Lam.

Producer Tommy Leung expressed over the phone yesterday: "TVB is planning to shoot a sequel at the end of this year and next year the movie version. Currently for any popular series, we will consider a movie version, so our artists can become both TV and movie stars."

Many of the cast from TITS have already left TVB including Flora Chan, who had a major reduction in jobs after she had her daughter, Michelle Ye who went to the big screen and most important Francis Ng's chances of coming back to TVB is not very high.

About Joe Ma's contract expiration? Tommy said: "Initially I wanted to get the original cast, and then add new characters. If the series didn't use newcomers, then there wouldn't be a S4!"

Yesterday Joe Ma expressed over the phone that he hopes to participate in the sequel: "There are many ways of collaborating, I am not worried. It would be best if there is an opportunity to shoot a movie version. It's hard shooting a series, and to be able to have performances on other platforms, then that is my personal achievements for my hard work." Back then in TITS, Joe became popular from his character Vincent, he admits that he really likes the role, but the story explained Vincent had died. If they shoot a sequel, it would be hard to bring the character back to life again, Joe said: "We can't figure it out either, it is the hard efforts of the scriptwriter."

Regarding the news of being 'kicked out' of the series, Sammul's manager was agitated: "We don't have a contract with TVB, we are the ones that ditched them! We are not TVB people anymore. It was only that time when he still had a contract with them that he had to shoot anything they asked! It's not necessary for them to ask him to shoot the series now! They have so many people! (Has TVB contacted you?) Why would they contact us, we still have 3 series to shoot, no time!"