Romeo Must Die (2000)

Director:

Andrzej Bartkowiak

Writers (WGA):

Mitchell Kapner (story)
Eric Bernt (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

22 March 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Thriller

Tagline:

In A World Of Vicious Rivalries And Violent Betrayals Only One Thing Is Sure.

Plot:

An avenging cop seeks out his brother's killer and falls for the daughter of a businessman who is involved in a money-deal with his father.

Plot Keywords:

Death | Hong Kong | Prison | Waterfront | Kung Fu

Awards:

1 win & 7 nominations

Cast

Jet Li	...	Han Sing
Aaliyah	...	Trish O'Day
Isaiah Washington	...	Mac
Russell Wong	...	Kai
Delroy Lindo	...	Isaak O'Day
D.B. Woodside	...	Colin (as DB Woodside)
Henry O	...	Ch'u Sing
Jon Kit Lee	...	Po Sing
Edoardo Ballerini	...	Vincent Roth
Anthony Anderson	...	Maurice
DMX	...	Silk
Matthew Harrison	...	Dave
Terry Chen	...	Kung
Derek Lowe	...	Chinese Messenger
Ronin Wong	...	New Prisoner
Byron Lawson	...	Head Guard
Kendall Saunders	...	Colin's Girlfriend
Benz Antoine	...	Crabman
Keith Dallas	...	Bouncer
Taayla Markell	...	Po's Girlfriend
Tseng Chang	...	Victor Ho
Tong Lung	...	Overlord
Richard Yee	...	Overlord
Colin Foo	...	Overlord
Lance Gibson	...	Doorman
Grace Park	...	Asian Dancer
Jennifer Wong	...	Asian Dancer
Manoj Sood	...	Akbar
Fatima Robinson	...	Lori
Gaston Morrison	...	Maurice's Crew (as Gaston Howard)
Clay Donahue Fontenot	...	Maurice's Crew
Ryan Jefferson Lowe	...	Young Po
Jonross Fong	...	Young Han
Alonso Oyarzun	...	Alonso
Samuel Scantlebury	...	Paperboy
Françoise Yip	...	Motorcycle Fighter (as François Yip)
Alvin Sanders	...	Calvin
William S. Taylor	...	Harold
Morgan Reynolds	...	Morgan
David Kopp	...	Delivery Man
Aaron Joseph	...	Kid in Boutique
William MacDonald	...	Officer
Oliver Tan	...	Gate Guard (as Oliver Svensson-Tan)
Kandyse McClure	...	Store Clerk (as Candice McClure)
W.J. Waters	...	Hardware Store Clerk (as W. J. Waters)
Cesar Abraham	...	Park Bench Kid
Jerry Grant	...	Bartender
Tonjha Richardson	...	Store Clerk
Chic Gibson	...	Taxi Driver
Jody Vance	...	Sportscaster
Perry Solkowski	...	Anchor
Ann Gwathmey	...	Shopper
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Larry Lam	...	Asian Badass (uncredited)

Directed by
Andrzej Bartkowiak

Writing credits (WGA)
Mitchell Kapner		(story)
Eric Bernt		(screenplay) and
John Jarrell		(screenplay)

Produced by
Warren Carr	....	co-producer
Dan Cracchiolo	....	executive producer
Mitchell Kapner	....	associate producer
Ilyse A. Reutlinger	....	associate producer (as Ilyse Reutlinger)
Joel Silver	....	producer
Jim Van Wyck	....	producer

Original Music by
Stanley Clarke

Cinematography by
Glen MacPherson

Film Editing by
Derek Brechin		(as Derek G. Brechin)

Casting by
Lora Kennedy

Production Design by
Michael S. Bolton		(as Michael Bolton)

Art Direction by
James Steuart		(as Jim Steuart)

Set Decoration by
Rose Marie McSherry

Costume Design by
Sandra J. Blackie

Makeup Department
Donna Bis	....	key hair stylist
Shannon Coppin	....	second assistant makeup artist
Eric Ferrell	....	hair stylist
Eric Ferrell	....	makeup artist
Michelle Hrescak	....	makeup artist
Tanya Hudson	....	makeup artist
Lisa Taylor Roberts	....	key makeup artist (as Taylor Roberts)
Heather Stewart	....	hair stylist
Nancy Steyns	....	hair stylist: second unit
Ellie Winslow	....	makeup artist (as Eleanora Winslow)
Jeannie Chow	....	hair stylist: second unit (uncredited)
Bill Terezakis	....	special makeup effects artist (uncredited)
Fay von Schroeder	....	makeup artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Warren Carr	....	unit production manager
Ilyse A. Reutlinger	....	post-production supervisor (as Ilyse Reutlinger)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Caroline Andress	....	trainee assistant director
David Arnold	....	key second assistant director
Dave 'Foots' Footman	....	second assistant director: second unit (as Dave Footman)
Don French	....	first assistant director: second unit
Sirish Harman	....	second assistant director: second unit
Kathy Houghton	....	second second assistant director
Conrad E. Palmisano	....	second unit director
Eddy Santos	....	third assistant director
Jim Van Wyck	....	first assistant director
Lance Peverley	....	trainee assistant director: second unit (uncredited)
Patrick Stark	....	third assistant director: second unit (uncredited)

Art Department
Annmarie Corbett	....	assistant set decorator (as Ann Marie Corbett)
Gregory Dewar	....	art department researcher (as Greg Dewar)
Kendelle Elliott	....	assistant art director
James Epp	....	stand-by greensman
R.D. 'Luther' Fairbairn	....	property master
Shannon Gottlieb	....	assistant set decorator
Kevin Griffin-Park	....	on-set dresser
Haida Harper	....	assistant property master
Jimmy O. Howard	....	prop master: second unit (as Jimmy Howard)
Philip Jean	....	construction foreman
Francis Mallette	....	stand-by painter
Jay Mitchell	....	set designer
Joanne Quirk	....	lead person
Adrien Van Viersen	....	storyboard artist
Stephen Wright	....	construction coordinator (as Steve Wright)
Herman Alexander	....	scenic carpenter (uncredited)
Adrian Dowell	....	stand-by carpenter (uncredited)
Frank Haddad	....	head greensman (uncredited)
Zoe Jirik	....	set dresser (uncredited)
Philip Keller	....	storyboard artist (uncredited)
Michele Schwemmer	....	props (uncredited)
Robin Thomas	....	head painter (uncredited)
Sean Will	....	paint foreman (uncredited)

Sound Department
Nancy Barker	....	first assistant sound editor
Thom Brennan	....	supervising foley editor
Darren Brisker	....	sound mixer: second unit
David E. Campbell	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Dave Campbell)
Dane A. Davis	....	sound designer
Dane A. Davis	....	supervising sound editor
Julia Evershade	....	adr editor
Julia Evershade	....	co-supervising sound editor
Marilyn Graf	....	foley mixer
Mike Hibberson	....	cable person (as Michael Hibberson)
Mary Jo Lang	....	foley mixer (as Mary Jo Lano)
Frank Long	....	assistant sound editor
David McRell	....	assistant sound editor
Joe Milner	....	additional sound designer
Joe Milner	....	sound effects editor: guns
Alyson Dee Moore	....	foley artist (as Allyson Moore)
Thomas J. O'Connell	....	adr mixer (as Tom O'Connell)
Charles O'Shea	....	boom operator
Jeremy Peirson	....	assistant sound designer
Troy Porter	....	adr mixer
Tony Poulsen	....	boom operator: second unit
John T. Reitz	....	sound re-recording mixer (as John Reitz)
Charles W. Ritter	....	dialogue editor
John Roesch	....	foley artist
Gregg Rudloff	....	sound re-recording mixer
Rob Young	....	production sound mixer
John P. Fasal	....	sound effects recordist (uncredited)
Noel McIntosh	....	apprentice sound editor (uncredited)
Carolyn Tapp	....	foley recordist (uncredited)

Special Effects by
André Dominguez	....	special effects (as Andre Dominguez)
Steve Fox	....	special effects
Tony Lazarowich	....	special effects coordinator
Clay Scheirer	....	special effects
Christopher Schreiber	....	special effects (as Chris Schreiber)
W.A. Andrew Sculthorp	....	special effects (as Andrew Sculthorp)
Wayne Szybunka	....	special effects
Attila Vaski	....	special effects
Harry Tomsic	....	special effects (uncredited)
Michael S. Vincent	....	special effects technician (uncredited)

Visual Effects by
Diana Giorgiutti	....	visual effects producer
J. Michael Riva	....	visual consultant
Barnaby Robson	....	visual effects supervisor
Daniel P. Rosen	....	lead compositor: Manex Visual Effects (as Dan Rosen)
Travis Baumann	....	digital compositor (uncredited)
Roy Berkowitz	....	visual effects editor (uncredited)
Paula Bonhomme	....	visual effects coordinator: CFC/MVFX (uncredited)
Justin Burdine	....	system administrator (uncredited)
Chad Carlberg	....	digital compositor (uncredited)
Nicolle Cornute	....	paint/roto artist (uncredited)
Nika Dunne	....	digital paint & roto artist: Manex (uncredited)
Karen Jine	....	visual effects production coordinator (uncredited)
Matt Linder	....	digital artist (uncredited)
Anthony Mabin	....	digital compositor (uncredited)
Amanda Morrison	....	compositor (uncredited)
Peter Oberdorfer	....	digital artist (uncredited)
Gerard Benjamin Pierre	....	technical director: Giant Killer Robots (uncredited)
Brion Porter	....	digital film recorder operator (uncredited)
Todd Sarsfield	....	scanning and recording operator (uncredited)
Tomme B. Stanley	....	digital artist (uncredited)
Jonathan F. Styrlund	....	visual effects producer (uncredited)
Amber Wong	....	visual effects producer (uncredited)

Stunts
Lloyd Adams	....	stunts
Dean Choe	....	stunts
Craig Hosking	....	stunts
Ernie Jackson	....	stunts (as Ernest Jackson)
Jamie Jones	....	stunts
Huan-Chiu Ku	....	stunts (as Chin Huen 'Dee Dee' Ku)
Larry Lam	....	stunts
Cotton Mather	....	stunts
Mike Mitchell	....	stunts
Tony Morelli	....	stunts
Conrad E. Palmisano	....	stunt coordinator: second unit
Darryl Quon	....	stunts
Gary Robert	....	stunts
Ronald Robinson	....	stunts
Darren E. Scott	....	stunts (as Darren Choo)
Rick Seaman	....	stunts
Gregg Smrz	....	stunts
David Soo	....	stunts
Jim Stephan	....	stunts
Melissa R. Stubbs	....	stunts (as Melissa Stubbs)
Betty Thomas Quee	....	stunts (as Betty Thomas)
John Ulmer	....	stunts
Paul Wu	....	stunts
Ed Anders	....	stunt driver (uncredited)
Mike Ching	....	stunts (uncredited)
Mitchell Dean	....	stunts (uncredited)
Duane Dickinson	....	stunts (uncredited)
Bill Edwards	....	stunt double (uncredited)
Marny Eng	....	stunts (uncredited)
Corry Glass	....	stunt driver (uncredited)
Yuka Kobayashi	....	stunt double: Francoise Yip (uncredited)
Huan-Chiu Ku	....	martial arts and stunt double: Jet li (uncredited)
Michael Langlois	....	stunts (uncredited)
Mitchell A. Lee Yuen	....	stunts (uncredited)
David Mylrea	....	stunts (uncredited)
Rick Pearce	....	stunt performer (uncredited)
Raymond Sammel	....	stunt performer (uncredited)
Melissa R. Stubbs	....	stunt coordinator (uncredited)
Brian Tonomura	....	stunts (uncredited)
Owen Walstrom	....	stunt performer (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Chad Band	....	second assistant camera: second unit
Dillard Brinson	....	key grip
Stephen S. Campanelli	....	Steadicam operator (as Stephen Campanelli)
Peter G. Capadouca	....	chief lighting technician (as Peter Capadouca)
Paul Cunningham	....	chief lighting technician: second unit
Bob Findlay	....	first assistant camera
Gil Forrester	....	dolly grip
Tom Gregg	....	best boy grip
Kevin Haverty	....	second assistant camera
Kharen Hill	....	still photographer
Gaetan Jalbert	....	rigging gaffer
David Kelly	....	first assistant camera: second unit
John Le Roy	....	rigging key grip
David Luckenbach	....	Steadicam operator
Scott MacDonald	....	first assistant camera: second unit
George Majoros	....	second assistant camera
Vern Nobles	....	camera operator: "a" camera
Danny Nowak	....	director of photography: second unit
Shinpei Otsuki	....	second assistant camera: second unit
John Spencer Phillips	....	key grip: second unit
Peter Rosenfeld	....	Steadicam operator
John Sanderson	....	video assist operator
Ian Seabrook	....	first assistant camera
Patrick Stepien	....	first assistant camera
Keith Thomson	....	camera operator: second unit
Jim Van Dijk	....	Steadicam operator
William Waring	....	camera operator (as Will Waring)
Mike West	....	dolly grip
Stewart Whelan	....	second assistant camera
Richard Wilson	....	Steadicam operator: second unit
James Wong	....	video assist operator
Keith Woods	....	assistant chief lighting technician
Garnet Durham	....	video assist operator: second unit (uncredited)
Banchi Hanuse	....	camera trainee: second unit (uncredited)
Dwayne McClintock	....	aerial director of photography (uncredited)
Noah Richoz	....	video assistant (uncredited)
Scott Sutherland	....	grip (uncredited)
Jarrod Tiffin	....	best boy rigger (uncredited)
John Trapman	....	camera operator: Wescam camera (uncredited)
Chris Turner	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Jim Van Dijk	....	camera operator: "b" camera (uncredited)
Gregory White	....	first assistant camera: credit sequence (uncredited)
Steven J. Winslow	....	assistant camera: Wescam camera (uncredited)
Steven J. Winslow	....	camera technician (uncredited)

Casting Department
Susan Taylor Brouse	....	casting associate: Canada (as Sue Brouse)
Lynne Carrow	....	casting: Canada
Kristy Sager	....	casting associate: USA

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Suzanne Armstrong	....	costumer: second unit
Scott Blackie	....	set costumer
Allison Chretien	....	key costumer
Lise Hache	....	costumer: second unit
Laurel Morgan	....	set costumer
Susan O'Hara	....	costume supervisor (as Susan Bloedorn)
Anne E. Bone	....	assistant costume designer (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Steven A. Calabro	....	assistant editor
Dale E. Grahn	....	color timer (as Dale Grahn)
Mo Henry	....	negative cutter
Edward Malone	....	assistant editor
Kirk Moses	....	assistant film editor
Lorie Olson	....	assistant editor (as Lorie Olsen)
Tony Solomons	....	first assistant editor
Frank G. Urioste	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Stanley Clarke	....	conductor
Brian Friedman	....	music consultant
Barry Hankerson	....	music supervisor
Jomo Hankerson	....	music supervisor
Ira Hearshen	....	conductor
Ira Hearshen	....	orchestrator
Dan Humann	....	score mixer
Jon Kull	....	orchestrator (as John Kull)
Verna Mandel	....	assistant music editor
Jennifer Nash	....	music editor
Kennard Ramsey	....	orchestrator
Brad Segal	....	music editor (as Bradley A. Segal)
Frank Wolf	....	score recordist (as Frank Wolfe)
Tom Boyd	....	musician: oboe soloist (uncredited)
Zigmund Gron	....	music editor (uncredited)
Tim Mosley	....	executive music producer (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Scott Delaplace	....	transportation co-captain
Murray Mills	....	transportation captain: second unit
Robert Steeves	....	transportation coordinator (as Rob Steeves)
Clint Wilcox	....	transportation co-captain
Geoff Williams	....	transportation captain
Robert Milicevic	....	transport security (uncredited)

Other crew
Bruce Arnold	....	production assistant
Natalie Borresen	....	assistant: Mr. Cracchiolo (as Natalie N. Borresen)
Mandy Butler	....	assistant production accountant: Canada
Sandy Cabellero	....	staff assistant
Rhiannon A. Charles	....	assistant production office coordinator
Dan Crosby	....	marine coordinator
Dan Crosby	....	marine coordinator: second unit
Dixie Cutler	....	unit publicist
Denis Cviticanin	....	staff assistant (as Dennis Cviticanio)
Duncan Delorenzi	....	staff assistant
Sean Duggan	....	staff assistant
Jim Filippone	....	aerial coordinator (as Jim Filipponi)
Wendy J. Findlay	....	assistant production office coordinator
Rob Fournier	....	armorer: second unit
Primrose Fukuchi	....	assistant production accountant (as Primrose Y. Fukuchi)
Lisa Greenspan	....	assistant: Mr. Van Wyck
Harold Guskin	....	acting coach
Nancy Kress	....	craft service
Nancy Kress	....	first aid
Lorelei Kuchera	....	script supervisor: second unit (as Lori Kuchera)
Rob Larson	....	staff assistant
Chi Wah Ling	....	wire specialist (as Wah Chi Ling)
Marty Manifold	....	staff assistant
Keith McQuiggan	....	staff assistant
Ravi D. Mehta	....	production accountant
Sandra Murillo	....	assistant: Mr. Bartkowiak (as Sandra Kilgour)
Susan Murray	....	production office coordinator
Jason Nolan	....	assistant location manager trainee
Kathleen Nurit	....	production office coordinator
David Soo	....	martial arts liaison
David Soo	....	translator
Michelle Tuella	....	assistant: Mr. Silver
Trevor Westerhoff	....	assistant production office coordinator
Bev White	....	location manager
Darcy Wild	....	assistant location manager
Diane Will	....	staff assistant
Craig Young	....	location manager: second unit
Corey Yuen	....	martial arts supervisor
Ron Blecker	....	technical advisor (uncredited)
Charlene Callihoo	....	assistant accountant (uncredited)
Joel Hurley	....	location scout (uncredited)
Nigel Johnson	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Ming Beaver Kwei	....	personal assistant: Jet Li (uncredited)
April D. Matthews	....	first assistant accountant: Canada (uncredited)
Byron McKim	....	location scout (uncredited)
Peter Pao	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Robert Polgar	....	assistant: Joel Silver (uncredited)
Mick Rochon	....	production assistant: second unit (uncredited)
Tom Teotico	....	location scout (uncredited)
Cristina Weigmann	....	script supervisor (uncredited)
Shayne A. Wilson	....	executive assistant to producer (uncredited)
Robert 'Bobby Z' Zajonc	....	aerial coordinator (uncredited)
Robert 'Bobby Z' Zajonc	....	helicopter pilot (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Warner Bros (presents)
• Silver Pictures

Distributors

• Warner Bros (2000) (USA) (theatrical)
• Fox-Warner (2000) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. Entertainment (2000) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (2000) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Wonder Works Films (2000) (Non-USA) (theatrical)
• Warner Bros. (France)
• Warner Bros.
• Warner Home Video (2000) (Canada) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2001) (Switzerland) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2001) (Germany) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2012) (Germany) (DVD) (Blu-Ray)
• Warner Home Video (2000) (USA) (DVD)
• Warner Home Video (2000) (USA) (VHS)
• Warner Home Vídeo (Brazil) (DVD)
• Warner Home Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)

Special Effects

• Manex Visual Effects (MVFX) (visual effects)

Other Companies

• Blackground Records  soundtrack published by
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera dollies
• Danetracks  sound post-production
• Edible Planet Catering  catering
• Pacific Title  titles and opticals
• Panavision  cameras and lenses
• Picture Mill, The  title sequence designed and produced by
• Technicolor  color
• William F. White International  grip and lighting equipment

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, some language and brief nudity

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Chinese

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Australia:M | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A | Denmark:15 | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Germany:16 (w) (nf) | Hong Kong:IIB | Ireland:18 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:M | Norway:18 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:NC-16 | South Korea:18 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 (cut) | USA:R | Philippines:PG-13 | Australia:MA (TV rating) | Malaysia:18PL | Iceland:16 | Canada:AA (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Embarcadero Street, San Francisco, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros

Trivia:

When Trish dumped her bodyguard at the record store and hides in the cab, the bodyguard comes out and yells, "Trish! I'm gonna find your Aaliyah-lookin' ass!" "Trish" was portrayed by late vocalist, Aaliyah.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: When Han is being tackled by Maurice, and he is flying backwards through the air in slow-motion, you can clearly see that he's wearing protective padding.

Quotes:

Mac:Look, if I wanted Eddie Murphy, I would have gone to the movies!

Movie Connections:

Featured in "HBO First Look: Making 'Romeo Must Die' (#7.3)" (2000)

Soundtrack:

You're Not From Brighton

Action with Depth.

Not usually a fan of this type of all-out Action movie, "Romeo Must Die" knocked me off balance when I found it to be one of the best films I have ever enjoyed. Producer Joel Silver (Who also produced "The Matrix") describes the film as an "Urban rendition of Romeo and Juliet" and although this is a very simple way of looking at the film, it's not far off the mark. Like the great Shakespeare work, there are two opposing families in this film, each looking to make big commercial gains in the world of real estate development. Caught up in their lies, greed and violence are Trish O'Day (Played by Aaliyah) and Han Sing (Played by Jet Li). The story revolves around their quickly blooming relationship and the opposing families around them.

The film boasts some serious eye candy with some of the best special effects you'll see. Luckily, this is not the only good thing going for the movie as the eye candy is wonderfully supported by some fantastic performances from the cast. In her first feature movie, Aaliyah is absolutely breath taking as Trish O'Day. Showing the kind of charm and 'x' factor that few will ever have, she alone makes this film a must see. Jet Li's performance is, as always, about his skills as a martial artist but his scripted acting continues to improve. Another stand out performance for me was that of D.B. Woodside who plays Trish O'Days brother - Colin. Although not such a major role, D.B. excels in this role. High end production values mean the film has a real style and "gloss" to it and everything fits in place and the story moves along at just the right pace. In fact, "Romeo Must Die" is a shining example of how good story telling does not need to be lost in a sea of special effects and glossy American values. Jonathon Ross describes the film as "Fast, Furious, Fun", which is definitely true, but there is more to this film that the audience can take away with them. The reason the film works is that it works on two levels - storyline and action. You can enjoy both aspects and take from them what you like. This is a brilliant film and I highly recommend it.