Weekend in Taipei

John Lawlor, a DEA agent who goes undercover at a Chinese restaurant in Minneapolis to gather evidence of drug trafficking by a billionaire and disguised seafood merchant named Kwang, is forced to break cover due to a mistake by his colleague, rendering half a year of his undercover work in vain. However, he receives an email from an anonymous informant in Taipei who claims to possess the ledger of Kwang Enterprises. John informs his supervisor, but the claim is dismissed as a hoax, and John's request to follow the lead is rejected, with his supervisor even forcing him to take a weekend leave to keep him away from the case. Undeterred, John decides to travel to Taipei during this time under a fake identity.

Meanwhile, in Taipei, Kwang discovers that his adoptive son, Raymond, is the mole who stole his ledger. Raymond, unaware of Kwang's drug dealing, believes the ledger documents Kwang Enterprises' involvement in killing dolphins and intends to expose his father's role in environmental pollution. Joey, Kwang's wife who was forced to marry him 15 years ago for protection, pleads for her son's life. However, Raymond reveals that he has already entrusted the ledger to a friend, who is delivering it to DEA agent John at Marriott Taipei. Kwang sends his men to recover the ledger, but as he attempts to dismember Raymond as punishment, he is knocked out by Joey and Raymond. The mother and son then head to the hotel, intending to warn the DEA agents. Since Raymond gives Kwang the wrong room number, they reach John first and reveal that Joey and John know each other. Before Joey can explain the situation, Kwang's men arrive, leading to a shootout between the two factions. John's companions are all shot dead, and the ledger is seized, but John manages to escape with Joey and Raymond.

After evading both Kwang's men and the police, Joey brings John and Raymond to the fishing village where she grew up, seeking refuge at her grandmother's house. She reveals that John is actually Raymond's father, shocking both of them. John confronts Joey, whom he met while undercover as a drug trafficker 15 years ago, revealing his true identity to her after falling in love and helping her escape. Joey reveals that she was pregnant at that time but did not have the chance to tell John before leaving, and she was heartbroken to realize that John had been lying to her all along. He apologizes and promises never to leave her and Raymond again, leading to their reconciliation. Meanwhile, Raymond realizes that a rhino miniature on Kwang's desk is actually a flash drive containing a digital version of his ledger. Despite his parents' objections, he sneaks out of the village to return home and steal Kwang's flash drive but is caught by Kwang.

Kwang holds Raymond hostage and calls Joey and John to negotiate. John offers to exchange their lives, and the two factions agree to meet in Ximending. However, Kwang breaks his promise during the meeting, refusing to release Raymond and abducting Joey instead. Just before his men execute John, he outmaneuvers them and takes down all of Kwang's enforcers. He then navigates the complex alleys and catches up with Kwang's escaping vehicle, kicking Kwang out and forcing him to flee on foot. The chase continues, culminating in a fight at a theater, where John subdues Kwang and has him arrested by the arriving police.

Reuniting with Joey and Raymond, the family reconciles and takes a trip to Paris, where Joey reveals that she is pregnant with their second child.

• Luke Evans as John Lawlor, an American DEA agent{{Cite web |url=https://collider.com/weekend-in-taipei-trailer-luke-evans/ |title=‘Weekend In Taipei’ Trailer Reunites Two 'Fast & Furious' Stars [Exclusive] |date=1 August 2024 |website=Collider |last=Massoto |first=Erick |access-date=2 August 2024 |archive-date=31 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731180730/https://collider.com/weekend-in-taipei-trailer-luke-evans/ |url-status=live }}
• Gwei Lun-mei as Joey, a top Taipei-based mercenary driver
• Sung Kang as Kwang, the leader of a drug cartel{{Cite web |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/5927748 |title=Taiwan-filmed 'Weekend in Taipei' to hold red carpet event |date=30 August 2024 |website=Taiwan News |last=Lee |first=Charlotte |access-date=23 September 2024}}
• Wyatt Yang as Raymond, Joey and John's son
• Pernell Walker as Charlotte Fields, John's DEA supervisor
• Tuo Tsung-hua as Deputy Liu, a Taiwanese police detective{{Cite web |url=https://www.marieclaire.com.tw/entertainment/movie/81766 |title=《台北追緝令》看點有哪些？台灣場景變好萊塢、盧貝松式的幽默融入劇情！ |date=23 September 2024 |website=Marie Claire |access-date=23 September 2024 |language=zh}}
• Lu Yi-ching as Po-po, Joey's grandmother
• Patrick Lee as Bolo, Kwang's bodyguard and right-hand man{{Cite web |url=https://www.worldjournal.com/wj/story/121234/8245174 |title=李沛旭參演盧貝松監製「台北追緝令」 歸零扮幫派老大 |date=23 September 2024 |website=World Journal |author=陳慧貞 |access-date=23 September 2024 |language=zh}}

Also appearing in the film are Andy Wu and Fay Wu as Kwang's assistants; Janet Hsieh cameos as a woman witnessing Joey's pregnancy test in the restroom; while Allison Lin cameos as a flight attendant.{{Cite web |url=https://www.dcard.tw/f/persona_aedwarda/p/256732730 |title=《台北追緝令》法拉利動作爽片！好萊塢版台北女子圖鑑？辣個男人盧貝松又來了！ |date=25 September 2024 |website=Dcard |author=電影首映不搭餐 |access-date=31 October 2024 |language=zh}}

In 2013, director Luc Besson and producer Virginie Besson-Silla filmed the French sci-fi film Lucy in Taiwan. The duo was impressed by the city's landscapes and asserted they would to return for another project.{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/luke-evans-gwei-lun-mei-taipei-thriller-europacorp-1235650530/ |title=Luke Evans, Gwei Lun-mei to Star in Taipei-Set Action Thriller From Europacorp (EXCLUSIVE) |date=21 June 2023 |website=Variety |last1=Frater |first1=Patrick |last2=Keslassy |first2=Elsa |access-date=2 August 2024 |archive-date=3 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230703082655/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/luke-evans-gwei-lun-mei-taipei-thriller-europacorp-1235650530/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.marieclaire.com.tw/entertainment/movie/80781/weekend-in-taipei |title=盧貝松《台北追緝令》預告曝光！全片台灣拍攝，男神路克伊凡斯、韓哥、桂綸鎂一同演出 |date=1 August 2024 |website=Marie Claire |access-date=2 August 2024 |language=zh |archive-date=2 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802145735/https://www.marieclaire.com.tw/entertainment/movie/80781/weekend-in-taipei |url-status=live }} In 2022, Taiwanese-American director George Huang conceived a film about a female mercenary driver set in Asia and approached Luc Besson to help develop the project.{{Cite web |url=https://www.gvm.com.tw/article/115441 |title=《台北追緝令》拍出超乎想像的台灣風景！好萊塢大場面飛車追逐令人驚豔 |date=2 September 2024 |website=Global Views Monthly |author=魯皓平 |access-date=20 September 2024 |language=zh |archive-date=4 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240904050917/https://www.gvm.com.tw/article/115441 |url-status=live }} Initially set in Hong Kong, the project became unavailable due to shifts in funding. Besson then suggested that Huang change the setting to Taipei.{{Cite web |url=https://reading.udn.com/read/story/7046/8159747 |title=《台北追緝令》盧貝松展現台灣風光：台北101、西門町、中山堂等名景躍上銀幕！ |date=14 August 2024 |website=United Daily News |access-date=20 September 2024 |language=zh |archive-date=26 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826002824/https://reading.udn.com/read/story/7046/8159747 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://star.ettoday.net/news/2814538 |title=盧貝松10年前留下好印象！　新作《台北追緝令》全片台灣取景「讓世界看見」 |date=10 September 2024 |website=ETtoday |author=蕭采薇 |access-date=21 September 2024 |language=zh}} Huang and the Bessons, along with director Olivier Megaton, went to Taipei for location scouting in February 2023,{{Cite web |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/4807233 |title=French producer Virginie Besson, director Olivier Megaton plan Taipei film |date=11 February 2023 |website=Taiwan News |last=Strong |first=Matthew |access-date=2 August 2024 |archive-date=2 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802171055/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/4807233 |url-status=live }} and met with Taipei City mayor Chiang Wan-an, who announced that the film would be supported by the Taipei City Government and the Taipei Film Commission would join the production.{{Cite web |url=https://www.filmcommission.taipei/newsCT.aspx?id=8203&pid=62 |title=兌現10年承諾《周末在台北》大動作勘景　台北市長蔣萬安歡迎國際影人全力支持拍攝 |date=10 February 2023 |website=Taipei Film Commission |access-date=2 August 2024 |language=zh |archive-date=7 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407042931/https://www.filmcommission.taipei/newsCT.aspx?id=8203&pid=62 |url-status=live }} The scout spanned fourteen days, after which Huang agreed to use Taipei as the backdrop and revised the screenplay accordingly.

Under the working title Weekend Escape Project, the film was announced to be produced by EuropaCorp in June 2023, with Luke Evans and Gwei Lun-mei cast as the lead actors. The film marks EuropaCorp's first production after the company's financial restructuring and a four-year hiatus. In August, Korean-American actor Sung Kang joined the cast.{{Cite web |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/news/4965859 |title='Fast Furious' star arrives for a new film project in Taipei |date=8 August 2023 |website=Taiwan News |last=Scanlan |first=Sean |access-date=2 August 2024}} In March 2024, the distribution rights in North America were acquired by Ketchup Entertainment.{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2024/03/luke-evans-movie-weekend-in-taipei-acquired-ketchup-entertainment-1235865858/ |title=Luke Evans Actioner ‘Weekend In Taipei’ Produced By Luc Besson’s EuropaCorp Acquired By Ketchup Entertainment |date=22 March 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood |last=Grobar |first=Matt |access-date=2 August 2024 |archive-date=10 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410100509/https://deadline.com/2024/03/luke-evans-movie-weekend-in-taipei-acquired-ketchup-entertainment-1235865858/ |url-status=live }} In August, an official trailer was released,{{Cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/weekend-in-taipei-movie-trailer/ |title=Weekend In Taipei Trailer: 2 Fast & Furious Franchise Stars Reunite In New Action Movie |date=2 August 2024 |website=Screen Rant |last=Cassio |first=Jerome |access-date=2 August 2024 |archive-date=2 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802171101/https://screenrant.com/weekend-in-taipei-movie-trailer/ |url-status=live }} with Patrick Lee revealed to be part of the cast.{{Cite web |url=https://www.mirrormedia.mg/story/20240801ent004 |title=《台北追緝令》桂綸鎂化身飛車手　姜成鎬與路克伊凡斯為愛大戰 |date=1 August 2024 |website=Mirror Media |access-date=2 August 2024 |language=zh |archive-date=2 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802024617/https://www.mirrormedia.mg/story/20240801ent004 |url-status=live }}

File:Weekend in Taipei Film still.jpg

Principal photography began on 3 July 2023 in Taipei and was expected to span across three months, with Evans arriving in Taiwan to prepare for the shoot in June.{{Cite web |url=https://en.rti.org.tw/news/view/id/2009590 |title=Luke Evans to film Luc Besson’s movie in Taipei |date=19 June 2023 |website=Radio Taiwan International |last=Chiang |first=Michelle |access-date=2 August 2024 |archive-date=24 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624050308/https://en.rti.org.tw/news/view/id/2009590 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.cna.com.tw/news/amov/202306180191.aspx |title=盧貝松再取景台灣 男主角路克伊凡斯現身台北 |date=18 June 2023 |website=China News Service |author=葉冠吟 |access-date=2 August 2024 |language=zh |archive-date=7 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407044528/https://www.cna.com.tw/news/amov/202306180191.aspx |url-status=live }} The entire filming crew was composed of Taiwanese filmmakers. Location shooting in Taipei took place at various sites, including Zhongshan Hall, Lions' Plaza Commercial Building, and Luoyang Car Park in Wanhua District; the Taipei Performing Arts Center, Shezi Bridge, and Guandu Nature Park in Shilin District; Taipei Dome, Taipei 101, and Taipei City Hall in Xinyi District; Taipei Arena in Songshan District; and Taipei Music Center in Nangang District.{{Cite web |url=https://www.mirrormedia.mg/story/20230210ent035 |title=盧貝松監製妻來台勘景　約定蔣萬安《週末在台北》 |date=10 February 2023 |website=Mirror Media |author=熊景玉 |access-date=20 September 2024 |language=zh}} On 15 July, Daniel Wu and Janet Hsieh were seen with the cast in Neihu District, Taipei.{{Cite web |url=https://www.mirrormedia.mg/story/20230715web001 |title=捕獲野生「韓哥」！復活後與「歐文蕭」來台逛夜市　Janet作陪 |date=15 July 2023 |website=Mirror Media |author=陳嘉玲 |access-date=20 September 2024 |language=zh |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920191142/https://www.mirrormedia.mg/story/20230715web001 |url-status=live }} Production moved to Keelung on 25 July, where a car chase scene was shot near Dawulun Beach,{{Cite web |url=https://www.mirrormedia.mg/story/20230731ent018 |title=【獨家】【大明星踩點台灣】盧貝松挺肚指揮　路克伊凡斯外木山拍飛車直擊 |date=1 August 2023 |website=Mirror Media |author=熊景玉 |access-date=20 September 2024 |language=zh |archive-date=17 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417160157/https://www.mirrormedia.mg/story/20230731ent018 |url-status=live }} as well as at the Aodi Fishing Harbor.{{Cite web |url=https://dramago.ptsplus.tv/articles/19038/ |title=幕後｜《台北追緝令》原本是香港追緝令，大武崙漁港是電影人夢寐以求的景色 |date=25 September 2024 |website=Public Television Service |author=麥恩 |access-date=2 October 2024 |language=zh}} On 11 August, filming took place at the Grand Victoria Hotel in Zhongshan District.{{Cite web |url=https://www.mirrormedia.mg/story/20230821ent009 |title=【獨家】【街邊看好戲】內心戲難不倒影后　桂綸鎂10分鐘收服盧貝松 |date=22 August 2023 |website=Mirror Media |author=熊景玉 |access-date=20 September 2024 |language=zh |archive-date=1 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001224528/https://www.mirrormedia.mg/story/20230821ent009 |url-status=live }}

Shooting then occurred on American Street in Ximending on 22 August, with Besson and Kang spotted on set.{{Cite web |url=https://tw.nextapple.com/entertainment/20230824/7865AB30AB678816C4688D8ED1AC7A87 |title=壹蘋10點強打｜10小時貼身跟拍！盧貝松台北暴雨收工　韓哥曝菸槍本色（狗仔直擊） |date=24 August 2023 |website=Apple Daily |access-date=2 August 2024 |language=zh |archive-date=7 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407042919/https://tw.nextapple.com/entertainment/20230824/7865AB30AB678816C4688D8ED1AC7A87 |url-status=live }} Additional scenes were captured in Datong District and Daan District, and the entire production filed a total of twelve road closure applications, including closing the Ziqiang Tunnel to film a car crash scene, making it the most applied-for film in Taiwan's history.{{Cite web |url=https://www.prestigeonline.com/tw/pursuits/weekend-in-taipei-202409/ |title=桂綸鎂突破性演出，韓哥、盧貝松大讚來台真對！《台北追緝令》讓好萊塢看到台北魅力 |date=3 September 2024 |website=Prestige Hong Kong |last=Kuo |first=Tigre |access-date=20 September 2024 |language=zh |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920191143/https://www.prestigeonline.com/tw/pursuits/weekend-in-taipei-202409/ |url-status=live }} Most of the interior scenes were filmed at Marriott Taipei, where the foreign cast and crew stayed during the shoot, with the hotel mainly serving as the setting for a business tower, as well as the characters' homes and offices.{{Cite web |url=https://www.mirrormedia.mg/story/20240910ent043 |title=《台北追緝令》赫見熟面孔　陸弈靜庹宗康與李沛旭一起打入國際市場 |date=10 September 2024 |website=Mirror Media |access-date=20 September 2024 |language=zh |archive-date=11 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911021648/https://www.mirrormedia.mg/story/20240910ent043 |url-status=live }} Filming ultimately concluded on 29 August.{{Cite web |url=https://reading.udn.com/read/story/7046/8201273 |title=《台北追緝令》盧貝松攜桂綸鎂、姜成鎬與粉絲互動 台北見面會盛況空前 |date=3 September 2024 |website=United Daily News |access-date=20 September 2024 |language=zh |archive-date=20 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240920191146/https://reading.udn.com/read/story/7046/8201273 |url-status=live }}

Weekend in Taipei had its world premiere at Vieshow Cinemas Xinyi in Taipei, Taiwan on 1 September 2024,{{Cite web |url=https://www.rti.org.tw/news/view/id/2217555# |title=台灣團隊拍《台北追緝令》獲盛讚 有一點連盧貝松也喊神奇 |date=22 August 2024 |website=Radio Taiwan International |author=江昭倫 |access-date=26 August 2024 |language=zh}} followed by a theatrical release in France and Taiwan on 25 September.{{Cite web |url=https://www.allocine.fr/article/fichearticle_gen_carticle=1000095589.html |title=Plus fort que Jason Statham ? Cet acteur cogne dur dans la bande-annonce du film d'action Week-end à Taipei |date=1 August 2024 |website=AlloCiné |access-date=7 August 2024 |language=fr |archive-date=8 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808170157/https://www.allocine.fr/article/fichearticle_gen_carticle=1000095589.html |url-status=live }} The film was subsequently released on 8 November in North America.

Weekend in Taipei debuted at the top of Taiwan's weekly box office,{{Cite web |url=https://www.chinatimes.com/campus/20241001004492-262301?chdtv |title=首週票房冠軍《台北追緝令》 連線路克伊凡斯回憶拍片趣事 |date=1 October 2024 |website=China Times |author=王雅芬 |access-date=15 November 2024 |language=zh}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.ydn.com.tw/news/newsInsidePage?chapterID=1712184 |title=《台北追緝令》奪首週票房冠軍 主角分享臺灣美好回憶 |date=30 September 2024 |website=Youth Daily News |author=周毓洵 |access-date=15 November 2024 |language=zh}} but fell to fifth place in its second week, grossing NTD$6.68 million (US$206,000) and achieving an accumulated total of NTD$40.58 million (US$1.25 million).{{Cite web |url=https://www.163.com/dy/article/JEPFQSG105527MBG.html |title=劉德華《危機航線》台灣票房僅937萬，《小丑2：雙重妄想》奪冠 |date=18 October 2024 |website=163.com |access-date=15 November 2024 |language=zh}} Internationally, the film opened in the United States and Canada with US$360,000 from 1,021 theaters in its first weekend, for which Deadline Hollywood described the figures as "lackluster".{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2024/11/box-office-heretic-best-christmas-pageant-ever-1236170937/ |title='Venom: The Last Dance' $18M+, 'Christmas Pageant' & 'Heretic' Remain In Dead Heat For No. 2 With $12M+ Apiece – Veterans Day Box Office |date=11 November 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |access-date=15 November 2024}}

{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|55|5.8|22|ref=yes|access-date=1 December 2024}}

Dennis Harvey of Variety described Weekend in Taipei as a "familiar, formulaic but fun action-thriller", offering a throwback to boilerplate action films with energetic chase scenes and a light-hearted tone, but ultimately lacking depth and memorability.{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/weekend-in-taipei-review-1236205504/ |title=‘Weekend in Taipei’ Review: A Squealing-Tires Tour of Taiwan Sights for DEA Agent Luke Evans |date=9 November 2024 |website=Variety |last=Harvey |first=Dennis |access-date=12 November 2024}} Mae Abdulbaki of Screen Rant described the film as "charming, well-shot, thrilling, and, above all, entertaining", noting that while the characters may lack depth and memorability, the "game cast and thrilling action sequences", along with a "surprising amount of humor", provide a refreshing and engaging viewing experience.{{Cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/weekend-in-taipei-movie-review/ |title=Weekend In Taipei Review: This Exciting, Charismatic Action Thriller Is Unexpectedly Funny |date=8 November 2024 |website=Screen Rant |last=Abdulbaki |first=Mae |access-date=12 November 2024}}

James Marsh of South China Morning Post gave the film 2/5 stars, observing that despite Gwei Lun-mei's "captivating" performance and the abundance of action, it was "repeatedly bogged down by unnecessary backstory and exposition", and he suggested that "budgetary constraints or simply a lack of creativity" contributed to its failure to deliver the aesthetics commonly found in Luc Besson's works.{{Cite web |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3285197/weekend-taipei-movie-review-luke-evans-gwei-lun-mei-luc-besson-produced-action-dud |title=Weekend in Taipei movie review: Luke Evans, Gwei Lun-mei in Luc Besson-produced action dud |date=5 November 2024 |website=South China Morning Post |last=Marsh |first=James |access-date=6 November 2024}} Christy Lemire of RogerEbert.com rated the film 2.5/4 stars, describing it as a "B-movie straight out of the 1990s" with "solid" and "over-the-top" action sequences, but criticized its "hilariously stupid" dialogue and lack of character development, which rendered it ultimately forgettable.{{Cite web |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/weekend-in-taipei-luke-evans-film-review |title=Weekend in Taipei movie review (2024) |date=9 November 2024 |website=RogerEbert.com |last=Lemire |first=Christy |access-date=12 November 2024}}

Estella Huang of Mirror Media described the film as a "Hollywood-level action film" that showcases Taipei's beautiful cityscape, but criticizes it for its thin storyline and underdeveloped emotional relationships, ultimately simplifying the complexity of its romantic and familial themes into basic dialogue and action sequences.{{Cite web |url=https://www.mirrormedia.mg/story/20240927inf001 |title=【影評】《台北追緝令》　毒梟住陶朱隱園 |date=27 September 2024 |website=Mirror Media |last=Huang |first=Estella |access-date=15 October 2024 |language=zh}} Berton Hsu, writing for The News Lens, considered the film as a commercially driven popcorn movie aimed at global appeal, noting that while it features compelling action and thrilling vibes, it lacks authenticity and misrepresents Taiwan with a convoluted plot.{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenewslens.com/article/242363 |title=【影評】滿口英文、又有劇情BUG的《台北追緝令》，看完之後到底夠不夠爽？ |date=26 September 2024 |website=The News Lens |last=Hsu |first=Berton |access-date=15 October 2024 |language=zh}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{IMDb title|28142896}}

{{George Huang}}

{{Luc Besson}}

Category:2024 films

Category:2024 action films

Category:2020s English-language films

Category:2020s French films

Category:2020s Taiwanese films

Category:French action films

Category:English-language French films

Category:Films set in Taipei

Category:Films shot in Taipei

Category:EuropaCorp films

Category:Films with screenplays by Luc Besson

Category:Films about drugs

Category:Films about interracial romance

Category:Films directed by George Huang