God of Gamblers 3: The Early Stage is 1997 Hong Kong action-comedy film written, produced and directed by Wong Jing and starring Leon Lai, Anita Yuen, Jordan Chan, Gigi Leung and Francis Ng. It is a prequel to the original God of Gamblers film starring Chow Yun-Fat and should not be mistaken with the Stephen Chow film God of Gamblers III: Back to Shanghai.

Film synopsis

Leon Lai plays Ko Chun, a young orphan under the tutelage of Kent (Chung King Fai), a veteran gambler. Ko Chun acquires his future legendary gambling skills from his mentor, while trying to claim the title as the God of Gamblers, but he is nearly murdered by Kent before he goes to win the final round and lapses into a coma.

Ko Chun is eventually aided by his childhood friend, Seven (Anita Yuen) and her friends So (Cheung Tat Ming) and Lone Ng (Jordan Chan), a highly-trained ex-soldier, who eventually becomes Ko Chun's bodyguard and friend.

Meanwhile, Ko Chun's rival, Ko Ngo (Francis Ng), gains the title as the God of Gamblers.

Reaction

The film was met with mixed reaction from fans of the first two films, as many felt that Leon Lai lacked the charisma of Chow Yun-Fat. While the film answered many questions, fans also felt that the film was an inaccurate and inferior prequel, with contradicting errors such as the friendship between Ko Chun and his bodyguard, when they never really meet until the first film.

Cast

• Leon Lai as Ko Chun
• Anita Yuen as Seven
• Jordan Chan as Lone Ng
• Gigi Leung as Kent Hing
• Francis Ng as Ko Ngo
• Chung King Fai as Kent
• Cheung Tat Ming as So
• Elvis Tsui as Tai-Chin

External links