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Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In is a 2024 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Soi Cheang and co-written by Au Kin-yee, Chan Tai-lei, and Lai Chun. Featuring an ensemble cast including Louis Koo, Raymond Lam, Richie Jen, Terrance Lau, Kenny Wong, Philip Ng, Tony Wu, German Cheung and Sammo Hung, the film is loosely adapted from the Hong Kong manhua series City of Darkness authored by Andy Seto, which is based on Yu-Wing Leung's 2009 novel of the same name. Set in the demolished ungoverned enclave of Kowloon Walled City in British Hong Kong, the film revolves around a troubled youth named Chan Lok-kwan (Lam) who seeks refuge in the walled city and is enlisted by the city's guardian leader, Tornado (Koo), to resist the invasion of the crimelord Mr. Big (Hung).

Having been in development since the early 2010s, the film underwent changes in directors and writers and was stuck in development hell for almost a decade. Cheang was attached to the project in February 2021, along with Koo and Jen as the leading cast. Principal photography began in November of the same year and wrapped in April 2022. The film had a budget of approximately US$39 million, which included the construction of a replica set of the Kowloon Walled City, making it one of the most expensive Hong Kong productions of all time.

The film premiered at MCL Movie Town on April 25, 2024, followed by a theatrical release in Hong Kong on May 1. It was also selected for screening at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.

Cast

 * Louis Koo as Cyclone: a martial arts master who strives to protect the safety and stability of the residents in the Kowloon Walled City.
 * Raymond Lam as Chan Lok-kwun: a refugee who settled in the walled city but became entangled in the chaos within and faced the imminent demolition of the city.
 * Terrance Lau as Shin: the loyal second-in-command of Cyclone's outlaw gang, who later becomes a companion to Lok.
 * Philip Ng as King: Mr. Big's unhinged and indestructible right-hand man.
 * Tony Wu as Twelfth Master: a katana-wielding member of Tiger's mafia and Cyclone's outlaw gang, who later becomes a companion to Chan.
 * German Cheung as AV: a medic and kickboxer in Cyclone's outlaw gang, who later becomes a companion to Chan.
 * Sammo Hung as Mr. Big: a crimelord rival to Cyclone, who solely focuses on maximizing his wealth and personal interests.

Also appearing in the film are Richie Jen as Chau, a mafia boss-turned-landlord and blood brother of Cyclone, who lost his family at the hands of Jim; Kenny Wong as Tiger: a mafia boss based in Temple Street and an acquaintance of Cyclone, who lost an eye in a fight with Jim. Residents of the Walled City include Fish Liew as Yin Fan, a fishmonger with affiliations with Shin; Chu Pak Hong as a drug addict; Law Wing-cheong as Uncle Lang, a grocery store owner; Sean Wong as a child who nearly falls victim to King; and wuxia novelist Jozev Kiu cameos as Double Blade, a restaurateur and skilled swordsman loyal to Cyclone. Cecilia Choi appears as Jim's deceased wife; and Deon Cheung appears as a government official. Additionally, Aaron Kwok makes a cameo appearance as Chan Jim, the Killer King, a martial artist and Chan Lok-kwun's father, who serves as Cyclone's enemy but is secretly acquainted with him. Chung Suet Ying was initially cast in a role, but did not appear in the film.

Production
On 13 April 2013, Media Asia announced the project was to be titled Dragon City and set to be directed by Derek Kwok and starring Donnie Yen, who would also serve as action director and producer through his production company, Super Hero Films, and was set to begin production in September of that year.

After seemingly stuck in development hell for several years, Media Asia once again announced the project on 28 February 2021, with Soi Cheang set to direct while Koo, Richie Jen and Zhang Jin are set to star. Principal photography for Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In officially began on 22 November 2021, as was revealed in a post on the film's official Facebook page, although the cast was not revealed yet until the film held its production commencement ceremony on 30 November, which was attended by Cheang, producers John Chong and Wilson Yip and cast members Koo, Sammo Hung, Jen, Raymond Lam, Terrance Lau, Kenny Wong, Tony Wu, German Cheung, Philip Ng, Chu Pak Hong and Chung Suet Ying. There Koo revealed that two replica sets of the Kowloon Walled City were built for filming, while actual magazines, record albums, televisions and commercials from the 1980s will be used as props. All the main cast spent a year training to prepare for the film's fight scenes.

Filming
Principal photography began on November 30, 2021. The crew initially planned to film in mainland China but changed to Hong Kong due to the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic. The production crew spent over HK$300 million on set construction, building three major on-scale replica sets: one in an unrented land in Kowloon Bay, another in the abandoned Tat Tak School in Yuen Long, and the third at the Shaw Studios and Shing Fung Studios in Sai Kung. These sets covered approximately 80 to 90% of the actual size of the Kowloon Walled City. Set decoration was overseen by art director Kenneth Mak. Mak and the crew conducted extensive research using photos and archives that documented the Kowloon Walled City, aiming to replicate the residents' way of life. They gathered vintage antiques such as household goods, electrical appliances, as well as metal gates and window grilles salvaged from buildings slated for demolition, which were used as props on set. Numerous three to four-story buildings were constructed, paying close attention to the chaotic entwinement of electrical wires and water pipes. Additionally, wheels were added to most of the set, which featured over ten interchangeable stage sceneries. Mak described the entire set as a "moving castle".

Filming commenced in the replica set in Yuen Long, which included scenes set in the temple, bamboo theatre, Double Blade's two-deck cha chaan teng, and Mr. Big's lair. The production crew then moved to the Sai Kung set, featuring a 200-meter long main street. Scenes shot there included Chan and the outlaw gang taking vigilante action against a drug addict in an alley. Originally scheduled to wrap up after the Lunar New Year of 2022, filming was briefly paused on February 25 due to COVID-19 spreading on set, resulting in actor Deon Cheung and several crew members getting infected. Production resumed in March in the replica set built in Kowloon Bay. On March 23, action scenes of Raymond Lam being chased and fighting on a bus near the set were filmed. Additional scenes were shot at the Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market and on Nathan Road. Filming concluded in April 2022.

M+ engaged in discussions with the crew regarding the possible purchase and preservation of the entire replica set for exhibition purposes, but the negotiations did not succeed and all three sets were demolished after the production wrapped up. A day was reserved for aerial shots of the entire Kowloon Bay replica set before the demolition.

Release
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In  is set for theatrical release on 1 May 2024 in Hong Kong and China. The film was also selected to be in the Official Selection (Midnight Screening) of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival which will run from 14 to 25 May 2024.