While Woo had experienced success with a number lighter comedic films, Woo had long aspired to direct a gangster film similar to those made by Jean-Pierre Melville. Tsui Hark and his then spouse Nansun Shi had started their own film production company Film Workshop and as Hark had been friends with Woo and knew he was experiencing frustration and battling alcoholism, having lost enthusiasm for making the films he was expected to, Hark invited him to write and direct a film for his company which would end up being A Better Tomorrow. The relationship between Woo and Hark during production was contentious due to Hark's hands-on producing style and Woo's independent directing process.
While Woo had experienced success with a number lighter comedic films Woo had long aspired to direct a gangster film similar to those made by Jean-Pierre Melville Tsui Hark and his then spouse Nansun Shi had started their own film production company Film Workshop and as Hark had been friends with Woo and knew he was experiencing frustration and battling alcoholism having lost enthusiasm for making the films he was expected to Hark invited him to write and direct a film for his company which would end up being A Better Tomorrow The relationship between Woo and Hark during production was contentious due to Hark's hands-on producing style and Woo's independent directing process