[UPDATED] AFM 2016: Arclight ‘Shifts To Chad Stahelski And Wang Xiaolie For Chen/Jaa/Uwais Headliner, TRIPLE THREAT

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It looks like things have taken a bit of a turn for the initially announced Makeshift Squad. The film, previously announced to be helmed by Gary Mak with an “Asian Expendables” styled tone, has reportedly been restaffed with a new director, as well as retitled under the name, Triple Threat.

Arclight Films is taking the film to the American Film Market for buyers with the cast currently packaged as mentioned before with action stars Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais and Tiger Chen. John Wick franchise co-helmer and sequel director Chad Stahelski and director Wang Xiaolie will partner on the film, directing from a script by Dwayne Smith which tells of a Chinese martial artist on a mission to rescue his ex-wife and son being held captive by the local drug cartels. Actress Angelababy who was also included in our initial exclusive report from September was not mentioned in the update while it is not yet confirmed if she is still to be cast.
Beijing-based Kungfuman Culture Media is producing next to Arclight’s own Gary Hamilton’s newly-established banner, Hamilton Entertainment. Also producing are Sheldon Pang, He Shi, Hamilton and Arclight’s Ying Ye and executive producer Elliot Tong.

“Putting together three iconic Asian action superstars is a dream come true,” said Kungfuman Culture CEO Sylen Hwa, one of producers on the film.

“The scriptwriting and scouting process in Mexico is a journey of discovery,” added Tiger Chen, who is also producing.

Triple Threat marks a reunion on several accounts with Chen having starred in the Keanu Reeves-driven Kung Fu acton thriller, Man Of Tai Chi, on which Stahelski served as a choreographer; Stahelski’s solo debut at the helm with John Wick: Chapter 2, opens on February 10, 2017. Jaa who broke ground with the billion dollar success, Furious Seven last year, is currently filming the new Wilson Yip actioner, Fate in Thailand as fans await the explosive release of D.J. Caruso’s xXx: The Return Of Xander Cage on January 20, while Uwais is on deck for a December 8 release of the new Mo’ Bros action thriller, Headshot in Indonesia with international releases into next year.

Stay tuned!The above article previously mentioned Chad Stahelski was directing and was subsequently corrected.

Lee B. Golden III
filmcombatsyndicate@gmail.com | Web

Native New Yorker. Lover of all things pizza, chocolate, pets, and good friends. Karaoke hero. Left of center. Survivor. Fond supporter of cult, obscure and independent cinema - especially fond of Asian movies and global action cinema. Author of the bi-weekly Hit List. Founder and editor of Film Combat Syndicate. Still, very much, only human.

Lee Golden

Native New Yorker. Lover of all things pizza, chocolate, pets, and good friends. Karaoke hero. Left of center. Survivor. Fond supporter of cult, obscure and independent cinema - especially fond of Asian movies and global action cinema. Author of the bi-weekly Hit List. Founder and editor of Film Combat Syndicate. Still, very much, only human.

→ Lee Golden

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