Phillip Rhee Teases More BEST OF THE BEST With New Screenplay
A fifth installment of the Best Of The Best franchise is in development, according to a new social media post by actor and martial artist Phillip Rhee. The post includes a scan of a script cover with the title “Best Of The Best 5” with a caption beneath that reads “Honor The Brave,” and with Rhee and screenwriter Mark Nemcoff listed as the authors.
Rhee starred in the inaugural 1989 martial arts tournament drama, Best Of The Best, along with Eric Roberts and brother, fellow actor and industry stunt professional, Simon Rhee. 20th Century Fox released the film as well as its 1993 sequel, both of which were helmed by Robert Radler, before the reins were handed over to the star himself to also direct the third and fourth films for Dimension Home Video.
The new post, via Instagram at the bottom of the page, marks just the latest update since the Rhees and Roberts shared a selfie together back in May hinting at plans for a fifth film. The film’s current treatment also comes a little over a decade since Rhee revealed plans for another installment in an interview for Eoin Friel at The Action Elite while promoting his 2015 film, Underdog Kids. “…We’re going to reboot the whole franchise with a new cast. I have things… I’m going to bring in elements that nobody has ever seen before. I will produce the picture,” said Rhee.
Best Of The Best became a new benchmark for martial arts fans from the eighties and onward as other studio franchises took shape following John G. Avildsen’s Rocky (1976) and The Karate Kid (1984); The franchise also contributed to the bustling direct-to-video market with martial arts and action being a huge staple, namely with DTV sequels to Kickboxer and Bloodsport progressing beyond their originals, and stars like Don Wilson landing a hit with Terence Winkless’s 1989 hit, Bloodfist, among others.
The Rhees have since been planning a slate of promotional events with Best Of The Best merch at various venues, including Dragonfest this past weekend, with their next event to be held at Grindhouse LA for the “Best Of The Best Experience” in Los Angeles. Simon, whose credits in stunts also includes TV shows like “Lucifer,” FX’s “American Horror Stories,” and Hulu’s “Paradise,” is expected to make a pit stop at the third edition of the Big Bad Film Fest in August for a screening of director Steven C. Miller’s New action thriller, Under Fire, on which he also served as stunt coordinator. With a new Best Of The Best happening, it’s fair to believe attendees might have questions by then.
It is not yet clear if Rhee will sit in the director’s chair once more for the new film.
Check out the post below.
Hat tip to Robb Antequera for the scoop.
