THE BLIND WARRIOR FROM THE PHANTOM CAVE: ANGEL EYES Announced At JAFF Market For 2027, ‘Qodrat’ Helmer To Direct
Another comic book movie offering out of Indonesia came word of The Blind Warrior From the Phantom Cave: Angel Eyes, from this week’s events at JAFF Market. Magma Entertainment and Bumilangit Entertainment launched an official announcement teaser for the film at the event with a release planned for 2027.
Charles Gozali will direct the film which takes its cues from the 1967 comic, “Si Buta dari Gua Hantu,” created by the late Ganes TH. The lore itself is set during the Dutch East Indies colonial era and follows a martial artist who forgoes is sight in a desperate plea to gain the ability needed to avenge his family’s death at the hands of a mysterious cruel warrior named “Angel Eyes”.
The comic character had multiple runs over the years since 1970, with nine feature films and nearly ninety television episodes on its belt. Niche label Mondo Macabro even rolled out its own packaging of “The Warrior Trilogy” last year.
An adaptation was also in the works officially back in 2019 as Bumilangit rolled out the red carpet for a star-studded event announcing its big screen line-up, with Joe Taslim tapped for the lead role and with Timo Tjahjanto as the directing hopeful; Variety’s report by Felicia Melody makes no mention of Taslim or Tjahjanto, although the film’s IMDb page – as of this post – has Tjahjanto credited as writer and co-director. I’ll be sure to update this article or future posts should that change.
“Having [the IP acquired] was like a dream come true for us. We’ve tried to pitch for a different comic adaptation 12 years ago, so this is very special,” Gozali told Variety. The period comic book adaptation brings in a new chapter for Magma Entertainment. “Staying true to the books, the adaptation is trying to keep the original story’s breath. There is no local comic series that’s as well known as ‘Si Buta dari Gua Hantu.’ We’re very humbled to be collaborating with Bumilangit,” he added.
It’s also not clear if Taslim or any other rumored stars are attached to the project which is also something I’ll be happy to share going forward while cameras roll in the new year.
I actually love the prospect of Gozali directing this film. He debuted in 2009 with action drama, Rasa, and he’s directed a handful of other films. He especially landed on my radar with the promotional campaign for coming of age action comedy Juara, which still stands out to me as something I should have already seen by now, among a list of others from the region.
Gozali continued to prosper in the horror arena as he does to this day with Qodrat, starring Vino G. Bastian in the title role as an afflicted exorcist battling to save his own soul as well as mankind. The first film is just an amazing watch, and shows how capable Gozali is in delivering a sweeping dark fantasy tale punctuated by kinetic Javanese martial arts action that hits all the right notes.
That film is currently streaming on Prime as of this post, while we painstakingly await the sequel which already had its local theatrical run, as well as a third installment which is still in the works. As for Gozali’s work itinerary of late with Bumilangit, I’m sold.
Check out the teaser announcement below, and read more at Variety.
Native New Yorker. Been writing for a long time now, and I enjoy what I do. Be nice to me!
