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BLACK LOTUS: Frank Grillo Toplines New Action Thriller From ‘Boyka: Undisputed’ Director

Principal photography has just begun on action thriller Black Lotus, according to production notices sent out on Friday. Todor Chapkanov (Viking Quest, Boyka: Undisputed 4, 2nd unit for The Hitman’s Bodyguard, The Expendables 4) will direct a cast headed up by Frank Grillo (The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, Copshop, Boss Level) opposite eleven-time world Dutch kickboxing champion and lead actor Rico Verhoeven (Kickboxer: Retaliation, Netxlix series “Undercover”) Penned by Tad Daggerhart (The Expendables 4), Black Lotus sees Verhoeven in the role of special forces officer Matteo Donner. After his best friend dies while on a joint mission, he roams the world struggling with guilt. Once back in Amsterdam, he ends up in a one-man war in the streets and on the canals of the city. Between explosions, flying bullets and crashing cars, Donner has only one goal: to rescue the kidnapped daughter of his dead friend. Cameras are rolling in the […]

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ESTABLISHMENT IN LIFE Film “Revengers Road” Announced with Teaser Trailer

During a special program for Goro Taniguchi’s (Code Geass, Active Raid Second) latest project Estab-Life: Great Escape, a trailer was shown for an upcoming film project called Estab-Life: Revenger’s Road. Set to launch in 2023, the film will focus on a character named Kisaragi. The film will be directed and written by Taniguchi themselves, with SSF credited with the original story, and Polygon Pictures (Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, Godzilla anime films) producing the animation. The television show debuted in Japan on March 1st, with episodes dropping in blocks from March through April. The show is streamed on Crunchyroll both subtitled and dubbed. Great Escape is also the first of a series of Crunchyroll and Fuji TV programming partnerships, announced in September 2021, in a programming block called +Ultra. The project will also have a smartphone game, developed by Square Enix. Establishment in Life / Estab-Life is set in a distant future […]

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News Briefs: ONE PUNCH MAN Gets A ‘Fast And Furious’ Director, Yeoh Leads THE BROTHERS SUN, MR-9 Underway With Grillo, Hirsch In THE ENGINEER

• More than two years after landing at Sony Pictures and Arad Productions, Justin Lin is bouncing off of his former tenure on Fast X to direct an adaptation of One Punch Man from a script by Venom scribes Scott Rosenberg and Jeff Pinkner. Based on the hit manga from ONE and Yuskue Murata, One Punch Man centers on Saitama, an unassuming young man who joins the Hero Association for fun, only to be beleagured by his ability to knock out any supervillain with one punch. (THR) • Kevin Tancharoen will direct Everything Everywhere All At Once and Master Z: Ip Man Legacy star Michelle Yeoh, and actor Justin Chien for 8-episode Netflix gangster drama, The Brothers Sun. Billed as an “action-packed, dark comedic drama, and family soap,” and follows a Taipei gangster who journeys to LA to protect his family whilst in search of his father’s killer. Sam Song Li […]

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ONE PIECE Live Action – New Behind the Scenes and Casting

The upcoming live action adaption of Eiichiro Oda’s shonen powerhouse, One Piece, has been a hot topic in the anime community. After the (undeserved) negative reception of Cowboy Bebop, I’m honestly shocked that not only has this project proceeded, but that in a truly non-Hollywood fashion, the team behind the show has gone to great lengths to build confidence in the project. With cast and crew both singing the praises of the production on social media, and a careful attention to detail in design, it’s very exciting to see the updates we receive, and with Netflix’s annual “Geeked” week in full swing, fans are well fed this week. We received not only an introduction to Iñaki Godoy, playing Monkey D. Luffy, and the two show runners, Steven Maeda and Matt Owens, but a behind the scenes look at some of the handcrafted sets, and new casting announcements. As part of […]

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ECHO: ‘Hawkeye’ Spin-Off Series Starring Alaqua Cox In Production

The future of Marvel is definitely female with Disney’s current streaming roster bolstering several female fronted shows to come including She-Hulk: Attorney At Law and Ms. Marvel, and Hawkeye spin-off Echo which is currently in production as of last week. Indigenous ASL actress Alaqua Cox is reprising her role and can be seen in a first look which debuted five days ago. Created by David Mack and Joe Quesada and having first appeared in Marvel Comics in 1999, Cox debuted the character in Hawkeye as a commander of the criminal outfit, the tracksuit mafia, opposite series leads Hayley Steinfeld and Jeremy Renner. As Marvel notes, “the origin story of Echo revisits Maya Lopez, whose ruthless behavior in New York City catches up with her in her hometown. She must face her past, reconnect with her Native American roots and embrace the meaning of family and community if she ever hopes […]

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FEAR THE NIGHT Teases A Fearless First Look At Maggie Q In The New Home Invasion Thriller

Highland Film Group is proudly sharing a first look at actress Maggie Q (The Protégé, “Designated Survivor,” Divergent trilogy) in Fear The Night, the latest from filmmaker Neil LaBute (Lakeview Terrace, Possession, Nurse Betty). Production is currently underway in Los Angeles for the new action thriller which follows Iraqi war veteran Tess (Maggie Q), as she prepares for her sister’s bachelorette party. As the festivities unfold, the party is abruptly interrupted by a group of home invaders looking for a hidden fortune who quickly take the house under siege. Surrounded by the frightened party-goers, Tess soon discovers that the their ruthless attackers are hellbent on not leaving any witnesses. Tess strikes back and the special ops expert takes matters into her own hands. LaBute is directing from his own script with a cast that also lists Travis Hammer, Highdee Kuan, Roshni Shukla, James Carpinello and Laith Wallschleger. Producers are Eric […]

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IN THE OCTAGON: Wang Baoqiang Directing And Starring In New MMA Drama Based On A True Story

Actor and martial artist Wang Baoqiang (Kung Fu Killer, Rising Shaolin: The Protector) is currently en route with his second turn at the helm with In The Octagon (a Google translation reads the characters via Chinese media reports as “In The Octagonal Cage”). Wang’s In The Octagon centers on a coach’s efforts to train local orphans to become professional fighters in Chengdu, China. The film takes its cues from a real-life story back in 2017 when Chengdu-based Endo MMA, a gym reportedly launched in 2001 by a former police officer who is Tibetan, with the intended purpose of keeping young orphans away from a life of crime, instead drew controversy following the release of a viral video shortfilm documenting the fighting, which led to an investigation of the club. Wang, who previously directed and co-wrote (and starred in) 2017 adventure comedy, Buddies In India, is starring as the protagonist of […]

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TAKEN FROM RIO BRAVO: Alexander Nevsky’s Indie Western Sequel Shoots This Month From Director Joe Cornet

Actor and independent film producer Alexander Nevsky (Black Rose) is rolling cameras this month for Taken From Rio Bravo. The film is a direct sequel to his latest western, Assasult On Rio Bravo, with actor and filmmaker Joe Cornet (Promise) back at the helm as announced last August upon greenlight. The first film sees Nevsky as a foreign gunslinger in 1875, who is pit against a bloodthirsty gang of outlaws in Texas. Plot details for the sequel are under wraps but a description for the new chapter bills it as an Expendables-style thriller set in the Wild West, with our heroes setting out on a dangerous rescue mission. Martial arts cinema stalwarts Cynthia Rothrock (China O’Brien, Righting Wrongs, The Blonde Fury), Don “The Dragon” Wilson (Bloodfist and Ring Of Fire films) and Matthias Hues (I Come In Peace) will co-star alongside Nevsky and Cornet, with Kerry Goodwin (Westworld) and Robert […]

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KODAMA: Samurai SWAT Action Brings Japanese Folklore To Life In Brian Tang’s New Short Filming Next Week

Noted cinematographer and multi-faced filmmaking tradesman Brian Tang has about a handful of his own shortfilm endeavors dating back to 2011, and he’s about to dive right back in with the production of his newest and ambitious labor, Kodama. Collaborating with Joe Sill (Stray) at his Impossible Objects VFX lab, Tang launched the project on Kickstarter back in January for a month-long funding period through February, ultimately surpassing his $40,000 goal. The story is also set in the U.S. which further imbues Tang’s effort to produce an inspired, cutting-edge and modernized Asian American U.S.-set tale emboldened with Japanese folklore. “By mashing elegant traditional Japanese Samurai armor with present day American tactical SWAT aesthetics, we personify the cultural amalgamation associated with the modern Asian American experience.” says Tang according to the Kickstarter page. “Supah Ninjas”, G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra and “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series” actor Brandon Soo […]

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FAST X Nabs ‘The Transporter’ And ‘The Incredible Hulk’ Helmer Louis Leterrier

The trades have confirmed that Now You See Me director Louis Leterrier will take the mantle for Fast X, the newest and second-to-last chapter of Universal’s “Fast And Furious” franchise. The news comes after Justin Lin, who helmed five of the nine-film line-up left the current tenth film last week due to creative differences. Leterrier’s entry into the franchise is certainly not without merit, having additionally  worked with stars like Jason Statham (The Transporter, The Transporter 2), Jet Li (Unleashed), Edward Norton (The Incredible Hulk) and Sam Worthington (Clash Of The Titans). In recent years he’s also directed The Brothers Grimsby with Sacha Baron Cohen and Mark Strong, and on several episodes of Netflix series “Lupin” with Omar Sy, with both rejoined for upcoming May 6 cop actioner, The Takedown. Fast X is on track to release on May 19, 2023. Lin penned the script with Dan Mazeau and is […]

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ABSOLUTE DOMINION Sets Cast For Dystopian Martial Arts Tournament Thriller From Netflix, Blumhouse TV

Production is underway for Absolute Dominion, the dystopian martial arts thriller that gained headlines earlier this month for the local film commission in the state of Nevada. The film hails from Netflix and Blumhouse Television with Punisher: War Zone helmer Lexi Alexander directing from her own script. Absolute Dominion is set in 2085 A.D. when the world has been destroyed by religious warfare. Desperate to save humanity, global governing forces host a gripping, no-holds-barred, martial arts tournament. Last fighter standing wins Absolute Dominion for one faith. According to the trades, Alex Winter (Bill & Ted trilogy), Alok Vaid-Menon (Random Acts of Flyness), Andy Allo (Chicago Fire), and Désiré Mia, are starring in the film with Jennifer Jajeh (Transparent), Juliana Joel (American Gigolo), Julie Ann Emery (Better Call Saul), June Carryl (Y: The Last Man), Junes Zahdi (Counterpart), Laith Ashley (Pose), Mario D’Leon (Power), Nora Armani (The Blacklist: Redemption), Oluniké Adeliyi (The Expanse), Patton Oswalt (I […]

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WE ARE ZOMBIES: ‘Turbo Kid’ Team RKSS Jumps Back In The Game With Thriller Zombie Comedy Adaptation

Whatever plans there might be will have to wait for those pining for a sequel to the Anouk Whissell/Yoann-Karl Whissell/François Simard-directed dystopian sci-fi action adventure thriller, Turbo Kid. In the meantime, the RKSS trio also behind Summer of 84 are back as of late with news out of Variety for the production of We Are Zombies, an adaptation of Les Humanoïdes Associés’ comic publication “The Zombies That Ate the World” which launched in 2004 from author Jerry Frissen, and artists Guy Davis and Jorge Miguel. The high-concept movie is set in a city breeding non-cannibal zombies who are considered “living-impaired.” The offbeat comedic plot follows three slackers looking to earn some easy money who must fight an evil mega-corporation to save their kidnapped grand-mother. Elsa Kelassy, Variety Elsa Kelassy’s Variety exclusive also notes the production reunites the filmmaking trio with cinematographer Jean-Philippe Bernier and production designer Sylvain Lemaître who both […]

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AWARENESS: Heads-Up For Daniel Benmayor’s Latest Sci-Fi Actioner Currently Filming For Amazon Prime

You’d be wise to take note of filmmaker Daniel Benmayor (Tracers, Bruc) who is still stirring things up behind the scenes. If you’re between streamers and you enjoyed Netflix actioner, Xtremo, then feast your eyes on the inaugural still photo for the new sci-fi thriller flick, Awareness, which began shooting last month in Cataluña, Madrid, and Castilla y León. In Awareness we meet Ian (Carlos Scholz – Toy Boy, Feria: La luz más oscura), a rebellious teenager who lives with his father (Pedro Alonso – Money Heist, El ministerio del tiempo) on the outskirts of society. The two survive by running small scams using Ian’s ability to generate visual illusions upon unsuspecting victims. However, things get complicated when his powers get out of control in public and two opposing sides begin to hunt him down. On the run, Ian will have to decide which side he will fight with in the war […]

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REDEMPTION: New Malaysian Action Thriller From Michael Chuah, Filming Now Underway [EXCLUSIVE]

Actor and filmmaker Michael Chuah has been around since 2006. He firstly horror drama, Dark Seed, and has been following up with several actioners along the way debuting, initally appearing in Fist Of Dragon (2011), action comedies Firefly (2013) and Special Forces (2016) and Red Storm (2019). If you’re curious and live in the states at least, you can find most of Chuah’s films on Amazon Prime to rent or buy. In the meantime, I can report more on Chuah as he’s already shooting his newest film, Redemption. The film reunites Chuah with actor Henry Thia (Special Forces, Red Storm) and Monday Kang (Fist Of Dragon), with local actor/singer Tian Long also starring. As for the story, this is what Chuah has exclusively sent us along with the still just above: “Jie, one of the top bodyguards in Asia, has decided to retire, and to undergo a more peaceful life […]

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WAR CUSTOMISED: Nicholas Tse To Serve Up The Action In Herman Yau’s New Thriller, Jackie Cheung Co-Starring

Herman Yau (Shock Wave, Shock Wave 2, Ip Man: The Final Fight, The White Storm 2: Drug Lords) is at the microphone once more as cameras roll for War Customised. Actors Jacky Cheung (Bullet in the Head) and Nicholas Tse (Raging Fire) are heading the cast from a script by The Empty Hands and Shock Wave 2 scribe Erica Li. Plot details are being withheld according to Variety‘s Patrick Frater who describes the film as a “high octane action thriller”, and it’s worth noting that Tse, who’s long extended himself in the action arena working with action stalwarts like Nicky Li, Tony Ching, Donnie Yen and Jackie Chan among others, is getting a foot in this time as action choreographer. Rounding out the cast are Karena Lam (Inner Senses) and Francis Ng (Infernal Affairs 2), along with Liu Yase (Limbo), Michelle Wai (Triad), Angus Yeung (Raging Fire), Melvin Wong (Above the Law), Ben Yuen […]

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SHRAPNEL Casts Jason Patric And Cam Gigandet, William Kaufman Directing

Jason Patric (Sleepers, Narc) will lead action thriller Shrapnel, as announced by L.A.-based sales, production and financing firm, Premiere Entertainment Group (PEG) on Friday. The actor will star alongside Cam Gigandet (Twilight, The Magnificent Seven) with William Kaufman directing from a script by Chad Law and Johnny Walters. Patric will play a rancher who crosses the border in search of his missing daughter who mysteriously vanishes during a trip to Mexico with her best friend. He decides to take matters into his own hands, with the help of a former Marine buddy (Gigandet), after the local authorities provide little help and he discovers that they are in cahoots with the dangerous cartel behind his daughter’s disappearance.  The film further reunites Kaufman with Law, with the latter having co-penned three of Kaufman’s films in the past: Cuba Gooding Jr. actioners The Hit List (2011) and One In The Chamber (2012), and the […]

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SELLBLOCK Revs Up With Gritty Pre-Production Teaser For New Filipino Crime Drama

The first pre-production teaser is online for Filipino TV prison drama, Sellblock, with news signaling actor Jericho Rosales to lead the cast. Sellblock is the first on an Asian genre slate of projects announced back in February to be jointly backed and produced by companies in the Philippines, Hong Kong, and United States. A fictional series which chronicles one of Asia’s biggest drug empires, operating from inside the Philippines’ largest maximum-security prison. Discover how the drug lords made it their Las Vegas of prisons. Also starring are Tirso Cruz III, Cherry Pie Picache, Ronnie Lazaro, Rosanna Roces, Mon Confiado and RK Bagatsing, with more casting announcements ahead. Sellblock hails from Manila-based ABS-CBN in association with BlackOps Studios Asia. (Variety, ScreenAnarchy)

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JADE: James Bamford’s Debut Thriller Starring Shaina West Now Filming

Cameras are already underway in Alberquerque, New Mexico with stunt professional James Bamford (Ek Tha Tiger, Rampage, CW series Arrow) making his directorial debut, Jade, for stuntwoman and breakout actress Shaina West (Marvel’s Black Widow), who goes by @thesamurider On Instagram. The film was first announced last June hailing West in the company of actors Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler) and Mark Dacascos (John Wick: Parabellum), and as of this week, also stars Kat McNamara (Shadowhunters) and Marcus Vincios Maciel with plans to release later this year. The film centers on Jade (West), who swore she’d never pick up another gun after her brother’s untimely and accidental death at her own hands. But when she unknowingly comes between powerful businessman “Tork” (Rourke) and her former gang leader (Maciel) in their urgent search for a valuable hard drive that could single-handedly take down Interpol, she may not have a choice. Jade’s incredible […]

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BLACK SITE: A Look At ‘Rage’ Director Johnny Balazs’s New Short Thriller

I don’t know about you, but it feels like it’s been forever since Johnny Balazs got to spread his wings a bit with some action and thrills since delivering winning hits like Dancer and Night Shift. It was terrific to see him expand though, bringing himself to feature fruition with an amazing cast for 2019 crime drama, Rage, bringing together Matt Theo, Hayley Beveridge and Richard Norton to star. Going forward though, it’ll be a pleasure to see what lies ahead with Balazs’s latest return to shortfilm territory, Black Site. Theo reunites with Balazs as the lead cast, starring alongside Amelie Mendoza, Cassie Bethdart, Zoran Bravo and Marcus Merkoski for the story of a team of soldiers sent into infiltrate an abandoned Cold War-era fortress to extract a cure for a viral disease. Black Site is currently in its second week of principal photography, and I was actually contacted on […]

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THE KILLER: Jang Hyuk Goes Hitman In The Newest Thriller With ‘The Swordsman’ Director

You probably wouldn’t have guessed what actor Jang Hyuk was up to at this point given the more idiomatic title used for his latest reunion with The Swordsman helmer Choi Jae-hoon. Nevertheless, the two are indeed back together and have since shot new action thriller, The Killer (quite the palatable choice here for action fans, I allege), which is now in post-production as of its most recent launch at EFM. Choi’s The Killer is reportedly based on a novel by Bang Jin-ho, and stars Jang as Bang Yi-gang, a hitman retiree, then asked by his wife’s friend to look after her teenage daughter while the two ladies are away on a trip. Things go haywire when our ex-hitman is forced to use a little violence to protect the young girl from juvenile delinquents, only to get pulled back in deeper when the assailants are murdered, and the girl suddenly gets […]

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