JOURNEY OF A THOUSAND STYLES: Eddie Griffin To Star In Epic Kung Fu Fantasy From Hong Kong Stunt Veteran Robert Samuels – EXCLUSIVE

EXCLUSIVE: Filmmaker, actor and martial artist Robert Samuels is set to direct Journey Of A Thousand Styles, with actor and comedian Eddie Griffin (Double Take, A Star Is Born) starring. Samuels, who shared the helm with James Lew on 2021 action comedy, Made In Chinatown, will make his solo directing debut from a script by Robert Jefferson.

The fantasy urban kung fu adventure sees Griffin in the role of Eddie Stiles, a disheartened kung fu teacher who finds himself and his son trapped within an endless universe of kung-fu movies, ensnared by a mysterious VHS tape. To break free, they must embark on a journey of self-discovery, embracing new perspectives on life and mastering the art of kung fu in ways never imagined.

Additionally, Samuels will produce through his R4 Films LLC banner, rejoining Made In Chinatown cohort Mark V. Wiley who will produce via Tambuli Media. Also producing is Brian LaRoda for ANVL Entertainment, as will, Prophecy Ocasio, and Gus Fernandez. Griffin will executive produce.

Par for the course on the film’s scenic fight action will be Joseph Le (Everything Everywhere All At Once, Knights Of The Zodiac) who will oversee the film’s action design through his Team Red Pro unit, as well as produce. Venerated Hong Kong stunt veteran Andy Cheng (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, AMC’s “Into The Badlands”), who also directed Griffin for his 2008 sophomore street racing actioner, Redline, will serve as technical advisor.

The gears on Journey Of A Thousand Styles have been in the works for years in one form or another. Its nascency began roughly twenty years ago when Samuels took the reins early on with Nick Quested and Mandalay Pictures for a project titled “Kung Fu Theater,” before Mandalay pulled the plug which put the project in limbo. Gradually, it evolved over the years with Jefferson at the keyboard. Samuels reached out to Griffin in that time frame, ultimately granting the actor a package that would that would allow him to capitalize once more his screenfighting chops, just as he did on Malcolm D. Lee’s 2002 blaxploitation comedy spoof, Undercover Brother.

News on the project comes after months of Samuels and Jefferson touting the project on social media, as Griffin embarked on a comedy tour in the past several months with stops including New York, Oklahoma, Alabama, Michigan, Las Vegas, and in Washington DC. Wing Chun authority, Grandmaster Samuel Kwok came on board the project in late Spring, and can be seen training the actor for his latest role in an Instagram post from September here.

“This film will be my legacy project,” said Samuels in a statement to Film Combat Syndicate. “All my years in the business have prepared me for this project.”

Further casting news and commitment letters remain pending, while Samuels and his team look to roll cameras in Vietnam by June of the new year.

Samuels is prominently known among extensive circles of Hong Kong action cinema fandom, finding his footing under the auspices of screen legend Sammo Hung to become the first African American member inducted into the Hong Kong Stuntman Association. Among his credits are Fatal Bet, The Gambling Ghost, Don’t Give A Damn, and The Red Wolf.

The actor and stunt multi-hyphenate also steers R4 Films LLC with creative partner Jefferson, having directed shorts such as “Final Contact,” the “Shadow Fist” trilogy, and “Blackout.” The banner has also collaborated with other labels like Deviant Children Productions and Art School Dropouts, with Samuels contributing to a number of independent action projects like Nicholas Ortiz’s “Jugando Con Fuego,” Jon Truei’s “The 44th Chamber Of Shaolin,” and Joey Min’s 2019 feature breakout, Yes, Auntie!.

Samuels continues to be repped by American Talent Management.